Stickleback Evolution Lab vs Sugar Simulation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Particle behavior simulation
- Sugar dissolving in water
- Water evaporation visualization
- Physical science curriculum alignment
- Grade 5 science module resource
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Stickleback Evolution Lab | Sugar Simulation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.6 (8 ratings) | 4.2 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 28 months — better | Every 77 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 264 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Smithsonian Institution |
Customer experience
Stickleback Evolution Lab
Sugar Simulation
In-app purchases
Stickleback Evolution Lab
No in-app purchases
Sugar Simulation
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Stickleback Evolution Lab free?
Is Sugar Simulation free?
Which has better reviews, Stickleback Evolution Lab or Sugar Simulation?
Do Stickleback Evolution Lab or Sugar Simulation have ads?
Which is updated more often, Stickleback Evolution Lab or Sugar Simulation?
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