How we compare scavenger hunt apps
This page is the full method behind our roundups and directory notes. We score products against the same questions—not against a favourite vendor. A listing or a high score is not a recommendation to buy.
The rubric
Unless an article says it is using a different weighting, comparisons use these weights. They add up to 100%.
| Criterion | What we look for | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Can people join from a browser, or must they install an app? Is there a QR or link join? How much friction is there on a work phone? | 20% |
| Organizer control | Live dashboard, moderation, cloning an event, and roles for helpers—not just a pretty player screen. | 15% |
| Challenge types | Photo, GPS, QR, text, and custom tasks. A tool that only does one format is noted as such. | 15% |
| Scale and pricing | Documented event size, how judging holds up with more teams, and whether you pay per person, per device, or per event. | 15% |
| Privacy | A readable privacy policy, data retention, and whether the product is usable with children or employees under typical rules. | 15% |
| Accessibility | Alternatives to camera-only tasks, readable contrast, and whether a screen reader can follow clues. | 10% |
| Public evidence | Help pages, pricing you can see without a sales call, and hands-on tests we record on the page. | 10% |
Where the facts come from
Vendor websites, public price lists, organizer help centres, and hands-on tests when we say we ran one. We do not take payment for placement in a list or directory profile.
What this method cannot do
Apps change. A score from August 2026 may be stale by the time you run your event. Legal and accessibility needs differ by country and by audience. Always confirm with the vendor for your date, headcount, and rules.
If something is wrong
Email hello@scavengerhunt.app with the page URL and the correction. We date-stamp updates. To suggest an app that is missing, use the same address and include a public product page.
Browse the directory · Use the organizer checklist · Independence disclosure
