Comparison

Mental Math vs Physics Zen

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

Head to head
About

Mental Math

Sharpen your mental math skills with daily practice. This app uses spaced repetition to help you master concepts like fractions, percentages, and algebra. It offers two modes for flexible learning and provides real-life examples of how math is used every day.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition system (SRS)
  • Covers multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, algebra
  • Zen and Chrono practice modes
  • Visible progress tracking
  • Real-life math examples
  • Home screen widgets
  • Customizable reminders
Features
Read full description

10 minutes a day to keep your mental math sharp. Whether you're in middle school, in high school, or an adult who wants to reconnect with math, Kalc helps you forge solid mental reflexes, without cramming. Spaced repetition system (SRS): concepts you master space out over time, the ones you miss come back the next day. The method known to deliver the most learning per minute practiced. WHO IT'S FOR · UK students (Year 7-10), US students (Grade 6-9) · Other English-speaking systems (Canada, Australia, Ireland, NZ) · Spanish-speaking students (Spain ESO, Mexico secundaria/preparatoria) · French-speaking students (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec) · Adults who want to get back fluency with mental math Each user picks their school system during onboarding. Content and examples adapt. WHAT KALC COVERS · Multiplication and division (times tables, decimals, signed) · Fractions (simplification, operations, fraction of a whole) · Percentages (calculation, increase, discount, compound change) · Powers and square roots · Algebra and order of operations · Addition and subtraction of signed integers TWO PRACTICE MODES · Zen mode: at your own pace, no pressure, to consolidate the basics · Chrono mode: against the clock, to build speed under exam conditions VISIBLE PROGRESS Every skill has its own level and progress bar. You see exactly where you stand and what's left to master. IN REAL LIFE Every session ends with a concrete example of how this skill serves you day to day: splitting a restaurant tab, reading a paycheck, working out a discount, planning a budget. Mental math is something you actually use. HOME SCREEN WIDGETS Track your progress straight from your iOS home screen, without opening the app. Streak, XP and skills in progress at a glance. MEASURED REMINDERS Up to 5 reminders over the first 3 weeks, off at any time. No spam, no guilt-tripping. ONE-TIME PURCHASE, NO SUBSCRIPTION Kalc is free to download (1 skill available without purchase). Full access unlocks with a single purchase (lifetime or 1 year non-renewing). No traps, no hidden paywall. PRIVACY All your data stays on your device and syncs through your personal iCloud account. No ads, no advertising tracking, no cookies. Kalc is for people who want real progress in mental math. Privacy policy: https://lmtdigitalcreations.com/kalc/privacy.html Terms of use: https://lmtdigitalcreations.com/kalc/terms.html

About

Physics Zen

Features
Read full description

Physics Zen turns physics into focused, repeatable practice. Work through fresh generated problems, check your answer instantly, and open the theory or worked solution exactly when you need it. A COMPLETE PHYSICS PATH Practice 57 skills across 19 topics: • Mechanics: motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations, gravitation and fluids • Electricity and Magnetism: electrostatics, circuits, capacitors, RC transients, magnetism and induction • Waves and Optics: sound, standing waves, reflection, refraction, lenses, interference and diffraction • Thermodynamics: heat, phase changes, gas laws and thermal efficiency • Modern Physics: photons, atoms, radioactivity and mass-energy EXAM PREP • AP Physics 1 path aligned to the current eight-unit course • AP Physics C: Mechanics path with calculus-based problems • AP Physics 2 path across thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics • A-Level Physics path across the full in-app curriculum • Focused Abitur Physik practice in fields, oscillations, wave optics and quantum physics • French Bac physics practice; chemistry and the practical assessment are not included • Japan's University Entrance Common Test: practice in the style of Physics and Basic Physics • Korea's CSAT (Suneung) Physics I practice for the 2027 exam • Korea's CSAT Integrated Science, 2028 exam onward: practice on its physics part • Taiwan's Advanced Subjects Test (分科測驗) Physics, which also covers the physics in the GSAT (學測) science paper • Exam-style multi-part questions and data interpretation • Board-specific gravity conventions Every item is original practice, not an official exam paper. BUILT FOR PRACTICE Generated Problems: Practise fresh parameter combinations across multiple difficulty levels. Mastery Progression: A five-level bucket system moves from foundations to multi-step problems as you demonstrate understanding. Theory Beside the Problem: Open concise explanations, formulas and worked examples without leaving your session. Mistake Journal: Wrong answers are saved automatically. Retry the same concept later with fresh numbers. Visual Physics: Graphs, force diagrams, circuits, waves, rays, energy levels and fluid scenes support the problems that need them. Offline First: The curriculum and generator work without an internet connection. Optional sign-in adds cross-device sync. Focused Interface: No ads, no coins and no lives. Includes light and dark themes. Content is available in twelve languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Russian. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a section, topic or exam path. 2. Solve a generated problem at your current level. 3. Check your answer and read the worked solution. 4. Build mastery and return to mistakes that need another pass. Physics Zen is free to start with Kinematics. Premium unlocks the complete curriculum, exam-prep paths and detailed statistics. Subscription and lifetime options are shown in the app with local pricing before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel them in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://physics-zen.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://physics-zen.com/terms Support: contacts@trifoiltrailblazer.com

Screenshots

Mental Math4 screens
Physics Zen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Physics Zen at daily against Mental Math's fortnightly. 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. Mental Math sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Physics Zen sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mental Math ships an update fortnightly, Physics Zen daily. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Mental Math versus Physics Zen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMental MathPhysics Zen
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB269 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLMT Digital CreationsIvan Terekhin

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Mental Math

One-time2
  • Plan Annuel$17.99
  • Accès à vie$29.99
5 purchases

Physics Zen

Subscriptions3
  • Physics Zen Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Physics Zen Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Physics Zen Annual$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Physics Zen Lifetime$24.99
  • Physics Zen Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Mental Math free?
Mental Math is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Physics Zen free?
Physics Zen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Mental Math or Physics Zen have ads?
Neither Mental Math nor Physics Zen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mental Math or Physics Zen?
Mental Math ships an update fortnightly, and Physics Zen daily. Most recently, Mental Math was updated on October 21, 2026 and Physics Zen on October 12, 2026.

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