Comparison

Square On Top vs Equate 8

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

Head to head
About

Square On Top

A challenging physics-based climbing game where precise jumps are crucial. Navigate through diverse environments with no checkpoints, relying solely on skill and strategy to reach the summit. Experience the thrill of overcoming difficult obstacles and competing on global leaderboards.

Highlights
  • Physics-based movement
  • Challenging climbs
  • No checkpoints
  • Global leaderboards
  • One-touch controls
  • Changing biomes
Features
Read full description

Square On Top is a physics-based rage climbing game where every jump could be your last. Drag back on the square, aim your angle, release and pray you land where you planned. Simple to learn. Almost impossible to master. No checkpoints. No safety nets. No mercy. Slip off a platform near the summit and you'll tumble all the way back to the start. It sounds brutal because it is, and that's exactly why every single jump matters. WHY PLAYERS CAN'T PUT IT DOWN: ▸ Real physics - the square has weight, momentum, and slides on surfaces. Plan where it lands AFTER impact, not just where you aim. ▸ Changing biomes - climb through mossy valleys, frozen peaks, and treacherous ice zones that get harder the higher you go. ▸ Zero pay-to-win - no boosts, no skips, no shortcuts. Leaderboard? Pure skill. ▸ Global leaderboards - see how your time stacks up against the best climbers in the world. ▸ One-touch slingshot controls - anyone can play in 5 seconds. Mastery takes weeks. Fans of Getting Over It, Jump King, and Only Up will feel right at home and right back at the bottom. Will you rage? Probably. Will you keep coming back? Definitely. How far can you climb before gravity wins?

About

Equate 8

This math puzzle game challenges players to rearrange numbers in a 3x3 grid to solve eight equations simultaneously. It offers escalating difficulty, medals for efficiency, and a daily puzzle for free play. The game also serves as an educational tool, with features for educators to design custom levels.

Highlights
  • Magic square reimagining
  • Balance eight equations
  • Multiple operators
  • Escalating difficulty levels
  • Medals for efficiency
  • Daily puzzle
  • Snap Mode for assistance
Features
Read full description

Equate 8 is a bold reimagining of the classic magic square—an innovative, addictive math puzzle featured at New York City’s Museum of Mathematics. Players rearrange numbers in a 3×3 grid to balance eight equations at once (three rows, three columns, two diagonals), racing to solve the puzzle in the fewest moves. With multiple operators, escalating difficulty levels, and medals awarded for efficiency, Equate 8 is as rewarding as it is challenging. Equate 8 is the sequel to our Webby-nominated game The Devil’s Calculator, named one of PAX’s 10 Best Indie Games of 2019. Disguised as a casual mobile game, Equate 8 is a powerful interactive learning tool. Our talk will explore the sophisticated math behind the project and debut a new feature allowing educators to design levels aligned with their curricula. With its blend of pedagogical depth, intuitive design, and playful challenge, Equate 8 shows how games can transform math education. It empowers students, supports teachers, and makes math feel like play. Solving the grid in fewer moves will gain a silver or gold medal, but a bronze is awarded regardless, so don't stress. The daily puzzle gives players a free way to play and unlock content. Acquire “streaks” tokens by playing regularly. Exchange medals and streaks for Challenges, packs of themed puzzles. If the squares seem too complicated, open the menu to try Snap Mode. A number will automatically be locked (circled) when in the correct place. This mode can be played in a limited number of sequences before it reverts to the default. Donate to our nonprofit for access to unlimited difficulty levels.Equate 8 is a fun casual game for all ages, whether practicing math skills or engaging brainpower. Donations support the mission of Cinq-Mars Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to develop educational games, always provided free to teachers and students.

Screenshots

Square On Top4 screens
Equate 84 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Equate 8 at none against Square On Top's shown. Equate 8 also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (80% vs 59%). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Square On Top sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Equate 8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Square On Top against 4.6 for Equate 8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Square On Top's written reviews are positive against 80% of Equate 8's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Square On Top ships an update every 3 months, Equate 8 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Square On Top versus Equate 8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSquare On TopEquate 8
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (41 ratings)4.6 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.2% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings41 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size118 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClaudiu-Marin ArdeleanCinq-Mars Media

Customer experience

Square On Top

All ratings41 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral7.3%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral8.2%
Negative32.7%

Equate 8

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Square On Top

One-time1
  • coffee$3.99
1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99

Questions

Is Square On Top free?
Square On Top is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Square On Top or Equate 8?
Equate 8 is rated higher. Square On Top averages 4.6 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Equate 8 averages 4.6 from 14 ratings.
Do Square On Top or Equate 8 have ads?
Square On Top shows ads; Equate 8 does not.
Which is updated more often, Square On Top or Equate 8?
Square On Top ships an update every 3 months, and Equate 8 weekly. Most recently, Square On Top was updated on October 20, 2026 and Equate 8 on October 18, 2026.

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