Comparison

Algebra vs Mathemagics

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

Head to head
About

Algebra

Master pre-algebra through college algebra with comprehensive video lessons, practice exercises, and assessments. Get personalized math instruction to build a strong foundation and track your academic progress.

Highlights
  • Video instruction
  • Guided practice
  • Tests and quizzes
  • Diagnostic assessments
  • Worksheets and notes
  • Progress tracking
  • Chapter reviews
Features
Read full description

YourTeacher provides a complete curriculum for Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and College Algebra with a personal math teacher. Search for the exact lesson you need or simply take the courses from start to finish. Every lesson features video instruction, guided practice, tests, background modules, diagnostic quizzes, worksheets, notes, and more. Track your progress with our dynamic grade report and use the chapter reviews and final exam to solidify your knowledge. 3-Day Free Trial! Cancel at any time during the first 3 days after you’ve purchased the program and you will not be charged for the purchase! Terms of use: https://storage.googleapis.com/mathhelp/content/license/license-terms-and-conditions.pdf Privacy Policy https://storage.googleapis.com/mathhelp/content/license/privacy.pdf

About

Mathemagics

Master algebra with rare, lightning-fast calculation techniques. Learn through animated lessons and practice with endless, randomly generated problems. Prepare for standardized tests and improve mental math skills.

Highlights
  • Learn rare algebra techniques
  • Animated step-by-step lessons
  • Practice with random questions
  • Gain achievements
  • Improve calculation speed
  • Test preparation for SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
Features
Read full description

Accelerate your algebraic calculation and accuracy as you expand your knowledge with these incredible rarely taught techniques. Learn to think differently about algebraic equations and amaze others with your equation solving prowess. With practice many of these techniques can be performed mentally with lightning fast speed. Easily master once difficult calculations as you watch and learn from the animated steps in every lesson. Practice each technique as you progress through various levels of proficiency and gain achievements along the way. Randomly generated questions ensure an endless ability to practice and have fun. Master these algebraic techniques: * Calculate 10% of Any Number * Calculate 9% of Any Number * Calculate 11% of Any Number * Percentages of Numbers Less Than 100 * Percentages of Numbers From 100-999 * Multiply Two Polynomials * Multiply Two Trinomials * Multiply Large Polynomials * Check Polynomial Multiplication * Basic Algebraic Division * Intermediate Algebraic Division * Verify Algebraic Division * Solve Simultaneous Equations * Special Case Simultaneous Equations * Basic Quadratic Equation * Intermediate Quadratic Equation * Advanced Quadratic Equation * Verify Quadratic Equation Roots Each lesson includes clear step descriptions with animated examples that can be watched as often as you like in order to ensure that you grasp the concept. Prepare for the math section on the SAT, PSAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, or any other standardized test. Don't waste time with a calculator on the few tests that allow them. Use Mathemagics as a tutor to quicken up your test taking abilities. Activate and challenge your brain to expand its ability to think efficiently and have fun at the same time. Train yourself to break problems down in to smaller more manageable pieces in order to reach solutions quicker and more accurately than anyone else. ================================= May 2012 Featured in the App Store Test Prep promotion May 2012 Featured as a primary banner in AppStore Education Category April 2012 Featured as an AppStore Education New & Noteworthy app ================================= Follow us on Twitter @blulightnin =================================

Screenshots

Algebra4 screens
Mathemagics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Algebra at Free against Mathemagics's $2.99. Algebra also leads on ratings volume (1.3K vs 79). Mathemagics's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

Algebra is free to download; Mathemagics costs $2.99 up front. Algebra sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Mathemagics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Algebra against 4.7 for Mathemagics. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Algebra has 1.3K ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of Algebra's written reviews are positive against 86% of Mathemagics's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Algebra ships an update every 4 months, Mathemagics every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Algebra versus Mathemagics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlgebraMathemagics
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.7 (1.3K ratings)4.7 (79 ratings)
Positive reviews83.7% of reviews85.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.3K — better79
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYourTeacher.comBlue Lightning Labs

Customer experience

Algebra

All ratings1,291 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive83.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative9.2%

Mathemagics

All ratings79 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive85.6%
Neutral3.8%
Negative10.6%

User reviews

Algebra

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to understand
  • 🚀 Comprehensive lessons
  • 💡 Helpful visuals and examples
  • 👍 Excellent explanations
  • 👍 Logical design

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription required for full access
  • 💰 Expensive monthly fee
  • 🐛 Occasional freezing/crashing issues
  • 🔇 Monotonous instructor voice

Mathemagics

From 79 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🧠 Effective mental math tricks and shortcuts
  • 📚 Clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step lessons
  • ⚡ Helps improve calculation speed significantly
  • 🎓 Great for test prep (GMAT, SAT, MCAT)
  • 🎮 Fun and engaging learning experience

Room to improve

  • 🔤 Font too small and hard to read
  • 🎨 Poor color contrast (light grey on grid paper)
  • 🐛 Crashes on older devices (iPhone 4S)
  • ⚠️ Limited content - only about 10 tricks
  • 📖 Not suitable for complete beginners

Bugs and requests

Algebra

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Progress/scores getting deleted
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more practice problems and word questions
  • Provide a scratch pad/workspace within the app
  • Expand to cover more advanced algebra topics
  • Offer a one-time purchase option instead of subscription

Mathemagics

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes on iPhone 4S after update
  • Lesson steps disappear after updates
  • Lessons fail to load or load incompletely
  • Incorrect answers in practice problems (10% and 1% calculations)
  • Wrong answer choices for basic calculations

Requested features

11 requests
  • Explanations of why tricks work mathematically
  • More advanced equation types and variations
  • Scrap paper or writing area for practice problems
  • Ability to input custom numbers for real-life practice
  • iCloud sync across devices
Show 6 more
  • Font size adjustment capability
  • Additional subjects beyond algebra
  • Apps for calculus and trigonometry
  • Age calculation tricks
  • VoiceOver support for mathematical operations
  • Improved visual design and color contrast

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Algebra

Subscriptions1
  • Algebra 1 and Algebra 23 Days trial$9.991 Month
One-time9
  • Place Value$4.99
  • Adding Integers & Subtracting Integers$4.99
  • Two-Step Equations - Alg$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Equations with Fractions$4.99
  • Algebra Word Problems$4.99
  • Rational Expressions$4.99
  • Multiplying Dividing Rational Expressions$4.99
  • Simplifying Radicals$4.99
  • Multiplying Radicals$4.99
None

Mathemagics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Algebra free?
Algebra is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mathemagics free?
Mathemagics costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Algebra or Mathemagics?
Algebra and Mathemagics are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.3K and 79 ratings respectively.
Do Algebra or Mathemagics have ads?
Neither Algebra nor Mathemagics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Algebra or Mathemagics?
Algebra ships an update every 4 months, and Mathemagics every 5 months. Most recently, Algebra was updated on October 17, 2026 and Mathemagics on October 15, 2026.

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