Comparison

Desmos Test Mode vs Aktiv Learning

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

Head to head
About

Desmos Test Mode

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
Read full description

** These are restricted versions of the Desmos Calculators that comply with exam requirements. To prepare for specific state or national assessments, select the corresponding test from the menu in the app. Find out whether Desmos is used for your test at www.desmos.com/testing. If you’d like to use full, unrestricted versions of the calculators, download the Scientific or Graphing Calculator apps or visit www.desmos.com. ** At Desmos, we imagine a world of universal math literacy where math is accessible and enjoyable for all students. To that end, we’ve built simple yet powerful calculators. They’re intuitive, beautiful, and completely free. - - - Graphing Calculator Features: Graphing: Plot polar, Cartesian, and parametric graphs. There’s no limit to how many expressions you can graph at one time—and you don’t even need to enter expressions in y= form! Sliders: Adjust values interactively to build intuition, or animate any parameter to visualize its effect on the graph. Tables: Input and plot data, or create an input-output table for any function. Statistics: Use regressions to find the lines (or other curves!) that best fit your data. Zooming: Scale the axes independently or at the same time with the pinch of two fingers, or edit the window size manually to get the perfect view of your graph. Points of Interest: Touch a curve to show its maximum and minimum values, intercepts, and points of intersection with other curves. Tap any of these points of interest to see their coordinates. Hold and drag along a curve to see the coordinates change under your finger as you trace. - - - Scientific Calculator Features: Variables: Assign values to variables that you can use in other expressions. Since all of your work is held in the expressions list, you can compute a value once and use it in many places simultaneously. Take advantage of the “ans” key, which always stores the value of the previous expression. Arithmetic: Beyond the four basic operations, the scientific calculator also supports exponentiation, radicals, absolute value, logarithms, rounding, and percentages. Trigonometry: Evaluate the fundamental trigonometric functions and their inverses using either radians or degrees for angle measure. Statistics: Compute the mean and standard deviation (sample or population) of a list of data. Combinatorics: Count combinations and permutations and calculate factorials. - - - Four-Function Calculator Features: Simple and Beautiful: Just the basics done right. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and take square roots. Multiple Expressions: Unlike many four-function calculators, all of your previous work remains visible on the screen. The special “ans” key always holds the value of the previous computation (and updates automatically!), so you never have to remember or copy a result.

About

Aktiv Learning

This platform offers dynamic problems and interactive tools for college-level chemistry and math. It helps students visualize abstract STEM concepts and provides instructors with real-time insights into class understanding. Features include a mobile-friendly Lewis structure drawing tool and over 250 practice questions.

Highlights
  • Interactive Lewis structure drawing tool
  • Dynamic STEM problems
  • Real-time class results
  • Over 250 built-in practice questions
  • Create in-class or homework assignments
  • Isoform recognition for answers
Read full description

Aktiv Learning is an active learning platform built specifically for college-level chemistry and mathematics. Say goodbye to static content and generic multiple choice questions and hello to dynamic problems that are designed to help students learn and visualize abstract concepts in STEM. Aktiv Learning allows chemistry instructors to ask students engaging questions, such as drawing Lewis structures, and receive real-time information on what structures the class is drawing. The app features a custom-built tool that allows students and instructors to quickly and intuitively draw Lewis structures on mobile devices. Additionally, both students and instructors have access to over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. Features: • Intuitive Lewis structures drawing tool built specifically for mobile devices - Use as engaging demonstration for your students to show example Lewis structures and reinforce concepts such as the octet rule, formal charge, and VSEPR. Students can take advantage of the drawing tool to visualize the relationship between Lewis structures and molecular shapes. • Create in-class or homework assignments - Perfect for clicker, recitation, or review problems. Students receive push notifications to alert and remind them of pending assignments. • Assign or practice with over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. • Real-time class results - Quickly find common incorrect structures to address student misunderstanding before exams. • Isoform recognition - Aktiv’s technology recognizes correct answers independent of the drawn structure orientation. • Export student activity - Student participation and performance exported in a tap of a button. • Easy sign-up - Students and instructors can create accounts and join courses all within the app in a few steps. • School IT and device independent - Assign, work, and review from any mobile device and over any network connection. More content and features coming soon!

Screenshots

Desmos Test Mode4 screens
Aktiv Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aktiv Learning at 73% against Desmos Test Mode's 17%. Aktiv Learning also leads on rating (3.2 vs 1.6) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). Desmos Test Mode's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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. Aktiv Learning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Desmos Test Mode asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aktiv Learning holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 369 and 184 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of Desmos Test Mode's written reviews are positive against 73% of Aktiv Learning's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Desmos Test Mode ships an update every 4 months, Aktiv Learning every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Desmos Test Mode versus Aktiv Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesmos Test ModeAktiv Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.6 (369 ratings)3.2 (184 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.5% of reviews72.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings369 — better184
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB95 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDesmosTop Hat Monocle

Customer experience

Desmos Test Mode

All ratings369 ratings
Positive14.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative83.2%
Written reviews139 reviews
Positive16.5%
Neutral5.0%
Negative78.4%

Aktiv Learning

All ratings184 ratings
Positive53.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative43.5%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative25.3%

User reviews

Desmos Test Mode

From 369 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Aktiv Learning

From 184 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 📱 Works seamlessly on both mobile and desktop
  • 💡 Interactive problem-solving tools (Lewis structures, dimensional analysis)
  • 🎯 Multiple attempts per question reduce fear of failure
  • 📚 Detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
  • ⏱️ Extremely slow loading times
  • 🔐 Login and authentication issues
  • 📱 Drag-and-drop functionality malfunctions on iPad
  • ❌ Confusing and unclear question directions

Bugs and requests

Desmos Test Mode

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

Aktiv Learning

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Pop-up warnings flicker and disappear too quickly
  • Drag-and-drop fails 70% of the time on iOS
  • App crashes on specific problems with no recovery
  • Login errors and password reset failures
  • Users locked out of questions permanently
Show 5 more
  • Window resizing issues on iPad 12.9in
  • Questions don't load properly or display incompletely
  • Subscripts/superscripts not displaying on Mac
  • Split-screen functionality disabled
  • Inconsistent performance between app and web versions

Requested features

10 requests
  • In-app notification system for assignment reminders
  • Ability to sign up for courses on mobile app
  • Split-screen functionality on iPad
  • Zoom capability for periodic table
  • Reset button for Lewis structure questions
Show 5 more
  • Full solutions displayed after using all attempts
  • Better hints and guidance for dimensional analysis
  • School login integration on mobile app
  • Improved question clarity and directions
  • Subscript and superscript display on web version

In-app purchases

None

Desmos Test Mode

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Aktiv Learning

One-time1
  • Chem101 Course Activation$29.99

Questions

Is Desmos Test Mode free?
Desmos Test Mode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aktiv Learning free?
Aktiv Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Desmos Test Mode or Aktiv Learning?
Aktiv Learning is rated higher. Desmos Test Mode averages 1.6 out of 5 from 369 ratings, while Aktiv Learning averages 3.2 from 184 ratings.
Do Desmos Test Mode or Aktiv Learning have ads?
Neither Desmos Test Mode nor Aktiv Learning shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Desmos Test Mode or Aktiv Learning?
Desmos Test Mode ships an update every 4 months, and Aktiv Learning every 3 weeks. Most recently, Desmos Test Mode was updated on October 14, 2026 and Aktiv Learning on October 14, 2026.

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