# LifeScanner vs SkillSteps

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LifeScanner at none against SkillSteps's 1. LifeScanner also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). SkillSteps's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SkillSteps sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LifeScanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

LifeScanner ships an update every 2 months, SkillSteps daily. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LifeScanner | SkillSteps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 12 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [University of Guelph](https://appshunter.io/developer/490139835) | [Aaron Ball](https://appshunter.io/developer/1874113814) |

## What reviewers say

### LifeScanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lifescanner/id875084436)

Explore and identify species worldwide using this app. Share your discoveries with friends and contribute to scientific research by submitting samples for DNA analysis. Help catalog the planet's biodiversity and understand the interconnectedness of life.

**Highlights:** Explore species globally, Share discoveries on social media, Submit samples for DNA analysis, Contribute to scientific research, Visualize sample data, Catalog biodiversity

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### SkillSteps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skillsteps-autism-learning/id6759471583)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SkillSteps Full Access | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LifeScanner free?

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

### Is SkillSteps free?

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

### Do LifeScanner or SkillSteps have ads?

Neither LifeScanner nor SkillSteps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LifeScanner or SkillSteps?

LifeScanner ships an update every 2 months, and SkillSteps daily. Most recently, LifeScanner was updated on October 2, 2026 and SkillSteps on September 24, 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.*