Comparison

SPARKvue 4 vs Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

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

Head to head
About

SPARKvue 4

Collect, visualize, and analyze real-time sensor data for STEM education. Wirelessly connect sensors, capture images for analysis, and build custom displays. Share live data and create electronic lab journals for collaborative learning.

Highlights
  • Live sensor data collection
  • Wireless Bluetooth sensor connection
  • Multiple data display options
  • Built-in statistical analysis tools
  • Interactive lab activities
  • Electronic student lab journals
  • Live data sharing
Features
Read full description

SPARKvue is a popular data collection, visualization and analysis application for STEM learning. SPARKvue enables wireless data collection and live data sharing with anyone in the world to unleash the learning experience. Capture data from the world around you: ● Graph live sensor data from the world around you in real time—pH, temperature, force, carbon dioxide and much more! ● Connect PASCO’s new wireless Bluetooth Smart sensors directly to your iPad or iPhone—just turn on the sensor and connect right in the app. Nothing could be easier! ● Connect any of 80+ PASCO sensors via our Bluetooth interfaces ● Capture images with the integrated cameras and use SPARKvue’s image analysis capabilities ● Collect and display live data using the onboard accelerometer and sound sensors Key features: ● Measure and display sensor data in real time ● Display data in a graph, bar graph, analog meter, digits or table ● Build custom displays--mix display types, images, videos, text and assessments (Build feature not available on iPhones due to screen size) ● Analyze data with built-in statistical tools (min, max, mean, standard deviation, count and area) ● Select from 8 different curve fits including linear and quadratic ● Pinch and zoom manipulation of graphs ● Capture and annotate images ● Add videos, photos and GIFs ● Includes 14 preloaded SPARKlab interactive lab activities, plus over 80 more available free online ● Create and export electronic student lab journals ● Integrated with cloud-based file sharing services such as Dropbox and more ● Add assessments including multiple choice, drop down lists, and free text response (not available on iPhones) ● Live data sharing and session sharing across devices--with each student capturing the shared data on their own device for further analysis. Share with the class or even across geographies-in real time. Designed for science learning: ● Convenient annotation, snapshot and electronic journaling are among the features supporting peer dialogue, classroom presentations, and assessment. ● With SPARKlab interactive lab activities, teachers can blend instructional content, live data collection & analysis, reflection prompts and more, all completely within the SPARKvue environment. Use PASCO free SPARKlabs or build your own! Common user experience across platforms: SPARKvue is a member of PASCO’s SPARKscience family, providing the same user experience across all technology environments: ● tablets ● phones ● computers ● interactive whiteboards No matter what the mix of technology is in the classroom or the school, teachers and students all share the same user experience--placing the learning experience in the forefront and simplifying classroom management. Where do I get sensors? PASCO offers over 80 sensors to measure almost anything in the world around you in life, earth and physical sciences plus out in the field exploring the environment. See our newest wireless sensors to measure Temperature, pH, Pressure and Force/Acceleration—all with no need for an expensive interface or wires. Just turn them on and collect data! For purchasing information, see http://pasco.com/sparkvue Languages: SPARKvue supports 28 languages. See http://pasco.com/sparkvue for details. Support: SPARKvue has an integrated help system, just a touch away with the help icon. Further assistance with SPARKvue or any PASCO product is available free from PASCO Teacher Support. About PASCO Scientific: PASCO Scientific brings a rich history of innovation and support for science education, with over 50 years of service to educators around the world.

About

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

This app uses your device's accelerometer to measure and graph G-Force and acceleration over time. It allows you to record and export data as a CSV file, making it useful for analyzing motion in vehicles, vibrations, and educational physics experiments.

Highlights
  • Measures G-Force and acceleration
  • Graphs G-Force vs. Time
  • Graphs Acceleration vs. Time
  • Records and exports data as CSV
  • Analyzes motion in vehicles and vibrations
  • Useful for classroom physics experiments
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a motion laboratory. Physics Toolbox Accelerometer reads the accelerometer built into your device and shows exactly what it measures — live, in three dimensions, in units you can check. MEASURE • G-Force — the ratio of normal force to gravity, in X, Y, Z and total magnitude • Linear Acceleration — the same motion with gravity removed, in m/s² • Spectrum — a live FFT that finds the dominant frequency in a vibration RECORD AND ANALYSE • Record any run to CSV, then replay it with duration, maximum and average • Import CSV files recorded elsewhere and analyse them the same way • Share a recording straight from the app BUILT FOR TEACHING Each mode explains the physics behind it: how a piezoresistive cantilever bends under acceleration, how a capacitive accelerometer varies the electric potential across its plates, and why an object in free fall reads zero g. PRO A single lifetime purchase unlocks the signal filters — moving average, Kalman and low-pass — and analysis of saved and imported recordings. Works on iPhone and iPad, in light and dark, with VoiceOver throughout.

Screenshots

SPARKvue 44 screens
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SPARKvue 4 at 638 against Physics Toolbox Accelerometer's 5. SPARKvue 4 also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 1.9 for SPARKvue 4 against 2.0 for Physics Toolbox Accelerometer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SPARKvue 4 has 638 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 46% of SPARKvue 4's written reviews are positive against 38% of Physics Toolbox Accelerometer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPARKvue 4 ships an update every 2 months, Physics Toolbox Accelerometer every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SPARKvue 4 versus Physics Toolbox Accelerometer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPARKvue 4Physics Toolbox Accelerometer
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.9 (638 ratings)2.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews — better38.5% of reviews
Number of ratings638 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPASCO scientificChrystian Vieyra

Customer experience

SPARKvue 4

All ratings638 ratings
Positive21.6%
Neutral2.0%
Negative76.3%
Written reviews299 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative51.2%

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative53.8%

Bugs and requests

SPARKvue 4

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Caused spontaneous combustion
  • Erased all my data
  • Triggered a nuclear meltdown
  • Turned my dog into a salad bowl
  • Gave me a permanent wedgie

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add free Fortnite V-Bucks
  • Integrate with Tinder
  • Allow users to summon demons
  • Provide a self-destruct button
  • Add support for teleportation

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SPARKvue 4

No in-app purchases

None

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPARKvue 4 free?
SPARKvue 4 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Physics Toolbox Accelerometer free?
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SPARKvue 4 or Physics Toolbox Accelerometer?
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer is rated higher. SPARKvue 4 averages 1.9 out of 5 from 638 ratings, while Physics Toolbox Accelerometer averages 2.0 from 5 ratings.
Do SPARKvue 4 or Physics Toolbox Accelerometer have ads?
Neither SPARKvue 4 nor Physics Toolbox Accelerometer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPARKvue 4 or Physics Toolbox Accelerometer?
SPARKvue 4 ships an update every 2 months, and Physics Toolbox Accelerometer every 8 months. Most recently, SPARKvue 4 was updated on October 11, 2026 and Physics Toolbox Accelerometer on September 23, 2026.

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