Ladybird Maths vs eCollection
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ladybird Maths
This app uses a ladybird's symmetrical spots to teach doubling and halving math facts. It helps build speed and accuracy in basic arithmetic through interactive counting, doubling, and halving exercises.
- Doubling and halving exercises
- Symmetry-based learning
- Interactive counting
- Subitising recognition
- Fair/unfair sharing concepts
- Early division precursor
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Ladybird Maths uses the symmetrical image of a lady bird and her spots to teach and build mental mathematics number facts of doubling and halving. The importance of recalling doubling and halving facts relates to the speed, accuracy and ease these number facts bring to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. Ladybird Maths Teaching Module can be used anyway you wish. An important concept before using the App is to discuss symmetry in nature. A ladybird has symmetrical spots, therefore spots must be placed on each of the ladybird's wings equally. You might ask: - Put one dot on each of the ladybirds wings, how many altogether? - Put ten spots on the ladybird. Is there a way to write an equation showing what you have just done e.g. 5 +5. - If a child puts 3 spots, 7 spots, discuss why this is "unfair" sharing. Discuss what fair sharing might look like. - Can you make a list of the doubles? The following sections can be completed independently or with adult assistance. =Count= This task introduces counting the spots on the ladybird. Initially, students may count each spot by touching them 'one-to one', then they may come to recognise the spots automatically, this is called 'subitising'. Some students may count one side, then double the number. =Doubles= The task asks students to place counters on the lady bug to create a double and then type in on the keypad the correct answer. Early counters will place the counters on the ladybug then proceed to count from 1, this is called one-to-one counting and is a very important skill not to be rushed over, as it becomes an important means of checking for accuracy later on. Students may then place counters on the ladybird, then 'count on' from the highest number e.g. if four was already there, they may count 5, 6, 7, 8. Some students may count the spots twice, then use the keypad. Finally students will subitise the spots (know the number automatically), then recall the doubles fact. =Halves= This section asks students to count half of the spots that appear, then use the keypad to answer. Some students may quickly come to realise that this means counting one-to one the spots on one wing, whilst others will subitise the number on one wing. The keypad also encourages early calculator skills. =Fair / unfair= This task introduces the new vocabulary fair and unfair. Students are asked to decide whether the spots are shared fairly or unfairly. Spots may be shared across one ladybird's wings or across three ladybirds. This topic is designed as a precusor to division as sharing. It is important that students can visualise the unfair or fair spots. =Sharing= Students are asked to share a given amount of spots across one, two or three ladybirds, then select how many spots each ladybird has on the keypad. Student initially may share out the spots one at a time, whilst later they may come to subitise or count the spots then move the correct number to each ladybird. Some students may neglect moving of the spots and attain the answer, pressing the keypad answer straight away. =Multiply= A reversal of sharing, the spots are placed on 1, 2, 3 or 4 ladybirds, students answer with how many spots altogether. Early counters will count all of the spots starting from 1, whilst more sophisticated counters may use repeated addition e.g. 2+2+2+2. Later students will notice patterns to skip count or solve the problem as 2x4. The keypad is used to answer the problem.
eCollection
This app provides a digital platform for guided reading, offering a library of leveled eBooks and interactive features for teachers and students. It supports various reading profiles, word interaction, recording, drawing, and text editing to enhance comprehension and engagement.
- Guided Reading Profile
- Custom Reading Profile
- Independent Reading Profile
- Tap to Hear Words
- Tap to Save Words
- Record Mode
- Draw Mode
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The eCollection eReader app is part of a brand new platform that re-imagines guided reading for iPads. Guided reading is a widely used teaching strategy where the teacher and all students in a group have a copy of the same book. The teacher assists the students to practise various reading strategies in order to comprehend the text. The eCollection eReader app allows teachers and students to use eCollection eBooks for guided reading. It utilises native iOS gestures to provide a seamless experience for young readers. ~~~~~~~~~~ FEATURES ~~~~~~~~~~ 300 pedagogically sound, carefully levelled eCollection eBooks combined with the following features: + Guided Reading Profile + Custom Reading Profile + Independent Reading Profile + Tap to Hear Words + Tap to Save Words + Record Mode + Draw Mode + Edit Text Mode + Reading Sessions + Student Profiles + Reading History + Reading Groups ~~~~~~~~~~~ REVIEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~ "A great way to access a very thorough levelled reading resource. It is compact and accessible." "I am working with older students and adults. It is a fantastic way for them to access material that they can read without making it obvious that they are reading at a low level." "I love having access to the eCollection readers digitally. I have used them throughout my 30+ years teaching" "Easy for kids, parents, teachers to use, convenient, wide range of books/levels, great graphics and wonderful app. Great resource for setting readers for home or school." "eCollection has made a difference in the learning for our target children." "A highly engaging digital reading resource directly linked to school reading." "Books are expensive and this is a cheaper option. No lost or damaged books." ~~~~~~~~~~ SUPPORT ~~~~~~~~~~ Send us an email at anz.techsupport@cengage.com with any questions, feedback or requests. Privacy Policy: https://cengage.com.au/privacy Terms and Conditions: https://cengage.com.au/terms Contact: https://cengage.com.au/contact-us
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ladybird Maths at 67% against eCollection's 18%. eCollection's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (4.0 vs 3.4). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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
eCollection is free to download; Ladybird Maths costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
eCollection holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Ladybird Maths's written reviews are positive against 18% of eCollection's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Ladybird Maths ships an update every 43 months, eCollection every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and June 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ladybird Maths | eCollection |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.4 (5 ratings) | 4.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 18.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 43 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 99 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aleesha Kondys | Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited |
Customer experience
Ladybird Maths
eCollection
In-app purchases
Ladybird Maths
No in-app purchases
eCollection
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Ladybird Maths free?
Is eCollection free?
Which has better reviews, Ladybird Maths or eCollection?
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Which is updated more often, Ladybird Maths or eCollection?
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