Comparison

zenku vs Equ8

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

zenku

Features
Read full description

Think about sudoku, but reinvented! This game has just a few simple rules: You have to fill a 4x5 grid with numbers from 1 to 5, ensuring that each row and column won't have duplicates and that the sum of each row’s numbers gives the result on their right side. Also, you must insert all five numbers (1,2,3,4,5) into the two colored sections on the grid. Each puzzle has a unique solution. It's relaxing, but still pretty challenging. If you want to spice up the challenge, play • zenku • in YinYang mode and complete the puzzles within 2 minutes! The first 50 levels are free, with some ads here and there in case you'll ask for a hint (bulb button). You can unlock extra 50 levels and remove ads with a single In-App purchase. Will you complete all the 100 zenku puzzles? _________________________________ Frank Eno (aka XSGames) is an indie game dev from Italy. Find out more at xsgames.co Follow @xsgames_ on both X and Instagram

About

Equ8

This is a strategy board game where players form mathematical equations using digit and operator tiles. Score points by creating valid equations, utilizing bonus squares, and connecting to existing tiles. It offers multiple difficulty modes and various ways to play, including local, online, and against AI.

Highlights
  • Equation building gameplay
  • Score multipliers
  • Multiple difficulty modes
  • Pass and Play mode
  • Online multiplayer
  • CPU challenges
  • Elo ranking system
Features
Read full description

EQU8 is the equation board game that makes math feel like a strategy game. Place digit and operator tiles on a 15×15 board to build valid math equations — and outscore your opponent before the bag runs out. Think Scrabble, but with numbers. HOW IT WORKS Select tiles from your rack and place them on the board to form a valid equation. Score points based on the tiles you play. Land on a Double Digit or Triple Equation square to multiply your score. Connect to existing tiles to build perpendicular equations and score even more. 4 DIFFICULTY MODES Beginner (ages 6+) uses addition only. Early Math (ages 7+) adds subtraction. Intermediate (ages 9+) brings in multiplication. Full Game (ages 11+) includes all four operations. Start simple and level up as your players grow. NEW: WEEKLY CHALLENGES Four fresh puzzles every Sunday, one per mode. Each has a preset board and rack. Find the one move that hits the goal, such as an exact score or using all 7 tiles. The clock starts when you tap Start. Race other players on weekly leaderboards, use hints if you're stuck, and keep your week streak alive. PLAY YOUR WAY Pass and Play lets two players share one device. Online play lets you challenge anyone and take turns whenever you want. Friend Challenges let you invite a specific player. Matchmaking pairs you with someone at your skill level using a full Elo ranking system. CPU Mode — challenge the computer in Easy, Medium, or Hard. Your computer Elo rating improves as you get better, and the difficulty grows with it. Free players get Levels 1 and 2. Pro unlocks all four modes against the CPU. RANKING SYSTEM Every online game is ranked. Earn a separate Elo rating for each of the four modes and climb the ranks in the ones you play most. FREE AND PRO Free players get full access to Beginner and Early Math modes — locally, online, against the CPU, and in Weekly Challenges — with up to 3 active online games at once. Upgrade to Pro with a one-time purchase to unlock all four modes, unlimited games, and the Intermediate and Full Game weekly challenges. No Ads! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

zenku4 screens
Equ84 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Equ8 at every 9 days against zenku's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. zenku sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Equ8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

zenku ships an update every 3 months, Equ8 every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
zenku versus Equ8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterzenkuEqu8
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXSGamesChester Hawkins

In-app purchases

3 purchases

zenku

One-time3
  • Unlock All levels$0.99
  • Unlock All levels + Coffee$2.99
  • Unlock All levels + Love$6.99
1 purchases

Equ8

One-time1
  • Pro$4.99

Questions

Is zenku free?
zenku is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Equ8 free?
Equ8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do zenku or Equ8 have ads?
Neither zenku nor Equ8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, zenku or Equ8?
zenku ships an update every 3 months, and Equ8 every 9 days. Most recently, zenku was updated on October 13, 2026 and Equ8 on October 24, 2026.

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