# Hands vs Marble Math

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hands | Marble Math |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | [4.5 (102 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-on-equations-level-1/id505948222/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marble-math/id528616029/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 102 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **88.2% of reviews** | 85.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#195** |
| Size | 572 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hands On Equations](https://appshunter.io/developer/505948225) | [Artgig Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/436414537) |

## What reviewers say

### Hands

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-on-equations-level-1/id505948222)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎓 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎬 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Marble Math

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marble-math/id528616029)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*