Hands vs Algebra Learner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Drag-and-drop problem solving
- Interactive algebra worlds
- Learn merging equal terms
- Master powers and fractions
- Practice equation manipulation
- Factorize and expand expressions
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Hands | Algebra Learner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (77 ratings) | 4.7 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 86.8% of reviews — better | 83.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 77 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 231 MB | 94 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hands On Equations | Carl Joakim Isaksen |
Customer experience
Hands
Algebra Learner
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
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- 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
Hands
No in-app purchases
Algebra Learner
No in-app purchases









