# Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts vs Lumen

The clearest difference is monetization model: Lumen at free against Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts's free with in-app purchases. Lumen also leads on iOS requirement (13.0.1 vs 16.0). Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts's advantage is chart position (#135 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts | Lumen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (62K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearson-plus-study-prep-and-etexts/id1571362338/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **62K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **30.4% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#135** | — |
| Size | 552 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pearson Education, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/329060244) | [UNext Learning Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1599046900) |

## What reviewers say

### Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearson-plus-study-prep-and-etexts/id1571362338)

**Currently charting:** #135 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Access your Pearson eTextbooks and supplementary learning materials in one app. Watch short video explanations of complex topics and utilize study tools like notes, highlights, and flashcards. The app also offers an audiobook feature for most eTextbooks and powerful search functionality.

**Highlights:** eTextbook access, Video explanations, Notes and highlights, Audiobook feature, Searchable content, Flashcard creation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient access to textbooks
- 🎧 Useful audio feature
- 📚 Helpful study tools (flashcards, quizzes)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy highlighting and page navigation
- 📱 Poor usability on mobile devices
- 🔍 Lack of search and page number features
- 💰 Expensive for limited functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Textbooks failing to load or display properly
- Audio playback issues and lack of syncing
- Inconsistent behavior when switching apps or rotating devices

**Requested features**

- Improved highlighting and annotation tools
- Better syncing between devices and web version
- Page number support
- Split-screen and landscape mode on tablets


### Lumen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lumen/id1636279777)

This app offers a personalized online learning experience with 24/7 access to course materials, live classes, and collaborative tools. Monitor your progress, interact with professors and peers, and manage your assignments and schedule all in one place.

**Highlights:** 24/7 online learning access, Live classes and professor interaction, Peer collaboration and discussions, Performance tracking and assessments, Offline content downloads, Assignment submission and reminders

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts free?

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lumen free?

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

### Do Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts or Lumen have ads?

Neither Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts nor Lumen shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts or Lumen?

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts ships an update every 2 weeks, and Lumen every 2 weeks. Most recently, Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts was updated on September 26, 2026 and Lumen on September 23, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*