Hands vs myClassroom
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
myClassroom
This app provides essential classroom management tools for educators, allowing remote control via Apple Watch or Bluetooth clicker. It offers extensive customization for various functions like bells, notes, student grouping, and behavior tracking.
- Remote control with Apple Watch/Bluetooth clicker
- Customizable bell and alert sounds
- Instant note-taking with automatic logging
- Random student selection and group generation
- Behavior tracking and time-lost monitoring
- Noise meter and music playback
- Automated daily routines and smart seating charts
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MyClassroom was has essential teacher tools that are designed to work fast. Even better, they works with an Apple Watch or Bluetooth clicker. This means you can place your iPhone or iPad anywhere in the room and still have access to your tools. MyClassroom also offers extensive customization. If you don’t like how a tool works, there’s a good chance you can change it. Below is a list of tools and features that are just one press away! Tools: Bell Alert your class with a variety of sounds to choose from. Notes Instantly save notes during hectic moments, with automatic logging of time, date, and subject. You can add text later. Time Quickly add time increments with each press. It's perfect when precise timing isn't necessary. Coin & Dice Randomly generate numbers and outcomes. Sticks Randomly call on students, with an option to prevent repeats. Groups Create student groups, with settings to avoid unwanted pairings. Tallies Keep track of positive and negative classroom behaviors. Time Lost Track time wasted by students using a stopwatch and a warning sound. Hearts Each press removes a heart. Hearts can automatically replenish after a preset amount of time. Noise Meter Tuned to student voice frequencies, with a buffer to prevent false alarms. Music Box Play over 150 instrumental tracks covering various genres and moods. Brain Break Meditate or get active with quick, interactive breaks. Features Routines Set up your daily schedule and let the app automatically announce subjects and reminders. You won’t need to pull out your phone to turn off an alarm anymore! Smart Seating Seating charts with the ability to add rules, and use actual desk distances to generate seating charts. This app is governed by Apple’s standard End User License Agreement (EULA), available here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
Hands and myClassroom both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 88% of Hands's written reviews are positive against 35% of myClassroom's. Hands also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (12 vs 16.0). myClassroom's advantage is price (Free vs $7.99) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). On rating, ads 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
myClassroom is free to download; Hands costs $7.99 up front. myClassroom sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Hands asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Hands against 4.5 for myClassroom. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 103 and 388 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Hands's written reviews are positive against 35% of myClassroom's.
Hands ships an update every 3 months, myClassroom every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hands | myClassroom |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (103 ratings) — better | 4.5 (388 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 88.2% of reviews — better | 35.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 103 | 388 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 572 MB | 172 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hands On Equations | Tanner Stoltz |
Customer experience
Hands
myClassroom
User reviews
Hands
From 103 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
myClassroom
From 388 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Helpful for classroom management
- 👍 Useful for picking students
- 👍 Great for routines and reminders
- 👍 Students love it
- 👍 Easy to use and functional
Room to improve
- 💰 Subscription required for most features
- 💰 Expensive for teachers on a budget
- 👎 Limited free features
- 👎 Poor customer service
- 👎 Bluetooth remote not working
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
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- Continuation app for more complex algebra
- Diverse user profile icons
- Faster auto-check functionality
- Offline functionality
- Support for additional math subjects
myClassroom
Reported bugs
5 issues- Cannot log in after subscription
- Password reset email not received
- Customer service link not working
- App crashing with music
- Bluetooth remote connectivity issues
Requested features
3 requests- Make more features free
- Bring back brain breaks
- Improve the voice quality
In-app purchases
Hands
No in-app purchases
myClassroom
- Full Access3 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Full Access3 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Full Access$49.99
Questions
Is Hands free?
Is myClassroom free?
Which has better reviews, Hands or myClassroom?
Do Hands or myClassroom have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hands or myClassroom?
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