Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Popsicle Sticks vs BrainPOP

Popsicle Sticks 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Popsicle Sticks
BrainPOP 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

Popsicle Sticks is better for teachers needing a versatile classroom management tool, while BrainPOP is better for general educational content, especially if access is provided through a school.

Full reviews: Popsicle Sticks · BrainPOP

Popsicle Sticks excels as a classroom management tool for random student selection and grouping, despite some usability and payment model frustrations. BrainPOP offers educational videos and quizzes, but its value is heavily impacted by its subscription model, with many users expressing frustration over limited free content and technical issues.

Head to head

Features edge: Popsicle SticksR5R15R20R23
Popsicle Sticks Popsicle Sticks is praised for its random student selection, grouping, and partner creation features, which teachers find invaluable for classroom management and engagement R5R20R23. Additional features like dice roll and tournament mode are also appreciated . However, some users desire features like marking students absent and better gender-mixing options for groups R15. There are also complaints about the discussion scoring feature not working as expected .
BrainPOP BrainPOP offers educational videos, quizzes, and learning games across various subjects . Users appreciate the educational content and how it makes learning fun R72. However, many users are frustrated by the limited number of free videos and the need to pay for full access to content R64R72. Some users also report issues with specific content, such as incorrect pluralization or perceived political bias .
Ease of Use edge: Popsicle SticksR2R3R4R6
Popsicle Sticks Popsicle Sticks is generally considered easy to set up and use for its core functions like random selection and grouping . However, a significant number of users report difficulties with managing student lists and classes, specifically deleting students or classes R2R3R4R10. Some users also find the interface clunky for tasks like switching between classes or creating groups . There are also accessibility concerns for screen reader users R6 and issues with iPad interface not supporting landscape or split-screen modes .
BrainPOP BrainPOP users sometimes struggle with account management, such as signing in , updating the app , or making an account R70. The subscription process is also described as not straightforward, with issues porting iOS purchases to family subscriptions . Some users find the app boring .
Reliability tieR7R9R11R19
Popsicle Sticks Popsicle Sticks has several reported reliability issues. The app crashes during CSV importing R19 and when trying to pick a random student or list . Some users experience glitches like random people being added to groups R7 or students being left out of groups R21. The speaker option for name pronunciation sometimes says names wrong R11 or doesn't work . Multitasking functionality has also reportedly regressed R9.
BrainPOP BrainPOP also faces reliability concerns. Users report connection errors preventing video playback R66 and the app crashing R82. Some users cannot hear anything R77. The free trial is noted to not work, with error messages appearing for videos even with good Wi-Fi .
Price/Value edge: Popsicle SticksR1R5R8R13
Popsicle Sticks Popsicle Sticks is a free app with in-app purchases, but many users feel it's a 'cash grab' R13. Users are frequently prompted to pay to unlock basic features like creating more than one class R1R32 or making more than a few random groups R8R13. The pricing structure is confusing, with some feeling deceived about what is included in initial purchases . Despite this, some users find the paid version 'worth every penny' R5.
BrainPOP BrainPOP is also a free app with in-app purchases, but the overwhelming sentiment is frustration with its paid model. Many users, especially children, wish the content was entirely free R64R71R73. The free version is severely limited, offering only a few videos R72. Some users feel the subscription is expensive, with one mentioning a $350/year cost . The family plan only allows for two children, requiring a second purchase for more kids .
Support edge: Popsicle SticksR21R37R66R70
Popsicle Sticks One user reported positive and responsive customer service for a CSV file import question R37. However, another user stated they tried to get app support but received an error R21.
BrainPOP Reviews do not provide specific feedback on BrainPOP's customer support, though some users express frustration with technical issues that would typically require support R66R70R77.
Pick Popsicle Sticks if

you are a teacher looking for a dedicated tool to manage student grouping and selection in the classroom, and are willing to pay for the premium features after trying the free tier R5R20.

Pick BrainPOP if

you are a student or parent seeking educational content, especially if you have access through a school subscription, as this significantly mitigates the cost concerns .

Evidence note: Evidence for support for BrainPOP is thin, as users primarily discuss product features and pricing rather than direct interactions with support.

Frequently asked

Is Popsicle Sticks truly free?
Popsicle Sticks is free to download, but many core features like creating more than one class or making more than a few random groups require an in-app purchase, leading many users to feel it's not truly free R1R8R13R32.
Can I delete students or classes in Popsicle Sticks?
While it is possible to delete students and classes in Popsicle Sticks, many users find the process unintuitive and difficult, with some initially believing the feature was missing R2R3R4R10.
Is BrainPOP free to use?
BrainPOP offers a free version with a very limited selection of videos, but full access to its educational content requires a paid subscription, which many users, especially children, express frustration about R64R71R72R73.
Does BrainPOP have technical issues?
Yes, BrainPOP users have reported various technical issues including connection errors preventing video playback, the app crashing, inability to type when creating an account, and sound problems R66R70R77R82.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] Popsicle Sticks 5/5 · US Love: I seriously love this app. It helps with picking students to call on, grouping and so much more! I never review apps, but I’ve had this one for a few years now and wanted people to know this one was worth every penny!
  2. [R15] Popsicle Sticks 3/5 · US So far so good...: So far I am liking this app. It would be nice if the app could mix group by gender.
  3. [R20] Popsicle Sticks 5/5 · US Math Teacher: Love popsicle sticks to randomly select students for any activity. Also takes the stress away from placing students in groups, since popsicle sticks does it for you.
  4. [R23] Popsicle Sticks 5/5 · US 🤩 Randomized Grouping Tool 🤩: Wow, what an amazing randomized color-coded grouping tool made easier for me to use to create my teams. Including the other features that I plan on using. Now I can randomize my groups weekly/daily and make any changes to my groups anytime. The auto-save feature is cool so you’ll never lose any changes you make. What a great one-time purchase filled with features that
  5. [R2] Popsicle Sticks 4/5 · US Saves time: This is a great way to call random names and assign visibly random groups! I use it for multiple classes, and even selecting next class awards. I wish there was a way to delete names or class lists though.
  6. [R3] Popsicle Sticks 3/5 · US Some drawbacks: The app is wonderful,however,it’s not user friendly when removing students and archiving classes. There’s no where to show to do that with the app.
  7. [R4] Popsicle Sticks 2/5 · US Problem deleting: Would be a great app if I could figure out how to delete the students that leave my class. If someone knows, please advise. Thanks
  8. [R6] Popsicle Sticks 3/5 · US Would be awesome with accessibility updates: I am a blind user who utilizes screen reader technology on an iPhone. This app is great and mostly accessible. I would love to see future updates that include accessibility for screen reader in a Gratian. For example, some buttons are not labeled and therefore, the screen reader just reads it as button. This makes it impossible to know what the function
  9. [R7] Popsicle Sticks 1/5 · US Terrible App: Although it started off great I began using it too much and it ended up ruining my life because it would put people in groups that would ruin their grades and at my house we used it to separate chores. It also glitches and sometimes adds random people that you don't even know into groups. I hate this app and do not recommend using it for anything.
  10. [R9] Popsicle Sticks 3/5 · US Totally useful but hope a future update will enable it to work seamlessly in multitasking: The app is perfect for quickly pairing or grouping. It will make random groups and then you can slide around to make quick switches. Classic random selection is great,too! One last thing developer...I used to be able to use the app easily while multitasking. That is no longer so. It was so helpful to view bo
  11. [R11] Popsicle Sticks 4/5 · US Good: I love it but it but it does say names wrong sometimes and then my students say that’s not my name are they talking about me and I have to explain to them not everything can’t say your name
  12. [R19] Popsicle Sticks 2/5 · US Import glitches: I will update after I actually get to try the app. Right now I’m frustrated because the app keeps crashing during the import process. 2 classes worked fine, but the third list crashes the app as soon as I try to scroll and confirm the list. I’m annoyed so far & hope the experience improves. I’m off to type in 31 names….
  13. [R1] Popsicle Sticks 2/5 · US Good but: I like the app I like all the stuff but of course every app now have to have a premium or something to buy with and and you have to upgrade it to premium to get more than random groupings and to make more than one classes it’s really weird and I do not like it. That’s why I’m giving it two stars
  14. [R8] Popsicle Sticks 4/5 · US It’s great just I have one complaint: This is a great app just I was clicking on groups and it said I had reached my limit and I had to pay if I wanted to continue which was annoying but otherwise it is great!
  15. [R13] Popsicle Sticks 1/5 · US Cash Grab: I literally had gotten no actual use out of this app, but it has potential. So I put it to the test the first time, and bam, it refuses to create random groups until I pay it. I’ve got 11 girls learning soccer who need to be grouped and this app is extorting me in my minute of need. Cannot be trusted.
  16. [R21] Popsicle Sticks 3/5 · US Please help: I tried to get app support but it said there was an error. I paid $5 for this app and I really like it, but every time I create group one or two students always get left out. I thought it might be because I had an odd number of kids, but today it left 3 students out of groups of 2. It could have made one more group of 2. Please fix.
  17. [R37] Popsicle Sticks 5/5 · US Great customer service.: Useful and fun app. Developer was very responsive in helping troubleshoot a .csv file import question. Thanks!
  18. [R66] BrainPOP 3/5 · US Error: There is a connection error and it won’t let me play any videos
  19. [R70] BrainPOP 1/5 · US Why can’t I type?: Basically when I am trying to make an account, it immediately goes out of the text box and doesn’t let me type at all.
  20. [R32] Popsicle Sticks 1/5 · US Unusable: Every time I try to add one class it asks me if I want to upgrade to the paid version. Just a loop
  21. [R10] Popsicle Sticks 2/5 · US Deleting Students from a Class: I like using this app, but every time a student leaves my class, I hate that it is more difficult to remove a student from a class than it is to add them. It is not an intuitive process. And today as I am trying to adjust classes at the beginning of the semester, I almost hate the app.
  22. [R64] BrainPOP 2/5 · US Videos: First, I wanna say if you want to make this BrainPOP better let every video be free. I’m a kid so I’m writing my own review when I opened the BrainPOP there’s almost nothing to do. so if you want lots of people to watch it, you have to put everything free. It’s the only choice.
  23. [R71] BrainPOP 5/5 · US More more more more more more more: Pls make it free
  24. [R72] BrainPOP 3/5 · US Read: I love this app so much because it makes learning fun but your also only limited to the free movies which makes it not as fun and limited to what you can learn which makes it hard to find a good video.
  25. [R73] BrainPOP 1/5 · US It was free for me but then I had to pay I don’t think you should use this: It used to be free but then I had to pay so much money
  26. [R77] BrainPOP 4/5 · US Discovered a new bug: I can’t hear anything. I checked my sound and it is on. Please fix it.
  27. [R82] BrainPOP 1/5 · US Crashed: After SO long, BrainPOP crashed suddenly!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store