Comparison

Equate 8 vs Idle Chest

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

Idle Chest

Embark on a treasure-hunting adventure where every click earns rewards. Upgrade your skills, collect and enhance equipment, and unlock unique abilities. Discover the secrets of this world through engaging gameplay and an addictive incremental experience.

Highlights
  • Open various chests
  • Loot and upgrade equipment
  • Buy skill upgrades
  • Unlock unique skills
  • Discover game story
Features
Read full description

Dive in "Idle Chest", an adventure where each click brings you closer to fabulous treasures. Earn rewards, upgrade your skills, and unlock new chests for endless fun! Get ready to be hooked on this addictive endless incremental clicker experience! * OPEN CHESTS Open a variety of chests and discover everything they hide, from equipments to resources or other awesome chests! * LOOT EQUIPMENTS Collect different equipments upgrade them and equip them to gain bonus and discover more legendary equipments! * BUY UPGRADES Upgrade your opening skills by buying upgrades to allow you to drop more rewards and open chests faster! * UNLOCK UNIQUE SKILLS Using skill points, unlock every skills in the skill tree to become stronger and obtain unique powers! * DISCOVER THE STORY Progress in the game to discover the secret behind this world! Come discover "Idle Chest", the new incremental, clicker game which you wouldn't want to miss !

Screenshots

Equate 84 screens
Idle Chest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Equate 8 at none against Idle Chest's shown. Equate 8 also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Idle Chest's advantage is ratings volume (109 vs 14). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Equate 8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Idle Chest sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Equate 8 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Idle Chest has 109 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 80% and 81% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Equate 8 ships an update weekly, Idle Chest every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Equate 8 versus Idle Chest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEquate 8Idle Chest
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14 ratings) — better4.5 (109 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews80.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14109 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB192 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaThomas Gunzburger

Customer experience

Equate 8

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

Idle Chest

All ratings109 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral5.5%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive80.7%
Neutral7.9%
Negative11.4%

Bugs and requests

Equate 8

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Idle Chest

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Progress resets or reverts
  • Minions not working after equipping 'Chosen One'

Requested features

2 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Better UI for comparing damage sources

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99
5 purchases

Idle Chest

One-time5
  • Underwater Background Skin$3.99
  • Underwater Chests Skin$3.99
  • Underwater Acolytes Skin$3.99
Show 2 more
  • No Ads$3.99
  • Underwater Complete Skins Pack$8.99

Questions

Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Idle Chest free?
Idle Chest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Equate 8 or Idle Chest?
Equate 8 is rated higher. Equate 8 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Idle Chest averages 4.5 from 109 ratings.
Do Equate 8 or Idle Chest have ads?
Idle Chest shows ads; Equate 8 does not.
Which is updated more often, Equate 8 or Idle Chest?
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, and Idle Chest every 10 days. Most recently, Equate 8 was updated on October 24, 2026 and Idle Chest on October 30, 2026.

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