# Picture Packets vs Math Boost Start

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Picture Packets at 100% against Math Boost Start's 57%. Picture Packets also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). Math Boost Start's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 69 months). On price, ads, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Math Boost 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 Boost 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 Boost Start every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Picture Packets | Math Boost 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-boost-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 6 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 25 MB | 24 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 Boost Start

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

Practice secondary school math skills with engaging quizzes and matching games. Covers topics like algebra, number, data, and shape, with randomized questions for endless practice. Ideal for students aged 11-14.

**Highlights:** Multiple choice quizzes, Timed challenges, High score tables, Match the question and answer game, Topic-based question selection, Randomized questions, Practice Algebra, Number, Data, Shape

**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 Boost Start free?

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

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

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

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

Neither Picture Packets nor Math Boost Start shows ads.

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

Picture Packets ships an update every 69 months, and Math Boost Start every 6 months. Most recently, Picture Packets was updated on November 1, 2026 and Math Boost Start on November 6, 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.*