1st Calc vs MathBoard Challenge
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
1st Calc
This app provides a visual abacus-style bead frame to help primary school children learn numbers up to 100. It supports addition and subtraction practice, making math more engaging and helping to prevent learning disabilities.
- Abacus-style bead frame
- Learn numbers up to 100
- Addition and subtraction practice
- Customizable bead colors
- Optional live cam background
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„1st Calc“ is an Abacus-style bead frame, that helps primary school children to discover numbers up to 100. It provides them with a visual tool to play with numbers and lets them solve addition and subtraction problems. It is based on the latest math-teaching knowledge and its use contributes significantly to avoid any mathematical disabilities at an early stage and counteract this. „1st Calc“ is an invaluable tool harvesting the children's motivation to use the iPad or iPhone and makes up with a more fun learning experience. FEATURES · Selectable range of numbers: 0 - 20 or 0 - 100 · Bead frame for children · Choose between 4 different colors · Optional live cam view as background We will provide you with further updates. "1st Calc" will then be able to generate addition and subtraction problems, to guide the child through the solution process and to control and diagnose the child's input.
MathBoard Challenge
This app offers a fast-paced, competitive math game where players race against the clock or friends to solve equations. It features customizable difficulty, various math operations, and a scoring system that rewards both speed and accuracy.
- Random equation generation
- Customizable number ranges
- Algebra-style equations
- Points-based scoring
- Multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank answers
- Timed solo or challenge modes
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Everything you love about MathBoard—now in a fast-paced, competitive math showdown! MathBoard Challenge takes math learning to the next level with a game-style twist. Race against the clock or challenge your friends to see who can answer the most problems correctly—and rack up the highest score. But beware: incorrect answers will cost you points, so accuracy matters as much as speed! Just like the original MathBoard, this app is highly configurable and suitable for students of all ages—from kindergarteners just learning addition and subtraction to older students mastering multiplication, division, and more advanced math. Customize problem difficulty, number ranges, and even question formats to match your skill level. Key Features • Random equation generation for: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Squares, Cubes, and Square Roots • Customizable number ranges and digit formats • Support for simple and algebra-style equations (e.g., 6 + x = 12) • Smart “wrong answer” logic to discourage guessing • Answer styles: multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank • Points-based scoring system—earn more for speed and accuracy • Optional penalties for wrong answers to raise the stakes • Configurable settings for one-on-one challenges or solo timed sessions Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills or prove your math mastery, MathBoard Challenge turns practice into a thrilling experience.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: 1st Calc at 100% against MathBoard Challenge's 0%. 1st Calc also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). MathBoard Challenge's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 50 months). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
1st Calc costs $0.99 and MathBoard Challenge $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MathBoard Challenge holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MathBoard Challenge has 20 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of 1st Calc's written reviews are positive against 0% of MathBoard Challenge's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
1st Calc ships an update every 50 months, MathBoard Challenge every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 1st Calc | MathBoard Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 3.3 (3 ratings) | 4.5 (20 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 50 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | medienwerkstatt | PalaSoftware Inc. |
Customer experience
1st Calc
MathBoard Challenge
In-app purchases
1st Calc
No in-app purchases
MathBoard Challenge
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is 1st Calc free?
Is MathBoard Challenge free?
Which has better reviews, 1st Calc or MathBoard Challenge?
Do 1st Calc or MathBoard Challenge have ads?
Which is updated more often, 1st Calc or MathBoard Challenge?
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