Comparison

Number Line, by MLC vs VEXcode IQ

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

Head to head
About

Number Line, by MLC

This app allows students to visualize number sequences and demonstrate mathematical strategies. It supports various number types and offers tools for annotation, problem-solving, and sharing work. Ideal for elementary classrooms and iPad learning environments.

Highlights
  • Visualize number sequences
  • Demonstrate counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing
  • Use whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or negative numbers
  • Add custom tick marks and labels
  • Hide and reveal numbers and jumps
  • Annotation and drawing tools
  • Save and share work
Features
Read full description

Number Line helps students visualize number sequences and demonstrate strategies for counting, comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Choose number lines labelled with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or negative numbers. Or use a blank number line, with or without tick marks. Describe intervals between points on the line using forward or backward jumps above and below the line. Jumps can be labelled with their values or left blank. Add custom tick marks to the number line to show equivalence or compare number values. Show strategies with drawing and annotation tools. Hide elements of the sequence shown on the number line, which challenges students to use what they know about number relationships and computation to identify those missing elements. This virtual number line is an open-ended educational tool, ideal for elementary classrooms and other learning environments that use iPads. For more Number Line resources and other apps, visit: www.mathlearningcenter.org/apps FEATURES • Mark the number line with multiples of whole numbers, fractions, or decimals. In addition, set the starting value of the line, including using negative values. • Add and manipulate forward and backward jumps, above or below the line. • Label jump bars, manually or automatically, to show intervals or hide labels altogether. • Add custom tick marks and values to blank number lines. • Hide and reveal numbers on the number line. • Hide and reveal jumps, numbers, and other elements with resizable covers to create your own problems and model strategies. • Use the drawing tools to annotate work and show understanding. • Add equations, expressions, and descriptions with the math text and writing tools. • Share your work by saving an image or providing a share code to others. MORE APPS For more Number Line resources and other apps, visit: www.mathlearningcenter.org/apps LEARN MORE To learn about Bridges in Mathematics, an elementary curriculum that employs visual models like number line, visit: www.mathlearningcenter.org/bridges/overview ABOUT US This resource is brought to you by The Math Learning Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to K-12 education since 1976. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This app was crafted by Clarity Innovations. We help improve teaching and learning by creating solutions that match promising technologies with the needs of education. Visit us: www.clarity-innovations.com

About

VEXcode IQ

This coding environment is designed for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. Its intuitive interface, consistent across different levels and platforms, allows users to focus on creation rather than navigation. It makes computer science accessible and engaging through hands-on projects and collaborations.

Highlights
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • Consistent across Blocks and Text
  • Robot drivetrain control blocks
  • Device manager for robot setup
  • Built-in video tutorials
  • Example projects for learning
  • Multilingual block support
Features
Read full description

From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX IQ and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode Blocks is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode Blocks to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. Setup your VEX robot. Fast. VEXcode's device manager is simple, flexible, and powerful. In no time at all you can setup your robot's drivetrain, controller features, motors, and sensors. 40+ Example projects to choose from. Jumpstart your learning by starting with an existing project, covering every aspect of coding, controlling robots, and learning to use sensors.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Number Line, by MLC at 4.4 against VEXcode IQ's 3.7. VEXcode IQ's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 13 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Number Line, by MLC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Number Line, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 62% of VEXcode IQ's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, VEXcode IQ every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 7, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Number Line, by MLC versus VEXcode IQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNumber Line, by MLCVEXcode IQ
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (15 ratings) — better3.7 (38 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better61.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1538 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS16.116.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB892 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning CenterVEX Robotics, Inc.

Customer experience

Number Line, by MLC

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

VEXcode IQ

All ratings38 ratings
Positive65.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative31.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive61.9%
Neutral4.8%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Number Line, by MLC

No in-app purchases

None

VEXcode IQ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Number Line, by MLC free?
Number Line, by MLC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VEXcode IQ free?
VEXcode IQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Number Line, by MLC or VEXcode IQ?
Number Line, by MLC is rated higher. Number Line, by MLC averages 4.4 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while VEXcode IQ averages 3.7 from 38 ratings.
Do Number Line, by MLC or VEXcode IQ have ads?
Neither Number Line, by MLC nor VEXcode IQ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Number Line, by MLC or VEXcode IQ?
Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, and VEXcode IQ every 6 weeks. Most recently, Number Line, by MLC was updated on June 7, 2026 and VEXcode IQ on August 28, 2026.

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