Comparison

ZipGrade vs Plickers

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

Head to head
About

ZipGrade

Instantly grade multiple-choice tests and quizzes using your device's camera. This app offers a fast and accurate way for educators to assess student work, with features for organizing and exporting results. It provides immediate feedback to inform lesson planning and assignments.

Highlights
  • Instant grading with device camera
  • Supports multiple choice tests and quizzes
  • Organizes and exports results (PDF, Excel)
  • Free answer sheet templates available
  • Companion website for data management
  • Stores results by student, subject, and quiz
Features
Read full description

Teachers can grade multiple choice tests, quizzes, and assessments instantly in the classroom by using their iPhone or iPad's camera as a scanner. It is the most cost effective, fastest, and most accurate way to grade tests in the classroom or where ever you are. -------------------------------------------------------- * Free answer sheets available in several formats and sizes up to 100 questions (including custom form wizard) * Organizes results for reporting and exporting via PDF and Excel-readable format * Uses student ID numbers or written name of student for reporting. * Use companion website (www.zipgrade.com) to manage your data and upload student lists and review results in dozens of reports and exports. -------------------------------------------------------- Use for exit tickets, formative assessments, or regular quizzes. Stores results by students, subject, and quiz. By giving teachers the flexibility to grade papers instantly anywhere, ZipGrade provides immediate feedback on current knowledge and can be used to better focus lessons and assignments. Download ZipGrade free with access to all features and website, but limited to 100 scans per month. After you've used it for a class or two, use the in-app purchase a non-recurring subscription with unlimited scanning.

About

Plickers

This app allows educators to conduct instant polls and check for understanding in their classrooms without requiring students to have individual devices. Simply scan student response cards using a smartphone or tablet to gather data, which is then automatically saved online.

Highlights
  • Free classroom polling
  • No student devices required
  • Scan student response cards
  • Instant checks-for-understanding
  • Automatic data saving
  • Online data access
Read full description

Plickers lets you poll your class for free, without the need for student devices. Just give each student a card (a "paper clicker"), and use your iPhone/iPad to scan them to do instant checks-for-understanding, exit tickets, and impromptu polls. Best of all, your data is automatically saved, student-by-student, at plickers.com. Happy teaching!

Screenshots

ZipGrade3 screens
Plickers3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ZipGrade at 4.9 against Plickers's 4.1. ZipGrade also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (36K vs 313). Plickers's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, update cadence 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. ZipGrade sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Plickers asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ZipGrade holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZipGrade has 36K ratings behind it against 313, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of ZipGrade's written reviews are positive against 72% of Plickers's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZipGrade ships an update every 6 weeks, Plickers every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ZipGrade versus Plickers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZipGradePlickers
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (36K ratings) — better4.1 (313 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better72.3% of reviews
Number of ratings36K — better313
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZipGrade LLCPlickers Inc.

Customer experience

ZipGrade

All ratings36,274 ratings
Positive98.3%
Neutral0.9%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews505 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral3.2%
Negative11.1%

Plickers

All ratings313 ratings
Positive77.6%
Neutral4.5%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews202 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative24.3%

User reviews

ZipGrade

From 36K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient grading
  • 👍 Instant feedback for students
  • 📊 Detailed data analysis
  • 💰 Affordable subscription
  • ⏱️ Time-saving

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent scanning issues
  • 🔍 Difficulty navigating interface
  • 🔢 Lack of class/student grouping options
  • 🖼️ Poor image quality for student names

Plickers

From 313 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Instant feedback and data
  • 👍 Easy to use and set up
  • 🤩 Students love it
  • 📊 Helpful assessment tool
  • 🏫 Great for the classroom

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and glitches
  • 🔒 Login/account issues
  • 🔄 Difficult to navigate after updates
  • 💰 Paywall for advanced features
  • 🔍 Limited question customization

Bugs and requests

ZipGrade

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Scanning issues with flat surface detection
  • Incorrect answer marking due to eraser marks

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to change question point values in bulk
  • Option to create/edit answer keys on website
  • Support for non-multiple choice question types
  • Improved data export/integration with other systems

Plickers

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashing on launch
  • Scanning issues and inconsistent response detection
  • Syncing problems between app and website
  • Disappearing questions and data loss
  • Compatibility issues with newer OS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to share question banks between teachers
  • More formatting options for questions and answers
  • Improved data reporting and export capabilities
  • Compatibility with more devices and platforms
  • Easier class and student management

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ZipGrade

One-time1
  • Add 1 year of use$6.99
None

Plickers

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ZipGrade free?
ZipGrade is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Plickers free?
Plickers is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ZipGrade or Plickers?
ZipGrade is rated higher. ZipGrade averages 4.9 out of 5 from 36K ratings, while Plickers averages 4.1 from 313 ratings.
Do ZipGrade or Plickers have ads?
Plickers shows ads; ZipGrade does not.
Which is updated more often, ZipGrade or Plickers?
ZipGrade ships an update every 6 weeks, and Plickers every 2 months. Most recently, ZipGrade was updated on October 10, 2026 and Plickers on October 4, 2026.

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