Comparison

Cotter AL Abacus vs Elephant Learning Math Academy

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

Head to head
About

Cotter AL Abacus

This educational tool uses a unique double-sided abacus to teach arithmetic concepts through visualization and quantity recognition. It helps learners develop mental strategies for faster mastery of basic math skills.

Highlights
  • Double-sided abacus design
  • Grouped in fives and tens
  • Focuses on quantity recognition
  • Develops mental math strategies
  • Supports visual learning
  • Includes sample lessons
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Cotter AL Abacus, used with the RightStart™ Mathematics program, now available on your iPhone and iPad! This abacus will teach, not calculate like the Japanese and Chinese abacus, while using subitizing (quantity recognition) and visual strategies to support learning and understanding. Perfect for visual learners! This unique double-sided abacus is grouped in fives and tens for quick recognition of quantities. The second side of the abacus focuses on trading to the thousands. Learn the facts easily by: * visualizing quantities, * minimizing counting, and * developing mental strategies. Those learning arithmetic with the Cotter AL Abacus have a better understanding of basic concepts and need less time to master arithmetic. Although children do enjoy using the abacus, it does not become a crutch. Stan, age 5, was asked how much is 11 plus 6. He replied, “17!” When he was asked how he knew, he replied with a grin, “I’ve got the abacus in my mind.” App has links to sample addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division lessons as well as detailed use information.

About

Elephant Learning Math Academy

This app helps children learn years of math quickly through engaging, gamified lessons. It covers topics from counting to algebra, adapting to each student's level and providing detailed progress reports. Live coaching and personalized activities are also included to support learning and retention.

Highlights
  • Learn 1 year of math in 3 months
  • Gamified math lessons
  • Covers counting through algebra
  • Personalized progress tracking
  • Live coaching and tutoring
  • Customized daily worksheets
Features
Read full description

Help your child understand math—and feel confident using it with Elephant Learning. We guarantee that your student will learn at least 1 year of mathematics over the course of 3 months using our system just 30 minutes per week. When math feels frustrating, more practice is not always the answer. Elephant Learning helps your child build the understanding behind the answers, through personalized games and puzzles from counting to algebra. Over 200,000 students have used our system and we are approaching 250,000 years of mathematics taught. The best part is, students come out of our system loving mathematics. PROGRESS THAT STARTS WITH UNDERSTANDING Your child starts at the right level because a placement assessment identifies the concepts they understand. Adaptive activities respond to their learning, helping them strengthen foundations and move forward when they are ready. PRACTICE THAT FEELS LIKE PLAY Give your child room to think, try, and try again. Games turn mathematical ideas into interactive challenges, so practice becomes an opportunity to explore instead of another worksheet to finish. KNOW HOW TO HELP Follow your child's progress with Elephant Age, a measure of their mathematical understanding. Reports and teaching videos help you see what they are learning and why, so you can support them with greater confidence. A ROUTINE THAT FITS FAMILY LIFE Start with 10 minutes a day, three days a week. Short sessions make consistent practice manageable. Worksheets and suggested activities help you bring the ideas into life beyond the screen. Whether your child needs stronger foundations or is ready for a new challenge, Elephant Learning meets them where they are. Get started with Elephant Learning, or sign in to continue your family's learning journey. An active subscription is required. Features and student limits depend on your plan. Terms and conditions: https://www.elephantlearning.com/terms-conditions Privacy policy: https://www.elephantlearning.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Cotter AL Abacus4 screens
Elephant Learning Math Academy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Elephant Learning Math Academy at Free against Cotter AL Abacus's $1.99. Elephant Learning Math Academy also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months). Cotter AL Abacus's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (47% vs 23%). On ads 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

Elephant Learning Math Academy is free to download; Cotter AL Abacus costs $1.99 up front. Elephant Learning Math Academy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $59.99 per month. Cotter AL Abacus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cotter AL Abacus ships an update every 9 months, Elephant Learning Math Academy every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Cotter AL Abacus versus Elephant Learning Math Academy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCotter AL AbacusElephant Learning Math Academy
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.1% of reviews — better22.9% of reviews
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#192 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperActivities for Learning inc.ElephantHead Software

Customer experience

Cotter AL Abacus

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive47.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative47.1%

Elephant Learning Math Academy

Written reviews109 reviews
Positive22.9%
Neutral4.6%
Negative72.5%

Bugs and requests

Cotter AL Abacus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Elephant Learning Math Academy

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App crashes and exits mid-game
  • Touch controls unresponsive to finger input
  • Voice audio not working or inconsistent
  • Password reset functionality broken
  • App won't open after updates
Show 8 more
  • Login failures with connection errors
  • App resets progress before completion
  • Glitches marking correct answers as wrong
  • Slow loading times between questions
  • App doesn't recognize finger touches despite working on other apps
  • Inconsistent voice pronunciation and clarity
  • Games won't load properly
  • Session tracking issues when exiting without closing app

Requested features

14 requests
  • Adjustable volume controls for individual sound effects
  • Natural-sounding voices instead of robotic ones
  • Ability to repeat questions/instructions
  • More engaging game variety and themes
  • Better graphics and modern UI design
Show 9 more
  • Instructional guidance when answers are wrong
  • Option to choose specific math topics
  • In-game rewards and prizes for older kids
  • Ability to cancel subscription through app
  • Improved touch responsiveness
  • Hide or reframe 'Elephant Age' scoring system
  • More challenging content for advanced learners
  • Faster app performance and loading times
  • Better compatibility across devices

In-app purchases

None

Cotter AL Abacus

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Elephant Learning Math Academy

Subscriptions2
  • Single Student Plan$59.991 Month
  • Family Plan$105.991 Month

Questions

Is Cotter AL Abacus free?
Cotter AL Abacus costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Elephant Learning Math Academy free?
Elephant Learning Math Academy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cotter AL Abacus or Elephant Learning Math Academy have ads?
Neither Cotter AL Abacus nor Elephant Learning Math Academy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cotter AL Abacus or Elephant Learning Math Academy?
Cotter AL Abacus ships an update every 9 months, and Elephant Learning Math Academy every 5 weeks. Most recently, Cotter AL Abacus was updated on October 12, 2026 and Elephant Learning Math Academy on October 12, 2026.

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