# MyState vs Shovel Study Planner

The clearest difference is rating: Shovel Study Planner at 4.1 against MyState's 2.9. Shovel Study Planner also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 28%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). MyState's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shovel Study Planner sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. MyState asks for nothing beyond the download.

Shovel Study Planner holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 79 and 195 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of MyState's written reviews are positive against 52% of Shovel Study Planner's.

MyState ships an update every 3 months, Shovel Study Planner every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 1, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MyState | Shovel Study Planner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystate/id548641772/reviews) | **[4.1 (195 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shovel-study-planner/id1467742357/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 79 | **195** |
| Positive reviews | 27.5% of reviews | **52.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 62 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Iowa State University of Science and Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/433925044) | [How To Study Smart, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467742356) |

## What reviewers say

### MyState

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystate/id548641772)

This app serves as a comprehensive student toolkit, offering essential information and features for navigating university life. It provides real-time updates on campus transportation, dining options, class schedules, and campus events. Students can also access a directory, library services, and campus maps to enhance their academic and social experience.

**Highlights:** Customizable dashboard, Class schedule and GPA calculator, Real-time bus arrival predictions, Dining hall hours and menus, Campus directory and map, Student organization discovery, Library catalog and account management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful for class schedule
- 👍 Great app when student
- 👍 Contains all needed information
- 👍 Cool app
- 👍 Sleek design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bus tracker inaccurate
- 🐛 Class schedule issues
- 🐛 Dining hall hours inaccurate
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Bus tracker unreliable

**Reported bugs**

- Bus tracker estimates off by 10-15 minutes
- Bus tracker states no buses when there are
- App crashes when opening
- Class schedule issues persist
- Bus tracker not showing buses

**Requested features**

- Add support for alumni
- Third-party access for Ubill
- More accurate bus times
- Show all bus stops on map
- Add parking information


### Shovel Study Planner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shovel-study-planner/id1467742357)

This app helps students manage their academic workload through time-blocking and executive functioning skills. It predicts if tasks can be completed on time and allows for flexible schedule adjustments. It requires initial setup on a web platform.

**Highlights:** Time-blocking for tasks, Real-time time cushion estimates, Consolidated task management, Ideal schedule building, Rotating class schedule support, Detailed task progress tracking, Weighted grade calculation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime plan | $13.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime plan | $46.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Excellent for student organization and time management
- ⏱️ Unique time-blocking and scheduling features
- 🎓 Course and assignment-focused organization system
- 💻 Desktop/web version works reliably and comprehensively
- 🎨 Clean, minimalist, and aesthetically pleasing interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Mobile app frequently crashes and becomes unresponsive
- 📱 Mobile app significantly less functional than web version
- ⚠️ App shows blank screens and fails to load content
- 🔌 Requires constant internet connection, no offline access
- 🛠️ Appears to be abandoned with no recent updates

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when attempting to edit task times
- Blank white screen on app launch
- Touch input not responding on iPad with Apple Pencil
- Tasks and calendar items disappear after login
- Tasks fail to save when entered

**Requested features**

- Push notifications for tasks and assignments
- Dark mode for mobile app
- Widget functionality that works reliably
- Offline access and offline storage
- Landscape mode for iPad


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MyState free?

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

### Is Shovel Study Planner free?

Shovel Study Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MyState or Shovel Study Planner?

Shovel Study Planner is rated higher. MyState averages 2.9 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while Shovel Study Planner averages 4.1 from 195 ratings.

### Do MyState or Shovel Study Planner have ads?

Neither MyState nor Shovel Study Planner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MyState or Shovel Study Planner?

MyState ships an update every 3 months, and Shovel Study Planner every 5 weeks. Most recently, MyState was updated on September 1, 2026 and Shovel Study Planner on September 22, 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.*