Comparison

Equate 8 vs Curtle

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

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.

Highlights
  • Daily 6-letter word puzzles
  • Color-coded clue system
  • Stats tracking and win streaks
  • Shareable results
  • Daily reminder notifications
Features
Read full description

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

Equate 84 screens
Curtle4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Equate 8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Curtle asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Equate 8 ships an update weekly, Curtle daily. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Equate 8 versus Curtle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEquate 8Curtle
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14 ratings) — better4.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better2
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB24 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperCinq-Mars MediaDaniel Albu

Customer experience

Equate 8

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

Curtle

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Equate 8

One-time1
  • Endless Levels!$2.99
None

Curtle

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Equate 8 free?
Equate 8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Curtle free?
Curtle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Equate 8 or Curtle?
Equate 8 is rated higher. Equate 8 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Curtle averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Equate 8 or Curtle have ads?
Neither Equate 8 nor Curtle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Equate 8 or Curtle?
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, and Curtle daily. Most recently, Equate 8 was updated on November 4, 2026 and Curtle on October 31, 2026.

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