Comparison

Equate 8 vs Tessel

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

Tessel

Features
Read full description

Tessel is a colorful tile placement game. Place tiles with matching colors to make shapes and fill the board. The larger the shape, the higher the points. Features: • Play an easy square game, or choose a more challenging pattern. • Customize your game settings to change the rules. • Create your own tiling patterns in the drawing tool. Choose from a wide range of tiling patterns to form endlessly varied tesselations: • Square • Triangular • Rhombille • Cairo pentagonal • Hexagonal • Deltoidal-trihexagonal • Penrose P3 • Snub square • Ammann-Beenker

Screenshots

Equate 84 screens
Tessel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tessel at none against Equate 8's 1. Equate 8's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Tessel asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Equate 8 ships an update weekly, Tessel every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Equate 8 versus Tessel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEquate 8Tessel
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaGijs van Tulder

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99
None

Tessel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tessel free?
Tessel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Equate 8 or Tessel have ads?
Neither Equate 8 nor Tessel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Equate 8 or Tessel?
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, and Tessel every 5 days. Most recently, Equate 8 was updated on June 3, 2026 and Tessel on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons