# TalkingAbacus vs npiSoroban

The clearest difference is rating: TalkingAbacus at 5.0 against npiSoroban's 3.4. npiSoroban's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 24 months) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 11.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

TalkingAbacus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 5 respectively.

TalkingAbacus ships an update every 24 months, npiSoroban every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TalkingAbacus | npiSoroban |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talkingabacus/id548246827/reviews)** | [3.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npisoroban-iphone-edition/id586798520/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **5** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 21 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **5.1.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [EverQuiz](https://appshunter.io/developer/450751748) | [Nonpareil Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/401989715) |

## What reviewers say

### TalkingAbacus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talkingabacus/id548246827)

This educational app helps children learn the basics of using an abacus. It features intuitive multi-touch controls, engaging graphics, and spoken numbers to reinforce memory and learning.

**Highlights:** Simulated abacus with multi-touch control, Engaging graphics for children, Numbers are pronounced aloud, Reinforces memory and learning, Designed for basic abacus education

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### npiSoroban

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npisoroban-iphone-edition/id586798520)

Learn to use the Japanese abacus, or soroban, with narrated tutorials on your iPhone or iPad. Master arithmetic with this ancient tool, now digitized for modern learning.

**Highlights:** Digital soroban (abacus), Narrated tutorials, Arithmetic practice, Educational tool, Supports iPhone and iPad

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TalkingAbacus free?

TalkingAbacus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is npiSoroban free?

npiSoroban is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TalkingAbacus or npiSoroban?

TalkingAbacus is rated higher. TalkingAbacus averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while npiSoroban averages 3.4 from 5 ratings.

### Do TalkingAbacus or npiSoroban have ads?

Neither TalkingAbacus nor npiSoroban shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TalkingAbacus or npiSoroban?

TalkingAbacus ships an update every 24 months, and npiSoroban every 5 months. Most recently, TalkingAbacus was updated on September 8, 2026 and npiSoroban on June 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*