Comparison

Column Subtraction vs Rounding Numbers School

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

Rounding Numbers School

Practice and test your skills in rounding numbers with this educational app. It offers various modes and options to help you master rounding decimals, whole numbers, and more place values. Play until you achieve mastery.

Highlights
  • Rounding decimals
  • Rounding whole numbers
  • Multiple place values
  • Practice mode
  • Quiz mode
  • Customizable problem count
Features
Read full description

Rounding Numbers School Edition has all the features of the popular Rounding- app but without the in-app purchases. Rounding Numbers School Edition is a great way to test your rounding skills and have fun at the same time. Select the number of problems and other options in the "Settings" screen. Play until you master the game. Features: 1) Decimals 2) Whole numbers 3) More place values 4) Practice mode 5) Quiz mode 6) Number of problems If you like this app, please consider giving it a rating. Your support will help keep the updates coming! Thank you for your support!

Screenshots

Column Subtraction4 screens
Rounding Numbers School4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Rounding Numbers School at 5.0 against Column Subtraction's 4.3. Rounding Numbers School also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Column Subtraction's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On update cadence, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

Column Subtraction costs $3.99 and Rounding Numbers School $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rounding Numbers School holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Column Subtraction has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, Rounding Numbers School every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Column Subtraction versus Rounding Numbers School: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterColumn SubtractionRounding Numbers School
Price$3.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.3 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEsa HelttulaHorizon Business, Inc.

Customer experience

Column Subtraction

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Rounding Numbers School

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Column Subtraction

No in-app purchases

None

Rounding Numbers School

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Column Subtraction free?
Column Subtraction costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rounding Numbers School free?
Rounding Numbers School costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Column Subtraction or Rounding Numbers School?
Rounding Numbers School is rated higher. Column Subtraction averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Rounding Numbers School averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Column Subtraction or Rounding Numbers School have ads?
Rounding Numbers School shows ads; Column Subtraction does not.
Which is updated more often, Column Subtraction or Rounding Numbers School?
Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, and Rounding Numbers School every 12 months. Most recently, Column Subtraction was updated on October 12, 2026 and Rounding Numbers School on October 7, 2026.

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