Comparison

Hands vs Critical Thinking Activities

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 introduces algebra concepts for students who have completed Level 1. It teaches how to solve equations involving a white pawn representing an unknown value and its opposite. Engaging video lessons and interactive exercises enhance understanding and build confidence in solving algebraic problems.

Highlights
  • Solve equations with unknown values
  • Learn about opposite values
  • Interactive video introductions
  • Practice with examples and exercises
  • Visual representation of algebraic concepts
  • Build confidence in algebra
Features
Read full description

Hands-On Equations® Level 2 Continue the Fun Way to Learn Algebra! You've mastered the fundamentals. Now it's time for the next exciting step in your algebra journey! Hands-On Equations® Level 2 introduces an innovative new game piece—the white pawn, which represents the opposite of x. Using the white pawn together with the familiar blue pawn and numbered cubes, students learn elegant new strategies for solving increasingly sophisticated equations. Watch students confidently solve equations such as: 3x = –x + 4 and x – 3(–x) + 2 = 8 – 2x while enjoying the same highly visual, intuitive approach that has helped more than one million students better understand algebra. Discover More Advanced Algebra Naturally As students solve increasingly challenging equations, they intuitively apply important mathematical ideas, including: • Additive inverses • The additive property of zero • The addition property of equality As they solve these Level 2 equations, students discover how to add positive and negative numbers—without formal instruction. Rather than memorizing procedures, students develop a genuine understanding of why algebra works. Who Should Use Level 2? Hands-On Equations Level 2 is the natural continuation for students who have completed Level 1, including: • Gifted students in Grades 2 and above • Elementary students in Grades 4 and above • Middle school students • High school students who would benefit from a clearer, more visual approach to algebra • Adults who wish they had learned algebra this way the first time Experience Success. Build Confidence. As students experience continued success solving increasingly challenging equations, they develop greater confidence, deeper understanding, and an appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of algebra. If you enjoyed Hands-On Equations Level 1, you'll love discovering what you can accomplish in Level 2. For more information about Hands-On Equations, visit www.borenson.com. For app support, contact: info@borenson.com.

About

Critical Thinking Activities

Read full description

Critical Thinking Activities is a collection of challenges designed to help build critical thinking skills. The app presents 10 different activities. In each activity the problems are randomly generated so the app provides hours of engaging learning opportunities.. The activities include the following: 1. Hundreds Chart Patterns 2. What's the Rule? 3. Find a Match 4. Cube Patterns 5. Dot Designs 6. Isometric Designs 7. Design Patterns 8. Reflections 9. Sum Patterns 10. Number Line The app uses speech and sound effects to present the activities and to make the learning experience more exciting. As students work on the problem solving activities, a score is kept that tracks progress. By tapping the scoreboard icon teachers or parents can see a record of the students successes.

Screenshots

Hands4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Critical Thinking Activities at $1.99 against Hands's $7.99. Hands's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 26 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 Critical Thinking Activities $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hands ships an update every 5 months, Critical Thinking Activities every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hands versus Critical Thinking Activities: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandsCritical Thinking Activities
Price$7.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.6 (78 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews86.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings78 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 26 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad, Mac
Requires iOS13 — better13.2
Further details — not scored
Size231 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHands On EquationsVentura Educational Systems

Bugs and requests

Hands

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Bug in number wheel slows completion streaks
  • Tutorials have too much jargon
  • Lesson 12 equations too hard
  • Lesson 8 tutorials have too much jargon
  • Lesson 9 glitch, won't accept correct answer
Show 4 more
  • App not working for iOS 9, crashes when clicking 'value'
  • Paid version has advertising
  • Paid version doesn't work, crashes when entering value of x
  • Volume does not work on the app, videos of little value

Requested features

4 requests
  • Make lessons harder
  • Add more challenges
  • Add video explanation after each problem
  • More advanced concepts

Critical Thinking Activities

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Hands

No in-app purchases

None

Critical Thinking Activities

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Critical Thinking Activities free?
Critical Thinking Activities costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Hands or Critical Thinking Activities have ads?
Neither Hands nor Critical Thinking Activities shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hands or Critical Thinking Activities?
Hands ships an update every 5 months, and Critical Thinking Activities every 26 months. Most recently, Hands was updated on October 23, 2026 and Critical Thinking Activities on October 18, 2026.

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