# Beanstack Tracker vs Explore NC

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Explore NC at 100% against Beanstack Tracker's 67%. Explore NC also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Beanstack Tracker's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (102K vs 6). On price, 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.

Explore NC 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 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Beanstack Tracker's written reviews are positive against 100% of Explore NC's.

Beanstack Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, Explore NC every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Beanstack Tracker | Explore NC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (102K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277/reviews) | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-nc/id1613986031/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **102K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#208** | — |
| Size | 60 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zoobean, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1360324276) | [Horizon Video Productions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1072526409) |

## What reviewers say

### Beanstack Tracker

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

**Currently charting:** #208 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


### Explore NC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-nc/id1613986031)

Discover North Carolina's historical and cultural sites through an engaging augmented reality experience. Interactive games and educational content are designed for children aged 5 and up, offering a fun way to learn about the state's attractions.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality experiences, Interactive games, Historical and cultural attractions, Educational content for kids, Learn about North Carolina sites

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Beanstack Tracker free?

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

### Is Explore NC free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Beanstack Tracker or Explore NC?

Explore NC is rated higher. Beanstack Tracker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 102K ratings, while Explore NC averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do Beanstack Tracker or Explore NC have ads?

Neither Beanstack Tracker nor Explore NC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Beanstack Tracker or Explore NC?

Beanstack Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Explore NC every 11 months. Most recently, Beanstack Tracker was updated on October 17, 2026 and Explore NC on October 2, 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.*