# Solve the Outbreak vs Stickleback Evolution Lab

The clearest difference is rating: Solve the Outbreak at 4.6 against Stickleback Evolution Lab's 2.6. Solve the Outbreak also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 28 months) and ratings volume (61 vs 8). Stickleback Evolution Lab's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Solve the Outbreak holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solve the Outbreak has 61 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 96% of Solve the Outbreak's written reviews are positive against 100% of Stickleback Evolution Lab's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Solve the Outbreak ships an update every 5 months, Stickleback Evolution Lab every 28 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Solve the Outbreak | Stickleback Evolution Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (61 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solve-the-outbreak/id592485067/reviews)** | [2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stickleback-evolution-lab/id938339250/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **61** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 95.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 28 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 258 MB | 264 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Centers For Disease Control and Prevention](https://appshunter.io/developer/439259253) | [Howard Hughes Medical Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/411540290) |

## What reviewers say

### Solve the Outbreak

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solve-the-outbreak/id592485067)

Become a Disease Detective and solve simulated outbreaks by analyzing clues and data. Make critical decisions to contain diseases and save lives, earning badges and climbing ranks. Learn about real-world disease investigation in an engaging, game-like experience.

**Highlights:** Solve simulated outbreaks, Analyze clues and data, Make critical decisions, Earn badges and ranks, Learn about diseases, Challenge friends

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging gamification of learning epidemiology
- 📚 Educational and informative content about diseases
- 🧩 Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking challenges
- 👨‍🏫 Great tool for classroom and educational settings
- 🎯 Realistic case studies based on actual outbreaks

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Limited replay value due to memorizable answers
- 📖 Heavy text-based content without visual aids
- 🖥️ Text too small on mobile devices
- 🎮 Linear gameplay with no branching outcomes
- 😴 Can become repetitive after completing cases

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when attempting to reset scores in settings
- Old scores and progress remain after reset attempt
- Accidental question selection due to bottom screen placement

**Requested features**

- Add more outbreak cases and scenarios
- Create harder difficulty levels for advanced players
- Include visual aids and images for better understanding
- Add background music and sound effects
- Implement branching storylines with different outcomes


### Stickleback Evolution Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stickleback-evolution-lab/id938339250)

Explore the science of evolution by analyzing the pelvic structures of threespine stickleback fish. This virtual lab offers three experiments using real fish specimens and fossils, complete with graphing and statistical analysis tools for drawing conclusions about population evolution.

**Highlights:** Analyze pelvic structures of threespine stickleback fish, Conduct experiments with living specimens and fossils, Collect and analyze biological data, Graphing and statistical analysis tools, Learn about evolutionary science

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Solve the Outbreak free?

Solve the Outbreak is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Stickleback Evolution Lab free?

Stickleback Evolution Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Solve the Outbreak or Stickleback Evolution Lab?

Solve the Outbreak is rated higher. Solve the Outbreak averages 4.6 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Stickleback Evolution Lab averages 2.6 from 8 ratings.

### Do Solve the Outbreak or Stickleback Evolution Lab have ads?

Neither Solve the Outbreak nor Stickleback Evolution Lab shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Solve the Outbreak or Stickleback Evolution Lab?

Solve the Outbreak ships an update every 5 months, and Stickleback Evolution Lab every 28 months. Most recently, Solve the Outbreak was updated on November 3, 2026 and Stickleback Evolution Lab on November 1, 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.*