Comparison

MathTappers vs Math Makers

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

Head to head
About

MathTappers

This app helps learners develop an intuitive understanding of fractions by relating them to halves and using estimation in addition and subtraction problems. It emphasizes sense-making through visual models before procedural mastery, and is best used alongside classroom activities.

Highlights
  • Intuitive fraction understanding
  • Estimation for addition/subtraction
  • Visual models for fractions
  • Sense-making before procedures
  • Supports classroom learning
Features
Read full description

MathTappers: Fraction Estimation is designed to help learners to build their intuitive understanding of fractions by helping them to relate fractions (both symbols and pictures) to the nearest half (e.g., 0, 1/2 1, 1 1/2, 2, etc.) and then to extend their understanding by challenging them to use fraction estimates in addition and subtraction problems. Learners should be able to master the challenges in this app before moving on to formal operations with fractions. We recommend that this app be used in conjunction with classroom or tutoring activities to support consolidation, mastery and fluency through a series of manageable challenges. The purpose of this app is to support learners as they are developing their understanding of fractions, fraction symbols and fraction operations by emphasizing sense-making through estimation and the use of visual models. Evidence suggests that if learners are taught formulas and procedures before they develop understanding, then they may not be motivated to spend the effort needed to make sense of what they are doing. We want to support sense-making before procedural mastery. This app is not intended to be mastered in one shot – rather levels should be assigned judiciously to support classroom learning activities. After introducing each fraction idea (fraction estimation, and estimation of sums and differences) in a classroom presentation, explanation or discussion this app may be used in small group and individual activities to support exploration, sense-making, consolidation and remediation. Design: Tim Pelton & Leslee Francis Pelton Programming: Mike Anderson, Joshua E. Smith & Garrett Reimer The designers of the MathTappers apps are math educators and researchers seeking to create simple games that will help learners to make sense of mathematics one concept at a time. We have designed MathTappers apps to support students in learning mathematics by providing relevant visual models, focused content linked games and helpful suggestions for parents and educators. Please check out all of our MathTappers apps (links found at MathTappers.com): MathTappers: MultiMatch--a matching app that challenges learners to match sets of cards placed on the table. This is our newest MathTappers app. Although it comes with a deck and you can download others from our website, it was really designed to encourage teachers and students make and share their own matching game decks to capture their understanding and challenge others. Please go to mathtappers.com and check out our instructions on the right to find out how to make your own decks MathTappers: Clock Master--learn to tell time MathTappers: Estimate Fractions--make sense of fraction sums and differences MathTappers: Find Sums--learn basic facts for addition and subtraction MathTappers: Multiples--learn basic facts for multiplication and division MathTappers: Equivalents--equivalent fractions, decimals and percents MathTappers: Numberline--find relative positions of numbers on a numberline, MathTappers: Carbon Choices--help students explore their carbon footprint.

About

Math Makers

This app offers over 600 math exercises for children aged 6-10, designed to improve problem-solving skills and academic performance. It features engaging gameplay that hides math lessons within puzzles, making learning fun and effective. Parents and teachers report significant improvements in math understanding and confidence.

Highlights
  • 600+ math exercises
  • Develops problem-solving skills
  • Improves school grades
  • Hidden math lessons in gameplay
  • Covers counting, addition, subtraction, fractions, and more
  • Teacher-approved content
  • Regular new content updates
Read full description

600+ exercises for kids to practice math on their own. Proven to develop your kids’ problem-solving skills and improve their school grades. Teacher approved! Ages 6-10. Your subscription gives you access to 600+ levels, each of which contains a math lesson hidden in the gameplay. You’ll also receive new levels, characters and accessories every two months. Over a million parents around the world use our app to help their kids learn math, so start your FREE 7-day trial and see if it’s for you. You can cancel your subscription at any time. Common Sense Media has labeled Math Makers as “so fun that it borders on addictive.” Kids love our game so much they’ll be asking you to play constantly, and learn math at an incredible rate. Here is what parents are saying about the app: • “Both I and my 6 year old love this app. She doesn't even realize she is learning Math but I can see it and the troubleshooting in how she deals with life issues, not just those math related.” - Mary Guokas • “As a homeschool family, we have found this game invaluable for introducing math concepts and operations to our 4 year old.” - Roger Maitri Brindle • “My daughter loves this app and would happily play for hours if I let her. She is fully engaged, challenged and always asking to play!” - Brette Hamilton • “Beautiful, motivating, fun app for my son to practice math. My son has learning differences, but he loves his tablet time each day. He is solving very amazing puzzles to move levels up. He gets to practice his mental math, math facts and he thinks he is only playing. It really helps with his confidence too, love this.” - Paula Poblete The app is used by teachers in more than 200 schools. Often called “the llama game” by kids, your child may have already played it in class. HOW DOES THE GAME TEACH MY KIDS MATH? Kids solve puzzles that are actually hidden math problems. It removes their fear of failure - it’s just a game! They experiment with 600+ situations to understand math beyond learning by heart. Math Makers will change how they respond to challenges in their day to day lives. WHAT MATH SUBJECTS WILL MY KIDS LEARN? A wide range of exercises for any kid from 6 to 10 years old, including: • Counting, comparison, classification • Addition, subtraction, relation of equality, formulas • The first steps towards multiplication and division • Fractions: numerator / denominator, adding/subtracting fractions, fraction multiplication and more HOW DO I KNOW IT WORKS? Two independent studies have shown that playing Math Makers for only 3 hours leads to significant learning gains in kids’ math understanding and self-confidence. The average test score was improved by 10.5%. See our website for more details. AWARDS *Winner Best Learning Game for use in School Contexts 2022 - Gee Award *Best Learning Game Nominee 2022 - Games For Change *International Serious Play Award 2022 Gold Medal Winner *Coup De Coeur Nominee 2022 - Youth Media Alliance *Children's Technology Review 2018 - For Excellence in Design *Bologna Ragazzi Education Award, 2018 *Featuring — Apple App Store in 113 countries! *Apple Editor’s Choice — App Store worldwide! SUBSCRIPTION • 7-day Free Trial, then a subscription is needed. • Payment will be charged to your iTunes account. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. TERMS OF USE: https://ululab.com/terms-of-service/ FOLLOW US Twitter: www.twitter.com/Ululab Instagram: www.instagram.com/mathmakersgame Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ululab Your feedback is much appreciated. If something isn't working as you would expect, please contact us: www.ululab.com/contact

Screenshots

MathTappers4 screens
Math Makers4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Math Makers at 4.7 against MathTappers's 3.1. Math Makers also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 33 months) and ratings volume (3.1K vs 80). MathTappers's advantage is monetization model (free vs subscription). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. MathTappers sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Math Makers sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Math Makers holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Math Makers has 3.1K ratings behind it against 80, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 67% and 66% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MathTappers ships an update every 33 months, Math Makers every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MathTappers versus Math Makers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathTappersMath Makers
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (80 ratings)4.7 (3.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better65.7% of reviews
Number of ratings803.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 33 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB190 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua SmithUlulab

Customer experience

MathTappers

All ratings80 ratings
Positive46.3%
Neutral11.3%
Negative42.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

Math Makers

All ratings3,073 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive65.7%
Neutral1.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

MathTappers

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Math Makers

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App not functioning properly after updates
  • Subscription issues and unexpected charges
  • Difficulty navigating and understanding app features

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand content and levels to prevent boredom
  • Add more math concepts beyond the basics
  • Improve subscription management and cancellation process
  • Introduce more personalization and customization options

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MathTappers

One-time1
  • Expanded Version$0.99
16 purchases

Math Makers

Subscriptions16
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$5.491 Month
Show 13 more
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$21.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$28.491 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$38.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$56.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$89.991 Year

Questions

Is MathTappers free?
MathTappers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Math Makers free?
Math Makers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MathTappers or Math Makers?
Math Makers is rated higher. MathTappers averages 3.1 out of 5 from 80 ratings, while Math Makers averages 4.7 from 3.1K ratings.
Do MathTappers or Math Makers have ads?
Neither MathTappers nor Math Makers shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MathTappers or Math Makers?
MathTappers ships an update every 33 months, and Math Makers every 6 weeks. Most recently, MathTappers was updated on October 15, 2026 and Math Makers on October 30, 2026.

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