Comparison

AnySense vs PractiCal AR

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

Head to head
About

AnySense

This app allows users to collect multi-sensory data from their iPhone and external sensors. It supports offline data collection and online streaming to robots, as well as on-device policy evaluation with AR visualization.

Highlights
  • Multi-sensor data collection
  • Bluetooth and wired sensor integration
  • Offline data recording
  • Online streaming to robots
  • On-device CoreML policy evaluation
  • AR visualization of predicted actions
  • RGB and depth video recording
Read full description

AnySense is an open-source iPhone app that enables multi-sensory data collection by integrating the iPhone's sensory suite with external sensors via Bluetooth and wired interfaces, enabling both offline data collection and online streaming to robots. The app also supports on-device policy evaluation: you can load a trained CoreML policy, set a 3D goal in AR, and run the policy with AR visualization of predicted actions without a robot. We record RGB and depth videos, metric depth frames, streamed Bluetooth data (e.g. from tactile sensors) into a binary file, and timestamped pose data as a `.txt` file. Example streaming code for Bluetooth data can be found on AnySkin. USB streaming is supported by connecting the iPhone to your computer and using the library - https://github.com/NYU-robot-learning/anysense-streaming.

About

PractiCal AR

This app uses augmented reality to help FIRST Robotics Competition teams calibrate AprilTag placement on practice fields. It detects tags, builds field maps, and compares positions to ideal layouts, exporting reports for further use. It also includes AR mini-games for practice.

Highlights
  • AprilTag detection with 3D pose
  • Field map building
  • Ideal vs. actual tag comparison
  • Calibration report export (CSV, JSON, Markdown)
  • 3D field model viewer
  • AR mini-games for practice
Read full description

PractiCal AR helps FIRST® Robotics Competition teams calibrate and check practice field AprilTag placement using augmented reality and AprilTag detection. Use your device to detect AprilTags, build a field map, compare detected tag positions against an ideal field layout, and export the results for use in other tools. APRILTAG DETECTION Detect AprilTags in real time using your device’s camera and ARKit. Each detected tag is shown in the AR view with its 3D pose so you can see position and orientation while scanning . FIELD CALIBRATION Scan your practice field AprilTags and compare their detected positions against the official field layout. CALIBRATION REPORT View a table showing Ideal vs. Actual tag placement, then export the report as CSV, JSON, or Markdown. 3D FIELD MODEL View this season’s simplified field CAD model in a 3D viewer, or place it in your environment using AR. REVIEW MODE Review saved calibration data in the app without needing to be in front of the field. EXPORT YOUR DATA Export your field calibration data in WPILib JSON format and Limelight JSON format. AR GAME Use your a practice or competition field to play four AR mini-games — launch fuel balls at the hub targets on the field and track your scores. Play the games from the stands, no need to do any calibration of the field, other than using PractiCal to detect and pin a single tag, all from the stands. The included games are: - Quick Shot — Score as many as you can in 20 seconds - Hot Shot — Build the longest streak without missing - Long Shot — Go for distance — how far can you score from? - Top Shot — How good is your accuracy rate? The game features: - Real-time ball physics with adjustable launch speed and angle - Aim with your camera. NOTE: The game and scores are specific to REBUILT and will be removed at the beginning of the 2027 FRC season. Leaderboard participation is optional and only displays user provided 3 letters and FRC team #. Useful settings for calibrating tags from a distance is in Settings -> Calibration * Tap to recenter all tags * Snap tags to vertical The higher the resolutions and lower the decimation, the farther you can be. You can also detect closer and walk away, ARKit will know how fr you've gone. PractiCal AR is free, with no in-app purchases or ads. Built by an FRC mentor for the FRC community. Requires a device with ARKit support and a camera. Works best in a well-lit environment with clearly visible AprilTags. LEGAL & TRADEMARKS This app is an independent educational project developed by Eagle Evolution, FRC Team #3322. The 3D field models included are simplified derivative works created for reference purposes, based on the official 2026 FIRST® Robotics Competition season, REBUILT™ presented by Haas. FIRST®, the FIRST® logo, FIRST® Robotics Competition, and REBUILT™ are trademarks of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®), which is not overseeing, involved with, or responsible for this activity, product, or service. All original CAD data and field technical information are the sole property of FIRST®. Any reproduction of the original CAD, in part or as a whole, without written permission from FIRST® is prohibited. AprilTag detection is powered by the AprilTag 3 library, licensed under the BSD 2-Clause License.

Screenshots

AnySense3 screens
PractiCal AR3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: AnySense at 4 against PractiCal AR's 1. AnySense also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for AnySense against 5.0 for PractiCal AR. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AnySense ships an update every 2 months, PractiCal AR monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and June 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
AnySense versus PractiCal AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAnySensePractiCal AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size199 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGRAIL NYUA2IDEA, LLC

In-app purchases

None

AnySense

No in-app purchases

None

PractiCal AR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AnySense free?
AnySense is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PractiCal AR free?
PractiCal AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AnySense or PractiCal AR?
AnySense and PractiCal AR are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do AnySense or PractiCal AR have ads?
Neither AnySense nor PractiCal AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AnySense or PractiCal AR?
AnySense ships an update every 2 months, and PractiCal AR monthly. Most recently, AnySense was updated on September 9, 2026 and PractiCal AR on June 27, 2026.

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