Comparison

Encode vs Curio

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

Head to head
About

Encode

Learn to code with interactive, bite-sized lessons designed for busy schedules. Master popular languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL through hands-on exercises and challenges. Ideal for beginners, this app makes coding accessible and fun, offering certificates upon completion.

Highlights
  • Bite-sized interactive lessons
  • Hands-on coding exercises
  • Learn Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL
  • Built-in code playground
  • Daily motivation streaks and hearts
  • Certificates of completion
Features
Read full description

Start coding today with short, interactive lessons! Learn Python, SQL, HTML/CSS, JavaScript (and more) at your own pace. Encode makes learning to code easy! Bite-Sized Learning: Fit coding into your busy life with effective lessons you can complete in just 15 minutes daily. Hands-On Coding: Write REAL code from lesson one! Our interactive quizzes, coding exercises, and challenges build practical, real-world skills. Master In-Demand Languages: Learn Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, & SQL. Plus, explore mini-courses in R, Swift, Java, & the Command Line. Practice Anywhere: Our built-in playground for coding means no setup headaches. Experiment, test, and write code on the go. Learning Made Fun: Daily streaks and hearts keep you motivated. Coding feels like a game, not a chore! Perfect for Absolute Beginners: No coding experience needed! Encode guides you step-by-step, demystifying complex concepts. Build Real-World Skills: Prepare to build websites, automate tasks, analyze data, or launch your tech career. Earn Your Certificate: Showcase your new coding skills with a personalized certificate of completion. Join thousands learning to code with Encode. Visit https://upskew.com/privacy for our Privacy Policy and https://upskew.com/tos for our Terms of Use. Illustrations by Ouch (https://icons8.com/ouch). Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you at support@upskew.com.

About

Curio

This app uses AI to create personalized, day-by-day learning paths for any subject. It offers structured curricula, quizzes, flashcards, and progress tracking to help users master new skills efficiently. Learn coding, music, languages, and more with a clear roadmap from beginner to expert.

Highlights
  • AI-generated personalized curricula
  • Day-by-day learning plans
  • Spaced repetition flashcards
  • Quizzes and active recall
  • Gamified progress tracking (XP, streaks, levels)
  • Multiple learning realms
  • Focus tools and study tracking
Features
Read full description

Learn anything. Curio turns AI into your personal tutor — pick any topic and get a structured, day-by-day learning path built just for you. No random tutorials. No information overload. Just a clear roadmap from beginner to expert. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose what you want to learn — coding, design, music, languages, business, science, anything 2. AI generates a personalized curriculum with daily lessons 3. Follow your day-by-day plan with quizzes, flashcards, and projects 4. Track progress with streaks, XP, and level-ups PERSONALIZED AI CURRICULUM Curio doesn't give you a generic course. It builds a custom learning path based on what you want to master. Python? Guitar? Marketing? Photography? AI creates a structured roadmap with the right depth and pace for you. MULTIPLE LEARNING REALMS Learn more than one thing at a time. Each topic gets its own Realm with its own curriculum, progress, and flashcards. Switch between Realms anytime. GAMIFICATION THAT WORKS • XP for every completed lesson • Daily streaks that build consistency • Weekly challenges with bonus rewards • Level progression showing real growth • Curio Cat — your learning companion who grows with you SPACED REPETITION FLASHCARDS Learn once, remember forever. Built-in flashcards use proven spaced repetition to schedule reviews at the perfect time. 5 minutes a day keeps weeks of learning fresh. QUIZZES & ACTIVE RECALL Micro-quizzes test understanding, not just memory. Adaptive difficulty that gets harder as you improve. FOCUS TOOLS • Pomodoro-style focus timer • Daily reflection journal • Weekly progress dashboard • Study time tracking BUILT FOR EVERYONE Students studying for exams. Career changers learning new skills. Developers picking up new tech. Creatives exploring new mediums. Professionals upskilling. Hobbyists diving deep into any passion. PODCAST & VIDEO LEARNING Curated YouTube videos and podcasts integrated into your curriculum. Learn by reading, watching, or listening. 100% FREE. NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. No paywalls. No trial periods. No premium tier. Just learn. Stop scrolling random tutorials hoping something sticks. Get a real plan. Download Curio. Pick a topic. Start today

Screenshots

Encode4 screens
Curio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Curio at none against Encode's 2. Curio also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Encode's advantage is ratings volume (6.4K vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price 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. Encode sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Curio asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Curio holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Encode has 6.4K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Encode's written reviews are positive against 100% of Curio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Encode ships an update every 2 weeks, Curio every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Encode versus Curio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEncodeCurio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6.4K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.4K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUpskew Pty. Ltd.Gopal Bagaswar

Customer experience

Encode

All ratings6,375 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral2.8%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews250 reviews
Positive88.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative6.4%

Curio

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Encode

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incorrect grammar/spelling in some lessons
  • Inability to input answers in certain lessons
  • Lesson content not always matching what's asked

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more coding languages like C++, C#, and Lua
  • Implement progress sync across devices
  • Provide more interactive coding exercises
  • Include audio/voice guidance for lessons

Curio

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Encode

Subscriptions2
  • Encode Plus (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Encode Plus (Annual)$39.991 Year
None

Curio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Encode free?
Encode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Curio free?
Curio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Encode or Curio?
Curio is rated higher. Encode averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.4K ratings, while Curio averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Encode or Curio have ads?
Encode shows ads; Curio does not.
Which is updated more often, Encode or Curio?
Encode ships an update every 2 weeks, and Curio every 4 days. Most recently, Encode was updated on November 2, 2026 and Curio on October 31, 2026.

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