Hands vs Marble Math
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Hands costs $7.99 and Marble Math $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Hands | Marble Math |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (102 ratings) | 4.7 (1.3K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 88.2% of reviews — better | 85.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 102 | 1.3K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #195 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12 | 8.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 572 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hands On Equations | Artgig Studio |
Customer experience
Hands
Marble Math
User reviews
Hands
From 102 App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
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- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Hands
No in-app purchases
Marble Math
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Hands free?
Is Marble Math free?
Which has better reviews, Hands or Marble Math?
Do Hands or Marble Math have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hands or Marble Math?
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