Column Subtraction vs Subtraction Mathematics
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Subtraction Mathematics
This math app teaches children multi-digit subtraction with step-by-step guidance and positive reinforcement. It adapts to the student's learning pace, offering practice for beginners and review for older students. Features include AI handwriting recognition and progress monitoring for parents and teachers.
- Multi-digit subtraction with borrowing
- Step-by-step instructions
- AI handwriting recognition
- Progress monitoring with color-coded feedback
- Customizable digit combinations
- Encouragement-based learning
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SUBTRACTION is a smart math app that teaches children how to subtract multi-digit numbers together. It monitors what the student knows and where they still need practice. It teaches step-by-step how to subtract small numbers and then progresses to multi-borrow subtraction. SUBTRACTION is encouragement-based providing positive reinforcement for the student's effort both visually and auditorily. The student, parents, and teachers can all quickly see where the student needs more practice in a color-coded format. Go from simple math facts like 3-1=2 to more difficult equations such as 904-795, with the app showing you the correct answer if you make a mistake. Full customization is possible including choosing the specific digit combinations you want to review or practice. Excellent for beginners just learning subtraction or a quick review for slightly older students. Students practice writing numbers too. AI converts the student's handwritten numbers into digits. Single-digit subtraction is free. Multi-digit subtraction with borrowing along with custom colors, specific numbers to learn, different character voices, and background music requires an in-app purchase. FEATURES ► Simple and visually appealing ► Make it as easy or hard as you want + 1-3 digit numbers + without borrowing + with borrowing + only practice certain digits or all of them ► Step-by-step instructions if a student wants + forces precise digit order into the correct fields + makes it impossible to move on with a wrong digit + with visual instructions for each entry ► Animated character with encouragement + completely optional for older students + 3 different voices ► Complete customization + specific numbers included or excluded + color design of screens + option to show the correct answer in case of an error + choices of optional background music + sounds/vibrations on right/wrong answers + moves to the next problem if the correct answer is input ► Intelligent + Remembers mistakes and helps practice for mastery ► AI-based handwriting Recognition + write the answers + great for practicing handwriting ► Feedback / Monitoring + Positive/Negative sound reinforcement + Summary of progress in both table and graph form + Easy for student/parent/teacher to monitor progress ► NO ADS, ALL FEATURES ENABLED TERMS & CONDITIONS: http://www.programisprime.com/subtractionterms.html PRIVACY POLICY: http://www.programisprime.com/subtractionprivacy.html WE LOVE FEEDBACK We appreciate your feedback. Please email us at support@programisprime.com with any suggestions or questions. If you are happy with this update, please let us know by rating and reviewing us in the App Store! © 2023 Programis Prime LLC
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Subtraction Mathematics at Free against Column Subtraction's $3.99. Subtraction Mathematics also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months). Column Subtraction's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Subtraction Mathematics is free to download; Column Subtraction costs $3.99 up front. Subtraction Mathematics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Column Subtraction asks for nothing beyond the download.
Subtraction Mathematics holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Column Subtraction's written reviews are positive against 100% of Subtraction Mathematics's.
Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, Subtraction Mathematics fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Column Subtraction | Subtraction Mathematics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (6 ratings) | 4.6 (22 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 22 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 172 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Esa Helttula | PROGRAMIS PRIME LLC |
Customer experience
Column Subtraction
Subtraction Mathematics
In-app purchases
Column Subtraction
No in-app purchases
Subtraction Mathematics
- Get All Features$3.99
Questions
Is Column Subtraction free?
Is Subtraction Mathematics free?
Which has better reviews, Column Subtraction or Subtraction Mathematics?
Do Column Subtraction or Subtraction Mathematics have ads?
Which is updated more often, Column Subtraction or Subtraction Mathematics?
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