Comparison

Column Subtraction vs MathMe.io

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

Head to head
About

Column Subtraction

This educational app teaches and reinforces the column subtraction method. It offers an interactive interface with customizable settings for solving random or custom problems. The app includes a puzzle feature that unlocks as users solve math problems.

Highlights
  • Column subtraction method teaching
  • Interactive and customizable interface
  • Random and custom problem solving
  • Adjustable number of digits
  • Step-by-step renaming animation
  • Picture puzzle reward system
Features
Read full description

Column Subtraction helps students learn and practice the column subtraction method step by step. The app aligns the numbers automatically so students can focus on solving each column. Renaming is animated visually, helping students understand how values are moved between columns. Renaming can be done automatically or manually, and renaming over several columns is supported. Students can solve randomly generated problems or enter their own subtraction problems. The number of digits can be adjusted, making the app useful for different skill levels. Column subtraction is also known as columnar subtraction, long subtraction, or longhand subtraction. Renaming is also known as regrouping, trading, or borrowing. Features: - Subtract 2 or 3 numbers - Each number can have 1–5 digits - Randomly generated or manually entered problems - Automatic number alignment - Manual or automatic renaming/regrouping - Supports renaming over several columns - Current operation for each column can be hidden - Operands of the current operation can be highlighted - Adjustable animation speed - Different interfaces for iPhone and iPad - 25 six-piece animal jigsaw puzzles - Puzzle feature can be turned on or off Reviews and Endorsements: Professor Tim Pelton, assistant professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Victoria: “If your goal is to help your child to master the traditional subtraction algorithm then Column Subtraction may be the ideal App.” “With the ‘show current operation’ option turned on, they are constantly reminded of the next step, which can lead to efficient practice of the procedure. Then by turning off the current operation your child is able to practice remembering the steps on his/her own.” Teacher endorsement: “The Math apps by Esa Helttula allow students to practice and reinforce the specific computation strategies taught in class, with as much or as little scaffolding as necessary. They also provide individualized feedback to each student, with an immediacy that is not always possible through pencil and paper practice.” — Rita Zeni, Ecole Sandy Hill Elementary, Abbotsford, BC, Canada Other iDevBooks Math Apps: Other iDevBooks math apps include Column Addition, Long Division, Long Multiplication, Lattice Multiplication, Visual Multiplication Table, Fraction Math, Partial Differences Subtraction, Partial Quotients Division, Partial Sums Addition, and more. Feedback: New ideas to make this app better are welcome. Please visit idevbooks.com to give feedback. Privacy: This app has no ads, no in-app purchases, and does not transmit user data during operation. The app also does not contain links to other apps or to the web.

About

MathMe.io

Features
Read full description

We are working on MathMe.io to improve your math skills and grow your neurons. Just follow the learning path! Exercises level automatically increased as you go.   - Smoothly growing difficulty - Train your brain with us - More features in development In the current version, you can train your verbal counting to a very high level.

Screenshots

Column Subtraction4 screens
MathMe.io3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MathMe.io at Free against Column Subtraction's $3.99. MathMe.io also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 8 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Column Subtraction's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

MathMe.io is free to download; Column Subtraction costs $3.99 up front. MathMe.io sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Column Subtraction asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, MathMe.io every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Column Subtraction versus MathMe.io: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterColumn SubtractionMathMe.io
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB40 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperEsa HelttulaDmitrii Raev

In-app purchases

None

Column Subtraction

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MathMe.io

One-time2
  • Support$0.99
  • Premium Membership$9.99

Questions

Is Column Subtraction free?
Column Subtraction costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MathMe.io free?
MathMe.io is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Column Subtraction or MathMe.io have ads?
MathMe.io shows ads; Column Subtraction does not.
Which is updated more often, Column Subtraction or MathMe.io?
Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, and MathMe.io every 5 weeks. Most recently, Column Subtraction was updated on October 8, 2026 and MathMe.io on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons