SPARKvue 4 vs micro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
micro
This app is the essential companion for the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer. It allows you to wirelessly beam programs to your micro:bit via Bluetooth and includes access to a block-based programming editor. Monitor sensor data and control your micro:bit in real-time.
- Wireless flashing of micro:bit hex files
- Access to Microsoft MakeCode editor
- Bluetooth beaming of programs
- Real-time sensor data monitoring
- Control micro:bit buttons and pins
- Debug running program code
- Store and manage HEX files
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The micro:bit app is the essential companion to the BBC micro:bit, the pocket sized programmable computer. The app allows you to flash any micro:bit hex file to your device, as well as including online access to the Microsoft MakeCode editor for simple block-based programming. When your program is ready, the app beams it to the micro:bit via Bluetooth wirelessly. Easy-to-follow screens lead you through the process of pairing your iPad (or iPhone) to the micro:bit and then transferring your program code. Compared with previous versions, the micro:bit app Version 3.1 contains these additional features: • A simpler pairing and micro:bit discovery flow • The micro:bit V2 can be put into pairing mode by triple-tapping the reset button • Retrieval of the micro:bit data log files from off your micro:bit • Pair with any number of micro:bits • Choose which micro:bit is currently connected • Store HEX files in the app • Choose a HEX file for flashing • Export and delete HEX files • Import stored HEX files directly into JavaScript Blocks editor • Rapid download from JavaScript Blocks editor • Monitor data detected by micro:bit sensors • Use the range of micro:bit Bluetooth services in real time • Display messages on the micro:bit LEDs • Send control commands to the micro:bit buttons and pins • De-bug your program code while it is running in the micro:bit • Use a simulated gamepad to send commands to the micro:bit • View camera images ready for taking photos or video As well as providing more flexible handling of your program scripts and HEX files, a major addition in Version 3 is the Monitor and Control page. This lets you observe real-time data from the micro:bit sensors, send messages directly to the LEDs and control the micro:bit buttons and pins from your iPad or iPhone. Monitor is ideal for exploiting Bluetooth services in real time, and for de-bugging your program code while it is running in the micro:bit. The MakeCode code editor now requires iOS 13 or later.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: micro at 3.3 against SPARKvue 4's 1.9. SPARKvue 4's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (638 vs 90). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
micro holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SPARKvue 4 has 638 ratings behind it against 90, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of SPARKvue 4's written reviews are positive against 43% of micro's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
SPARKvue 4 ships an update every 2 months, micro every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SPARKvue 4 | micro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.9 (638 ratings) | 3.3 (90 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews — better | 42.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 638 — better | 90 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PASCO scientific | Micro:bit Educational Foundation |
Customer experience
SPARKvue 4
micro
User reviews
SPARKvue 4
From 638 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Saved my life
- 🚀 Cured my cancer
- 🚀 Helped me get a girlfriend
- 🚀 Gave me superpowers
- 🚀 Transported me to Syria
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashed my computer
- 🐛 Killed my family
- 🐛 Gave me testicular cancer
- 🐛 Asked for my location
- 🐛 Turned me into a communist
micro
From 90 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use and quick to set up
- 💻 Allows coding on mobile devices
- 🎓 Great for learning and education
- ⚡ Fast download and installation
- 🔧 Works well once properly configured
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth pairing failures
- 🐛 App crashes during code flashing
- 🐛 Connection drops after flashing
- 📱 Poor optimization for phone screens
- 🔌 Requires frequent device reconnection
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
micro
Reported bugs
14 issues- Bluetooth pairing fails or shows false success
- App crashes when flashing code to micro:bit
- Connection lost after code flashing
- White screen display issue
- Login fails with Google accounts
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Text strings display with extra characters
- Arrow keys non-functional on iPad with Bluetooth
- Pairing pattern entry buggy and unclear
- Safari crashes on iPad 2
- Keyboard blocks code naming on iPhone
- App crashes when sending feedback
- Screen freezes during use
- Recent update broke existing micro:bit connections
- Flashing takes excessive time (1+ minute)
Requested features
11 requests- Offline mode for iOS
- Integrated IDE in app instead of Safari redirect
- Support for multiple languages
- Persistent Bluetooth connection after flashing
- Mute audio functionality
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Better pairing instructions
- USB cable connection alternative to Bluetooth
- Improved project save/storage duration
- WebKit Safari view controller integration
- Support for actual MicroPython instead of MakeCode Python
- Device statements for camera operations
In-app purchases
SPARKvue 4
No in-app purchases
micro
No in-app purchases









