# GradeUp vs Carbon Compass

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Carbon Compass at none against GradeUp's 10. Carbon Compass also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks). GradeUp's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.5). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GradeUp sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Carbon Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

GradeUp ships an update every 2 weeks, Carbon Compass daily. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GradeUp | Carbon Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (245 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradeup-homework-scanner/id1615750260/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **245** | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 151 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PIXELCELL.LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1639061354) | [vikas mehta](https://appshunter.io/developer/1700031419) |

## What reviewers say

### GradeUp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradeup-homework-scanner/id1615750260)

This app uses AI to scan and organize homework and test papers. It can remove handwritten notes, solve math problems with step-by-step solutions, and organize incorrect answers for focused revision. It supports multiple subjects and allows exporting and printing scanned documents.

**Highlights:** AI-powered scanning, Handwriting removal, Step-by-step problem solutions, Organize incorrect answers, Multi-subject support, Export and print documents

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HomeworkScanner Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| HomeworkScanner Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| HomeworkScanner Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| HomeworkScanner Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| HomeworkScanner Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| HomeworkScanner Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| GradeUp Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| GradeUp Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| GradeUp Premium | $39.99 | per year |


### Carbon Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carbon-compass/id6749557862)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GradeUp free?

GradeUp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Carbon Compass free?

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

### Do GradeUp or Carbon Compass have ads?

Neither GradeUp nor Carbon Compass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GradeUp or Carbon Compass?

GradeUp ships an update every 2 weeks, and Carbon Compass daily. Most recently, GradeUp was updated on November 7, 2026 and Carbon Compass on October 30, 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.*