Comparison

MakesSense vs Nabla

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

Head to head
About

MakesSense

This app provides step-by-step math solutions with clear, plain-language explanations. It covers a wide range of subjects from basic math to quantum physics, offering guided learning and interactive visuals to ensure understanding.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step math solver
  • Clear, plain-language explanations
  • Guided learning paths
  • Interactive visuals
  • Full graphing engine
  • Covers 11 math subjects
Features
Read full description

MakesSense — the math app that actually teaches. Other apps give you answers. MakesSense shows you how — step by step, in plain language, with the exact transformation and why it works. From Basic Math through Quantum Physics, every problem is broken down into clear, structured steps so you never feel lost. No skipped logic. No black boxes. Just math that finally clicks. Basic Math is free, with no time limit. Why MakesSense: Step-by-step solutions you can actually follow Clear explanations that help you understand, not memorize Guided learning that keeps you on track Learn the way you should have been taught. — What's inside: Step-by-step solver across 13 subjects — Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra 2, Geometry,Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Infinity Math, Physics, and Quantum Physics 45+ guided templates — choose a topic and problem type with structured input Interactive visuals on every topic — explore shapes, equations, and concepts in 2D, 3D, and beyond Full graphing engine — trace mode, parameter sliders, step-by-step graphing, conics, inequalities, animated transforms, derivative overlay, integral accumulation, domain & range detection, and screenshot sharing Custom math keyboard designed for speed Topic-locked solving — the app never jumps ahead of what you're learning No other app combines teaching, solving, graphing, and interactive visuals in one experience. Built for students who want to actually understand math. — What's Free and What's Premium Free, with no time limit: all of Basic Math, with the same full step-by-step teaching — not a preview. Premium: Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Infinity Math, Physics, and Quantum Physics — plus the full graphing engine and all interactive visuals. Try Premium free for 3 days, then $1.99/month or $19.99/year. Cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. — Terms of Use: https://dormeusapps.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://dormeusapps.com/privacy.html

About

Nabla

Features
Read full description

Math you can actually trust. Nabla is deliberate practice for university math: the courses engineering and STEM students have to pass. Learn the idea, see a worked example, then drill it until it sticks. VERIFIED, NOT GUESSED Every problem, every answer and every worked step in Nabla is checked by a computer algebra system before it ever reaches you. No scraped question banks, no answers that sound right and are not. When Nabla shows you a solution, the math behind it has been checked. SEVEN COURSES • Calculus I — limits, continuity, derivatives, product, quotient and chain rules, related rates, optimization, integrals, the Fundamental Theorem • Calculus II — integration by parts, partial fractions, improper integrals, sequences and series, Taylor series, parametric and polar curves • Linear Algebra — vectors, matrix products, row reduction, determinants, inverses, linear independence, rank, projections, eigenvalues • Multivariable Calculus — vectors in 3D, partial derivatives, gradients, directional derivatives, tangent planes, double and triple integrals • Differential Equations — separable, linear and exact equations, stability, characteristic roots, oscillations, Laplace transforms, ODE systems • Probability & Statistics — counting, conditional probability, Bayes' rule, distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, regression • Math Foundations — order of operations, fractions, exponents, polynomials, factoring, inequalities, graphs, functions: the refresher before calculus 1,800+ computer-checked problems across 100+ skills. HOW IT WORKS Every skill teaches before it tests: build the idea from zero, see it in a worked example, then make it stick with practice. Worked solutions show the plan, each move, and why the move is allowed. Reveal them one step at a time. Get one wrong and you see exactly where the reasoning broke. Nabla names the specific misconception behind the answer you picked, not just a red X. If a lesson builds on something you haven't shown yet, a quick warm-up checks it first, and the refresher is one tap away. A skill counts as mastered only after a clean run on questions you haven't seen. Missed questions come back later. BUILD THE HABIT Daily goals, XP, levels, streaks with a streak freeze, and one reminder at the time you choose. Del, your math spotter, coaches you and celebrates every rep. WIDGETS Del's Formula Deck puts a formula from your course on your Home Screen or Lock Screen, a new one every hour, and you flip it like a flashcard. Del's Next Move shows your next lesson and today's goal. FORMULA SHEET Every formula in your course, searchable: what it says, when to reach for it, where it goes wrong, and a one-line worked example. EXAM MODE (PRO) Timed, mixed questions, no hints — the same pressure as the real exam. Then every miss worked through. WORKS OFFLINE The full problem bank ships inside the app. No account, no sign-up, no internet required to practice. Your progress stays on your device. FREE AND PRO The first unit of every university course is free, and Math Foundations is free in full. Nabla Pro unlocks every remaining unit, unlimited hearts, Del's full hint ladder, and Exam Mode. No ads. No account. ——— Nabla Pro — auto-renewing subscription • Monthly • Yearly (best value) Prices are shown in your local currency inside the app before you purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://hamzacakmakk.github.io/nabla-site/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://hamzacakmakk.github.io/nabla-site/privacy.html Support: https://hamzacakmakk.github.io/nabla-site/support.html

Screenshots

MakesSense4 screens
Nabla4 screens

Verdict

The call

MakesSense and Nabla are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. MakesSense sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Nabla sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MakesSense ships an update every 5 days, Nabla every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
MakesSense versus Nabla: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMakesSenseNabla
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.616.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRUBINS DORMEUSMuhammed Hamza Cakmak

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MakesSense

Subscriptions2
  • MakesSense Premium Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • MakesSense Premium Annual$19.991 Year
2 purchases

Nabla

Subscriptions2
  • Nabla Pro Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Nabla Pro Annual$69.991 Year

Questions

Is MakesSense free?
MakesSense is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nabla free?
Nabla is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MakesSense or Nabla have ads?
Neither MakesSense nor Nabla shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MakesSense or Nabla?
MakesSense ships an update every 5 days, and Nabla every 6 days. Most recently, MakesSense was updated on October 16, 2026 and Nabla on October 22, 2026.

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