Comparison

Basic Math vs MathBoard Addition

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

MathBoard Addition

This app helps learners of all ages master addition skills through interactive exercises and customizable difficulty. It offers a step-by-step problem solver, scratchboard for working out problems, and engaging learning activities. The app adapts to individual skill levels, promoting true comprehension rather than memorization.

Highlights
  • Customizable number ranges and digit formats
  • Step-by-step Problem Solver
  • Algebra-style equation support
  • Multiple answer formats
  • Built-in scratchboard
  • Support for multiple student profiles
  • iCloud Syncing
Read full description

The perfect starting point for mastering addition—now with iCloud Sync, Apple Pencil, speech input, and support for iPadOS 26’s new windowing system. MathBoard® Addition is the FREE “addition only” version of the award-winning MathBoard app, designed to help students of all ages learn to solve math problems—not just memorize answers. This highly configurable app adapts to each student’s skill level, from early learners beginning with single-digit addition to more advanced students tackling algebra-style equations. Whether at home or in the classroom, MathBoard Addition provides a supportive, hands-on learning environment that promotes true comprehension. Students can solve problems using a built-in scratchboard, get help through the step-by-step Problem Solver, and engage with learning activities like Find the Sign, Equality/Inequality, and Match Math (a memory game). Best of all, the app grows with your learner—difficulty settings, question styles, and number ranges are all customizable. Key Features • Configurable number ranges and digit formats (e.g., two-digit over one-digit) • Smart “wrong answer” generation to reduce guessing • Algebra-style equation support (e.g., 6 + x = 12) • Multiple answer formats: multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank • Built-in Problem Solver teaches step-by-step solutions • Built-in scratchboard for working out problems • Quick reference tables for counting and addition • Timed activities with countdown or stopwatch options • Save and share equation settings or student results • Support for multiple student profiles Optimized for the Latest Apple Tech • iCloud Syncing across devices • Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard support • Speech Input and Text to Speech • iPadOS 26 windowing for multitasking Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or practicing at the kitchen table, MathBoard Addition offers a focused and engaging way to build math confidence—one equation at a time.

Screenshots

Basic Math4 screens
MathBoard Addition4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MathBoard Addition at 4.4 against Basic Math's 3.0. MathBoard Addition also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (118 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MathBoard Addition holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MathBoard Addition has 118 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 69% of MathBoard Addition's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Basic Math versus MathBoard Addition: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBasic MathMathBoard Addition
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings)4.4 (118 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews68.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1118 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperExplorer TechnologiesPalaSoftware Inc.

Customer experience

Basic Math

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

MathBoard Addition

All ratings118 ratings
Positive85.6%
Neutral5.1%
Negative9.3%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive68.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative25.7%

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

MathBoard Addition

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Basic Math

No in-app purchases

None

MathBoard Addition

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Basic Math free?
Basic Math is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MathBoard Addition free?
MathBoard Addition is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Basic Math or MathBoard Addition?
MathBoard Addition is rated higher. Basic Math averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while MathBoard Addition averages 4.4 from 118 ratings.
Do Basic Math or MathBoard Addition have ads?
Basic Math shows ads; MathBoard Addition does not.
Which is updated more often, Basic Math or MathBoard Addition?
Basic Math ships an update every 2 months, and MathBoard Addition every 2 months. Most recently, Basic Math was updated on September 29, 2026 and MathBoard Addition on September 27, 2026.

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