Linus vs Recess
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Linus
This app offers a gamified approach to preparing for the new Digital SAT. It provides targeted practice for Math, Vocabulary, and Reading sections, with features like daily quests and progress tracking to make studying engaging and effective.
- Gamified learning with quests and streaks
- Simulates Bluebook testing experience
- Targeted Math, Vocabulary, and Reading practice
- Smart study planner for bite-sized lessons
- Instant feedback on answers
- Progress tracking
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Stop studying harder. Start studying smarter for the new Digital SAT. Linus is the SAT prep app built for how the test actually works now. Adaptive practice that mirrors the real Digital SAT format, so nothing on test day surprises you. WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE LINUS: - 250+ point score improvement guarantee - Adaptive practice that matches the real Digital SAT - Math, Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary all in one app - Personalized study plan based on YOUR test date - Gamified daily practice that actually sticks - Built specifically for the new Digital SAT format START FREE, UPGRADE WHEN YOU'RE READY Try Linus free for 3 days. Practice real SAT questions, see your score improve, then decide. No commitment until you're convinced. HOW IT WORKS Set your target score, enter your test date, and Linus builds a study plan around YOUR timeline. Whether your SAT is in 2 weeks or 6 months, Linus adapts to make every study session count. WHAT MAKES LINUS DIFFERENT Most test prep apps just throw practice questions at you. Linus tracks what you're getting wrong, adapts in real time, and focuses your study time where it matters most. It's like having a private SAT tutor in your pocket. Rated 4.8 stars by students who raised their scores. Questions? Reach us at support@linusprep.com Disclaimer: SAT and BigFuture are trademarks registered and owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this product. Bluebook is a trademark of the College Board. WEBSITE: https://linusprep.com TERMS OF USE: https://linusprep.com/legal PRIVACY POLICY: https://linusprep.com/legal/privacy
Recess
This app uses your study materials to create flashcards and quizzes, blocking distracting apps until you complete them. Earn your scroll time by answering questions and building study streaks. It's designed to turn idle phone usage into productive learning sessions.
- AI flashcard generation from notes, PDFs, and slides
- Study gate to block distracting apps
- Quiz Me and Practice Test modes
- Daily study goals and streaks
- Exam ramp with test date reminders
- Spaced repetition scheduling
- Web companion for computer uploads
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Study first, then scroll. Recess puts your flashcards in front of the apps stealing your focus. Instagram, TikTok, and the rest wait behind a study gate until you have done the work. Then your recess is earned, and you can scroll guilt free. HOW IT WORKS 1. Send Recess your notes, a PDF, or your slides. Recess builds a clean deck of flashcards and quizzes in seconds, with multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blank questions. 2. Pick the apps that pull you away and set a daily study goal. 3. When you open a gated app, a flashcard appears first. Answer it to get through. 4. Build a streak. Watch your recall climb. Turn dead scroll time into real reps. WHAT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION KEEPS RUNNING Recess Pro is a study service, not a one time download. Your subscription pays for work that happens every time you use it: - AI deck generation that runs on our servers, turning new notes, PDFs, and slides into flashcards all semester long - An exam ramp that reschedules your reps as each test date gets closer, so the work builds early instead of piling up the night before - A web companion at studyrecess.com/create for sending files from your computer straight into the app - Spaced repetition scheduling that keeps adapting to whatever you keep forgetting WHY RECESS IS DIFFERENT Willpower is not enough, and you already know it. Recess is the external force you actually needed. It takes the app you cannot put down and puts your studying in front of it, so the thing that used to wreck your focus now protects it. Recess is on your side. It is not a lecture, not a punishment, and not a productivity guru yelling at you. It is a warm nudge that gives you permission to relax once you have earned it. MADE FOR STUDENTS Whether you are cramming for a midterm, grinding pre med or nursing prereqs, keeping a 4.0, or just learning something new, Recess fits the way you already use your phone. High school, college, and self learners use it to turn idle scrolling into study time. WHAT IS INCLUDED - AI flashcards from your notes, PDFs, and slides - Three question types: multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blank - Quiz Me and Practice Test modes to check your recall - The study gate: distracting apps wait behind your flashcards - Soft and Hard gate modes, so you choose how hard the gate pushes back - Daily study goals and streaks - Stats, a study heatmap, and weak spot drills - Test date reminders and the exam ramp - The web companion for sending decks from a computer - Private by design, your study material stays yours SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Recess requires an active Recess Pro subscription to use. There is no free tier. Eligible new subscribers can start with a 7 day free trial. Recess Pro is an auto renewable subscription: $12.99 per month, or $39.99 per year with a 7 day free trial (US pricing; local prices shown in the app). Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://studyrecess.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://studyrecess.com/terms Study first. Then scroll. You earned it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Linus at free with in-app purchases against Recess's subscription. Linus also leads on ratings volume (759 vs 8) and device support (3 vs 1). Recess's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 68%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Linus sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per 3 months and Recess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Linus against 4.9 for Recess. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Linus has 759 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of Linus's written reviews are positive against 100% of Recess's.
Linus ships an update every 11 days, Recess every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Linus | Recess |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (759 ratings) | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 759 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 93 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Linus Labs, Inc. | THOMAS JOHN GIRGASH |
Customer experience
Linus
Recess
Bugs and requests
Linus
Requested features
2 requests- Personalized practice
- Practice tests
Recess
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Linus
- Premium Quarterly3 Days trial$24.993 Months
- Turbo$24.991 Month
- Turbo3 Days trial$24.991 Month
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- Premium Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Turbo Monthly3 Days trial$99.001 Month
- Turbo Monthly3 Days trial$100.001 Month
- Turbo$149.991 Year
- Turbo3 Days trial$149.991 Year
- Turbo$150.001 Month
- Linus Premium$249.003 Months
- Turbo Yearly3 Days trial$499.001 Year
- Turbo$500.001 Year
- Turbo Yearly3 Days trial$600.001 Year
- SAT Test Date Access$79.00
Recess
- Recess Pro Monthly$12.991 Month
- Recess Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year









