Comparison

Column Subtraction vs KidMath GLB

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
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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

KidMath GLB

Features
Read full description

The KidMath GLB Fun App is not just for kids; it’s for everyone! With this app, anyone can engage in a fun way to exercise their brain. This app focuses on three basic math operations: less than, greater than, and in between. Users can customize the difficulty level by adjusting the number length up to five digits and the operations through the settings screen. To answer a question, users must select the correct answer from four options. After selecting an answer, simply press the next button to see the following question. Have fun and improve your IQ!

Screenshots

Column Subtraction4 screens
KidMath GLB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: KidMath GLB at Free against Column Subtraction's $3.99. KidMath GLB also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). Column Subtraction's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 months vs every 56 months). On in-app purchases 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

KidMath GLB is free to download; Column Subtraction costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, KidMath GLB every 56 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Column Subtraction versus KidMath GLB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterColumn SubtractionKidMath GLB
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 56 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEsa Helttulagangadhar goud

In-app purchases

None

Column Subtraction

No in-app purchases

None

KidMath GLB

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Column Subtraction free?
Column Subtraction costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KidMath GLB free?
KidMath GLB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Column Subtraction or KidMath GLB have ads?
KidMath GLB shows ads; Column Subtraction does not.
Which is updated more often, Column Subtraction or KidMath GLB?
Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, and KidMath GLB every 56 months. Most recently, Column Subtraction was updated on October 8, 2026 and KidMath GLB on October 7, 2026.

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