Comparison

Periodic Playground vs CS++ AP CSA

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

Head to head
About

Periodic Playground

Features
Read full description

- 3D Periodic Table - Select elements and learn more about their structures and the history behind their discoveries - See the visible emission spectrum for each Element - Visualize the shells and electrons for each Element - Explore the elemental groups

About

CS++ AP CSA

This app provides a comprehensive AP Computer Science A course, featuring offline Java execution, practice questions, and coding challenges. It covers all 11 units of the College Board curriculum with detailed explanations and error callouts. Progress is saved locally, ensuring privacy and accessibility without an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Offline Java runtime
  • 11 AP CSA course units
  • Hundreds of practice questions
  • Inline Java coding challenges
  • Topic-by-topic explanations
  • Progress saved on-device
  • No account or tracking
Features
Read full description

CS++ AP CSA is the complete AP Computer Science A course in your pocket — fully offline, with a real Java runtime built in. WHAT YOU GET • 11 units covering every topic in the College Board AP CSA Course and Exam Description (CED) • Hundreds of multiple-choice and Parsons-puzzle practice questions, with hints and explanations • 50+ inline Java coding challenges that run on your device — no internet required • Topic-by-topic explanations, code examples, and "common error" callouts • Progress saved on-device, persistent across sessions • Unit 1 (Primitive Types) is free; full course unlocks for $9.99 (one-time) THE 11 UNITS 1. Primitive Types & Output 2. Booleans & Conditionals 3. Iteration 4. Strings 5. Arrays 6. 2D Arrays 7. ArrayList 8. Recursion 9. Classes & Objects 10. Inheritance & Polymorphism 11. Searching & Sorting WHY OFFLINE The bundled Java runtime executes code locally on your device. The lesson content is shipped with the app — no streaming, no fetching, no slow connections. Use it on a plane, a school Chromebook with locked Wi-Fi, or anywhere with no signal. WHY CS++ We've taught AP CSA online at csplusplus.com to teachers and students across the United States. This app distills the full course into a focused practice tool. Same content, same alignment to the 2025-26 College Board CED, same Java subset — packaged for the device that's always in your pocket. PRIVACY No account creation. No sign-in. No analytics or tracking. All progress lives in app storage on your device. No data is sent to our servers. THE PURCHASE The free tier covers Unit 1 — enough to evaluate the lesson format and the inline Java runtime. The full unlock is a one-time $9.99 purchase that unlocks all 11 units forever, with no subscription. WANT THE EDITOR ALSO? For a free-form Java environment with multi-file projects and a templates menu, see our companion app CS++ Java IDE — same Java runtime, just an editor instead of a course. AP, Advanced Placement, and AP Computer Science A are registered trademarks of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this app. Built by Yellow Dart Publishing.

Screenshots

Periodic Playground4 screens
CS++ AP CSA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CS++ AP CSA at Free against Periodic Playground's $0.99. Periodic Playground's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On ads and device support 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

CS++ AP CSA is free to download; Periodic Playground costs $0.99 up front. CS++ AP CSA sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Periodic Playground asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Periodic Playground versus CS++ AP CSA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic PlaygroundCS++ AP CSA
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size157 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZubin HashamKevin P Hare LLC

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Playground

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

CS++ AP CSA

One-time1
  • Unlock Full AP CSA Course$9.99

Questions

Is Periodic Playground free?
Periodic Playground costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is CS++ AP CSA free?
CS++ AP CSA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Periodic Playground or CS++ AP CSA have ads?
Neither Periodic Playground nor CS++ AP CSA shows ads.

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