# Sparkler vs ProgressBook Parent/Student

The clearest difference is ads: ProgressBook Parent/Student at none against Sparkler's shown. ProgressBook Parent/Student also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (5.6K vs 22). Sparkler's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

ProgressBook Parent/Student holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ProgressBook Parent/Student has 5.6K ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Sparkler's written reviews are positive against 46% of ProgressBook Parent/Student's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Sparkler ships an update every 3 weeks, ProgressBook Parent/Student every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sparkler | ProgressBook Parent/Student |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sparkler-play-for-parenting/id1236766824/reviews) | **[4.7 (5.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/progressbook-parentstudent/id1551002406/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **5.6K** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 46.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 70 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sparkler Learning, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1236766823) | [Frontline Technologies Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/494961802) |

## What reviewers say

### Sparkler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sparkler-play-for-parenting/id1236766824)

This app offers a personalized playbook to inspire and guide parents in supporting their child's development. It simplifies connecting and playing with purpose, helping families savor growth moments.

**Highlights:** Personalized play playbook, Inspires child development, Facilitates unplugged play, Supports child's growth, Connects families

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ProgressBook Parent/Student

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/progressbook-parentstudent/id1551002406)

Access essential student information on the go, including grades, attendance, assignments, and class schedules. This app connects parents and students to their learning community with no extra setup required.

**Highlights:** View grades, Track attendance, Check assignments, Access class schedule, On-the-go information

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to check grades
- 👍 Helpful for students and parents
- 🚀 Convenient access to grades and assignments
- 👍 Reliable and organized
- 👍 Good for keeping track of progress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 🐛 Layout/UI could be improved
- 🐛 Compatibility issues on tablets
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Inability to switch accounts

**Reported bugs**

- Constant need to update app with no update available
- App gets stuck in loading loop and won't open
- Zoomed in UI on tablets makes it unusable
- Login issues and inability to access grades

**Requested features**

- Add ability to adjust font/UI size
- Include option to view graded assignments
- Improve communication with teachers
- Provide more customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sparkler free?

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

### Is ProgressBook Parent/Student free?

ProgressBook Parent/Student is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sparkler or ProgressBook Parent/Student?

ProgressBook Parent/Student is rated higher. Sparkler averages 4.3 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while ProgressBook Parent/Student averages 4.7 from 5.6K ratings.

### Do Sparkler or ProgressBook Parent/Student have ads?

Sparkler shows ads; ProgressBook Parent/Student does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sparkler or ProgressBook Parent/Student?

Sparkler ships an update every 3 weeks, and ProgressBook Parent/Student every 5 months. Most recently, Sparkler was updated on October 24, 2026 and ProgressBook Parent/Student on October 25, 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.*