SPARKvue 4 vs Gradescope
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.
Gradescope
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.
- Upload assignments
- Scan documents with camera
- Select existing files
- Assign pages for variable-length assignments
- Resubmit assignments
- View submitted and graded assignments
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Students, upload your assignments to Gradescope more easily than ever before! If your instructor uses Gradescope for your assignments, you can now upload your submission with our mobile app. After installing and opening the app, login to see your Gradescope courses and assignments. To upload a submission, click on the assignment in the “Not Submitted” tab and either “Select File” to select an existing file from your device or “Scan” all pages of your completed work using your iPhone’s camera. Once you submit your file(s), for templated assignments, you’re all set. For variable-length assignments, “Assign pages” to indicate where your answer for each question appears within your submission. It’s that easy! After confirming, your assignment then moves to the “Submitted” tab. If needed, you can resubmit your assignment until the due date your instructor set has passed. Once it is graded and grades are published for the assignment, it then moves to the “Graded” tab. Note: For V1 of the app, you will be directed to our mobile website for any advanced functionality, including viewing feedback and submitting timed, programming, or online assignments. Stay tuned for future updates that will allow you to do even more with our mobile app!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: SPARKvue 4 at 46% against Gradescope's 9%. SPARKvue 4 also leads on rating (1.9 vs 1.4). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SPARKvue 4 holds the better App Store score, 1.9 against 1.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 629 and 269 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SPARKvue 4's written reviews are positive against 9% of Gradescope's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.
| Parameter | SPARKvue 4 | Gradescope |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.9 (629 ratings) — better | 1.4 (269 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews — better | 8.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 629 — better | 269 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 13.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PASCO scientific | Turnitin |
Customer experience
SPARKvue 4
Gradescope
User reviews
SPARKvue 4
From 629 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
Gradescope
From 269 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Quick and effective submission process
- 👍 Clean and well-designed app
- 📸 Convenient scanning and photo upload
Room to improve
- 🔑 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
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
Gradescope
Reported bugs
3 issues- Camera flash issues during scanning
- Photos not uploading in correct order
- Inconsistent download button behavior
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to sort assignments by due date
- Integration of tools for instructors
- Improved iPad and tablet optimization
In-app purchases
SPARKvue 4
No in-app purchases
Gradescope
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SPARKvue 4 free?
Is Gradescope free?
Which has better reviews, SPARKvue 4 or Gradescope?
Do SPARKvue 4 or Gradescope have ads?
Which is updated more often, SPARKvue 4 or Gradescope?
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