Equate 8 vs Curtle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Magic square reimagining
- Balance eight equations
- Multiple operators
- Escalating difficulty levels
- Medals for efficiency
- Daily puzzle
- Snap Mode for assistance
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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.
Curtle
A daily word-guessing game with a horror theme. Solve a new 6-letter puzzle each day using color-coded clues to identify correct letters and their positions. Track your progress, maintain your streak, and share your achievements with friends.
- Daily 6-letter word puzzles
- Color-coded clue system
- Stats tracking and win streaks
- Shareable results
- Daily reminder notifications
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Curtle is a daily word-guessing game, wrapped in a dark horror theme. Each day brings a new 6-letter puzzle. Guess the word in 6 tries using color-coded clues: Green = correct letter, correct position Yellow = correct letter, wrong position Gray = letter not in the word Track your stats, maintain your streak, and share your results with friends. Features: • A new puzzle every day • Stats tracking with win streaks • Share your results with friends • Daily reminder notifications
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Curtle at none against Equate 8's 1. Curtle also leads on update cadence (daily vs weekly). Equate 8's advantage is ratings volume (14 vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. Equate 8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Curtle asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Equate 8 against 4.5 for Curtle. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Equate 8 has 14 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, Curtle daily. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Equate 8 | Curtle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (14 ratings) — better | 4.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Cinq-Mars Media | Daniel Albu |
Customer experience
Equate 8
Curtle
In-app purchases
Equate 8
- Endless Levels!$2.99
Curtle
No in-app purchases









