# Picture Packets vs Math Bash Start

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Picture Packets at 100% against Math Bash Start's 57%. Picture Packets also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). Math Bash Start's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and update cadence (every 9 months vs every 69 months). On price, ads, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Math Bash Start sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Picture Packets asks for nothing beyond the download.

Math Bash Start holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Picture Packets's written reviews are positive against 57% of Math Bash Start's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Picture Packets ships an update every 69 months, Math Bash Start every 9 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Picture Packets | Math Bash Start |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picture-packets-vowels/id499958481/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-bash-start/id527051510/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 69 months | **Every 9 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 25 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bob Baratta-Lorton](https://appshunter.io/developer/499646138) | [R.D. Hare](https://appshunter.io/developer/514028330) |

## What reviewers say

### Picture Packets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picture-packets-vowels/id499958481)

This app is the final step in a comprehensive reading and writing curriculum for beginning readers. It helps children transition from reading with sounds to reading with letters by providing hints for vowel sounds within words. The goal is to build reading and writing confidence.

**Highlights:** Reading and writing curriculum, Focus on vowel sounds, Transition from sounds to letters, Builds reading confidence, Part of a 14-app series

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Math Bash Start

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-bash-start/id527051510)

Practice secondary school math topics with randomized questions and multiple game modes. Engage with algebra, number, data, and shape topics through multiple choice or a pairs game. Track high scores and unlock achievements.

**Highlights:** Randomized questions, Topic-based practice, Multiple choice mode, Pairs game mode, High score tables, Topic coverage for 80% of curricula

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version Unlock | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Picture Packets free?

Picture Packets is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Math Bash Start free?

Math Bash Start is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Picture Packets or Math Bash Start?

Math Bash Start is rated higher. Picture Packets averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Math Bash Start averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Picture Packets or Math Bash Start have ads?

Neither Picture Packets nor Math Bash Start shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Picture Packets or Math Bash Start?

Picture Packets ships an update every 69 months, and Math Bash Start every 9 months. Most recently, Picture Packets was updated on November 1, 2026 and Math Bash Start on November 1, 2026.

---

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