# Gradescope vs Codon

The clearest difference is rating: Codon at 5.0 against Gradescope's 1.4. Codon also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). Gradescope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (259 vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Codon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Gradescope asks for nothing beyond the download.

Codon holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gradescope has 259 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Gradescope ships an update every 2 months, Codon every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gradescope | Codon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.4 (259 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradescope/id1563280912/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codon-learn-biology/id6796637767/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **259** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 9.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#104** | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Turnitin](https://appshunter.io/developer/657602527) | [OMAR DANIEL GRAZIANO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896485759) |

## What reviewers say

### Gradescope

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradescope/id1563280912)

**Currently charting:** #104 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and effective submission process
- 👍 Clean and well-designed app
- 📸 Convenient scanning and photo upload

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔑 Frequent log-in issues and lack of session persistence
- 📱 Suboptimal iPad and tablet experience
- 🐛 Buggy scanning and submission functionality
- 🤔 Lack of key features like viewing graded assignments

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Codon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codon-learn-biology/id6796637767)

Master biology from molecules to ecosystems with a comprehensive, offline curriculum. Explore 100 lessons, researcher profiles, and landmark experiments. Learn mechanisms and track progress with spaced repetition and interactive quizzes.

**Highlights:** Offline biology curriculum, 100 lessons with narration, Researcher profiles, Interactive quizzes with explanations, Spaced repetition learning, Offline access, no account needed, Home screen widgets

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Codon Full Access | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 259 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 10 days. Most recently, Gradescope was updated on September 30, 2026 and Codon on September 22, 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.*