Comparison

Essential Learning System vs MathFinder

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

Head to head
About

Essential Learning System

This program accelerates learning for students facing reading and language challenges. It uses multisensory, interactive lessons to build foundational skills, offering individualized instruction for at-risk learners and those with learning disadvantages.

Highlights
  • Accelerated learning for at-risk students
  • Multisensory learning pathways
  • Individualized and differentiated instruction
  • Interactive learning with feedback
  • Systematic phonics instruction
  • Language and vocabulary enrichment
  • Practice and repetition activities
Features
Read full description

After 25+ years of helping millions of students learn to read in schools all across the U.S., CEI is excited to offer a version of our flagship product designed specifically for use in the comfort of your own home. ELSO accelerates learning by focusing on the core of learning problems. “It’s like physical therapy for the brain.” – Parent of CEI student WHY IS ELSO FOR ME? See if any of the following describes the learning challenges that you or your family have been facing: - My child has a distinct learning disadvantage … maybe more than one. - My child is shy, bashful and withdrawn in a classroom setting. - My child is easily distracted by the actions of other students in the classroom. - My child is learning at a level far below that of fellow classmates. - My child is falling further and further behind in school. - English is a second language for my family. - Our hectic family schedule prevents me from helping in our children’s learning. - I need extra help in home-schooling my child. - Tutoring is not available through my child’s school. - Transportation costs and scheduling prevent me from traveling to tutoring centers. - Effective tutoring with proven results costs too much. - Being older than the other students who are being tutored embarrasses my child. - I, as an adult learner, personally experience some of the above. If you relate to even one of these statements, ELSO is the answer! HOW DOES ELSO WORK? The overwhelming strength of CEI programs is the ability to accelerate learning among the most at-risk students — those with the strongest of learning disadvantages. Just as our school-based learning solutions do, ELSO accelerates learning by focusing on the very core of learning problems … faulty sensory processing. All CEI products include activities that link visual, auditory, and motor, or “hands-on,” pathways in the brain, and ELSO is no exception. ELSO capitalizes on the brain’s ability to develop more fluid pathways for automatic recognition, retention, comprehension, and application of information. Throughout over 200 lessons, the program accelerates student learning by delivering automated, individualized, and differentiated instruction that addresses the most critical instructional processes:  INDIVIDUALIZATION — Self-paced instruction to meet the individual needs and skill level of each student  MULTISENSORY LEARNING — A series of exercises that stimulate the visual, auditory, and motor-kinesthetic pathways in the brain.  INTERACTIVE LEARNING — Five steps (external stimulation, mental processing, response, immediate feedback, and reinforcement) to keep learners engaged in activities SYSTEMATIC PHONICS INSTRUCTION — Focused instruction on how to link letters and sounds to form sound-symbol relationships and spelling patterns  LANGUAGE ENRICHMENT — Words, definitions, and sentences to aid in vocabulary development and retention and to provide background knowledge. PRACTICE AND REPETITION — A wide variety of activities to provide practice in several different contexts MASTERY — Instruction, practice, and review learners need to master the program’s content. HOW IS ELSO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ONLINE READING PROGRAMS? * ELSO adheres to educational research regarding presentation, and CEI designs its programs to limit distractions. There are no busy screens, music, or animation. Exercises present simple illustrations that reinforce instructional goals. As a result, ELSO users can focus on the information presented. * Exercise introductions and feedback are available in English and Spanish, so learners with limited English skills can use the program immediately. * Nine fonts — including one designed for users with dyslexia — are available so learners may select the one that provides the best readability for their needs. We share in your goal of achieving remarkable results, and we are committed to helping you achieve academic, social and professional success! Learn more at www.ceilearning.com.

About

MathFinder

Explore math and science in the real world through an engaging storyline. Investigate locations, watch expert videos, and make your own observations to advance your mission. Features virtual exploration and geolocation-based scavenger hunts.

Highlights
  • Real-world math and science discovery
  • Storyline-driven extraterrestrial mission
  • Expert videos on STEM concepts
  • User-generated observations and questions
  • Virtual location exploration
  • Geolocation scavenger hunts
Features
Read full description

Now with Augmented Reality tools and overlays! This mobile app designed for children ages 8-16 allows you to discover math and science in real world places. You are immersed in a story line where you are an extraterrestrial investigating real world sites, gaining ranks and credits to advance on your mission. Watch videos by community members and STEM experts where you learn about how math and science appear in the world around you from the veins of a leaf to the design of a soccer field. Make your own observation and pose your own questions. Experience these locations virtually or use the app's geolocation features to engage in a scavenger hunt. This app was created by the nonprofit talkSTEM in partnership with Southern Methodist University's Guild Hall.

Screenshots

MathFinder3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MathFinder at 5.0 against Essential Learning System's 1.0. MathFinder also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 16 months) and device support (3 vs 1). Essential Learning System's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MathFinder holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Essential Learning System ships an update every 16 months, MathFinder every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Essential Learning System versus MathFinder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEssential Learning SystemMathFinder
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size398 MB683 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCreative Education InstitutetalkSTEM

Customer experience

Essential Learning System

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

MathFinder

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Essential Learning System

No in-app purchases

None

MathFinder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Essential Learning System free?
Essential Learning System is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MathFinder free?
MathFinder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Essential Learning System or MathFinder?
MathFinder is rated higher. Essential Learning System averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while MathFinder averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Essential Learning System or MathFinder have ads?
Neither Essential Learning System nor MathFinder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Essential Learning System or MathFinder?
Essential Learning System ships an update every 16 months, and MathFinder every 11 days. Most recently, Essential Learning System was updated on September 9, 2026 and MathFinder on September 22, 2026.

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