Math Gremlin vs Shadow Pals
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Math Gremlin
This game makes learning basic math fun by having players guide a character through challenges to find numbers that add up to a target sum before time expires. Levels increase in difficulty, offering replayability with unique problems each time. In-game currency can be earned or purchased to enhance gameplay.
- Number addition puzzles
- Time-based challenges
- Progressive difficulty levels
- Replayable unique problems
- In-game currency for boosts
- Character customization
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Looking for a fun way to learn basic math? Your Math Gremlin will have to avoid rocks, ghosts and more as it tries to find the numbers that add up to the correct amount before time runs out. As you advance, each level adds more challenges. Not ready for the challenges of the next level? Play previous levels to hone your skills until you are ready. Each level will have a similar, yet different, math problem to solve each time you play that level. It is free to play without any ads. You can use game coins earned by completing levels to extend game time, get extra lives or get gear for your Gremlin! Want game coins faster? They are also available to purchase or for free by watching ads. Play now for free!
Shadow Pals
Learn the art of shadow puppetry with guided, step-by-step instructions. Create animals, characters, and imaginative stories using just your hands and a light source. This app encourages creativity and storytelling for families.
- Step-by-step shadow puppet tutorials
- Create animals and characters
- Build shadow stories and shows
- Encourages imagination and creativity
- Family-friendly and privacy-focused
- No special equipment required
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Learn shadow puppets step by step. Shadow Pals helps you create animals, characters, and shadow stories with just your hands and a light. What you can do in Shadow Pals: - Learn beginner hand shadows one step at a time - Make shadow animals with clear guided instruction - Build from simple shapes into stories and shadow shows - Turn light and shadow into creative play - Practice an ancient art form with a calm, modern guide Why parents and teachers use Shadow Pals: - No special equipment needed - Works with your hands, a light, and a wall - Encourages imagination and storytelling - Supports hands-on, screen-light play - Family-friendly and privacy-first Start with easy shapes, improve your technique, and turn simple shadows into characters your family will remember. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Shadow Pals at 5.0 against Math Gremlin's 3.8. Shadow Pals also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Math Gremlin sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Shadow Pals sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Shadow Pals holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Math Gremlin | Shadow Pals |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 90 MB | 132 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Blue Water Apps, LLC | Awesome People Software, LLC |
Customer experience
Math Gremlin
Shadow Pals
In-app purchases
Math Gremlin
- 25,000 Coins$0.99
- 100,000 Coins$2.99
- 500,000 Coins$9.99
Shadow Pals
- Shadow Pals Pro$9.991 Month
Questions
Is Math Gremlin free?
Is Shadow Pals free?
Which has better reviews, Math Gremlin or Shadow Pals?
Do Math Gremlin or Shadow Pals have ads?
Which is updated more often, Math Gremlin or Shadow Pals?
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