Comparison

Equate 8 vs Think Faster

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

Head to head
About

Equate 8

This math puzzle game challenges players to rearrange numbers in a 3x3 grid to solve eight equations simultaneously. It offers escalating difficulty, medals for efficiency, and a daily puzzle for free play. The game also serves as an educational tool, with features for educators to design custom levels.

Highlights
  • Magic square reimagining
  • Balance eight equations
  • Multiple operators
  • Escalating difficulty levels
  • Medals for efficiency
  • Daily puzzle
  • Snap Mode for assistance
Features
Read full description

Equate 8 is a bold reimagining of the classic magic square—an innovative, addictive math puzzle featured at New York City’s Museum of Mathematics. Players rearrange numbers in a 3×3 grid to balance eight equations at once (three rows, three columns, two diagonals), racing to solve the puzzle in the fewest moves. With multiple operators, escalating difficulty levels, and medals awarded for efficiency, Equate 8 is as rewarding as it is challenging. Equate 8 is the sequel to our Webby-nominated game The Devil’s Calculator, named one of PAX’s 10 Best Indie Games of 2019. Disguised as a casual mobile game, Equate 8 is a powerful interactive learning tool. Our talk will explore the sophisticated math behind the project and debut a new feature allowing educators to design levels aligned with their curricula. With its blend of pedagogical depth, intuitive design, and playful challenge, Equate 8 shows how games can transform math education. It empowers students, supports teachers, and makes math feel like play. Solving the grid in fewer moves will gain a silver or gold medal, but a bronze is awarded regardless, so don't stress. The daily puzzle gives players a free way to play and unlock content. Acquire “streaks” tokens by playing regularly. Exchange medals and streaks for Challenges, packs of themed puzzles. If the squares seem too complicated, open the menu to try Snap Mode. A number will automatically be locked (circled) when in the correct place. This mode can be played in a limited number of sequences before it reverts to the default. Donate to our nonprofit for access to unlimited difficulty levels.Equate 8 is a fun casual game for all ages, whether practicing math skills or engaging brainpower. Donations support the mission of Cinq-Mars Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to develop educational games, always provided free to teachers and students.

About

Think Faster

Engage in quick brain training games designed to enhance visual processing, reaction time, and memory. Perfect for short breaks, these games offer a fun and effective way to sharpen cognitive skills.

Highlights
  • Visual processing games
  • Reaction time challenges
  • Rapid memorization training
  • 10-second gameplay sessions
  • Streak-based progression
  • Daily statistics tracking
  • Offline play
Read full description

Think Faster is a collection of brain training games designed to sharpen your visual processing, reaction time, and rapid memorization skills—all in 10 seconds or less. GAMES • Focus Grid: Tap numbers in order as fast as possible. Uses Schulte table techniques to train peripheral vision and pattern recognition. • Flash Recall: Memorize digit sequences shown for just 0.5 seconds, then enter them back. Trains rapid visual processing and subconscious memory. PERFECT FOR SHORT BREAKS Most games take 10 seconds or less to complete. Pick up and play whenever, wherever—waiting in line, between tasks, or during a quick break. STREAK-BASED PROGRESSION Flash Recall uses a streak system where perfect rounds keep you going, building momentum. One mistake breaks the streak. Can you beat your best? TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Daily stats showing games played, current streak, and focus time • Best scores for each difficulty level • Save your favorite game modes for quick access SMART DESIGN These aren't just random games—they're built on real cognitive training principles: • Focus Grid teaches you to use peripheral vision instead of scanning, dramatically improving speed • Flash Recall's quick flash timing prevents overthinking, training your subconscious processing • Multiple difficulty levels let you progress at your own pace FEATURES • Two core games with multiple difficulty levels • Quick 10-second gameplay sessions • Streak tracking and personal bests • Daily statistics • Dark mode optimized • No ads, no subscriptions • Completely offline after download Created by an indie developer who uses these games personally for training visual processing and reaction time. Simple, focused, effective.

Screenshots

Equate 84 screens
Think Faster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Think Faster at 5.0 against Equate 8's 4.6. Think Faster also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). Equate 8's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. Equate 8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Think Faster 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

Think Faster holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Equate 8's written reviews are positive against 100% of Think Faster's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Equate 8 versus Think Faster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEquate 8Think Faster
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better6
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaEmily Laguna

Customer experience

Equate 8

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

Think Faster

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99
3 purchases

Think Faster

One-time3
  • Small Treat$0.99
  • Big Treat$2.99
  • STEAK NIGHT$4.99

Questions

Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Think Faster free?
Think Faster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Equate 8 or Think Faster?
Think Faster is rated higher. Equate 8 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Think Faster averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Equate 8 or Think Faster have ads?
Neither Equate 8 nor Think Faster shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Equate 8 or Think Faster?
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, and Think Faster weekly. Most recently, Equate 8 was updated on October 24, 2026 and Think Faster on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons