Comparison

Optics Trainer vs PatchPal

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

Head to head
About

Optics Trainer

Engage in game-based vision training exercises designed to improve eye teaming, depth perception, and reaction time. Daily workouts offer personalized challenges, with an optional VR mode for enhanced experiences. Track your progress and enhance visual skills through fun, adaptive drills.

Highlights
  • Vision therapy games
  • Daily adaptive workouts
  • Binocular vision training
  • Peripheral awareness drills
  • Red-blue 3D glasses mode
  • Progress tracking
  • VR mode available
Features
Read full description

Optics Trainer turns vision training exercises into short, game-based workouts. It started in vision therapy clinics, where eye care professionals use it with their patients, and is now available at home on iPhone, iPad and the web. WHAT YOU TRAIN • Convergence and divergence (vergence): games that ask both eyes to aim together at changing depths, with levels you can adjust • Binocular fusion and eye teaming: activities that use both eyes as a team • Stereo acuity and depth perception: spot what's nearer or farther • Monocular fixation in a binocular field (MFBF): with red-blue 3D glasses, each eye sees its own target while both stay open • Eye tracking: pursuits, saccades and steady fixation • Peripheral awareness, multiple object tracking and reaction time • Visual memory, visual discrimination, attention and processing speed GAMES AND DRILLS A large and growing library of short games for eye exercises, vision training and brain training. Each one adjusts its level to you. DAILY WORKOUT A new set of games every day, picked for your level: about 7 minutes. RED-BLUE 3D GLASSES MODE Put on red-blue glasses for games that show each eye a different image (a dichoptic display). TRACK YOUR SCORES See your streak, your level in every game and your scores by skill. One account works on iPhone, iPad, Android and the web at app.opticstrainer.com. ALSO ON META QUEST Optics Trainer VR adds VR-only activities, with MFBF built in and no glasses needed. PREMIUM 7-day free trial, then $14.99/month or $149.99/year. Unlimited play, no ads, 3D glasses games, progress charts and level choice. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Optics Trainer is a training app. It does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition and is not a substitute for professional eye care. If you have a vision condition or symptoms, ask your eye care professional whether home training fits your plan. Terms of Use: https://www.opticstrainer.com/terms-of-service/ Privacy Policy: https://www.opticstrainer.com/privacy-policy/

About

PatchPal

This app makes eye patching for children with amblyopia fun and engaging. It features a timer, mini-games, and rewards to motivate kids, along with progress tracking and reminders for parents. Data can be exported for doctor visits.

Highlights
  • Kid-friendly timer with progress tracking
  • Engaging mini-games for children
  • Achievement system and rewards
  • Detailed progress charts and statistics
  • Cloud sync across devices
  • Reminder notifications
  • Data export to CSV
Features
Read full description

PatchPal helps families track eye patching time for children with amblyopia (lazy eye). Make patching fun and engaging! KEY FEATURES: • Simple timer with colorful progress tracking • Fun mini-games to keep kids engaged during patching • Achievement system and rewards to motivate children • Detailed progress charts and statistics • Cloud sync across all your devices • Reminder notifications to never miss a session • Export data as CSV for doctor visits • Beautiful, kid-friendly design Perfect for parents managing their child's eye patching treatment. All features are completely free to use, with optional support options available. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: PatchPal offers optional auto-renewable subscriptions to support ongoing development. Subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID settings and can be canceled at any time. IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This app is for informational and tracking purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Do not use this app to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Privacy Policy: https://sushantwason.github.io/patchpal-legal/privacy_policy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://sushantwason.github.io/patchpal-legal/terms_of_service.html Download PatchPal today and make patching time easier and more fun!

Screenshots

Optics Trainer4 screens
PatchPal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PatchPal at none against Optics Trainer's 2. PatchPal also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 days). Optics Trainer's advantage is ratings volume (307 vs 7). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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. Optics Trainer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. PatchPal asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Optics Trainer against 4.6 for PatchPal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Optics Trainer has 307 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Optics Trainer's written reviews are positive against 80% of PatchPal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Optics Trainer ships an update every 8 days, PatchPal every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Optics Trainer versus PatchPal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOptics TrainerPatchPal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (307 ratings)4.6 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings307 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size404 MB5 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperOptics Trainer LLCSUSHANT WASON

Customer experience

Optics Trainer

All ratings307 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral9.5%
Negative23.8%

PatchPal

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Optics Trainer

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Number flip game has blank tiles
  • Flower power stopped working
  • Letter delivery letter goes off-screen
  • Attention exercises stuck on level one
  • Ice flow impossible to level up

Requested features

5 requests
  • Customize peripheral vision symbols
  • Option to change symbol colors
  • Adjust number of targets in Dynamic Acuity
  • Add introductory level for Dynamic Acuity
  • Allow offline play in free version

PatchPal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Optics Trainer

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$14.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription1 Month trial$149.991 Year
None

PatchPal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Optics Trainer free?
Optics Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PatchPal free?
PatchPal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Optics Trainer or PatchPal?
PatchPal is rated higher. Optics Trainer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 307 ratings, while PatchPal averages 4.6 from 7 ratings.
Do Optics Trainer or PatchPal have ads?
Optics Trainer shows ads; PatchPal does not.
Which is updated more often, Optics Trainer or PatchPal?
Optics Trainer ships an update every 8 days, and PatchPal every 3 days. Most recently, Optics Trainer was updated on November 7, 2026 and PatchPal on November 5, 2026.

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