Comparison

Abacus Lesson vs Abacus Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Abacus Lesson

Learn addition and subtraction using a virtual abacus, also known as a Soroban. This app helps you develop mental calculation skills, enabling you to perform calculations without physical tools.

Highlights
  • Learn addition
  • Learn subtraction
  • Virtual abacus (Soroban)
  • Develop mental calculation skills
  • Perform calculations without physical tools
Features
Read full description

This is an app that you can learn addition and subtraction using an abacus. An abacus is named "Soroban" in Japan. Do you know what an abacus is? The abacus is very simple calculator used in China, Japan, Korea and so on. Some people may say "Isn't it an unnecessary tool if you have a calculator such as a smartphone?". Answer would be "No". The biggest difference between electric calculators and the abacus is whether you need to hold it in your hand when calculating. Because of its simplicity, you will be able to easily use the abacus in your mind. Imagine that you can use calculations of about 3 digits in your life without physical tools. This app will give you the skill of calculation.

About

Abacus Simulator

Enhance your mental math abilities with interactive abacus exercises. This app offers guided lessons and daily drills to improve calculation speed, focus, and accuracy. Customize your abacus for a fun and engaging learning experience.

Highlights
  • Interactive abacus exercises
  • Guided step-by-step lessons
  • Daily skill-sharpening exercises
  • Focus, speed, and accuracy improvement
  • Customizable abacus
Features
Read full description

Count faster with Abacus! Build your mental math skills with our interactive exercises. From basic to advanced calculations, we got you covered! It is easy, fun, and free! Why Abacus? Guided lessons - step-by-step tutorials on every level. Sharpen skills - improve focus, speed, and accuracy through our daily exercises. Fun - customize your abacus and have fun with it!

Screenshots

Abacus Lesson3 screens
Abacus Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Abacus Simulator at none against Abacus Lesson's shown. Abacus Lesson's advantage is review sentiment (93% vs 72%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Abacus Lesson sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Abacus Simulator sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Abacus Lesson holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Abacus Lesson has 813 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Abacus Lesson's written reviews are positive against 72% of Abacus Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Abacus Lesson versus Abacus Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAbacus LessonAbacus Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (813 ratings) — better4.6 (31 ratings)
Positive reviews93.1% of reviews — better72.4% of reviews
Number of ratings813 — better31
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size138 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHirokazu KomatsuNicholas Ang

Customer experience

Abacus Lesson

All ratings813 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral1.4%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive93.1%
Neutral6.9%
Negative0.0%

Abacus Simulator

All ratings31 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive72.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.6%

Bugs and requests

Abacus Lesson

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Accidental app closure on iPhone during bead swiping
  • Error in lesson 3 addition summary
  • Sloppy English translation causing confusion
  • Lessons difficult to read visually

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add Chinese Abacus (Suanpan) option
  • Landscape view support
  • Level skip functionality
  • Better English translation/editing
  • Clearer problem presentation with equation format
Show 1 more
  • Improved lesson readability

Abacus Simulator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Abacus Lesson

One-time3
  • Donation Lv1 for hiding Ad$1.99
  • Donation Lv2 for hiding Ad$3.99
  • Donation Lv3 for hiding Ad$8.99
10 purchases

Abacus Simulator

One-time10
  • Cloud Beads$1.99
  • Coconut Beads$1.99
  • Lemon Beads$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Mushroom Beads$1.99
  • Penguin Beads$1.99
  • Flower Beads$1.99
  • Orange Beads$1.99
  • Snail Beads$1.99
  • Snowman Beads$1.99
  • Watermelon Beads$1.99

Questions

Is Abacus Lesson free?
Abacus Lesson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Abacus Simulator free?
Abacus Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Abacus Lesson or Abacus Simulator?
Abacus Lesson is rated higher. Abacus Lesson averages 4.9 out of 5 from 813 ratings, while Abacus Simulator averages 4.6 from 31 ratings.
Do Abacus Lesson or Abacus Simulator have ads?
Abacus Lesson shows ads; Abacus Simulator does not.
Which is updated more often, Abacus Lesson or Abacus Simulator?
Abacus Lesson ships an update every 3 weeks, and Abacus Simulator every 3 weeks. Most recently, Abacus Lesson was updated on September 21, 2026 and Abacus Simulator on September 21, 2026.

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