ZipGrade vs Plickers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Free classroom polling
- No student devices required
- Scan student response cards
- Instant checks-for-understanding
- Automatic data saving
- Online data access
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. ZipGrade sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Plickers asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | ZipGrade | Plickers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (36K ratings) — better | 4.1 (313 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 72.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 36K — better | 313 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ZipGrade LLC | Plickers Inc. |
Customer experience
ZipGrade
Plickers
User reviews
ZipGrade
From 36K App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
ZipGrade
- Add 1 year of use$6.99
Plickers
No in-app purchases








