# SPARKvue 4 vs Derive

The clearest difference is rating: Derive at 4.1 against SPARKvue 4's 1.9. Derive also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). SPARKvue 4's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ratings volume (638 vs 21). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Derive sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. SPARKvue 4 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Derive holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SPARKvue 4 has 638 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of SPARKvue 4's written reviews are positive against 29% of Derive'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, Derive every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPARKvue 4 | Derive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.9 (638 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sparkvue-4/id361907181/reviews) | **[4.1 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/derive-handwritten-math-notes/id6763991536/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **638** | 21 |
| Positive reviews | **45.8% of reviews** | 29.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Size | 91 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PASCO scientific](https://appshunter.io/developer/361907184) | [Derive Notes Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895589672) |

## What reviewers say

### SPARKvue 4

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sparkvue-4/id361907181)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Saved my life
- 🚀 Cured my cancer
- 🚀 Helped me get a girlfriend
- 🚀 Gave me superpowers
- 🚀 Transported me to Syria

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashed my computer
- 🐛 Killed my family
- 🐛 Gave me testicular cancer
- 🐛 Asked for my location
- 🐛 Turned me into a communist

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


### Derive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/derive-handwritten-math-notes/id6763991536)

This app provides an infinite canvas for handwritten math and science notes. It uses AI to recognize your handwriting, offering a live tutor for step-by-step assistance directly within your notes. Organize your work into notebooks that sync across devices.

**Highlights:** Infinite canvas for note-taking, Handwritten math recognition, Live AI tutor for step-by-step help, Notebook and page organization, Cross-device syncing, Light, dark, and sepia themes

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Derive Pro (Monthly, student) | $8.99 | per month |
| Derive Pro (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Derive Pro (Monthly, invited) | $9.99 | per month |
| Derive Pro (Yearly, student) | $75.00 | per year |
| Derive Pro (Annual) | $83.90 | per year |
| Derive Pro (Annual, invited) | $83.90 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPARKvue 4 free?

SPARKvue 4 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Derive free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SPARKvue 4 or Derive?

Derive is rated higher. SPARKvue 4 averages 1.9 out of 5 from 638 ratings, while Derive averages 4.1 from 21 ratings.

### Do SPARKvue 4 or Derive have ads?

Neither SPARKvue 4 nor Derive shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SPARKvue 4 or Derive?

SPARKvue 4 ships an update every 2 months, and Derive every 3 days. Most recently, SPARKvue 4 was updated on October 14, 2026 and Derive on October 15, 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.*