Aktiv Learning vs UW
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Aktiv Learning
This platform offers dynamic problems and interactive tools for college-level chemistry and math. It helps students visualize abstract STEM concepts and provides instructors with real-time insights into class understanding. Features include a mobile-friendly Lewis structure drawing tool and over 250 practice questions.
- Interactive Lewis structure drawing tool
- Dynamic STEM problems
- Real-time class results
- Over 250 built-in practice questions
- Create in-class or homework assignments
- Isoform recognition for answers
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Aktiv Learning is an active learning platform built specifically for college-level chemistry and mathematics. Say goodbye to static content and generic multiple choice questions and hello to dynamic problems that are designed to help students learn and visualize abstract concepts in STEM. Aktiv Learning allows chemistry instructors to ask students engaging questions, such as drawing Lewis structures, and receive real-time information on what structures the class is drawing. The app features a custom-built tool that allows students and instructors to quickly and intuitively draw Lewis structures on mobile devices. Additionally, both students and instructors have access to over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. Features: • Intuitive Lewis structures drawing tool built specifically for mobile devices - Use as engaging demonstration for your students to show example Lewis structures and reinforce concepts such as the octet rule, formal charge, and VSEPR. Students can take advantage of the drawing tool to visualize the relationship between Lewis structures and molecular shapes. • Create in-class or homework assignments - Perfect for clicker, recitation, or review problems. Students receive push notifications to alert and remind them of pending assignments. • Assign or practice with over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. • Real-time class results - Quickly find common incorrect structures to address student misunderstanding before exams. • Isoform recognition - Aktiv’s technology recognizes correct answers independent of the drawn structure orientation. • Export student activity - Student participation and performance exported in a tap of a button. • Easy sign-up - Students and instructors can create accounts and join courses all within the app in a few steps. • School IT and device independent - Assign, work, and review from any mobile device and over any network connection. More content and features coming soon!
UW
Navigate campus, stay updated on news and events, and access essential student resources. Find computer labs, manage your accounts, and track wellness information. This app simplifies campus life for students.
- Campus news and events
- Outdoor navigation
- Computer lab information
- Wellness tracking
- Account management integration
- Health app integration
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The Parkside app is designed for students to help with campus life. Relevant and important information can be found here. Always get lost between the buildings? Do not know where to go to use a computer? Afraid of missing or forgetting an interesting event or news? Then this app is for you! Features Included: News article viewing Events article viewing Outdoor navigation Computer Lab Information Ranger Wellness Linked to Navigate Linked to eAccounts This app integrates with the health app and the information from within it. Your health data from the phone will be used.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Aktiv Learning at 3.1 against UW's 2.4. Aktiv Learning also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (185 vs 8). UW's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Aktiv Learning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. UW asks for nothing beyond the download.
Aktiv Learning holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aktiv Learning has 185 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Aktiv Learning ships an update every 3 weeks, UW every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Aktiv Learning | UW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (185 ratings) — better | 2.4 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 72.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 185 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 112 MB | 82 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Top Hat Monocle | University of Wisconsin-Parkside |
Customer experience
Aktiv Learning
UW
Bugs and requests
Aktiv Learning
Reported bugs
10 issues- Pop-up warnings flicker and disappear too quickly
- Drag-and-drop fails 70% of the time on iOS
- App crashes on specific problems with no recovery
- Login errors and password reset failures
- Users locked out of questions permanently
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- Window resizing issues on iPad 12.9in
- Questions don't load properly or display incompletely
- Subscripts/superscripts not displaying on Mac
- Split-screen functionality disabled
- Inconsistent performance between app and web versions
Requested features
10 requests- In-app notification system for assignment reminders
- Ability to sign up for courses on mobile app
- Split-screen functionality on iPad
- Zoom capability for periodic table
- Reset button for Lewis structure questions
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- Full solutions displayed after using all attempts
- Better hints and guidance for dimensional analysis
- School login integration on mobile app
- Improved question clarity and directions
- Subscript and superscript display on web version
UW
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Aktiv Learning
- Chem101 Course Activation$29.99
UW
No in-app purchases









