Comparison

Math Ref Lite vs Pearl Diver HD

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

Head to head
About

Math Ref Lite

Access a sample of over 700 essential math formulas, figures, tips, and examples across various subjects. This educational tool is ideal for students, teachers, and professionals needing quick math references.

Highlights
  • Over 700 math formulas, figures, and examples
  • Tools from Algebra to Physics
  • Search functionality
  • Print support for equations
  • Editable notes
  • Multiple math categories
Features
Read full description

Math Ref Lite is a free version of the award winning education app Math Ref. This app gives you just a sample (over 700) of the over 1,400 helpful formulas, figures, tips, and examples that are included in the full version of Math Ref. So, if you're a student, teacher, or need math for work and want to try before you buy, this app is for you. *Let us know what we can do to be a 5 star app! Email us at info@happymaau.com* "Math Ref is just an awesomely useful app for students, teachers, and anyone else who works with math and needs to do a lot of calculations." - FindmySoft.com Features: -Tools - Ranging from Algebra to Physics -Search - Easily find what you're looking for -Print Support - Print equations or groups -Editable Notes - Write what will help you best -App Orientation Locking -UI - An all around better UI See our site www.happymaau.com for more information. Current Main Categories: -Algebra -Geometry -Trigonometry -Series & Sequences -Derivatives -Integration -Intro Probability and Statistics -Intro Physics -Intro Algorithms -Intro Financial (includes Real Estate) -Glossary

About

Pearl Diver HD

Dive into the ocean depths to master the number line, including fractions and decimals, by collecting pearls. This game is designed by educators to align with Common Core standards for grades 3-8.

Highlights
  • Number line mastery
  • Fractions and decimals
  • Common Core standards alignment
  • Progress tracking
  • Educational game design
  • Pearl collection gameplay
Features
Read full description

Throw on your diving helmet, and head into the depths of the sea! Master the number line, including fractions and decimals, while gathering beautiful pearls. Will you find the elusive black pearl? • Ideal for elementary and middle school students, grades 3-8. Developed by mathematics educators, researchers, and game developers at the Learning Games Lab at New Mexico State University. Games developed by the Learning Games Lab undergo a rigorous instructional design process, extensive user testing, and input from learners, teachers, and researchers. Pearl Diver addresses Common Core standards relevant to the number line and properties of numbers, including: • Understanding numbers, ways of representing numbers, and number systems. • Understanding and representing commonly used fractions. • Understanding fractions as part of unit wholes and as locations on number lines. • Comparing and ordering fractions, and finding their approximate locations on the number line. For information about learning effectiveness, see the Math Snacks Research Summary: http://mathsnacks.com/research.html For information about the NMSU Learning Games Lab, visit http://learninggameslab.org. Developed as part of the "Math Snacks" initiative. Other free animations, activities, and games are available through the Math Snacks web site at http://mathsnacks.org. Math Snack materials were developed with support from the National Science Foundation (0918794). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Some materials were originally prototyped or discussed as part of a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education (U295A050004).

Screenshots

Math Ref Lite4 screens
Pearl Diver HD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Math Ref Lite at 4.6 against Pearl Diver HD's 1.5. Math Ref Lite also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 20 months) and ratings volume (7 vs 2). Pearl Diver HD's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (71% vs 61%). On price, ads 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. Math Ref Lite sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Pearl Diver HD asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Math Ref Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 2 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Math Ref Lite's written reviews are positive against 71% of Pearl Diver HD's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Math Ref Lite ships an update every 2 months, Pearl Diver HD every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Math Ref Lite versus Pearl Diver HD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMath Ref LitePearl Diver HD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (7 ratings) — better1.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews61.3% of reviews71.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 20 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHappy Maau Studios, LLCNew Mexico State University Board of Regents

Customer experience

Math Ref Lite

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews124 reviews
Positive61.3%
Neutral12.1%
Negative26.6%

Pearl Diver HD

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Bugs and requests

Math Ref Lite

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App not supported on iPhone 5
  • App not compatible with iPad 4 after update
  • App crashes on launch for iPad Air
  • App crashes often
  • Update not initiating
Show 4 more
  • App crashes after two minutes
  • Hangs on iPad
  • Always crashes, buttons unresponsive
  • Update requires newer iOS version

Requested features

13 requests
  • Add language option
  • Include physics equations
  • Add more examples
  • Add a search function
  • Option to copy formulas
Show 8 more
  • Landscape mode for formulas
  • Add diagrams for clarity
  • Include a calculator
  • Add practice questions
  • More complex formulas in full version
  • Simple formulas for basic concepts in free version
  • Add Fourier Series and Greek Alphabet
  • Improve presentation and polish

Pearl Diver HD

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Math Ref Lite

One-time5
  • Remove Ads$0.99
  • Full Unlock$1.99
  • Great Tip$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Awesome Tip$4.99
  • Amazing Tip$9.99
None

Pearl Diver HD

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Math Ref Lite free?
Math Ref Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pearl Diver HD free?
Pearl Diver HD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Math Ref Lite or Pearl Diver HD?
Math Ref Lite is rated higher. Math Ref Lite averages 4.6 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Pearl Diver HD averages 1.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Math Ref Lite or Pearl Diver HD have ads?
Neither Math Ref Lite nor Pearl Diver HD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Math Ref Lite or Pearl Diver HD?
Math Ref Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Pearl Diver HD every 20 months. Most recently, Math Ref Lite was updated on October 31, 2026 and Pearl Diver HD on November 1, 2026.

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