askCORB vs Black Spectacles
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
askCORB
This app is a comprehensive study tool designed to help architects prepare for and pass all six NCARB ARE 5.0 exams. It offers a vast question bank, flashcards, AI tutoring, and smart progress tracking with a focus on user privacy.
- 4000+ practice questions
- 1000+ flashcards
- AI architecture tutor
- Smart progress tracking
- Anki-style spaced repetition
- Distraction-free experience
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MASTER THE NCARB ARE 5.0 Your complete study companion for passing all six NCARB ARE 5.0 exams WHAT YOU GET: - 4000+ practice questions and 1000+ flashcards organized by division and section - Detailed explanations for every answer - CORB, your AI architecture tutor answers any questions you have - Smart progress tracking across all exam areas - Anki-style spaced repetition flashcard system - Clean, distraction-free study experience PRIVACY FIRST: No account required. No tracking. All data stays on your device. Perfect for architects preparing for licensure. Download now and pass the ARE with confidence.
Black Spectacles
Prepare for ARE® and CSE® exams with engaging videos, flashcards, and quizzes. Download content for offline viewing anytime, anywhere.
- Exam preparation
- Engaging videos
- Interactive flashcards
- Quizzes
- Offline video downloads
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Black Spectacles helps you prepare for the ARE® and CSE® exams with engaging videos, interactive flashcards, and quizzes. You can also download your prep videos and watch them offline anytime, anywhere.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Black Spectacles at Free against askCORB's $39.99. Black Spectacles also leads on ratings volume (13 vs 1). askCORB's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.8). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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
Black Spectacles is free to download; askCORB costs $39.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
askCORB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Black Spectacles has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
askCORB ships an update every 2 weeks, Black Spectacles fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | askCORB | Black Spectacles |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 3.8 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 13 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 79 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicholas Lutsko | Black Spectacles, LLC |
Customer experience
askCORB
Black Spectacles
In-app purchases
askCORB
No in-app purchases
Black Spectacles
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is askCORB free?
Is Black Spectacles free?
Which has better reviews, askCORB or Black Spectacles?
Do askCORB or Black Spectacles have ads?
Which is updated more often, askCORB or Black Spectacles?
Other comparisons
