Comparison

Aktiv Learning vs Gradescope

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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!

About

Gradescope

Easily upload assignments for courses using this app. Submit files from your device or scan your work directly. Assign pages for variable-length assignments and resubmit if needed before the deadline.

Highlights
  • Upload assignments
  • Scan documents with camera
  • Select existing files
  • Assign pages for variable-length assignments
  • Resubmit assignments
  • View submitted and graded assignments
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Students, upload your assignments to Gradescope more easily than ever before! If your instructor uses Gradescope for your assignments, you can now upload your submission with our mobile app. After installing and opening the app, login to see your Gradescope courses and assignments. To upload a submission, click on the assignment in the “Not Submitted” tab and either “Select File” to select an existing file from your device or “Scan” all pages of your completed work using your iPhone’s camera. Once you submit your file(s), for templated assignments, you’re all set. For variable-length assignments, “Assign pages” to indicate where your answer for each question appears within your submission. It’s that easy! After confirming, your assignment then moves to the “Submitted” tab. If needed, you can resubmit your assignment until the due date your instructor set has passed. Once it is graded and grades are published for the assignment, it then moves to the “Graded” tab. Note: For V1 of the app, you will be directed to our mobile website for any advanced functionality, including viewing feedback and submitting timed, programming, or online assignments. Stay tuned for future updates that will allow you to do even more with our mobile app!

Screenshots

Aktiv Learning4 screens
Gradescope4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aktiv Learning at 73% against Gradescope's 9%. Aktiv Learning also leads on rating (3.2 vs 1.4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Gradescope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#119 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Aktiv Learning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Gradescope asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aktiv Learning holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 1.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 184 and 231 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Aktiv Learning's written reviews are positive against 9% of Gradescope's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aktiv Learning ships an update every 3 weeks, Gradescope every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Aktiv Learning versus Gradescope: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAktiv LearningGradescope
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (184 ratings) — better1.4 (231 ratings)
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews — better9.2% of reviews
Number of ratings184231 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#119 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.113.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTop Hat MonocleTurnitin

Customer experience

Aktiv Learning

All ratings184 ratings
Positive53.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative43.5%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative25.3%

Gradescope

All ratings231 ratings
Positive7.4%
Neutral3.5%
Negative89.2%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive9.2%
Neutral7.1%
Negative83.7%

User reviews

Aktiv Learning

From 184 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 📱 Works seamlessly on both mobile and desktop
  • 💡 Interactive problem-solving tools (Lewis structures, dimensional analysis)
  • 🎯 Multiple attempts per question reduce fear of failure
  • 📚 Detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
  • ⏱️ Extremely slow loading times
  • 🔐 Login and authentication issues
  • 📱 Drag-and-drop functionality malfunctions on iPad
  • ❌ Confusing and unclear question directions

Gradescope

From 231 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Quick and effective submission process
  • 👍 Clean and well-designed app
  • 📸 Convenient scanning and photo upload

Room to improve

  • 🔑 Frequent log-in issues and lack of session persistence
  • 📱 Suboptimal iPad and tablet experience
  • 🐛 Buggy scanning and submission functionality
  • 🤔 Lack of key features like viewing graded assignments

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
Show 5 more
  • 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
Show 5 more
  • 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

Gradescope

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera flash issues during scanning
  • Photos not uploading in correct order
  • Inconsistent download button behavior

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to sort assignments by due date
  • Integration of tools for instructors
  • Improved iPad and tablet optimization

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Aktiv Learning

One-time1
  • Chem101 Course Activation$29.99
None

Gradescope

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Aktiv Learning free?
Aktiv Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gradescope free?
Gradescope is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Aktiv Learning or Gradescope?
Aktiv Learning is rated higher. Aktiv Learning averages 3.2 out of 5 from 184 ratings, while Gradescope averages 1.4 from 231 ratings.
Do Aktiv Learning or Gradescope have ads?
Neither Aktiv Learning nor Gradescope shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aktiv Learning or Gradescope?
Aktiv Learning ships an update every 3 weeks, and Gradescope every 2 months. Most recently, Aktiv Learning was updated on September 22, 2026 and Gradescope on September 22, 2026.

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