# Desmos Test Mode vs STAAR Online Testing Program

The clearest difference is rating: STAAR Online Testing Program at 2.2 against Desmos Test Mode's 1.6. STAAR Online Testing Program also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Desmos Test Mode's advantage is ratings volume (368 vs 30). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

STAAR Online Testing Program holds the better App Store score, 2.2 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Desmos Test Mode has 368 ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of Desmos Test Mode's written reviews are positive against 14% of STAAR Online Testing Program's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Desmos Test Mode ships an update every 4 months, STAAR Online Testing Program every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Desmos Test Mode | STAAR Online Testing Program |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.6 (368 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desmos-test-mode/id977381005/reviews) | **[2.2 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staar-online-testing-program/id1073653217/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **368** | 30 |
| Positive reviews | **16.5% of reviews** | 14.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 216 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Desmos](https://appshunter.io/developer/653517543) | [NWEA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1087546324) |

## What reviewers say

### Desmos Test Mode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desmos-test-mode/id977381005)

This app provides restricted versions of graphing and scientific calculators designed to meet exam requirements. It allows users to practice for specific state or national assessments by selecting the appropriate test mode. Full, unrestricted calculator features are available in separate applications.

**Highlights:** Exam-compliant calculator modes, Graphing capabilities, Scientific calculator functions, Data tables and statistics, Interactive sliders, Points of interest on graphs

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Useful app for tests
- 🔒 Secure calculator mode
- 👍 Free alternative to expensive calculators

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔒 Overly restrictive app lock
- 👎 Poor user interface and usability

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes during use
- Unexpected phone behavior and lockouts
- Compatibility issues across different devices and OS versions

**Requested features**

- Add customization options for the calculator interface
- Improve compatibility with older devices
- Provide more flexible calculator modes during tests


### STAAR Online Testing Program

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staar-online-testing-program/id1073653217)

This secure browser is utilized by Texas school districts to administer state-mandated academic readiness assessments to students in grades 3-8 and for end-of-course exams. It supports various versions of the STAAR test across all applicable grades and content areas.

**Highlights:** Administers state academic readiness tests, Supports grades 3-8 assessments, Includes end-of-course exams, Covers STAAR, STAAR A, STAAR L, and SOA, Secure testing environment

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Desmos Test Mode free?

Desmos Test Mode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is STAAR Online Testing Program free?

STAAR Online Testing Program is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Desmos Test Mode or STAAR Online Testing Program?

STAAR Online Testing Program is rated higher. Desmos Test Mode averages 1.6 out of 5 from 368 ratings, while STAAR Online Testing Program averages 2.2 from 30 ratings.

### Do Desmos Test Mode or STAAR Online Testing Program have ads?

Neither Desmos Test Mode nor STAAR Online Testing Program shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Desmos Test Mode or STAAR Online Testing Program?

Desmos Test Mode ships an update every 4 months, and STAAR Online Testing Program every 7 months. Most recently, Desmos Test Mode was updated on September 10, 2026 and STAAR Online Testing Program on July 4, 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.*