Comparison

Math Gremlin vs Shadow Pals

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Number addition puzzles
  • Time-based challenges
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Replayable unique problems
  • In-game currency for boosts
  • Character customization
Features
Read full description

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!

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Math Gremlin4 screens
Shadow Pals4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Math Gremlin versus Shadow Pals: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMath GremlinShadow Pals
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB132 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlue Water Apps, LLCAwesome People Software, LLC

Customer experience

Math Gremlin

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Shadow Pals

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Math Gremlin

One-time3
  • 25,000 Coins$0.99
  • 100,000 Coins$2.99
  • 500,000 Coins$9.99
1 purchases

Shadow Pals

Subscriptions1
  • Shadow Pals Pro$9.991 Month

Questions

Is Math Gremlin free?
Math Gremlin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shadow Pals free?
Shadow Pals is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Math Gremlin or Shadow Pals?
Shadow Pals is rated higher. Math Gremlin averages 3.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Shadow Pals averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Math Gremlin or Shadow Pals have ads?
Math Gremlin shows ads; Shadow Pals does not.
Which is updated more often, Math Gremlin or Shadow Pals?
Math Gremlin ships an update every 2 months, and Shadow Pals every 2 months. Most recently, Math Gremlin was updated on November 3, 2026 and Shadow Pals on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons