Comparison

Partial Sums Addition vs Hands

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

Head to head
About

Partial Sums Addition

This app teaches and reinforces the partial sums addition method. It offers an interactive interface with customizable settings, allowing users to solve random or custom addition problems with varying numbers of digits and addends. The app provides immediate feedback and aligns numbers automatically for focused learning.

Highlights
  • Partial sums addition method teaching
  • Interactive and customizable interface
  • Random and custom addition problems
  • Adjustable number of digits and addends
  • Automatic number alignment
  • Immediate feedback on answers
  • Color and animation speed customization
Features
Read full description

Partial Sums Addition helps students learn and practice the partial sums addition method step by step. The app gives students a visual way to add numbers by working with each place value separately. The partial sums are then combined to find the final answer. Students can solve randomly generated problems or enter their own addition problems. The number of digits can be adjusted for different skill levels. The Partial Sums Method: In the partial sums method, each place value is added separately from left to right. For example, in 764 + 340, the partial sums are 1000, 100, and 4. These are then added together to get the final answer: 1104. Wired.com: “Esa Helttula’s apps are all fantastic for math learning and practice, and aren’t cluttered with mini-games, incentives, or annoying music.” 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.” — R. Zeni, Ecole Sandy Hill Elementary, Abbotsford, BC, Canada Easy to Use: The numbers are aligned automatically so students can focus on solving each column. After the student solves the operation for each column, the correct answer moves into the right place. If the student presses the wrong button, the answer appears above the keyboard but does not move. Features: - Step-by-step partial sums addition practice - Add 2 or 3 numbers - Each number can have 2–3 digits - Randomly generated or manually entered problems - Current operation for each column can be hidden - Operands of the current operation can be highlighted - Customizable interface colors - Adjustable animation speed - Custom interfaces for iPhone and iPad Other iDevBooks Math Apps: Other iDevBooks math apps include Column Addition, Long Multiplication, Long Division, Column Subtraction, Visual Multiplication Table, Partial Differences Subtraction, Partial Products Multiplication, Partial Quotients Division, Decimal Rounding, 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

Hands

This app teaches algebra to children aged 8 and up using a visual, game-like approach. It guides users through solving equations with interactive digital manipulatives and instructional videos, building confidence and understanding.

Highlights
  • Interactive digital manipulatives
  • Expert instructional videos
  • Step-by-step equation solving
  • Visual balance scale representation
  • Practice and lesson exercises
  • Multiple user support
  • Equation checking feature
Read full description

Hands-On Equations is the fun way to learn algebra for kids age 8 and up. 1. Imagine your child CONFIDENTIALLY solving algebra equations after just three lessons! Using blue pawns, numbered cubes, and a visual balance model, students quickly discover that algebra can be clear, intuitive, and enjoyable. Instead of memorizing rules, they develop a genuine understanding of the mathematical concepts they are learning. The Hands-On Equations math app transforms algebra into an engaging math learning experience. Along the way, they experience the excitement and satisfaction of solving equations such as 4x + 3 = 3x + 9 in just three lessons, and equations such as 2(2x + 1) = 3x + 10 in just six lessons. These equations are typically not introduced to students until middle school. Yet, your child, age 8 and up, can experience success and joy in solving these algebra equations! These equations are typically not introduced to students until middle school. Yet, your child, age 8 and up, can experience success and joy in solving these algebra equations! ________________________________________ 2. Why children love Hands-On Equations Every lesson builds on previous success through carefully sequenced activities that make abstract algebra visual and easy to understand. Students don't simply learn procedures—they understand why each step works. The elegant instructional design and intuitive app experience make learning algebra both rapid and enjoyable. Students find that this visual learning enables them to solve algebra equations in a few short lessons. Students love the ease with which they can manipulate the blue pawns and numbered cubes, sliding them on and off the balance scale as they solve increasingly challenging equations. The app's elegant simplicity creates a pleasant, intuitive, and highly satisfying learning experience. ________________________________________ 3. What Students Learn in the Hands-On Equations Level 1 App Throughout the six carefully sequenced lessons and one review lesson, students learn: • the meaning of equivalence • algebraic notation • how to check solutions • legal moves with pawns and cubes • equations involving subtraction • equations involving parentheses • confidence that lasts long after the lessons are completed ________________________________________ 4. Proven Success More than one million students have experienced success with the Hands-On Equations Learning System. Originally developed using physical game pieces and classroom instruction, this proven educational approach is now available in an app that makes learning algebra both intuitive and enjoyable. ________________________________________ 5. Who Should Use It? • Gifted children age 6+ • Elementary students ages 8 and above • Middle school students • Struggling high school students • Adults who never really understood algebra ________________________________________ 6. Give Your Child the Confidence to Succeed Whether your child is discovering algebra for the first time or you are finally returning to a subject that once seemed impossible, Hands-On Equations will give your child a memorable, enjoyable, and confidence-building experience with algebra. ________________________________________ 7. Questions or Support? Email: info@borenson.com Visit: www.borenson.com

Screenshots

Partial Sums Addition4 screens
Hands4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hands at 88% against Partial Sums Addition's 50%. Hands also leads on ratings volume (103 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). Partial Sums Addition's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and price ($3.99 vs $7.99). On ads, 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

Partial Sums Addition costs $3.99 and Hands $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Partial Sums Addition holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hands has 103 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Partial Sums Addition's written reviews are positive against 88% of Hands's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Partial Sums Addition ships an update every 9 months, Hands every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Partial Sums Addition versus Hands: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPartial Sums AdditionHands
Price$3.99 — better$7.99
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.5 (103 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews88.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2103 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.612 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB572 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEsa HelttulaHands On Equations

Customer experience

Partial Sums Addition

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Hands

All ratings102 ratings
Positive87.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative9.8%

Bugs and requests

Partial Sums Addition

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Hands

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Video audio not working despite system audio functioning
  • Videos won't play or load
  • App crashes on iOS 9 and later versions
  • App crashes when entering answers
  • Video lesson loops infinitely blocking progress
Show 4 more
  • UI elements (pieces) display in wrong location
  • Number wheel difficult to control and stop on correct value
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Interface not intuitive for answer entry

Requested features

10 requests
  • More advanced levels and lessons beyond current content
  • Text-based teaching materials as alternative to videos
  • Ability to input custom equations
  • Audio sound effects for user interactions
  • Scales that visually move to show equation imbalance
Show 5 more
  • Continuation app for more complex algebra
  • Diverse user profile icons
  • Faster auto-check functionality
  • Offline functionality
  • Support for additional math subjects

In-app purchases

None

Partial Sums Addition

No in-app purchases

None

Hands

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Partial Sums Addition free?
Partial Sums Addition costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Partial Sums Addition or Hands?
Partial Sums Addition is rated higher. Partial Sums Addition averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Hands averages 4.5 from 103 ratings.
Do Partial Sums Addition or Hands have ads?
Neither Partial Sums Addition nor Hands shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Partial Sums Addition or Hands?
Partial Sums Addition ships an update every 9 months, and Hands every 3 months. Most recently, Partial Sums Addition was updated on October 12, 2026 and Hands on October 23, 2026.

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