Comparison

Cal vs Innovation Loop

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

Head to head

Discover Innovation at ATEC

Free

📚 Education

No ratingsView app →

About

Cal

Features

Read full description

The Cal-Bridge CampusGroups app allows community members to track Cal-Bridge activities, communicate with others in the community, register for and sign into events, submit forms, and find program resources

About

Innovation Loop

Features

Read full description

Innovation Loop is your digital guide to the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center (ATEC) at California State University, Northridge. Designed for students, educators, and visitors, the app transforms a tour of ATEC into an immersive journey of learning and creativity. By scanning QR codes placed throughout the building, you can unlock engaging stories, explore high-tech labs, and discover how ATEC is shaping the future of innovation. Each scan reveals career pathways, inspirational stories, and activities that connect technology, design, and creativity. The app lets you scan and unlock exclusive content, discover specialized labs and collaboration spaces, and access stories of inspiration, career opportunities, and student success pathways. You can also connect to resources from the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub and CSUN innovation programs. Whether you are a student curious about STEAM careers, a visitor exploring the future of innovation, or someone simply inspired by innovation, Innovation Loop will guide you on your journey. Activate. Innovate. Inspire.

Screenshots

Cal4 screens

Innovation Loop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cal at every 3 weeks against Innovation Loop's every 6 months. Cal also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cal ships an update every 3 weeks, Innovation Loop every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level

Cal versus Innovation Loop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter	Cal	Innovation Loop
Price	Free	Free
Update frequency	Every 3 weeks — better	Every 6 months
Ads	No	No
In-app purchases	No	No
Devices	iPhone, iPad, iPod — better	iPhone, iPad
Requires iOS	15.1 — better	18.2
Further details — not scored
Size	63 MB	88 MB
Age rating	17+	4+
Developer	University of California, Irvine	California State University, Northridge

In-app purchases

None

Cal

No in-app purchases

None

Innovation Loop

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cal free?

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

Is Innovation Loop free?

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

Do Cal or Innovation Loop have ads?

Neither Cal nor Innovation Loop shows ads.

Which is updated more often, Cal or Innovation Loop?

Cal ships an update every 3 weeks, and Innovation Loop every 6 months. Most recently, Cal was updated on October 4, 2026 and Innovation Loop on October 5, 2026.