SplashLearn vs Math Shelf
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SplashLearn
This app offers curriculum-aligned math and reading lessons for children aged 2-11 through interactive games, books, and activities. It adapts to each child's learning level, providing personalized support and challenges to build foundational skills and confidence.
- Curriculum-aligned math and reading lessons
- Interactive learning games and activities
- Personalized learning paths
- Progress tracking for parents
- 4000+ games, books, and challenges
- Safe, ad-free environment
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Loved by over 60 million kids and used in 1 in 3 US schools, SplashLearn is a learning app for ages 2 to 11. It blends curriculum-aligned lessons with fun learning games, books, worksheets, and rewards that keep children curious, motivated, and confident. With SplashLearn, children build strong foundations in math, reading, and critical thinking through interactive, hands-on activities. The app adapts to each child’s level, offering support when they need it and challenge when they’re ready. Whether your child is tracing letters or solving complex word problems, SplashLearn meets them exactly where they are and guides them forward with confidence. WHY PARENTS TRUST SPLASHLEARN - Covers Preschool to Grade 5 curriculum for both Math and Reading - Perfect blend of educational games, stories, puzzles, activities, and flash cards - Free learning games for kids that build real skills, not just screen time - Designed for independent use- kids can learn on their own - Real-time progress tracking and insights for parents - Safe, ad-free, COPPA & GDPR compliant learning app for kids WHY KIDS LOVE IT - 4000+ fun learning games, decodable books, math challenges, and story books - Exciting learning worlds where they collect coins, rewards, and new characters - Engaging animation, and kid-friendly design - Play math games, reading games, phonics puzzles, spelling challenges- all in one place WHAT MATH SKILLS WILL MY CHILD LEARN? - Preschool & Kindergarten: Counting, shapes, tracing numbers, addition with visuals, patterns - Grade 1: Place value, subtraction, telling time, math facts, measurement, basic word problems - Grade 2: Multiplication, money, regrouping, critical thinking, understanding number relationships - Grade 3: Division, fractions, time, measurement, advanced math games - Grade 4 & 5: Multi-step word problems, decimals, geometry, fractions, data charts, reasoning Each grade has interactive learning games that make abstract concepts easy and memorable. Kids don’t just memorize, they understand by doing. WHAT READING SKILLS WILL MY CHILD LEARN? - Letter recognition (ABC), phonics, sight words, and tracing - Blending sounds to build words - Picture-based vocabulary learning - Fun decodable books and bedtime reading stories - Spelling games and reading fluency boosters - Comprehension through questions, animation, and narration Kids hear the word, see the word, say the word, and use it- making learning natural and playful. PERSONALIZED & SMART LEARNING PATH The app adjusts difficulty based on each child’s progress. If your child needs more help with subtraction or phonics, it slows down and gives extra practice. If they’re ready for more challenge, it moves ahead. It’s like a personal tutor, inside a game. PROVEN & AWARD-WINNING - Featured on Fox News - Editor’s Choice- Children’s Technology Review - Parent Choice Award winner - Trusted by teachers, used in 1 in 3 US schools - Best Educational Game for Kids (Multiple categories) SAFE FOR KIDS, PEACEFUL FOR PARENTS No ads, no pop-ups, no distractions. Just thoughtfully designed kids’ educational games in a clean, safe, and friendly environment. FREE TRIAL & EASY SUBSCRIPTION Try it free! Get full access during your free trial, then choose a flexible plan that fits your family. Enjoy unlimited learning games, lessons, and rewards with one subscription. SUPPORT We’re here for you → https://support.splashlearn.com/hc/en-us PRIVACY & TERMS - https://www.splashlearn.com/privacy - https://www.splashlearn.com/terms-of-use
Math Shelf
This app provides an experimentally proven program to enhance early mathematics achievement for preschool and kindergarten students. It offers on-level instruction through adaptive learning and placement tests, aligning with Common Core Standards.
- Experimentally proven to increase math achievement
- Common Core Aligned content
- Adaptive learning and placement tests
- Cloud-based syncing for school and home
- Free 7-day trial
- Supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod
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Math Shelf is experimentally proven to increase preschool and Kindergarten students' mathematics achievement. **** Winner Re-Imagine Education Best Learning App **** From over 3,000 entries Math Shelf won the Silver Medal for best learning app. **** Common Core Aligned ***** Math Shelf's content exceeds the expectations in the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. **** On Level Instruction for Every Student **** Placement tests and adaptive learning provide on level learning for every student in your class. **** Cloud Based ***** Play Math Shelf on any iPad or iPhone. Students can play for free at home and data will sync to their school account. **** Experimentally Proven **** Read our 3 peer-reviewed published studies at www.mathshelf.com/research. ****Valhalla Foundation Funded**** Program Related Investment and grant recipient from the Valhalla Foundation to improve early math education. **** Heising-Simons Foundation Funded **** Grant recipient Heising-Simons Foundation to improve early mathematics education. **** Free Trial **** Try Math Shelf with your students for 7 days. **** Technology Requirements **** iPhone 6 and above. Plays on iOS 12.0 and above. You may purchase an auto-renewing subscription through an In-App Purchase. You can access all games and administrative features. Auto-renewable subscription -1 month ($4.99) period, for 2 students access. -1 year ($41.99) period, for 2 students access. Your subscription will be charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew (at the duration selected) unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your Apple Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://mathshelf.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://mathshelf.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: SplashLearn at every 9 days against Math Shelf's every 4 months. SplashLearn also leads on ratings volume (32K vs 15) and chart position (#71 vs unranked). Math Shelf's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. SplashLearn sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Math Shelf sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Math Shelf holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SplashLearn has 32K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of SplashLearn's written reviews are positive against 80% of Math Shelf's.
SplashLearn ships an update every 9 days, Math Shelf every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SplashLearn | Math Shelf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (32K ratings) | 4.7 (15 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 74.6% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 32K — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #71 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 493 MB | 380 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | StudyPad, Inc. | John Schacter |
Customer experience
SplashLearn
Math Shelf
Bugs and requests
SplashLearn
Reported bugs
3 issues- Progress not saving properly
- Incorrect answers being marked as correct
- Profiles not working or logging out unexpectedly
Requested features
4 requests- More advanced content for higher grade levels
- Option to turn off answers and allow more time for students
- Improved sync between app and web versions
- Better customer support and responsiveness
Math Shelf
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SplashLearn
- SplashLearn Membership Monthly7 Days trial$7.991 Month
- SplashLearn Membership Monthly7 Days trial$8.991 Month
- SplashLearn Membership Monthly7 Days trial2 variants$9.991 Month
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- SplashLearn Membership Monthly7 Days trial2 variants$11.991 Month
- SplashLearn Solo - Monthly7 Days trial$11.991 Month
- SplashLearn Membership 3-Month7 Days trial$23.993 Months
- SplashLearn Membership Yearly7 Days trial2 variants$69.991 Year
- SplashLearn Solo - Yearly7 Days trial$69.991 Year
- SplashLearn Membership Yearly7 Days trial$89.991 Year
Math Shelf
- 1 Month Access7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- 1 Year Access7 Days trial$41.991 Year
- 1 Students Monthly Subscription$1.99
- 1 Student Monthly Subscription$2.99
- 2 Students Monthly Subscription$3.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 3 Students Monthly Subscription$5.99
- 2 Students Monthly Subscription$5.99
- 3 Students Monthly Subscription$8.99
- 3 Students Subscription$9.99
- 4 Students Monthly Subscription$11.99
Questions
Is SplashLearn free?
Is Math Shelf free?
Which has better reviews, SplashLearn or Math Shelf?
Do SplashLearn or Math Shelf have ads?
Which is updated more often, SplashLearn or Math Shelf?
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