*This report is informational for parents and professionals, not a recommendation for children.* Stack the States® is a premium educational geography game that utilizes a physics-based "stacking" mechanic to teach US state facts. The app targets students and families seeking a high-engagement, distraction-free learning environment. It currently holds a strong market position as the #11 Paid app in its category (US). Its primary value proposition lies in its "five games in one" bundle and a strict commitment to privacy, featuring no third-party ads or in-app purchases.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#13
Education · paid
Sentiment
4.6
4k reviews
Nemesis
Seterra Geography (full)
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
For Students, children, and families looking for an engaging, educational, and safe way to learn US geography without the distraction of ads or microtransactions.
What does it look like?
Key features
Uses a realistic physics engine to allow users to touch, move, and stack animated state shapes.
Includes five distinct game modes (Stack the States, Map It, Pile Up, Puzzler, Capital Drop) within a single app.
The app contains no third-party ads, in-app purchases, or data collection tools.
Collects states to fill a personalized map and allows creation of up to six player profiles.
How much does it cost?
A straightforward, one-time purchase model that emphasizes a 'no-distraction' environment by explicitly excluding ads, IAPs, and data tracking.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceShow more...
Development has been limited to minor bug fixes and small content tweaks, such as a flag update, over the past 18 months. There have been no major feature releases or significant content expansions during this period. The cadence of updates is infrequent, indicating the app is in a maintenance phase rather than active development.
Who built it?
Freecloud Design
9 apps tracked · Education
Stack the States® 2
Presidents vs. Aliens®
Monster Physics®
Off the Rails®
Tower Math®
Block Drop®
Mathmateer®
Stack the Countries®User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Fresh user feedback skews thrilled. Users appreciate educational effectiveness and nostalgic appeal, but report outdated content.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Educational Effectiveness
- Nostalgic Appeal
Unlock 1 more frustration theme, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Stack the States®
How's the Education market?
The rivals identified
By GeoGuessr AB
Seterra is the most direct threat due to its high update velocity (6 releases in 6 months) and its integration into the GeoGuessr ecosystem, providing a competitive social layer this app lacks.
- Leverages the GeoGuessr account system for cross-platform progress and global leaderboards.
- Offers comprehensive global coverage (continents, physical features, flags) whereas this app is strictly US-focused.
- Features a 'Voice' mode for hands-free learning, a significant accessibility advantage over this app's touch-only stacking.
Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Stack the States®
Where is it heading?
- Maintains #11 Paid ranking in US Education — indicates strong organic demand and brand trust.
- Recent updates (v3.2) focused on bug fixes and flag updates — active maintenance but no major feature expansion.
- Thrilled user base with high nostalgia — creates a self-sustaining recommendation loop among parents.
The SWOT
- Unique physics-based stacking mechanic
- Strong brand equity and nostalgia factor
- Clean, safe monetization model (no ads/IAPs)
- Introduction of a 'Junior Mode' for the 4-5 age demographic
- Expansion into AR (Augmented Reality) stacking
- Cross-integration with other 'Stack the...' titles
Next best moves
Audit and update all state symbols
+ 2 more prioritized movesFeature gaps
Social leaderboards and friend challenges (available in Seterra) +3
Since the last report: The app has transitioned into a maintenance phase with a decline in market ranking and new user concerns regarding content accuracy and age-appropriateness.
Bottom line
Stack the States® is a high-sentiment legacy leader that must defend its niche by modernizing its content velocity. While the physics engine remains a unique differentiator, the lack of social connectivity and 3D visuals makes it vulnerable to high-velocity competitors like Seterra and StudyGe.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 3 market threats, 2 more prioritized moves and the analyst’s take.
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