Comparison

Linus vs Hourbase

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Hourbase

Easily find local volunteer opportunities tailored to your interests. Track your hours, upload proof, and generate professional reports for college applications, scholarships, or community service. Keep all your volunteer activities organized in one secure place.

Highlights
  • Discover nearby volunteer opportunities
  • Log volunteer hours quickly
  • Upload photos and proof
  • Exportable PDF reports with signatures
  • Organize activities with categories and notes
  • Sync records securely
Features
Read full description

Hourbase Team - Harshi Bandaru & Anvi Patalay Harshi Bandaru: Led the Design, Development, Debugging, Deployment, and Supported Outreach of Hourbase Anvi Patalay: Originated the Idea, Contributed Features, Tested & Provided Feedback, and Supported Outreach of Hourbase Finding volunteer opportunities shouldn't feel harder than volunteering. Hourbase helps you discover nearby volunteer opportunities based on your interests, track every hour you've earned, and keep everything organized in one place. Whether you're building your college application, applying for scholarships, meeting graduation requirements, or simply giving back to your community, Hourbase makes it easy to stay organized without spreadsheets, screenshots, or scattered notes. Here's what you can do: • Discover nearby volunteer opportunities that match your interests • Log volunteer hours in seconds • Upload photos, create exportable PDFs with signatures attached, and other proof for every activity • Export clean, professional PDF reports whenever you need them • Organize activities with categories, notes, and details • Edit, update, or remove logs anytime • View your progress and total volunteer hours • Securely sync everything with your account so your records are always there when you need them No rebuilding your hours the night before an application is due. Just one place for everything you've done. Skip the hassle of paper volunteer logs. Whether you're volunteering for college, scholarships, school requirements, or simply because you care, Hourbase helps you spend less time organizing your service and more time making an impact.

Screenshots

Linus4 screens
Hourbase4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hourbase at none against Linus's 10. Hourbase also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Linus's advantage is ratings volume (798 vs 4) and update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Linus sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per 3 months. Hourbase asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hourbase holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Linus has 798 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Linus ships an update every 11 days, Hourbase monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Linus versus Hourbase: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLinusHourbase
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (798 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings798 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size93 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLinus Labs, Inc.Harshi Bandaru

Customer experience

Linus

All ratings722 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.1%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative28.9%

Hourbase

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Linus

Requested features

2 requests
  • Personalized practice
  • Practice tests

Hourbase

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Linus

Subscriptions10
  • Premium Quarterly3 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • Turbo$24.991 Month
  • Turbo3 Days trial$24.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • 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 Yearly3 Days trial$499.001 Year
  • Turbo Yearly3 Days trial$600.001 Year
None

Hourbase

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Linus free?
Linus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hourbase free?
Hourbase is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Linus or Hourbase?
Hourbase is rated higher. Linus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 798 ratings, while Hourbase averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Linus or Hourbase have ads?
Linus shows ads; Hourbase does not.
Which is updated more often, Linus or Hourbase?
Linus ships an update every 11 days, and Hourbase monthly. Most recently, Linus was updated on November 8, 2026 and Hourbase on October 31, 2026.

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