Comparison

Hands vs Algebra Learner

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

Algebra Learner

This educational game transforms algebra learning into an interactive experience. Solve math problems through drag-and-drop mechanics, exploring various worlds that introduce new algebraic concepts and techniques. Master complex equations by applying learned rules in a fun, game-like environment.

Highlights
  • Drag-and-drop problem solving
  • Interactive algebra worlds
  • Learn merging equal terms
  • Master powers and fractions
  • Practice equation manipulation
  • Factorize and expand expressions
Features
Read full description

What if the rules of algebra and the rules of a game were the same? This is the basis for Algebra Learner. Learn to directly solve algebra problems through smart drag and drop mechanics where you can do anything you want, except break the rules of math. Explore all basic aspects of algebra through many worlds where each world teaches you a new unique mechanic. Learn to merge equal terms, create, and manipulate powers, cancel fractions, expand fractions, create fractions, multiply parenthesis, factorize expressions, and use it all to cancel more complex fractions. Enjoy the equation worlds, where you learn to move and switch, multiply and divide each side to clear out factors and terms. You will be solving complex math problems without even knowing it. Become an expert at Algebra Learning.

Screenshots

Hands4 screens
Algebra Learner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Algebra Learner at Free against Hands's $7.99. Algebra Learner also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months). Hands's advantage is ratings volume (77 vs 9). On rating, review sentiment, 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

Algebra Learner is free to download; Hands costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Hands against 4.7 for Algebra Learner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hands has 77 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Hands's written reviews are positive against 83% of Algebra Learner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hands ships an update every 5 months, Algebra Learner every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hands versus Algebra Learner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandsAlgebra Learner
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (77 ratings)4.7 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.8% of reviews — better83.3% of reviews
Number of ratings77 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1313.0
Further details — not scored
Size231 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHands On EquationsCarl Joakim Isaksen

Customer experience

Hands

All ratings77 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive86.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative9.4%

Algebra Learner

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

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

Algebra Learner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Hands

No in-app purchases

None

Algebra Learner

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hands free?
Hands costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Algebra Learner free?
Algebra Learner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hands or Algebra Learner?
Algebra Learner is rated higher. Hands averages 4.6 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while Algebra Learner averages 4.7 from 9 ratings.
Do Hands or Algebra Learner have ads?
Neither Hands nor Algebra Learner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hands or Algebra Learner?
Hands ships an update every 5 months, and Algebra Learner every 10 days. Most recently, Hands was updated on October 6, 2026 and Algebra Learner on October 7, 2026.

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