Comparison

Arduino Science Journal vs FlashSmart.co

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

Head to head
About

Arduino Science Journal

Transform your smartphone into a science notebook. Use your device's sensors and connect external hardware to gather real-time data, conduct experiments, and analyze findings. Ideal for students to explore the world scientifically.

Highlights
  • Use smartphone sensors
  • Connect external Arduino sensors
  • Record and analyze real-time data
  • Conduct interactive experiments
  • Enhance lesson plans
  • Cross-platform support
Features
Read full description

The Arduino Science Journal (formerly Science Journal, an initiative by Google) is free and allows you to gather data about the world around you by harnessing the sensors in your smartphone as well as sensors connected to Arduino. The Science Journal transforms smartphones and tablets into science notebooks that encourage students to explore their world. The Arduino Science Journal app is recommended for students from 10 to 18 years of age. About Arduino Science Journal With the Arduino Science Journal, you can learn interactively, conduct experiments and iterate on findings. • Enhance your existing lesson plans: use the Science Journal with activities and assignments you have already prepared • Classroom & home-school friendly: you don’t have to be in a classroom setting to start exploring. The Arduino Science Journal can be used to run experiments straight away, as long as you have your smartphone or tablet with you! • Move learning outside: the use of mobile devices along with the types of experiments we offer encourage students to get out of their seats and open their eyes to the world around them through the power of science • Science and data have no secrets: you can easily record your observations, store your data sensors in real-time and analyse them, just as a proper scientist! • Connect the digital and the physical world from your pocket: go through a series of simple tutorials and start having fun with science With built-in device sensors as well as external hardware, you can measure light, sound, movement, and much more. You can also compare results, and even set triggers. Together with the external hardware, (not included with the app), students are enabled to conduct more complex experiments, and advance in their scientific studies. As long as the external sensors are compatible with a Bluetooth-connecting device such as a microcontroller, there is no end to what experiments the students can make. Some popular sensors that the app can work with are: light, conductivity, temperature, force, gas, heart rate, respiration, radiation, pressure, magnetism, and many more. The app is classroom-friendly, since students can sign in on any device and access their experiments to continue exploring the world, wherever they are! Permissions notice: • Bluetooth: needed to scan for Bluetooth sensor devices. • Camera: needed to take pictures to document experiments and for the brightness sensor. • Photo Library: needed to store pictures taken to document experiments and for adding existing photos from your library to experiments. • Microphone: needed for sound intensity sensor. • Push notifications: needed to inform you of recording status when backgrounding the app. Benefits of using the Arduino Science Journal • It’s free and simple to use • Easy setup: download the app and start exploring with your phone’s built-in sensors • Cross-platform support • Portable: enhance your home learning or bring your device outside to study the world around you • Fully compatible with Arduino hardware: keep experimenting with the Arduino Science Kit Physics Lab, as well as the Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense board • Google Drive integration, as well as local download --- Terms and Conditions: https://www.arduino.cc/en/sj-terms-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.arduino.cc/en/privacy-policy Children's Privacy Policy: https://www.arduino.cc/en/privacy-policy/children-privacy-policy

About

FlashSmart.co

Features
Read full description

FlashSmart is your daily brain workout. A fresh article and a collection of brain-training games, every day — in English or Spanish. EVERY DAY, SOMETHING NEW Start with a new article to spark curiosity and expand your knowledge. Then challenge yourself with games designed to keep your mind sharp: — Sudoku: the classic number puzzle, with multiple difficulty levels. — Memory: train your recall memorizing patterns. — Snake: re-live the classic arcade game. — Calculations: quick mental math to keep you on your toes. BUILT AROUND YOUR ROUTINE Fresh content arrives every day. Your progress and saved games are always there when you return. YOUR WAY English and Spanish. A clean, focused interface designed to feel right in any session. Whether you have 5 minutes or 50, FlashSmart keeps your brain moving every day.

Screenshots

Arduino Science Journal4 screens
FlashSmart.co4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FlashSmart.co at none against Arduino Science Journal's 2. FlashSmart.co also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, 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. Arduino Science Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. FlashSmart.co asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arduino Science Journal ships an update every 3 months, FlashSmart.co every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Arduino Science Journal versus FlashSmart.co: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArduino Science JournalFlashSmart.co
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB38 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperArduino LLCBentor Bautista Piris

Bugs and requests

Arduino Science Journal

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App often crashes when trying to add sensors
  • Sensor selection menu doesn't work
  • Freezes on loading dashboards with blank screen
  • Stopped working after iOS 15 update

Requested features

5 requests
  • iCloud sync
  • CSV export for data analysis
  • Velocity sensors using GPS
  • Arduino sensor integration
  • Buzzer with variable range

FlashSmart.co

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Arduino Science Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Teacher Monthly Plan1 Month trial$7.991 Month
  • Yearly Teacher Plan1 Month trial$63.991 Year
None

FlashSmart.co

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Arduino Science Journal free?
Arduino Science Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FlashSmart.co free?
FlashSmart.co is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Arduino Science Journal or FlashSmart.co have ads?
Neither Arduino Science Journal nor FlashSmart.co shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Arduino Science Journal or FlashSmart.co?
Arduino Science Journal ships an update every 3 months, and FlashSmart.co every 5 weeks. Most recently, Arduino Science Journal was updated on November 3, 2026 and FlashSmart.co on November 5, 2026.

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