Comparison

SPARKvue 4 vs Spike Recorder

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

Spike Recorder

Explore neuroscience with this app, allowing you to view, hear, record, and analyze neural signals from neurons and muscles. It provides tools for students of all ages to conduct hands-on electrophysiology experiments and understand brain communication.

Highlights
  • View neural signals
  • Hear neural signals
  • Record neural data
  • Analyze neural spike trains
  • Measure reaction times
  • Calculate neuroscience statistics
Read full description

Let’s face it. The brain is complex, but it is extremely fascinating. To study the brain, you typically have to be a graduate student at a major university. But not any more! Backyard Brains enables everyone to be a neuroscientist! Coupled with our SpikerBox you can order at: http://backyardbrains.com this app allows you to view, hear, record and analyze actual neural signals. Both from individual neurons and muscles. Backyard Brains provides affordable neuroscience experiment kits for students of all ages to learn (hands-on) about electrophysiology. Now everyone from schoolchildren to grad students and every grade in between can experiment with similar tools used by real neuroscientists worldwide! By following a few simple steps, everyone can experience first-hand how the brain communicates with our senses, memories, hopes, and desires. Our iOS application includes both long continuous and threshold views, and once you have recorded your data, you can analyze the neural spike trains, measure reaction times, and calculate statistics just like professional neuroscientists! Do let us know us know about your experiments. Note: The application normally picks up input through the the iPhone's built-in microphone. If you want to plug directly into your SpikerBox, or any audio device, you need a custom male-to-male headphone cable (a normal one won't work), available from our website. It has to do with routing and filtering an output channel to an input channel.

Screenshots

SPARKvue 44 screens
Spike Recorder3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Spike Recorder at 3.4 against SPARKvue 4's 1.9. Spike Recorder also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 46%) and iOS requirement (9.2 vs 13.0). SPARKvue 4's advantage is ratings volume (638 vs 17). On price, update cadence, 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

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

Spike Recorder holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SPARKvue 4 has 638 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SPARKvue 4's written reviews are positive against 62% of Spike Recorder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPARKvue 4 ships an update every 2 months, Spike Recorder every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SPARKvue 4 versus Spike Recorder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPARKvue 4Spike Recorder
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.9 (638 ratings)3.4 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.0% of reviews61.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings638 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.09.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPASCO scientificBackyard Brains

Customer experience

SPARKvue 4

All ratings638 ratings
Positive21.6%
Neutral2.0%
Negative76.3%
Written reviews298 reviews
Positive46.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative51.0%

Spike Recorder

All ratings17 ratings
Positive52.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative41.2%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative30.8%

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

Spike Recorder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SPARKvue 4

No in-app purchases

None

Spike Recorder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPARKvue 4 free?
SPARKvue 4 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spike Recorder free?
Spike Recorder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SPARKvue 4 or Spike Recorder?
Spike Recorder is rated higher. SPARKvue 4 averages 1.9 out of 5 from 638 ratings, while Spike Recorder averages 3.4 from 17 ratings.
Do SPARKvue 4 or Spike Recorder have ads?
Neither SPARKvue 4 nor Spike Recorder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPARKvue 4 or Spike Recorder?
SPARKvue 4 ships an update every 2 months, and Spike Recorder every 4 months. Most recently, SPARKvue 4 was updated on September 24, 2026 and Spike Recorder on July 29, 2026.

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