Comparison

Place Value vs Matio

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

Head to head
About

Place Value

Features
Read full description

Place Value – Rigby Maths is a classroom‑ready, child‑friendly maths game designed to build deep understanding of place value from ones and tens through to large numbers and decimals. Every challenge is carefully scaffolded so children move in small, manageable steps from simple digit placement to complex reasoning questions. Students practise through three engaging modes: 500 Place Value Questions: Drag‑and‑drop digits into place value columns to meet clear criteria (e.g. “Make a 3‑digit number greater than 450”). Instant feedback and XP rewards keep learners motivated. Traffic Lights: A logical number‑guessing game where colour feedback (green, orange, red) develops reasoning, strategy and understanding of digit positions. Number Clash: Local multiplayer mode where students race or battle a bot to solve place value challenges, ideal for quick, high‑engagement practice sessions. Designed for teachers and parents Curriculum‑aligned: 500 levels sequenced from ones and tens to hundreds of thousands and decimals (tenths, hundredths, thousandths), supporting typical primary maths curricula. Progressive difficulty: Each new idea is introduced with multiple near‑identical practice questions before moving on. Mastery focus: Learners earn XP, levels and tokens for effort and success, encouraging persistence and growth mindset. Flexible use: Perfect for whole‑class rotations, small‑group interventions, homework or independent practice at home. Key skills covered Reading and building numbers in different place value columns Understanding ones, tens, hundreds, thousands and beyond Working with tenths, hundredths and thousandths Comparing and ordering numbers Interpreting digit value and position Reasoning about “greater than / less than” and number ranges Built for kids Bright, friendly visuals and simple touch controls Clear prompts and visual feedback on every move No accounts, logins or typing required Local multiplayer uses fun animal usernames rather than real names Safe and child‑friendly No ads No in‑app purchases No data collection or tracking All data (progress, XP, tokens) is stored locally on the device Local multiplayer works only over the local network using Apple’s MultipeerConnectivity framework—no online matchmaking or public lobbies Whether you’re a teacher looking for a reliable place value station activity, or a parent wanting meaningful maths practice at home, Place Value – Rigby Maths provides structured, engaging practice that fits neatly alongside your curriculum.

About

Matio

Features
Read full description

Matio is a fun and educational math learning app designed specifically for first-grade children. Built around the key topics commonly taught in first-grade classrooms, Matio helps children practice and strengthen essential math skills through interactive games and engaging activities. TOPICS INCLUDED • Position & Direction(5 games) • Sorting & Grouping(5 games) • Numbers & Counting(7 games) • Comparing & Ordering(5 games) • Addition & Subtraction(14 games) • Geometry & Shapes(4 games) • Measurement & Time(4 games) • Patterns & Logic(7 games) LEARNING LEVELS Every game includes three difficulty levels designed to follow the natural progression of how numbers are introduced throughout the first-grade school year. • Easy – numbers from 0 to 5 • Medium – numbers from 0 to 10 • Hard – numbers from 0 to 20 This approach allows children to learn at their own pace while building confidence and mastering new concepts step by step. PATTERNS & LOGIC In addition to the standard first-grade curriculum, Matio includes a dedicated Patterns & Logic section for children who enjoy extra challenges. These activities help develop critical thinking, reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills. FEATURES • 50+ educational math games • Covers the main first-grade math curriculum • Three difficulty levels in every game • No ads and no distractions • Safe and child-friendly environment • Supports independent learning • Available in English, Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin Chinese Whether your child is learning at home, practicing school lessons, or looking for additional challenges, Matio provides a fun and engaging way to build strong math foundations. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://matio.app/privacy.html

Screenshots

Place Value4 screens
Matio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Place Value at none against Matio's 2. Place Value also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 9 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Matio sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Place Value asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Place Value ships an update every 4 days, Matio every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Place Value versus Matio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlace ValueMatio
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB162 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJASON A RIGBYDavid Bytyqi

In-app purchases

None

Place Value

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Matio

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Yearly$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Place Value free?
Place Value is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Matio free?
Matio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Place Value or Matio have ads?
Neither Place Value nor Matio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Place Value or Matio?
Place Value ships an update every 4 days, and Matio every 9 days. Most recently, Place Value was updated on October 25, 2026 and Matio on October 14, 2026.

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