# Polycheck vs Trace

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Polycheck at 100% against Trace's 50%. Polycheck also leads on ads (none vs shown). Trace's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (4.6 vs 4.1). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Polycheck sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Trace sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Trace holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 28 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Polycheck's written reviews are positive against 50% of Trace's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Polycheck ships an update every 5 days, Trace daily. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Polycheck | Trace |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polycheck-find-microplastics/id6739971441/reviews) | **[4.6 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-microplastics/id6740707486/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **28** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 21 MB | 84 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Renaissance Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1220536592) | [Control. Alt. Delete. LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1762687184) |

## What reviewers say

### Polycheck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polycheck-find-microplastics/id6739971441)

This app uses AI to scan everyday products, like food and cosmetics, to detect microplastics. It provides insights into product risks and suggests safer alternatives, helping you make informed choices for your health and the environment.

**Highlights:** AI-powered microplastic detection, Scan food and cosmetic products, Product risk insights, Safer alternative suggestions, Track scanned items, Sustainability goal tracking

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plastic AI Monthly Sub | $3.99 | per month |
| Plastic AI Annual Sub | $24.99 | per year |


### Trace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-microplastics/id6740707486)

Understand your exposure to microplastics with a personalized assessment and science-backed recommendations. Learn about sources, track your progress, and make informed choices for a healthier life and a cleaner environment.

**Highlights:** Personalized microplastic exposure score, Customized reduction recommendations, Local tap water quality reports, Progress tracking over time, Educational content on microplastics, Actionable insights for daily life

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| premium weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| premium weekly with trial | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Subscription to Trace | $9.99 | per year |
| Trace Premium Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| premium yearly | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Polycheck free?

Polycheck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Trace free?

Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Polycheck or Trace?

Trace is rated higher. Polycheck averages 4.1 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Trace averages 4.6 from 28 ratings.

### Do Polycheck or Trace have ads?

Trace shows ads; Polycheck does not.

### Which is updated more often, Polycheck or Trace?

Polycheck ships an update every 5 days, and Trace daily. Most recently, Polycheck was updated on October 1, 2026 and Trace on October 6, 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.*