Comparison

Gradescope vs Codon

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

Head to head
About

Gradescope

Easily upload assignments for courses using this app. Submit files from your device or scan your work directly. Assign pages for variable-length assignments and resubmit if needed before the deadline.

Highlights
  • Upload assignments
  • Scan documents with camera
  • Select existing files
  • Assign pages for variable-length assignments
  • Resubmit assignments
  • View submitted and graded assignments
Features
Read full description

Students, upload your assignments to Gradescope more easily than ever before! If your instructor uses Gradescope for your assignments, you can now upload your submission with our mobile app. After installing and opening the app, login to see your Gradescope courses and assignments. To upload a submission, click on the assignment in the “Not Submitted” tab and either “Select File” to select an existing file from your device or “Scan” all pages of your completed work using your iPhone’s camera. Once you submit your file(s), for templated assignments, you’re all set. For variable-length assignments, “Assign pages” to indicate where your answer for each question appears within your submission. It’s that easy! After confirming, your assignment then moves to the “Submitted” tab. If needed, you can resubmit your assignment until the due date your instructor set has passed. Once it is graded and grades are published for the assignment, it then moves to the “Graded” tab. Note: For V1 of the app, you will be directed to our mobile website for any advanced functionality, including viewing feedback and submitting timed, programming, or online assignments. Stay tuned for future updates that will allow you to do even more with our mobile app!

About

Codon

Explore biology from molecules to ecosystems with 100 structured lessons. Features include quizzes, researcher profiles, and landmark experiments. Study offline with bundled content and track progress with flashcards and notes.

Highlights
  • 100 structured biology lessons
  • Researcher profiles and glossary
  • Quizzes with explanations
  • Spaced-review flashcards
  • Offline study capabilities
  • Home screen widgets
Features
Read full description

Codon is a structured biology study course with 100 lessons covering cells and molecules, inheritance, evolution, ecology, organisms and physiology. It teaches mechanisms and evidence without presenting the course as a university degree or medical advice. WHAT IS INSIDE 100 lessons with estimated reading times and on-device narration 82 researcher profiles 735 glossary entries 20 quizzes with answer explanations 18 landmark experiments Spaced-review flashcards, bookmarks and notes Three Home Screen widgets: a source idea, a term and a figure FREE AND FULL ACCESS The first ten lessons are free. A one-time Full Access purchase opens the other 90 lessons. The current price for your App Store region is shown in the app before purchase. No subscription or app account is required. OFFLINE STUDY Lessons, profiles, glossary entries, quizzes and case studies are bundled for offline reading. Loading a purchase, buying or restoring Full Access, and opening external reference or support links may require a network connection.

Screenshots

Gradescope4 screens
Codon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Codon at 5.0 against Gradescope's 1.4. Codon also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Gradescope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (275 vs 1). On price, ads and device support 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. Codon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Gradescope asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Codon holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gradescope has 275 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gradescope ships an update every 2 months, Codon every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Gradescope versus Codon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGradescopeCodon
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.4 (275 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews8.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings275 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB6 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTurnitinOMAR DANIEL GRAZIANO

Customer experience

Gradescope

All ratings259 ratings
Positive7.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative89.2%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive8.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative84.6%

Codon

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Gradescope

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera flash issues during scanning
  • Photos not uploading in correct order
  • Inconsistent download button behavior

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to sort assignments by due date
  • Integration of tools for instructors
  • Improved iPad and tablet optimization

Codon

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Gradescope

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Codon

One-time1
  • Codon Full Access$9.99

Questions

Is Gradescope free?
Gradescope is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Codon free?
Codon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Gradescope or Codon?
Codon is rated higher. Gradescope averages 1.4 out of 5 from 275 ratings, while Codon averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Gradescope or Codon have ads?
Neither Gradescope nor Codon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gradescope or Codon?
Gradescope ships an update every 2 months, and Codon every 3 weeks. Most recently, Gradescope was updated on November 3, 2026 and Codon on November 10, 2026.

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