MacroInvertebrates vs Vernier Graphical Analysis
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MacroInvertebrates
This educational tool provides a mobile interface to a comprehensive database of Vermont macroinvertebrates. It aids researchers in the field by offering quick identification of aquatic organisms found in local streams.
- Mobile interface for macroinvertebrate database
- Quick identification of aquatic organisms
- Updates from online resource
- User-friendly field interface
- Educational tool for researchers
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A mobile interface for the Vermont Macroinvertebrate Database - http://wikieducator.org/Rivers/home. The mobile app updates itself with the website on request and has an easy-to-use interface to help researchers in the field quickly identify the macroinvertebrates they might find in a Vermont stream. This was a student project for CS295/CS395 - App Development & Wireless Devices taught by University of Vermont Associate Professor Christian Skalka. The student team consisted of: Elissa Benedetto, Jeremy Gould, My Mai, Lara Nargozian, and Colum Smith. The database was originally created by the VT EPSCoR Center for Workforce Development and Diversity (VT EPSCoR CWDD) to help with the identification of numerous macroinvertebrates in Vermont waterways. The CWDD continues to add to the WikiEducator site, developed by Declan McCabe, Biology Professor at Saint Michael’s College, which has individual pages for streams throughout Vermont to help identify the approximately 10 most common macroinvertebrates found in each stream, representing more than 95% of the organisms one would find in that stream. This resource has been assembled based upon samples taken by Vermont EPSCoR interns and high school participants between 2008 and 2013. Contributors are far too numerous to mention but we wish to acknowledge Brian Cunningham for establishing the initial structure of the tailored web resources in 2009 and Erin Hayes-Pontius for developing the bulk of the content and photographs between 2009 and 2011. Projects, such as this mobile app, help complement the innovation and workforce development efforts of VT EPSCoR and enhance communications outreach. This app is maintained by Steve Exler, Vermont EPSCoR’s Technologist. Support provided by Vermont EPSCoR with funds from the National Science Foundation Grant EPS-1101317. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Vernier Graphical Analysis
This app allows science students to collect, graph, and analyze data from Vernier sensors. It supports various sensor types, offers multiple data collection modes, and provides powerful analysis tools like curve fitting and statistics. Data can be shared and exported for reports and further analysis.
- Multi-sensor data collection
- Various data collection modes
- Simultaneous graph display
- Data table view
- Curve fitting
- Statistical calculations
- Data export (.CSV)
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Graphical Analysis™ is a tool for science students to collect, graph, and analyze data from Vernier sensors. Sensor data-collection support: • Vernier Go Direct® sensors - with Bluetooth® wireless technology • Vernier Go Wireless® Heart Rate and Go Wireless Exercise Heart Rate monitors • Vernier LabQuest® sensors used with a LabQuest Stream interface Additional experiment options: • Data Sharing via Wi-Fi connection to LabQuest 2 or Logger Pro® 3 • Manual Entry Note: Sensor data collection and Data Sharing require the purchase of hardware from Vernier Science Education. Manual entry of data can be performed without a hardware purchase. For more information on Data Sharing, visit http://www.vernier.com/css Key Features - Data Collection • Multi-sensor data-collection support • Time Based, Event Based, Drop Counting, and Photogate data-collection modes • Configurable data-collection rate and duration for time-based data collection • Optional triggering of time-based data collection based on sensor value • Customizable unit display on supported sensors • Sensor calibrations • Option to zero and reverse sensor readings • Graph match feature for use with motion detectors • Manual entry of data from keyboard and clipboard Key Features - Data Analysis • Display one, two, or three graphs simultaneously • View data in a table or show a graph and table side-by-side • Draw Predictions on a graph to uncover misconceptions • Examine, interpolate/extrapolate, and select data • Use Tangent tool to show instantaneous rates of change of the data • Find area under a curve using the Integral tool • Apply Statistics calculations to find mean, min, max, and standard deviation • Perform curve fits, including linear, quadratic, natural exponent, and more • Add calculated columns based on existing data to linearize data or investigate related concepts Key Features - Collaboration and Sharing • Create text annotations and add graph titles • Export graphs and data for printing and inclusion in lab reports • Export data in .CSV format for analysis of data in spreadsheet software such as Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers • Adjust font sizes for easier viewing when presenting to your class Vernier Science Education has over 35 years of experience in providing effective learning resources for understanding experimental data in science and math classrooms. Graphical Analysis 4 is a part of the extensive system of sensors, interfaces, and data-collection software from Vernier for science and STEM education.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MacroInvertebrates at 100% against Vernier Graphical Analysis's 32%. MacroInvertebrates also leads on rating (4.0 vs 2.1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.7). Vernier Graphical Analysis's advantage is ratings volume (527 vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MacroInvertebrates holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Vernier Graphical Analysis has 527 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of MacroInvertebrates's written reviews are positive against 32% of Vernier Graphical Analysis's.
MacroInvertebrates ships an update every 8 months, Vernier Graphical Analysis every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MacroInvertebrates | Vernier Graphical Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better | 2.1 (527 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 32.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 527 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.7 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 106 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Vermont | Vernier Software & Technology |
Customer experience
MacroInvertebrates
Vernier Graphical Analysis
Bugs and requests
MacroInvertebrates
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Vernier Graphical Analysis
Reported bugs
3 issues- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Sensor data not accurately recorded
- Unexpected app behavior and strange visual effects
Requested features
3 requests- More stable and reliable performance
- Better compatibility with older devices
- Improved Bluetooth connectivity
In-app purchases
MacroInvertebrates
No in-app purchases
Vernier Graphical Analysis
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MacroInvertebrates free?
Is Vernier Graphical Analysis free?
Which has better reviews, MacroInvertebrates or Vernier Graphical Analysis?
Do MacroInvertebrates or Vernier Graphical Analysis have ads?
Which is updated more often, MacroInvertebrates or Vernier Graphical Analysis?
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