# Math Ref vs Formula MAX

The clearest difference is rating: Formula MAX at 4.8 against Math Ref's 4.3. Formula MAX also leads on price ($0.99 vs $1.99). Math Ref's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 11 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Math Ref costs $1.99 and Formula MAX $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Formula MAX holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 52 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of Math Ref's written reviews are positive against 80% of Formula MAX's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Math Ref ships an update monthly, Formula MAX every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Math Ref | Formula MAX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.3 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-ref/id301384057/reviews) | **[4.8 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-max/id454108371/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26 | **52** |
| Positive reviews | **81.4% of reviews** | 79.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 65 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Happy Maau Studios, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/301384060) | [Mallow Technologies Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/416807590) |

## What reviewers say

### Math Ref

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-ref/id301384057)

Access a vast library of over 1,400 math, physics, and chemistry formulas, figures, and examples. Includes helpful tools like a unit converter and solvers for common calculations. Ideal for students, teachers, and professionals needing quick access to mathematical resources.

**Highlights:** 1,400+ formulas, figures, and examples, Unit converter, Quadratic solver, Triangle solver, Save equations in groups, Searchable prime numbers

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Comprehensive math reference
- 👍 Useful for students and professionals
- 🚀 Extensive coverage of topics
- 👍 Helpful for quick formula lookup
- 👍 Great value for the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some errors and typos in content
- 👎 Lacking in detailed explanations and examples
- 👎 Suboptimal organization and navigation
- 👎 Limited functionality (no calculators, solvers, etc.)

**Reported bugs**

- Periodic table display issues on iPad
- Freezing and crashing on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Add user-defined formulas and notes
- Improve organization with better categorization
- Implement search and filtering capabilities
- Incorporate more examples and step-by-step solutions
- Add advanced math features (e.g., Laplace transforms, complex analysis)


### Formula MAX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-max/id454108371)

Access over 1100 physics, chemistry, and math formulas with a powerful search and offline access. Save favorites, use built-in calculators, and view a detailed periodic table. Designed for user convenience and quick reference.

**Highlights:** 1100+ formulas, definitions, and values, Offline access, Powerful search function, Favorites for quick access, Trigonometric and logarithmic calculators, Periodic table with element details

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Comprehensive collection of 1000+ formulas across math, physics, and chemistry
- 🔍 Powerful search function for easy formula location
- ⭐ Excellent value at $0.99 price point
- 📱 Clean and intuitive user interface design
- 🧪 Useful periodic table included in chemistry section

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📖 Lacks explanations and examples for formulas
- ❌ Non-interactive formulas (displayed as images only)
- 🔤 Numerous spelling and grammar errors throughout
- 🧬 Chemistry section lacks depth and advanced topics
- 📏 Font sizes too small in some sections

**Reported bugs**

- Search function returns no results for some queries
- Display glitches preventing information from showing
- Inconsistent symbology and notation within sections
- Spacing errors in text
- App crashes or performance issues

**Requested features**

- Add worked examples demonstrating formula application
- Include interactive calculators for solving problems
- Provide step-by-step solution walkthroughs
- Add more advanced chemistry topics (thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, etc.)
- Include visual diagrams and illustrations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Math Ref free?

Math Ref costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Formula MAX free?

Formula MAX costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Math Ref or Formula MAX?

Formula MAX is rated higher. Math Ref averages 4.3 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Formula MAX averages 4.8 from 52 ratings.

### Do Math Ref or Formula MAX have ads?

Neither Math Ref nor Formula MAX shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Math Ref or Formula MAX?

Math Ref ships an update monthly, and Formula MAX every 11 months. Most recently, Math Ref was updated on October 1, 2026 and Formula MAX on October 2, 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.*