Comparison

Hands vs Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun

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

Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun

This educational game makes practicing math word problems engaging for students in grades 2-8. Players explore a Mediterranean island, solving math challenges to uncover treasures and earn virtual currency, with an onscreen calculator to aid understanding.

Highlights
  • Interactive word problem practice
  • Game-based learning
  • Covers elementary and middle school math topics
  • Multiplayer mode for up to four players
  • Customizable game length and winning conditions
  • Onscreen calculator for assistance
Features
Read full description

"Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun is an outstanding way to encourage students to practice word problems." See the rest of the review at: https://web.archive.org/web/20240605212456/https://bestappsforkids.com/math-galaxy-word-problems-fun/ Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun provides, in a game setting that's like a cross between monopoly and maze searches, a range of problems covering the core of elementary and middle school math: whole number operations fractions decimals multi-step problems ratios & proportions percents negative numbers time length area volume weight angles graphs & tables You and your fellow archaeologists have landed on Prospero's Island in the Mediterranean looking for lost treasure in underground caves and labyrinths. You each start with $25,000. If you collect all the treasures in a cave you get to own it, and can then charge any other player who lands on it a fee of $1000 for each cave that you own (for example, if you own 3 caves, they pay your $3,000). To enter a cave you must provide a secret code to open the cave door, which is the answer to a math problem. An onscreen calculator is provided, since the purpose is to understand the structure of word problems and not get mired in calculations. Because of the danger you are using ground-penetrating radar to guide a remote-controlled robot to dig through the caves. You must get to the treasures and out of the caves before the robot is destroyed by one of the many dangers: falling boulders, ice caverns, underground rivers and tubes left by some ancient civilization. Up to four players can play and the game continues as long as you want - you can set your own criteria for winning, e.g., when a player reaches a certain score - and you can save games. Regarding the complexity of the game, it’s basically like Monopoly. You earn spots on the game board (an island) by solving a maze at each spot and then players who land on your spots pay you. No explicit instructions on how to get to the treasures in a maze and get out are given - figuring out the mazes is part of the challenge.

Screenshots

Hands4 screens
Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hands at 88% against Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun's 60%. Hands also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 17 months) and ratings volume (102 vs 3). Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Hands costs $7.99 and Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hands has 102 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 88% of Hands's written reviews are positive against 60% of Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hands ships an update every 3 months, Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Hands versus Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandsMath Galaxy Word Problems Fun
Price$7.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.5 (102 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews — better60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings102 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1212.0
Further details — not scored
Size572 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHands On EquationsMath Galaxy

Customer experience

Hands

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

Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

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

Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Hands

No in-app purchases

None

Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun free?
Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hands or Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun?
Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun is rated higher. Hands averages 4.5 out of 5 from 102 ratings, while Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Hands or Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun have ads?
Neither Hands nor Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hands or Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun?
Hands ships an update every 3 months, and Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun every 17 months. Most recently, Hands was updated on October 10, 2026 and Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun on September 29, 2026.

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