Flash Mental Math (Anzan) vs Soroban
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Flash Mental Math (Anzan)
This app helps users of all ages improve their mental math and calculation speed. Numbers flash on screen briefly, training quick thinking and concentration. It's ideal for children preparing for abacus certification, students needing math test prep, or adults seeking brain training.
- Flash number display for quick thinking
- Adjustable difficulty levels
- Global and classroom rankings
- No account registration required
- Supports multiple languages
- Intuitive interface for children
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A flash anzan trainer built around precise timing. The numbers keep an exact rhythm and the sound lands with them, so even at high speed you can keep your mind on the calculation. THREE THINGS ABOUT THIS APP Precise display and sound The moment each number appears is worked out from the time since the start, on every frame, so the spacing never drifts however many numbers there are. The sound plays at the same moment the number changes. From 20 Kyu to 20 Dan, step by step You start with 2 one-digit numbers and work up as the count grows and the time shrinks. Test Mode puts you through the same 40 grades as the abacus, from 20 Kyu to 20 Dan. Ten questions, seven right to pass. Compete with your class Set the same Room ID and you see a ranking of just that room. A soroban class or a family can share one Room ID and keep practising against people they know. There is a global ranking too. MAIN FEATURES Stages 1 to 6 digits, 350 steps per digit, 2,100 in all. The count of numbers and the speed change little by little. Test Mode 40 grades from 20 Kyu to 20 Dan. Ten questions a round, seven right to pass. Grades you pass are recorded. From 20 Kyu to 17 Kyu the first number appears as abacus beads. Rankings Five rankings: stages cleared, test grade, attempts, login streak and total logins. Global and room, both. No account and no sign-in. You can change your display name and Room ID in the settings. Custom Mode (monthly plan) Choose the digits, the count of numbers, the seconds and how many questions run back to back. Digits 1 to 7, numbers 2 to 30, seconds in steps of 0.1, and 1 to 30 questions. Display settings Four text colours and two fonts. Light and dark modes. Login streak Counts the days you keep coming back, and the total. You can compare those in the rankings too. WHO IT IS FOR • People learning at a soroban class who want to practise flash anzan at home • People who want grades to aim at while they practise • Teachers who want their students practising on the same terms • Adults who want to work their head FREE AND THE MONTHLY PLAN All 2,100 stages, Test Mode and the rankings are free. The monthly plan removes the ads and unlocks Custom Mode. QUESTIONS Do I need an account? No. Open it and practise. A display name is given to you and you can change it in the settings. What age is it for? Once you can add numbers. It starts at 2 one-digit numbers in 4 seconds. Can a soroban class use it? Yes. Set the same Room ID and the ranking covers just that class. Can I practise multiplication or division? No. This app is addition only. LANGUAGES Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian. It follows the language of your device. Note: the Kyu and Dan grades in Test Mode are our own yardstick inside the app. They are not connected to any examining body. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Soroban
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Master mental math with Soroban: a powerful abacus learning app designed for students, beginners, and advanced learners who want to improve calculation speed, accuracy, and focus. Soroban (Japanese abacus) is a proven method for developing strong arithmetic skills and mental calculation (anzan). Whether you are just starting out or aiming to train high-speed mental math, this app provides a structured and engaging way to learn. WHO THIS APP IS FOR: • Students learning arithmetic and building strong math foundations • Parents looking for effective brain training and focus development tools • Beginners starting with abacus (soroban) for the first time • Advanced learners training anzan (mental math speed and accuracy) • Anyone interested in brain training, calculation speed, and cognitive skills KEY FEATURES: • Step-by-step lessons: Learn soroban from basic bead movement to advanced arithmetic • Flash Anzan (mental math): Train your brain to calculate without a physical abacus • Speed drills: Improve calculation speed and accuracy with timed exercises • Daily challenges: Build consistency with short, repeatable practice sessions • Workbook practice: Structured exercises for deeper understanding • Free play mode: Use a fully interactive digital abacus anytime • AI-powered insights: On-device intelligence for adaptive learning and homework scanning • Progress tracking: Monitor accuracy, performance, and improvement over time WHY SOROBAN: • Develops mental math (anzan) and arithmetic fluency • Improves concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills • Combines traditional Japanese learning with modern iOS design • Designed specifically for iPhone and iPad for a smooth and immersive experience Soroban supports English, French, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese. Start your journey into faster thinking and stronger math skills today.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Soroban at none against Flash Mental Math (Anzan)'s 1. Soroban also leads on ads (none vs shown). Flash Mental Math (Anzan)'s advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence 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. Flash Mental Math (Anzan) sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Soroban asks for nothing beyond the download.
Flash Mental Math (Anzan) ships an update every 10 days, Soroban every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Flash Mental Math (Anzan) | Soroban |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SIC Company Limited | Shweta Kumari |
In-app purchases
Flash Mental Math (Anzan)
- Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
Soroban
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Flash Mental Math (Anzan) free?
Is Soroban free?
Do Flash Mental Math (Anzan) or Soroban have ads?
Which is updated more often, Flash Mental Math (Anzan) or Soroban?
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