# Observations Module vs SmartTeach

The clearest difference is rating: SmartTeach at 4.8 against Observations Module's 2.3. SmartTeach also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 7) and review sentiment (24% vs 0%). Observations Module's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SmartTeach holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartTeach has 1.2K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Observations Module's written reviews are positive against 24% of SmartTeach's.

Observations Module ships an update every 3 weeks, SmartTeach monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Observations Module | SmartTeach |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observations-module/id1181584249/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartteach/id1663286926/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **24.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 22 MB | 105 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Plaidypus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062355285) | [Teaching Strategies, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/571518842) |

## What reviewers say

### Observations Module

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observations-module/id1181584249)

Easily record student observations, linking them to benchmarks and photos. Syncs automatically with EC Portfolio Tools or Early Learning Scale accounts for seamless data management.

**Highlights:** Record student observations, Attach benchmarks, Add photos to observations, Sync with EC Portfolio Tools, Sync with Early Learning Scale

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### SmartTeach

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartteach/id1663286926)

This app helps early childhood educators streamline daily classroom tasks. It simplifies documentation, classroom management, and family communication with easy-to-use tools for online and offline use.

**Highlights:** Create documentation and share insights, View and teach from daily schedule, Communicate with families, Save and share photos/videos, Assess from curriculum resources, Track attendance and care routines, Conduct health screenings

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy and awesome app to track notes and submit to Teaching Strategies Gold
- 👍 Brings together curriculum and assessment
- 👍 Convenient and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent technical glitches and bugs
- 🐛 Performance issues
- 🐛 Login issues
- 🐛 Messaging and communication problems
- 🐛 Delayed or failed uploads

**Reported bugs**

- Screener not working when clicking plus sign
- Inability to log in through app, but able to log in on website
- Delayed or failed message delivery
- Uploaded documentation still showing in app, causing confusion

**Requested features**

- Add ability to select and apply objectives to multiple pieces of documentation at once
- Add ability to select and delete multiple photos/videos at once
- Add ability to change date on add documentation page
- Add landscape mode support for easier typing
- Improve translation and communication features for ESL families


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Observations Module free?

Observations Module is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SmartTeach free?

SmartTeach is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Observations Module or SmartTeach?

SmartTeach is rated higher. Observations Module averages 2.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while SmartTeach averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Observations Module or SmartTeach have ads?

Neither Observations Module nor SmartTeach shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Observations Module or SmartTeach?

Observations Module ships an update every 3 weeks, and SmartTeach monthly. Most recently, Observations Module was updated on June 1, 2026 and SmartTeach on September 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*