# LumiSource vs Recess

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LumiSource at none against Recess's 2. LumiSource also leads on ratings volume (91 vs 8) and device support (3 vs 1). Recess's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Recess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. LumiSource asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for LumiSource against 4.9 for Recess. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LumiSource has 91 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of LumiSource's written reviews are positive against 100% of Recess's.

LumiSource ships an update every 3 months, Recess every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LumiSource | Recess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (91 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lumisource-exam-prep/id6746340356/reviews) | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recess-study-then-scroll/id6777757202/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **91** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 93.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Size | 81 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CaseHippo Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551575873) | [THOMAS JOHN GIRGASH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896528302) |

## What reviewers say

### LumiSource

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lumisource-exam-prep/id6746340356)

Prepare for AP exams with condensed study guides and realistic practice tests. This app offers mobile-optimized content for efficient review anytime, anywhere. It currently supports over 10 AP subjects.

**Highlights:** Condensed study guides, Realistic practice tests, Detailed answer breakdowns, Mobile-optimized for on-the-go study, Supports over 10 AP subjects

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Recess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recess-study-then-scroll/id6777757202)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recess Pro Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Recess Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LumiSource free?

LumiSource is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Recess free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LumiSource or Recess?

Recess is rated higher. LumiSource averages 4.8 out of 5 from 91 ratings, while Recess averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.

### Do LumiSource or Recess have ads?

Neither LumiSource nor Recess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LumiSource or Recess?

LumiSource ships an update every 3 months, and Recess every 10 days. Most recently, LumiSource was updated on October 16, 2026 and Recess on October 17, 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.*