Comparison

GenomeCache vs Aktiv Learning

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

Head to head
About

GenomeCache

Explore the human genome through a virtual scavenger hunt, learning about genetic points of interest and their contribution to human traits. Test your knowledge with trivia and compete on a leaderboard.

Highlights
  • Virtual scavenger hunt through the human genome
  • Learn about genetic points of interest
  • Discover how genes contribute to human traits
  • Engage with fun facts
  • Test knowledge with trivia questions
  • Post high scores to a leaderboard
Features
Read full description

Genome Cache™ has been developed by the Educational Outreach Team at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama. It can be used on McMillian Park, located on the HudsonAlpha campus in Huntsville or in conjunction with the GenomeCache website (genomecache.hudsonalpha.org), anyone anywhere can create their own GenomeWalk. The app includes a total of 20 different pathways through the human genome to choose from, each highlighting 15 genetic points of interest. Explore the human genome through a virtual scavenger hunt, learn about how genes contribute to human traits, engage with fun facts, and test your knowledge with a trivia questions. Get points by finding each location and answering the trivia questions correctly and post your high score to the leader board.

About

Aktiv Learning

This platform offers dynamic problems and interactive tools for college-level chemistry and math. It helps students visualize abstract STEM concepts and provides instructors with real-time insights into class understanding. Features include a mobile-friendly Lewis structure drawing tool and over 250 practice questions.

Highlights
  • Interactive Lewis structure drawing tool
  • Dynamic STEM problems
  • Real-time class results
  • Over 250 built-in practice questions
  • Create in-class or homework assignments
  • Isoform recognition for answers
Read full description

Aktiv Learning is an active learning platform built specifically for college-level chemistry and mathematics. Say goodbye to static content and generic multiple choice questions and hello to dynamic problems that are designed to help students learn and visualize abstract concepts in STEM. Aktiv Learning allows chemistry instructors to ask students engaging questions, such as drawing Lewis structures, and receive real-time information on what structures the class is drawing. The app features a custom-built tool that allows students and instructors to quickly and intuitively draw Lewis structures on mobile devices. Additionally, both students and instructors have access to over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. Features: • Intuitive Lewis structures drawing tool built specifically for mobile devices - Use as engaging demonstration for your students to show example Lewis structures and reinforce concepts such as the octet rule, formal charge, and VSEPR. Students can take advantage of the drawing tool to visualize the relationship between Lewis structures and molecular shapes. • Create in-class or homework assignments - Perfect for clicker, recitation, or review problems. Students receive push notifications to alert and remind them of pending assignments. • Assign or practice with over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. • Real-time class results - Quickly find common incorrect structures to address student misunderstanding before exams. • Isoform recognition - Aktiv’s technology recognizes correct answers independent of the drawn structure orientation. • Export student activity - Student participation and performance exported in a tap of a button. • Easy sign-up - Students and instructors can create accounts and join courses all within the app in a few steps. • School IT and device independent - Assign, work, and review from any mobile device and over any network connection. More content and features coming soon!

Screenshots

GenomeCache4 screens
Aktiv Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GenomeCache at 4.2 against Aktiv Learning's 3.2. GenomeCache also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (11 vs 17.0). Aktiv Learning's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 44%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads and device support 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. Aktiv Learning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GenomeCache asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GenomeCache holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aktiv Learning has 184 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of GenomeCache's written reviews are positive against 73% of Aktiv Learning's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GenomeCache ships an update every 3 months, Aktiv Learning every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
GenomeCache versus Aktiv Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGenomeCacheAktiv Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better3.2 (184 ratings)
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews72.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5184 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB95 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperHudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyTop Hat Monocle

Customer experience

GenomeCache

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative55.6%

Aktiv Learning

All ratings184 ratings
Positive53.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative43.5%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative25.3%

Bugs and requests

GenomeCache

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Aktiv Learning

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Pop-up warnings flicker and disappear too quickly
  • Drag-and-drop fails 70% of the time on iOS
  • App crashes on specific problems with no recovery
  • Login errors and password reset failures
  • Users locked out of questions permanently
Show 5 more
  • Window resizing issues on iPad 12.9in
  • Questions don't load properly or display incompletely
  • Subscripts/superscripts not displaying on Mac
  • Split-screen functionality disabled
  • Inconsistent performance between app and web versions

Requested features

10 requests
  • In-app notification system for assignment reminders
  • Ability to sign up for courses on mobile app
  • Split-screen functionality on iPad
  • Zoom capability for periodic table
  • Reset button for Lewis structure questions
Show 5 more
  • Full solutions displayed after using all attempts
  • Better hints and guidance for dimensional analysis
  • School login integration on mobile app
  • Improved question clarity and directions
  • Subscript and superscript display on web version

In-app purchases

None

GenomeCache

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Aktiv Learning

One-time1
  • Chem101 Course Activation$29.99

Questions

Is GenomeCache free?
GenomeCache is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aktiv Learning free?
Aktiv Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GenomeCache or Aktiv Learning?
GenomeCache is rated higher. GenomeCache averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Aktiv Learning averages 3.2 from 184 ratings.
Do GenomeCache or Aktiv Learning have ads?
Neither GenomeCache nor Aktiv Learning shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GenomeCache or Aktiv Learning?
GenomeCache ships an update every 3 months, and Aktiv Learning every 3 weeks. Most recently, GenomeCache was updated on October 6, 2026 and Aktiv Learning on October 14, 2026.

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