# Hands vs Smithsonian

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Smithsonian at 100% against Hands's 0%. Smithsonian also leads on price (Free vs $2.99) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 12 months). Hands's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Smithsonian is free to download; Hands costs $2.99 up front. Smithsonian sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Hands asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hands ships an update every 12 months, Smithsonian every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hands | Smithsonian |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-on-math-graph-cubes/id553110021/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 18 MB | 285 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ventura Educational Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/371324172) | [PlayDate Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/652113715) |

## What reviewers say

### Hands

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-on-math-graph-cubes/id553110021)

This app simulates using virtual cubes to build bar graphs, providing intelligent feedback to help students understand mathematical reasoning and data analysis. It offers an interactive playground for creating and exploring graphs and tables, fostering problem-solving skills.

**Highlights:** Virtual cube manipulation for bar graph creation, Artificially intelligent feedback, Interactive Playground for exploration, Data analysis and interpretation, Problem formulation and solving, Graph and table creation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smithsonian

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-planets/id6504839302)

Explore the solar system with interactive games and animations. Learn fascinating facts about planets, moons, and the asteroid belt. Designed for curious young minds to introduce astronomy basics.

**Highlights:** Fascinating facts about the solar system, Mini games like Space Winter Rush, Interactive activities, Educational animations, Read to Me text, Collect planet badges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Buy 5 Planets | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hands free?

Hands costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smithsonian free?

Smithsonian is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Hands or Smithsonian have ads?

Neither Hands nor Smithsonian shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hands or Smithsonian?

Hands ships an update every 12 months, and Smithsonian every 3 months. Most recently, Hands was updated on September 28, 2026 and Smithsonian on September 22, 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.*