Comparison

Soroban vs Soroban Path

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

Head to head
About

Soroban

Features
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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: โ€ข Students learning arithmetic and building strong math foundations โ€ข Parents looking for effective brain training and focus development tools โ€ข Beginners starting with abacus (soroban) for the first time โ€ข Advanced learners training anzan (mental math speed and accuracy) โ€ข Anyone interested in brain training, calculation speed, and cognitive skills KEY FEATURES: โ€ข Step-by-step lessons: Learn soroban from basic bead movement to advanced arithmetic โ€ข Flash Anzan (mental math): Train your brain to calculate without a physical abacus โ€ข Speed drills: Improve calculation speed and accuracy with timed exercises โ€ข Daily challenges: Build consistency with short, repeatable practice sessions โ€ข Workbook practice: Structured exercises for deeper understanding โ€ข Free play mode: Use a fully interactive digital abacus anytime โ€ข AI-powered insights: On-device intelligence for adaptive learning and homework scanning โ€ข Progress tracking: Monitor accuracy, performance, and improvement over time WHY SOROBAN: โ€ข Develops mental math (anzan) and arithmetic fluency โ€ข Improves concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills โ€ข Combines traditional Japanese learning with modern iOS design โ€ข 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.

About

Soroban Path

Features
Read full description

Learn the Japanese abacus, then do the math in your head. Soroban Path teaches the soroban step by step. Every lesson starts with a short demonstration. Then guided beads show exactly where to move, and you try it yourself, with hints ready whenever you need them. Little by little the beads turn into a picture in your mind. That picture is why soroban students are so quick at mental math. MEET THE COMPLEMENTS When a sum does not fit on the beads, a complement steps in: the number that makes 5 or 10 together with it. Soroban Path teaches all 34 complement formulas - 5-complements, 10-complements and the mixed ones - and, just as important, when and why each one is needed. Knowing the reason is what turns memorized moves into real number sense. HOW IT WORKS - 46 short lessons in 10 units, from "Meet the Soroban" to "Mental Math & Flash" - Watch, follow the arrows, then try it on your own, with three levels of hints - Review that brings each complement formula back at just the right time, and a star for every one you know well - Already know some soroban? Take a short test and skip ahead - Four kinds of practice: Bead Drills, Soroban Sums, Flash Anzan and Listening Math - Instructions are read aloud, and one tap in any lesson turns the voice off when you need quiet - A weekly practice goal, with no lives, no penalties and no leaderboards - Certificates for finished units, and a progress report you can share FREE TO START The first 12 lessons and a starter set of practice levels are free, so you can try the whole way of learning before you buy anything. PREMIUM, ONE TIME Premium unlocks all 46 lessons, every practice level, every certificate and the full progress report. It is a single purchase: no subscription and no renewals. You can restore it on any device that uses the same Apple ID. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No accounts, no ads and no tracking. Progress stays on the device, and the app works offline. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://hirokishingu.github.io/soroban-site/privacy.html

Screenshots

Soroban4 screens
Soroban Path4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Soroban at none against Soroban Path's 1. Soroban Path's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Soroban Path sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Soroban asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Soroban ships an update every 2 weeks, Soroban Path every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Soroban versus Soroban Path: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSorobanSoroban Path
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 5 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size17 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShweta KumariHiroki Shingu

In-app purchases

None

Soroban

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Soroban Path

One-time1
  • Soroban Premium$4.99

Questions

Is Soroban free?
Soroban is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Soroban Path free?
Soroban Path is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Soroban or Soroban Path have ads?
Neither Soroban nor Soroban Path shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Soroban or Soroban Path?
Soroban ships an update every 2 weeks, and Soroban Path every 5 days. Most recently, Soroban was updated on October 28, 2026 and Soroban Path on October 24, 2026.

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