# Beanstack Tracker vs Project Des Moines

The clearest difference is update cadence: Beanstack Tracker at every 3 weeks against Project Des Moines's every 4 months. Beanstack Tracker also leads on ratings volume (102K vs 1) and chart position (#184 vs unranked). Project Des Moines's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Project Des Moines holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beanstack Tracker has 102K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Beanstack Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, Project Des Moines every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Beanstack Tracker | Project Des Moines |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (102K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/project-des-moines/id1487206805/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **102K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#184** | — |
| Size | 60 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zoobean, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1360324276) | [Cleveland State University Research Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/999944336) |

## What reviewers say

### Beanstack Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277)

**Currently charting:** #184 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app encourages reading for all ages through engaging challenges and easy progress tracking. It allows family profiles, individual logging, and offers features like barcode scanning and reading timers. It prioritizes user privacy by not selling data or showing ads.

**Highlights:** Motivating reading challenges, Easy reading progress tracking, Barcode scanner for titles, Reading timer and logging, Streaks and badges, Reading recommendations, Friend leaderboards, Reading fundraisers

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for tracking reading
- 🚀 Barcode scanning feature
- 👍 Ability to track multiple readers
- 👍 Motivating with achievements and badges

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent logging and tracking issues
- 🤔 Confusing user interface and navigation
- 🤔 Limited customization and personalization options
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches, especially with timers and syncing
- 🤔 Cumbersome process for logging books and reading

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect logging of reading sessions and progress
- Inability to edit or remove previously logged books
- Compatibility issues on tablets and iPads
- Timezone-related bugs causing lost reading streaks

**Requested features**

- Ability to backdate reading sessions
- Calendar view to easily see monthly reading progress
- Option to log quantity of books read instead of just time
- Personalized book recommendations based on reading history
- Improved syncing and data management across devices


### Project Des Moines

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/project-des-moines/id1487206805)

Explore the rich history of Des Moines through an interactive, GPS-enabled map. Discover details about significant people, places, and events, enhanced with archival images and historical publications. This educational tool was created by the Des Moines Public Library.

**Highlights:** Interactive GPS-enabled map, Historical information on people, places, events, Archival images and publications, Location-based historical discovery, Developed by Des Moines Public Library

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Beanstack Tracker free?

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

### Is Project Des Moines free?

Project Des Moines is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Beanstack Tracker or Project Des Moines?

Project Des Moines is rated higher. Beanstack Tracker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 102K ratings, while Project Des Moines averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Beanstack Tracker or Project Des Moines have ads?

Neither Beanstack Tracker nor Project Des Moines shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Beanstack Tracker or Project Des Moines?

Beanstack Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Project Des Moines every 4 months. Most recently, Beanstack Tracker was updated on October 23, 2026 and Project Des Moines on October 4, 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.*