Comparison

Equate 8 vs Lights Out Arcade

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

Lights Out Arcade

Test your logic and strategy in this classic puzzle game. Tap lights to toggle them and their neighbors, aiming to turn off all lights with the fewest moves. Features multiple difficulty levels and a smart hint system.

Highlights
  • Classic 5x5 grid gameplay
  • Smart hint system
  • Timer and move counter
  • Personal statistics and high scores
  • Satisfying haptic feedback
  • Four difficulty levels
Features
Read full description

Turn off the lights and test your logic skills in this beautifully crafted puzzle game. Lights Out is the timeless brain teaser where every tap matters. Touch a light to toggle it and its neighbours - but be careful, each move changes the board in unexpected ways. Your goal: switch off every light using the fewest moves possible. FOUR DIFFICULTY LEVELS - Practice: Learn the ropes with unlimited hints - Easy: 10 hints to guide your strategy - Medium: 5 hints for a balanced challenge - Hard: No hints - pure puzzle solving FEATURES - Classic 5x5 grid gameplay - Smart hint system powered by mathematical algorithms - Timer and move counter to track your efficiency - Personal statistics and high scores - Satisfying haptic feedback - Clean, arcade-inspired design Whether you have five minutes or fifty, Lights Out offers the perfect mental workout. Simple to learn, endlessly challenging to master. From ArcadeGeek LTD - bringing classic games to modern devices.

Screenshots

Equate 84 screens
Lights Out Arcade4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Equate 8 at none against Lights Out Arcade's shown. Equate 8 also leads on ratings volume (14 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). Lights Out Arcade's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (daily 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 Lights Out Arcade 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

Lights Out Arcade holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Equate 8 has 14 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Equate 8's written reviews are positive against 100% of Lights Out Arcade's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Equate 8 ships an update weekly, Lights Out Arcade daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Equate 8 versus Lights Out Arcade: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEquate 8Lights Out Arcade
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaArcadeGeek LTD

Customer experience

Equate 8

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

Lights Out Arcade

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99
1 purchases

Lights Out Arcade

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lights Out Arcade free?
Lights Out Arcade is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Equate 8 or Lights Out Arcade?
Lights Out Arcade is rated higher. Equate 8 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Lights Out Arcade averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Equate 8 or Lights Out Arcade have ads?
Lights Out Arcade shows ads; Equate 8 does not.
Which is updated more often, Equate 8 or Lights Out Arcade?
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, and Lights Out Arcade daily. Most recently, Equate 8 was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lights Out Arcade on October 12, 2026.

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