# Math Challenge vs Pac.io

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Math Challenge at 100% against Pac.io's 54%. Math Challenge also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). Pac.io's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.6) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pac.io sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Math Challenge asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pac.io holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pac.io has 297 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Math Challenge's written reviews are positive against 54% of Pac.io's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Math Challenge ships an update every 2 months, Pac.io fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Math Challenge | Pac.io |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-challenge-workout-brain/id1220523089/reviews) | **[4.2 (297 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pacio/id1274026778/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **297** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 53.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 56 MB | 139 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Bro Dots Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1119379227) | [Nomadic Bear Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1188304416) |

## What reviewers say

### Math Challenge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-challenge-workout-brain/id1220523089)

Engage in a fun math game designed to boost your cognitive skills. Solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems to improve decision-making and increase your score. Suitable for all ages, it offers a simple interface for quick practice.

**Highlights:** Addition practice, Subtraction practice, Multiplication practice, Division practice, Brain workout, Fast decision making

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pac.io

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pacio/id1274026778)

Engage in an addictive grid-battle by swiping to outsmart opponents and dominate the arena. Utilize a variety of power-ups and unlock unique skins to enhance your gameplay and rise through the ranks. Enjoy endless fun offline or online with intuitive controls.

**Highlights:** Swipe controls for movement, Strategic power-ups, Unlockable skins, Offline and online play, Intuitive gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Coin Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Coin Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Magnet | $4.99 | one-time |
| Thunder | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sword | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Coin Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $9.99 | one-time |
| Large Coin Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Huge Coin Pack | $49.99 | one-time |
| Massive Coin Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 😍 Highly addictive and engaging gameplay
- 🎮 Fun Pac-Man inspired mechanics
- 👥 Real multiplayer players (not just bots)
- ⚡ Fast-paced and entertaining
- 🏆 Leaderboard and competitive features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive ads throughout gameplay
- ⚠️ Ads interrupt and crash the game
- 😤 Unfair difficulty and instant death
- 🎮 Sliding controls instead of D-pad/joystick
- 🤖 Questionable AI behavior and cheating

**Reported bugs**

- Ads crash game at end of video
- Game freezes after ad completion
- Pink screen ad that cannot be closed
- Instant death upon spawning
- Players getting stuck behind walls

**Requested features**

- Arrow buttons or D-pad controls instead of sliding
- Ad-free premium version for purchase
- Ability to disable ads with WiFi off
- Friend list and private room creation
- Real player names instead of randomized ones


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Math Challenge free?

Math Challenge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pac.io free?

Pac.io is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Math Challenge or Pac.io?

Pac.io is rated higher. Math Challenge averages 3.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Pac.io averages 4.2 from 297 ratings.

### Do Math Challenge or Pac.io have ads?

Both Math Challenge and Pac.io show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Math Challenge or Pac.io?

Math Challenge ships an update every 2 months, and Pac.io fortnightly. Most recently, Math Challenge was updated on September 10, 2026 and Pac.io on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*