Comparison

Hands vs Marble Math

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

Marble Math

Practice mental math skills by guiding a marble through mazes, collecting numbers to solve problems. Offers customizable difficulty and concepts for targeted learning, with options to replay questions or see correct answers.

Highlights
  • Maze-based math problem solving
  • Customizable math concepts and difficulty
  • Unlimited user profiles
  • Option to replay or view correct answers
  • Reinforces mental math skills
  • Collect new marbles and bonuses
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Solve math problems by collecting numbers as you move your marble through a series of fun mazes. * Children's Technology Review Editor's Choice Award * Common Sense Media Award Winner ________________________________ REVIEWERS SAY... "Marble Math is one of the most fun, customizable, and effective math games available for older elementary school-age kids." - Common Sense Media "It requires both game skill to be able to roll the marble and math skill to understand and come up with the solution of where to roll it." - Wired ________________________________ FUN MATH PRACTICE: Based on the Common Core Curriculum, Marble Math is an engaging way for upper elementary students to practice mental math. Earn new marbles and collect bonuses while reinforcing key concepts in pursuit of a high score. But watch out math whizzes! You’ll need to be focused and nimble to avoid the obstacles in your path. WRONG ANSWER? NO PROBLEM: Marble Math gives you the option to replay the question or show the correct answer, before moving on to the next problem. UNLIMITED USER ACCOUNTS: Add as many custom profiles as you like. Individual game settings and progress are saved in each player profile. Create different profiles, each tailored for specific practice and abilities. CUSTOMIZE FOR SPECIFIC CONCEPTS AND ABILITY: Parents and teachers can customize gameplay to concentrate on specific math concepts by selecting problem types for each player and level. MARBLE MATH CONCEPTS INCLUDE: • addition, subtraction, multiplication and division • adding and sequencing fractions with different denominators • factoring • sequencing decimals • adding and subtracting negative integers • counting money (USD, AUD, CAD, EUR or GBP) • comparing number values • simplifying equations • sequencing roman numerals And more... Thanks for playing Marble Math! ________________________________ MADE BY EDUCATIONAL GAME DESIGNERS We're a small team of educational game designers who care deeply about crafting fun learning experiences for kids. We include kids, parents and teachers in our game development and testing to make sure our apps are exceptional tools that kids want to use again and again. ________________________________ Website: www.artgigapps.com Follow us: twitter.com/artgigapps Like us: Facebook.com/artgigapps Please reach out: hello@artgigapps.com ________________________________ PRIVACY We hold your privacy and the privacy of your child in the highest regard and we do not collect or share any personal information. Read our complete privacy policy at artgigapps.com. Marble Math has no in-app purchases or third party advertising.

Screenshots

Hands4 screens
Marble Math4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Marble Math at $3.99 against Hands's $7.99. Marble Math also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (1.3K vs 102). On review sentiment, update cadence, 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 Marble Math $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Marble Math holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Marble Math has 1.3K ratings behind it against 102, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 88% of Hands's written reviews are positive against 86% of Marble Math'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, Marble Math every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Hands versus Marble Math: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandsMarble Math
Price$7.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.5 (102 ratings)4.7 (1.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews — better85.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1021.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#195 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS128.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size572 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHands On EquationsArtgig Studio

Customer experience

Hands

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

Marble Math

All ratings1,258 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral3.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive85.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative9.9%

User reviews

Hands

From 102 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎓 Effective hands-on visual learning method for algebra concepts
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🎯 Clear, well-paced progression through lessons
  • 💡 Innovative balance scale approach makes abstract concepts concrete
  • 🎬 Helpful instructional video tutorials included

Room to improve

  • 🎬 Video playback issues (no sound or won't play)
  • 🐛 App crashes on certain iOS versions
  • 📺 Poor video quality in some lessons
  • 🎨 UI glitch with pieces displaying below scale
  • ⏱️ Limited content - lessons complete too quickly

Marble Math

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun and engaging
  • 🚀 Helps improve math skills
  • 💡 Customizable levels and settings
  • 🤗 Great for kids and parents

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 🤔 Some levels too difficult for younger users
  • 💰 Lack of customization options for paid version

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

Marble Math

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Double-digit numbers displayed incorrectly
  • Roman numerals confusing for some users

Requested features

3 requests
  • More customization options for math problems
  • Addition of new marble designs and unlockables
  • Support for more currencies and locales

In-app purchases

None

Hands

No in-app purchases

None

Marble Math

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Marble Math free?
Marble Math costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hands or Marble Math?
Marble Math is rated higher. Hands averages 4.5 out of 5 from 102 ratings, while Marble Math averages 4.7 from 1.3K ratings.
Do Hands or Marble Math have ads?
Neither Hands nor Marble Math shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hands or Marble Math?
Hands ships an update every 3 months, and Marble Math every 4 months. Most recently, Hands was updated on October 10, 2026 and Marble Math on October 16, 2026.

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