Comparison

Basic Math vs Subtraction Mathematics

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

Head to head
About

Basic Math

Practice essential math skills through repetitive exercises. This app offers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems suitable for children and adults. An optional upgrade unlocks advanced features like a numeric keypad, customizable difficulty, and performance tracking.

Highlights
  • Addition exercises
  • Subtraction exercises
  • Multiplication exercises
  • Division exercises
  • Adjustable difficulty
  • Performance reporting
Features
Read full description

This is an application based on the drill-and-practice instructional strategy. Similar to memorization, such a strategy presents the tasks to be completed repetitively to build up the foundation skills for more meaningful learning in the future. This application provides exercises covering basic mathematical skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The exercises are targeted for children under 12 years, and sometimes even adults, with varying degrees of difficulty depending on their age. Upgrade to Basic Math Deluxe to unlock the following features: - A numeric keypad to enter answers, besides using multiple-choice answers - Enter values using the usual calculator left-to-right mode, or working style right-to-left mode - Sound effects - A times table to practise multiplication tables - Option to configure max and minimum operand value - A report card to review your performance in past exercises

About

Subtraction Mathematics

This math app teaches children multi-digit subtraction with step-by-step guidance and positive reinforcement. It adapts to the student's learning pace, offering practice for beginners and review for older students. Features include AI handwriting recognition and progress monitoring for parents and teachers.

Highlights
  • Multi-digit subtraction with borrowing
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • AI handwriting recognition
  • Progress monitoring with color-coded feedback
  • Customizable digit combinations
  • Encouragement-based learning
Features
Read full description

SUBTRACTION is a smart math app that teaches children how to subtract multi-digit numbers together. It monitors what the student knows and where they still need practice. It teaches step-by-step how to subtract small numbers and then progresses to multi-borrow subtraction. SUBTRACTION is encouragement-based providing positive reinforcement for the student's effort both visually and auditorily. The student, parents, and teachers can all quickly see where the student needs more practice in a color-coded format. Go from simple math facts like 3-1=2 to more difficult equations such as 904-795, with the app showing you the correct answer if you make a mistake. Full customization is possible including choosing the specific digit combinations you want to review or practice. Excellent for beginners just learning subtraction or a quick review for slightly older students. Students practice writing numbers too. AI converts the student's handwritten numbers into digits. Single-digit subtraction is free. Multi-digit subtraction with borrowing along with custom colors, specific numbers to learn, different character voices, and background music requires an in-app purchase. FEATURES ► Simple and visually appealing ► Make it as easy or hard as you want + 1-3 digit numbers + without borrowing + with borrowing + only practice certain digits or all of them ► Step-by-step instructions if a student wants + forces precise digit order into the correct fields + makes it impossible to move on with a wrong digit + with visual instructions for each entry ► Animated character with encouragement + completely optional for older students + 3 different voices ► Complete customization + specific numbers included or excluded + color design of screens + option to show the correct answer in case of an error + choices of optional background music + sounds/vibrations on right/wrong answers + moves to the next problem if the correct answer is input ► Intelligent + Remembers mistakes and helps practice for mastery ► AI-based handwriting Recognition + write the answers + great for practicing handwriting ► Feedback / Monitoring + Positive/Negative sound reinforcement + Summary of progress in both table and graph form + Easy for student/parent/teacher to monitor progress ► NO ADS, ALL FEATURES ENABLED TERMS & CONDITIONS: http://www.programisprime.com/subtractionterms.html PRIVACY POLICY: http://www.programisprime.com/subtractionprivacy.html WE LOVE FEEDBACK We appreciate your feedback. Please email us at support@programisprime.com with any suggestions or questions. If you are happy with this update, please let us know by rating and reviewing us in the App Store! © 2023 Programis Prime LLC

Screenshots

Basic Math4 screens
Subtraction Mathematics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Subtraction Mathematics at 4.6 against Basic Math's 3.0. Subtraction Mathematics also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 64%) and ads (none vs shown). Basic Math's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). 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. Subtraction Mathematics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Basic Math asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Subtraction Mathematics holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Subtraction Mathematics has 22 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Basic Math's written reviews are positive against 100% of Subtraction Mathematics's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Basic Math ships an update every 2 months, Subtraction Mathematics fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Basic Math versus Subtraction Mathematics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBasic MathSubtraction Mathematics
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings)4.6 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings122 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB172 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperExplorer TechnologiesPROGRAMIS PRIME LLC

Customer experience

Basic Math

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral11.5%
Negative24.6%

Subtraction Mathematics

All ratings22 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Basic Math

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Application abruptly stops when checking Report Card
  • Tic Tac Toe mode instantly presumes two players
  • Timer only counts up and not down
  • Requires iOS 4, not compatible with older devices

Requested features

11 requests
  • Offer percents
  • Allow adjustment of problems per session
  • Option to change Tic Tac Toe mode to single player
  • Explain why questions were missed
  • Make timer count down
Show 6 more
  • Add more operations
  • Add percentages and angles
  • Option to type in own answers instead of multiple choice
  • Make problems go faster
  • Change settings for difficulty and speed
  • Add grammar, science, and music modules

Subtraction Mathematics

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Basic Math

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Subtraction Mathematics

One-time1
  • Get All Features$3.99

Questions

Is Basic Math free?
Basic Math is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Subtraction Mathematics free?
Subtraction Mathematics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Basic Math or Subtraction Mathematics?
Subtraction Mathematics is rated higher. Basic Math averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Subtraction Mathematics averages 4.6 from 22 ratings.
Do Basic Math or Subtraction Mathematics have ads?
Basic Math shows ads; Subtraction Mathematics does not.
Which is updated more often, Basic Math or Subtraction Mathematics?
Basic Math ships an update every 2 months, and Subtraction Mathematics fortnightly. Most recently, Basic Math was updated on September 29, 2026 and Subtraction Mathematics on September 15, 2026.

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