Comparison

ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool vs Homework Turtle

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

Head to head
About

ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool

Prepare for the 2026 Enhanced ACT with expert instruction, AI tutors, and over 4,000 practice questions. Track your progress with personalized study plans and full-length practice tests to boost your score.

Highlights
  • 4,000+ Enhanced ACT practice questions
  • AI-powered tutors for instant help
  • 35 full-length practice tests
  • Personalized study plans
  • Advanced progress tracking
  • Expert-led instruction
Features
Read full description

ACT Prep 2026: Boost your score with the most comprehensive ACT prep app, now updated for the 2026 Enhanced ACT format. Smartschool provides expert-led instruction, AI-powered tutoring, and extensive practice to help you achieve your dream score. Get started for free with our diagnostic tools and sample lessons, then unlock the full power of Smartschool with a premium subscription. Why Students Choose Smartschool: • Enhanced ACT Alignment: Practice with over 4,000 questions specifically designed for the official 2026 Enhanced ACT format, covering English, Math, Reading, and Science. • Proven Results: Students who complete their personalized learning plan see an average increase of 6+ points within 6 weeks. • Accessible Prep: We bring private-tutor-level instruction directly to your device. A subscription to Smartschool Premium provides unlimited access to our entire suite of study tools: • AI-Powered Tutors: Meet Mark and Ivy, your 24/7 personal AI tutors. Get instant, step-by-step solutions and detailed explanations whenever you’re stuck. • 35 Full-Length Practice Tests: Experience the real thing with digital tests that mirror the official 2026 section timing, pacing, and scoring. • Personalized Study Plans: An adaptive learning engine that tailors your daily tasks to your specific strengths and weaknesses. • Advanced Progress Dashboard: Track your performance by domain and subdomain to see exactly where you need to focus. • 4,000+ Practice Questions: Unlimited access to our massive question bank with clear explanations modeled after top-tier ACT tutors. Download ACT Prep 2026 now and start your ACT preparation with the best Enhanced ACT-aligned practice available! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Questions or feedback? Contact us at info@joinsmartschool.com *ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc., which is not affiliated with Smartschool.

About

Homework Turtle

This app provides a structured homework hub for students with learning differences, featuring an AI tutor, note-taking tools, and progress tracking. It offers a parent dashboard and accessibility features designed for neurodivergent learners.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step AI tutoring
  • Assignment tracking with checklists
  • Full notes studio with drawing canvas
  • Focus Timer with Pomodoro sessions
  • Parent dashboard and progress reports
  • Accessibility features for neurodivergent students
  • Cross-device sync
Features
Read full description

Started by Billy Miecuna, who was the student this is for: the one who cared a lot and still couldn't find the assignment. Homework Turtle is the calm homework hub for students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other learning differences: an assignment tracker, a full notes studio, and Shelly, the AI tutor that explains step by step instead of handing over answers. One Family plan covers the kids and gives parents a real dashboard. Use it on iPhone, iPad and Mac, or on the web, with one account that keeps everything in sync. STAY ON TOP OF SCHOOL • Track homework by subject with due dates, priorities, and sub-task checklists • Build streaks, clear your Due Today list, and watch your Done count grow • Focus Timer with Pomodoro-style sessions and breaks • Board and calendar views for planning the week • Home Screen and Lock Screen widget, and "Homework Turtle, add homework" with Siri MEET SHELLY — AN AI TUTOR THAT TEACHES • Explains step by step and checks understanding instead of handing over answers • Reading-level control so explanations meet the student where they are • Knows what's due and helps you tackle it • Turns any topic into study guides, quizzes, and flashcards NOTES THAT DO IT ALL • A full word processor for everything you write • A drawing canvas for diagrams and handwritten work — Apple Pencil supported on iPad • Upload PDFs and images to keep a class's materials in one place • Optional Google Drive backup of your notes BUILT FOR FAMILIES • Family plan covers up to 5 students with one subscription • Parent dashboard shows assignments, overdue alerts, and progress • Parent+ adds a weekly report card email, early warnings before work is late, and view-only access for up to 3 tutors or co-parents • New under-13 accounts require verifiable parental consent before use ACCESSIBILITY FIRST • Designed for neurodivergent students and different ways of learning • Fonts like OpenDyslexic and Lexend, bigger text and extra spacing, and reduced-distraction modes • One-tap profiles for ADHD, autism, dyslexia and low-sensory needs • AbilityBridge for parents: IEP and 504 plan help, your rights under IDEA, Section 504 and the ADA, an assistive technology guide, and state and federal resources. General information, not legal advice. • No ads, no tracking, and our AI provider doesn't train on student conversations PLANS Free includes homework tracking, 3 notes, 1 flashcard deck and 25 AI sessions a month for Shelly, quizzes and study guides, and new accounts start with a free week of the paid features. Student Monthly ($4.99) unlocks 250 sessions, bigger uploads, and unlimited notes and flashcards. Family Monthly ($9.99) shares 600 sessions a month across up to 5 students and adds the parent dashboard. With all 5 seats in use, that's about $2 a month per student. Parent+ ($14.99) adds the weekly report card, early warnings, and up to 3 view-only tutors or co-parents. Subscriptions renew monthly, are charged to your Apple Account, and can be managed or canceled anytime in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://homeworkturtle.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://homeworkturtle.com/privacy Support: https://homeworkturtle.com/support or support@homeworkturtle.com

Screenshots

ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool4 screens
Homework Turtle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Homework Turtle at 5.0 against ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool's 4.7. Homework Turtle also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 11 days). ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool's advantage is ratings volume (106 vs 3) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month and Homework Turtle sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Homework Turtle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool has 106 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool ships an update every 11 days, Homework Turtle every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool versus Homework Turtle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACT Prep 2026 | SmartschoolHomework Turtle
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (106 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings106 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size93 MB23 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperSmartschool, Inc.Oddball Outpost, LLC

Customer experience

ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool

All ratings89 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Homework Turtle

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool

Subscriptions3
  • ACT Prep – 1 Month3 Days trial$49.991 Month
  • ACT Prep – 3 Months3 Days trial$89.993 Months
  • ACT Prep – 6 Months3 Days trial$119.996 Months
3 purchases

Homework Turtle

Subscriptions3
  • Student7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Family7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Parent+7 Days trial$14.991 Month

Questions

Is ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool free?
ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Homework Turtle free?
Homework Turtle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool or Homework Turtle?
Homework Turtle is rated higher. ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool averages 4.7 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while Homework Turtle averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool or Homework Turtle have ads?
Neither ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool nor Homework Turtle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool or Homework Turtle?
ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool ships an update every 11 days, and Homework Turtle every 5 days. Most recently, ACT Prep 2026 | Smartschool was updated on November 5, 2026 and Homework Turtle on November 5, 2026.

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