Comparison

Hands vs Stack the States® 2

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

Head to head
About

Hands

This app teaches algebra to children aged 8 and up using a visual, game-like approach. It guides users through solving equations with interactive digital manipulatives and instructional videos, building confidence and understanding.

Highlights
  • Interactive digital manipulatives
  • Expert instructional videos
  • Step-by-step equation solving
  • Visual balance scale representation
  • Practice and lesson exercises
  • Multiple user support
  • Equation checking feature
Read full description

Hands-On Equations is the fun way to learn algebra for kids age 8 and up. 1. Imagine your child CONFIDENTIALLY solving algebra equations after just three lessons! Using blue pawns, numbered cubes, and a visual balance model, students quickly discover that algebra can be clear, intuitive, and enjoyable. Instead of memorizing rules, they develop a genuine understanding of the mathematical concepts they are learning. The Hands-On Equations math app transforms algebra into an engaging math learning experience. Along the way, they experience the excitement and satisfaction of solving equations such as 4x + 3 = 3x + 9 in just three lessons, and equations such as 2(2x + 1) = 3x + 10 in just six lessons. These equations are typically not introduced to students until middle school. Yet, your child, age 8 and up, can experience success and joy in solving these algebra equations! These equations are typically not introduced to students until middle school. Yet, your child, age 8 and up, can experience success and joy in solving these algebra equations! ________________________________________ 2. Why children love Hands-On Equations Every lesson builds on previous success through carefully sequenced activities that make abstract algebra visual and easy to understand. Students don't simply learn procedures—they understand why each step works. The elegant instructional design and intuitive app experience make learning algebra both rapid and enjoyable. Students find that this visual learning enables them to solve algebra equations in a few short lessons. Students love the ease with which they can manipulate the blue pawns and numbered cubes, sliding them on and off the balance scale as they solve increasingly challenging equations. The app's elegant simplicity creates a pleasant, intuitive, and highly satisfying learning experience. ________________________________________ 3. What Students Learn in the Hands-On Equations Level 1 App Throughout the six carefully sequenced lessons and one review lesson, students learn: • the meaning of equivalence • algebraic notation • how to check solutions • legal moves with pawns and cubes • equations involving subtraction • equations involving parentheses • confidence that lasts long after the lessons are completed ________________________________________ 4. Proven Success More than one million students have experienced success with the Hands-On Equations Learning System. Originally developed using physical game pieces and classroom instruction, this proven educational approach is now available in an app that makes learning algebra both intuitive and enjoyable. ________________________________________ 5. Who Should Use It? • Gifted children age 6+ • Elementary students ages 8 and above • Middle school students • Struggling high school students • Adults who never really understood algebra ________________________________________ 6. Give Your Child the Confidence to Succeed Whether your child is discovering algebra for the first time or you are finally returning to a subject that once seemed impossible, Hands-On Equations will give your child a memorable, enjoyable, and confidence-building experience with algebra. ________________________________________ 7. Questions or Support? Email: info@borenson.com Visit: www.borenson.com

About

Stack the States® 2

Learn US geography by stacking animated states to win levels. Collect all 50 states to unlock bonus games and explore an interactive 3D map with detailed information about capitals, cities, and landmarks. Designed for fun and educational play for all ages.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D map
  • Learn state capitals, cities, shapes, landmarks, and flags
  • Collect all 50 states
  • Unlock bonus games (Map It, Connect 2, Capital Tap)
  • Voice mode for independent play
  • Hundreds of unique questions
  • Multiple player profiles
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Watch the states come to life as you learn US geography! Stack the States® is back and better than ever with new question types, new bonus games, voice mode, 3D graphics and a detailed interactive map! As you learn state capitals, cities, shapes, landmarks, flags and more, you can actually touch, move and drop the animated states anywhere on the screen. Carefully build a stack of states that reaches the checkered line to win each level. You earn a new state for every successfully completed level. All of your states appear on your own personalized map of the United States. Try to collect all 50! As you earn more states, you begin to unlock the free bonus games: Map It, Connect 2 and Capital Tap. Four games in one! What’s new in Stack the States® 2: - New question types - New bonus games: Connect 2 and Capital Tap - New voice mode that helps non-readers play independently - Brand new interactive map featuring major cities and a 3D elevation view of each state - Beautiful 3D graphics - 10 different 3D scenes depicting various locations in the US - 3D models of over 90 US landmarks Plus, all the great features that you loved from the original Stack the States®: - 50 flash cards — one for each state - Hundreds of unique questions - Up to six player profiles - A personalized map of the US - Fun sound effects and music - Works on both iPhone and iPad - a universal app Stack the States® 2 is an educational app for all ages that's actually FUN to play. Try it now and enjoy four games for the price of one! PRIVACY DISCLOSURE Stack the States® 2: - Does not contain 3rd party ads. - Does not contain in-app purchases. - Does not contain integration with social networks. - Does not use 3rd party analytics / data collection tools. - Does include links to apps by Dan Russell-Pinson in the iTunes App Store (via Performance Horizon). For more information on our privacy policy please visit: http://dan-russell-pinson.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Hands4 screens
Stack the States® 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Stack the States® 2 at $2.99 against Hands's $7.99. Stack the States® 2 also leads on ratings volume (1.1K vs 102) and chart position (#32 vs unranked). Hands's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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

Hands costs $7.99 and Stack the States® 2 $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Hands against 4.5 for Stack the States® 2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stack the States® 2 has 1.1K ratings behind it against 102, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Hands's written reviews are positive against 86% of Stack the States® 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hands ships an update every 3 months, Stack the States® 2 every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Hands versus Stack the States® 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandsStack the States® 2
Price$7.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.5 (102 ratings)4.5 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews — better86.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1021.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#32 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1212.0
Further details — not scored
Size572 MB140 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHands On EquationsFreecloud Design, Inc.

Customer experience

Hands

All ratings102 ratings
Positive87.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative9.8%

Stack the States® 2

All ratings1,135 ratings
Positive87.3%
Neutral4.5%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive86.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative6.6%

Bugs and requests

Hands

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Video audio not working despite system audio functioning
  • Videos won't play or load
  • App crashes on iOS 9 and later versions
  • App crashes when entering answers
  • Video lesson loops infinitely blocking progress
Show 4 more
  • UI elements (pieces) display in wrong location
  • Number wheel difficult to control and stop on correct value
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Interface not intuitive for answer entry

Requested features

10 requests
  • More advanced levels and lessons beyond current content
  • Text-based teaching materials as alternative to videos
  • Ability to input custom equations
  • Audio sound effects for user interactions
  • Scales that visually move to show equation imbalance
Show 5 more
  • Continuation app for more complex algebra
  • Diverse user profile icons
  • Faster auto-check functionality
  • Offline functionality
  • Support for additional math subjects

Stack the States® 2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Hands

No in-app purchases

None

Stack the States® 2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stack the States® 2 free?
Stack the States® 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hands or Stack the States® 2?
Hands and Stack the States® 2 are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 102 and 1.1K ratings respectively.
Do Hands or Stack the States® 2 have ads?
Neither Hands nor Stack the States® 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hands or Stack the States® 2?
Hands ships an update every 3 months, and Stack the States® 2 every 9 months. Most recently, Hands was updated on September 10, 2026 and Stack the States® 2 on September 24, 2026.

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