Comparison

Zero/Sum vs Sum

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

Head to head
About

Zero/Sum

Solve mathematical puzzles to uncover a cure for cancer in this unique puzzle game. Experience an 80s action movie-inspired storyline with live-action cinematics and a variety of fresh puzzle mechanics. Features daily challenges and time trials.

Highlights
  • Unique and original puzzle gameplay
  • 80s action movie-inspired storyline
  • Full motion video cinematics with real actors
  • Variety of puzzle types (melting, number)
  • Daily Challenge Mode with new puzzles
  • Time Trial mode
Features
Read full description

On the eve of discovering a mathematical cure for cancer, your mentor, Professor Claire Liddy, is murdered. Fortunately, before she died, the Professor was able to erase many of the plus and minus signs with her bloody hands, saving the cure from falling into the hands of her killers. Now it is up to you to fill back in the missing parts of the equation and resolve your professor's cure. It's up to you to cure cancer -- AGAIN! (It's a comedy). FEATURES - A completely UNIQUE and ORIGINAL puzzle game! - Puzzle gameplay that will make you feel and look SMART! - A thrilling, 80s ACTION MOVIE-inspired storyline! - Full motion video GREEN SCREEN cinematics! With REAL human ACTORS! - NO mention of CANDY or CUPCAKES or sweets of any kind in the story at all! - A variety of different puzzle types and mechanics to keep things FRESH (melting puzzles, number puzzles, and so much more)! - A Daily Challenge Mode featuring 10 NEW puzzles EVERY DAY! - Time Trial mode - try to beat your best time on RANDOM PUZZLES! - Completely INDEPENDENTLY developed and published! (Support your local punk band)! I ignored my newborn child to make this game, please ignore yours to play it!* *Note: I worked on the game every night after my son fell asleep, there is nothing more important to me than being a father. That being said, this game is a CLOSE second. Like neck and neck, really.

About

Sum

This game challenges you to find sums from a grid of numbers before time runs out. It offers multiple modes, from fast-paced challenges to relaxed untimed play, and helps improve mental agility and logic skills.

Highlights
  • Timed addition challenges
  • Four distinct game modes
  • Offline play supported
  • Compete with friends
  • Detailed progress statistics
  • Sleek user interface
Features
Read full description

Introducing 'Sum: Simple Math Puzzle', a captivating and mentally invigorating game that will transform the way you think about basic math. Is there anything more fundamental than addition? Yet how challenging can it be when the clock is ticking, the stakes are high, and you're racing against time? We invite you to step up and find out! At the heart of our game is a simple yet intriguing premise: a 3x3 grid randomly filled with 5 numbers. Your task? Make as many correct sums as possible before time runs out. But it's not all that straightforward. We offer four stimulating game modes, each delivering a unique flavor of fun and intensity: > Classic: Dive into 90 intense seconds of mental agility, where every correct sum you find rewards you with additional time. But be careful - an incorrect sum could cost you precious seconds! > Rush: The adrenaline-packed mode where every second counts. Make as many correct combinations as possible in 90 seconds. There are no time extensions or deductions - only pure, fast-paced fun. > Infinity: Fancy a relaxed, untimed experience to refine your skills or unwind after a long day? Infinity mode lets you play at your own pace, with no time constraints. > Epic: For those who enjoy a good challenge, our Epic mode presents a given sum upfront. Your mission? Find numbers from a filled up grid to form the sum. Same time rules apply! Master the rules of the game - select the sum first, then pick the two numbers that add up to it. A correct combination looks like 20 = 8 + 12 or 20 = 12 + 8, not the other way around! As you ace each level, you'll earn bonus time to help you reach even greater heights. There are plenty of opportunities to earn bonus points, especially in Classic mode. 'Sum: Simple Math Puzzle' also offers: - Various levels of difficulty to keep the challenge fresh. - The chance to compete with friends and establish mathematical dominance. - Offline mode, so you can enjoy our game without internet. - A compact size that won't crowd your device. - A sleek, visually pleasing user interface. - Detailed statistics to help track your progress and improve your performance. Math isn't just about numbers, it's about logic, speed, and fun! 'Sum: Simple Math Puzzle' combines all these aspects into a highly addictive game that will not only entertain but also help enhance your mental agility. It's not just about fun; it's also a brain training exercise scientifically proven to stimulate faster thinking and response. Note: The fun, the challenge, and the benefits are all real. Download 'Sum: Simple Math Puzzle' today and immerse yourself in the most intriguing math-based puzzle game on the App Store. Enjoy! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Zero/Sum4 screens
Sum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sum at 5.0 against Zero/Sum's 4.2. Sum also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). Zero/Sum's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Sum sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Zero/Sum asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sum holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zero/Sum has 27 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zero/Sum ships an update every 2 months, Sum every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Zero/Sum versus Sum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZero/SumSum
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (27 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings27 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size973 MB20 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSean KearneyWhimseed Studio Private Limited

Customer experience

Zero/Sum

All ratings27 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral7.4%
Negative14.8%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive53.8%
Neutral23.1%
Negative23.1%

Sum

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Zero/Sum

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sum

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Subscription$1.991 Month

Questions

Is Zero/Sum free?
Zero/Sum is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sum free?
Sum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Zero/Sum or Sum?
Sum is rated higher. Zero/Sum averages 4.2 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Sum averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Zero/Sum or Sum have ads?
Sum shows ads; Zero/Sum does not.
Which is updated more often, Zero/Sum or Sum?
Zero/Sum ships an update every 2 months, and Sum every 3 days. Most recently, Zero/Sum was updated on November 2, 2026 and Sum on November 3, 2026.

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