Comparison

Equate 8 vs hocus GO

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

hocus GO

Design and build your own unique mazes with this app. Once created, watch as the app generates a solution for your custom puzzle.

Highlights
  • Build custom mazes
  • Drag and create mazes
  • Watch maze solutions
  • New gameplay available
Features
Read full description

hocus. is celebrating 10th year and hocus GO is ready. A new gameplay is live now. Just drag/create your own maze and watch the solution

Screenshots

Equate 84 screens
hocus GO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Equate 8 at none against hocus GO's shown. Equate 8 also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 44%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). hocus GO's advantage is ratings volume (416 vs 12) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 hocus GO sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: hocus GO has 416 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Equate 8's written reviews are positive against 44% of hocus GO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Equate 8 ships an update weekly, hocus GO every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Equate 8 versus hocus GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEquate 8hocus GO
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (12 ratings) — better4.6 (416 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better43.9% of reviews
Number of ratings12416 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB163 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaGAMEBRAIN YAZILIM TEKNOLOJILERI ANONIM SIRKETI

Customer experience

Equate 8

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%

hocus GO

All ratings416 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral4.6%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive43.9%
Neutral15.8%
Negative40.4%

Bugs and requests

Equate 8

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

hocus GO

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Pieces overlap on the bottom
  • Game doesn't register solution until entire maze is reassembled

Requested features

2 requests
  • Level replaying
  • Cosmetics/skins to use stars on

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99
1 purchases

hocus GO

One-time1
  • No Ads$4.99

Questions

Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is hocus GO free?
hocus GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Equate 8 or hocus GO?
Equate 8 is rated higher. Equate 8 averages 5.0 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while hocus GO averages 4.6 from 416 ratings.
Do Equate 8 or hocus GO have ads?
hocus GO shows ads; Equate 8 does not.
Which is updated more often, Equate 8 or hocus GO?
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, and hocus GO every 3 days. Most recently, Equate 8 was updated on June 3, 2026 and hocus GO on September 21, 2026.

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