# Stickleback Evolution Lab vs Sugar Simulation

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stickleback Evolution Lab | Sugar Simulation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stickleback-evolution-lab/id938339250/reviews) | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sugar-simulation/id1471646677/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 28 months** | Every 77 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 264 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Howard Hughes Medical Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/411540290) | [Smithsonian Institution](https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865) |

## What reviewers say

### Stickleback Evolution Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stickleback-evolution-lab/id938339250)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sugar Simulation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sugar-simulation/id1471646677)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*