Comparison

Know Abacus vs Abacus Lesson

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Know Abacus

This app teaches children how to use an abacus for various math operations. It covers counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, helping to develop their mathematical abilities and brain potential. It offers multiple learning modes and customization options.

Highlights
  • Abacus counting
  • Addition and subtraction (1 & 2 digits)
  • Multiplication and division (1-2 digits)
  • Mental math practice
  • Review and random lessons
  • Customizable abacus (color, touch)
  • Multiple languages
Read full description

Abacus is a wonderful mathematical instrument used for calculation. This app will help your children learn about Abacus, Numbers, Counting, Addition, and Subtraction. This is the first step to tap the unexploited potential in their brain and unleash their mathematical capability. Suitable for children age 5 and up, who know about numbers and some basic addition and subtraction. For smaller children, recommend KnowNumber app. * Counting with Abacus * Addition/Subtraction 1 digit * Addition/Subtraction 2 digits * Multiplication 1-2 digits * Division 1-2 digits * Mental math * Review lessons * Unlimited random lessons * Black/white or colorful abacus * Learning modes * Two-touch or multi-touch abacus * Left-handed mode Localized Languages: * English, French, Spanish, Thai, Turkey, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian

About

Abacus Lesson

Learn addition and subtraction using a virtual abacus, also known as a Soroban. This app helps you develop mental calculation skills, enabling you to perform calculations without physical tools.

Highlights
  • Learn addition
  • Learn subtraction
  • Virtual abacus (Soroban)
  • Develop mental calculation skills
  • Perform calculations without physical tools
Features
Read full description

This is an app that you can learn addition and subtraction using an abacus. An abacus is named "Soroban" in Japan. Do you know what an abacus is? The abacus is very simple calculator used in China, Japan, Korea and so on. Some people may say "Isn't it an unnecessary tool if you have a calculator such as a smartphone?". Answer would be "No". The biggest difference between electric calculators and the abacus is whether you need to hold it in your hand when calculating. Because of its simplicity, you will be able to easily use the abacus in your mind. Imagine that you can use calculations of about 3 digits in your life without physical tools. This app will give you the skill of calculation.

Screenshots

Know Abacus4 screens
Abacus Lesson3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Abacus Lesson at every 3 weeks against Know Abacus's every 2 months. Abacus Lesson also leads on ratings volume (837 vs 78). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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

Both are free to download. Know Abacus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Abacus Lesson sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Know Abacus against 4.9 for Abacus Lesson. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Abacus Lesson has 837 ratings behind it against 78, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Know Abacus's written reviews are positive against 93% of Abacus Lesson's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Know Abacus ships an update every 2 months, Abacus Lesson every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Know Abacus versus Abacus Lesson: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnow AbacusAbacus Lesson
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (78 ratings)4.9 (837 ratings) — better
Positive reviews96.4% of reviews — better93.3% of reviews
Number of ratings78837 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKittipong MungnirunHirokazu Komatsu

Customer experience

Know Abacus

All ratings67 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive96.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative0.0%

Abacus Lesson

All ratings837 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive93.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Know Abacus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Abacus Lesson

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Accidental app closure on iPhone during bead swiping
  • Error in lesson 3 addition summary
  • Sloppy English translation causing confusion
  • Lessons difficult to read visually

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add Chinese Abacus (Suanpan) option
  • Landscape view support
  • Level skip functionality
  • Better English translation/editing
  • Clearer problem presentation with equation format
Show 1 more
  • Improved lesson readability

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Know Abacus

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99
3 purchases

Abacus Lesson

One-time3
  • Donation Lv1 for hiding Ad$1.99
  • Donation Lv2 for hiding Ad$3.99
  • Donation Lv3 for hiding Ad$8.99

Questions

Is Know Abacus free?
Know Abacus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Abacus Lesson free?
Abacus Lesson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Know Abacus or Abacus Lesson?
Abacus Lesson is rated higher. Know Abacus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 78 ratings, while Abacus Lesson averages 4.9 from 837 ratings.
Do Know Abacus or Abacus Lesson have ads?
Both Know Abacus and Abacus Lesson show ads.
Which is updated more often, Know Abacus or Abacus Lesson?
Know Abacus ships an update every 2 months, and Abacus Lesson every 3 weeks. Most recently, Know Abacus was updated on November 6, 2026 and Abacus Lesson on November 3, 2026.

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