# Partial Sums Addition vs Hands

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Partial Sums Addition | Hands |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/partial-sums-addition/id351022022/reviews)** | [4.5 (103 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-on-equations-level-1/id505948222/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **103** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **88.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 1 MB | 572 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **12** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Esa Helttula](https://appshunter.io/developer/339440196) | [Hands On Equations](https://appshunter.io/developer/505948225) |

## What reviewers say

### Partial Sums Addition

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/partial-sums-addition/id351022022)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Hands

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-on-equations-level-1/id505948222)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎓 Effective hands-on visual learning method for algebra concepts
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🎯 Clear, well-paced progression through lessons
- 💡 Innovative balance scale approach makes abstract concepts concrete
- 🎬 Helpful instructional video tutorials included

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎬 Video playback issues (no sound or won't play)
- 🐛 App crashes on certain iOS versions
- 📺 Poor video quality in some lessons
- 🎨 UI glitch with pieces displaying below scale
- ⏱️ Limited content - lessons complete too quickly

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*