Comparison

Spike Recorder vs Vernier Graphical Analysis

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

Head to head
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.

About

Vernier Graphical Analysis

This app allows science students to collect, graph, and analyze data from Vernier sensors. It supports various sensor types, offers multiple data collection modes, and provides powerful analysis tools like curve fitting and statistics. Data can be shared and exported for reports and further analysis.

Highlights
  • Multi-sensor data collection
  • Various data collection modes
  • Simultaneous graph display
  • Data table view
  • Curve fitting
  • Statistical calculations
  • Data export (.CSV)
Features
Read full description

Graphical Analysis™ is a tool for science students to collect, graph, and analyze data from Vernier sensors. Sensor data-collection support: • Vernier Go Direct® sensors - with Bluetooth® wireless technology • Vernier Go Wireless® Heart Rate and Go Wireless Exercise Heart Rate monitors • Vernier LabQuest® sensors used with a LabQuest Stream interface Additional experiment options: • Data Sharing via Wi-Fi connection to LabQuest 2 or Logger Pro® 3 • Manual Entry Note: Sensor data collection and Data Sharing require the purchase of hardware from Vernier Science Education. Manual entry of data can be performed without a hardware purchase. For more information on Data Sharing, visit http://www.vernier.com/css Key Features - Data Collection • Multi-sensor data-collection support • Time Based, Event Based, Drop Counting, and Photogate data-collection modes • Configurable data-collection rate and duration for time-based data collection • Optional triggering of time-based data collection based on sensor value • Customizable unit display on supported sensors • Sensor calibrations • Option to zero and reverse sensor readings • Graph match feature for use with motion detectors • Manual entry of data from keyboard and clipboard Key Features - Data Analysis • Display one, two, or three graphs simultaneously • View data in a table or show a graph and table side-by-side • Draw Predictions on a graph to uncover misconceptions • Examine, interpolate/extrapolate, and select data • Use Tangent tool to show instantaneous rates of change of the data • Find area under a curve using the Integral tool • Apply Statistics calculations to find mean, min, max, and standard deviation • Perform curve fits, including linear, quadratic, natural exponent, and more • Add calculated columns based on existing data to linearize data or investigate related concepts Key Features - Collaboration and Sharing • Create text annotations and add graph titles • Export graphs and data for printing and inclusion in lab reports • Export data in .CSV format for analysis of data in spreadsheet software such as Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers • Adjust font sizes for easier viewing when presenting to your class Vernier Science Education has over 35 years of experience in providing effective learning resources for understanding experimental data in science and math classrooms. Graphical Analysis 4 is a part of the extensive system of sensors, interfaces, and data-collection software from Vernier for science and STEM education.

Screenshots

Spike Recorder3 screens
Vernier Graphical Analysis3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Spike Recorder at 3.4 against Vernier Graphical Analysis's 2.1. Spike Recorder also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 32%) and iOS requirement (9.2 vs 17.7). Vernier Graphical Analysis's advantage is ratings volume (521 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 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Vernier Graphical Analysis has 521 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Spike Recorder's written reviews are positive against 32% of Vernier Graphical Analysis's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Spike Recorder versus Vernier Graphical Analysis: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpike RecorderVernier Graphical Analysis
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (17 ratings) — better2.1 (521 ratings)
Positive reviews61.5% of reviews — better32.3% of reviews
Number of ratings17521 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.2 — better17.7
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBackyard BrainsVernier Software & Technology

Customer experience

Spike Recorder

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

Vernier Graphical Analysis

All ratings521 ratings
Positive26.9%
Neutral1.9%
Negative71.2%
Written reviews198 reviews
Positive32.3%
Neutral1.5%
Negative66.2%

Bugs and requests

Spike Recorder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Vernier Graphical Analysis

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes and becomes unresponsive
  • Sensor data not accurately recorded
  • Unexpected app behavior and strange visual effects

Requested features

3 requests
  • More stable and reliable performance
  • Better compatibility with older devices
  • Improved Bluetooth connectivity

In-app purchases

None

Spike Recorder

No in-app purchases

None

Vernier Graphical Analysis

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spike Recorder free?
Spike Recorder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Vernier Graphical Analysis free?
Vernier Graphical Analysis is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spike Recorder or Vernier Graphical Analysis?
Spike Recorder is rated higher. Spike Recorder averages 3.4 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Vernier Graphical Analysis averages 2.1 from 521 ratings.
Do Spike Recorder or Vernier Graphical Analysis have ads?
Neither Spike Recorder nor Vernier Graphical Analysis shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spike Recorder or Vernier Graphical Analysis?
Spike Recorder ships an update every 4 months, and Vernier Graphical Analysis every 2 months. Most recently, Spike Recorder was updated on July 29, 2026 and Vernier Graphical Analysis on September 24, 2026.

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