Comparison

Stickleback Evolution Lab vs Sugar Simulation

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

Head to head
About

Stickleback Evolution Lab

Explore the science of evolution by analyzing the pelvic structures of threespine stickleback fish. This virtual lab offers three experiments using real fish specimens and fossils, complete with graphing and statistical analysis tools for drawing conclusions about population evolution.

Highlights
  • Analyze pelvic structures of threespine stickleback fish
  • Conduct experiments with living specimens and fossils
  • Collect and analyze biological data
  • Graphing and statistical analysis tools
  • Learn about evolutionary science
Features
Read full description

The Stickleback Evolution Virtual Lab will introduce you to the science and techniques used to analyze the forms and structures of organisms–in particular, the pelvic structures of the threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus). The lab includes three experiments in which you will collect data using photographs of living fish specimens and fossils to draw conclusions about the evolution of stickleback fish populations. The lab includes graphing and statistical analysis of biological data. This app is geared to high school and college biology students, and anyone interested in the biological sciences. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a nonprofit medical research organization that ranks as one of the nation's largest philanthropies. HHMI plays a powerful role in advancing biomedical research and science education. HHMI brings the latest biomedical research into the classroom with the award-winning BioInteractive website, featuring free resources for science education, including lectures, animations, short films, interactive features, and classroom-ready lesson plans and activities. Topics include all areas of biology and earth and environmental science. Vist the website at www.biointeractive.org.

About

Sugar Simulation

Explore the science of sugar dissolving in water and water evaporating. This educational tool visually demonstrates particle behavior, aligning with physical science curriculum for grade 5.

Highlights
  • Particle behavior simulation
  • Sugar dissolving in water
  • Water evaporation visualization
  • Physical science curriculum alignment
  • Grade 5 science module resource
Features
Read full description

This simulation shows what happens to particles when sugar dissolves in water and water evaporates. This resource is aligned with the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom grade 5 physical science module, "How Can We Identify Materials Based on Their Properties?"

Screenshots

Sugar Simulation2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sugar Simulation at 4.2 against Stickleback Evolution Lab's 2.6. Sugar Simulation also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Stickleback Evolution Lab's advantage is update cadence (every 28 months vs every 77 months) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sugar Simulation holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stickleback Evolution Lab ships an update every 28 months, Sugar Simulation every 77 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Stickleback Evolution Lab versus Sugar Simulation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStickleback Evolution LabSugar Simulation
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (8 ratings)4.2 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 28 months — betterEvery 77 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size264 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHoward Hughes Medical InstituteSmithsonian Institution

Customer experience

Stickleback Evolution Lab

All ratings8 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative62.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Sugar Simulation

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Stickleback Evolution Lab

No in-app purchases

None

Sugar Simulation

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stickleback Evolution Lab free?
Stickleback Evolution Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sugar Simulation free?
Sugar Simulation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stickleback Evolution Lab or Sugar Simulation?
Sugar Simulation is rated higher. Stickleback Evolution Lab averages 2.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Sugar Simulation averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Stickleback Evolution Lab or Sugar Simulation have ads?
Neither Stickleback Evolution Lab nor Sugar Simulation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stickleback Evolution Lab or Sugar Simulation?
Stickleback Evolution Lab ships an update every 28 months, and Sugar Simulation every 77 months. Most recently, Stickleback Evolution Lab was updated on September 10, 2026 and Sugar Simulation on September 16, 2026.

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