Comparison

Number Line, by MLC vs SAM Root

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

SAM Root

Learn programming through interactive robotics with three progressive coding levels, from graphical blocks to Python 3. Control robots in real-time or test your code with a built-in 3D simulator.

Highlights
  • Three progressive coding levels
  • Graphical blocks to Python 3
  • Real-time robot control
  • Built-in 3D simulator
  • Seamless level switching
  • Bluetooth robot pairing
Read full description

SAM Root makes it easy and fun to learn programming through hands-on robotics! With three progressive coding levels—from graphical blocks to hybrid blocks to Python 3 syntax—you’ll be building real coding skills and controlling robots in no time. MASTER CODING WITH 3 LEARNING LEVELS No coding experience? No problem! SAM Root meets you where you are and grows with your skills: - LEVEL 1: Graphical Blocks – Start with drag-and-drop, graphical blocks to grasp the fundamentals of coding logic—no reading required. - LEVEL 2: Hybrid Blocks – Transition into more advanced coding structure with blocks that blend visuals and coding script. - LEVEL 3: Python Code Blocks – Discover the structure and syntax of professional coding languages with full-text Python 3 code blocks. SEAMLESSLY SWITCH BETWEEN LEVELS Change coding levels anytime with a tap. SAM Root automatically converts your code, so you can match your skill level and learn the professional Python syntax behind each block. CONNECT TO ROOT ROBOTS Pair with a Root coding robot via Bluetooth and bring your programs to life! Control movement, lights, sounds, sensors, and more—while watching your code run in real time. TEST WITH THE BUILT-IN SIMULATOR Use the built-in 3D simulator to test your programs, speed up execution, and try new ideas—all without needing hardware.

Screenshots

SAM Root4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Number Line, by MLC at 4.4 against SAM Root's 3.8. Number Line, by MLC also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 46%). SAM Root's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 13 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 42 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Number Line, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 46% of SAM Root's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, SAM Root monthly. Both last shipped on October 9, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Number Line, by MLC versus SAM Root: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNumber Line, by MLCSAM Root
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (15 ratings) — better3.8 (42 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1542 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.113.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning CenterSAM Labs

Customer experience

Number Line, by MLC

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

SAM Root

All ratings42 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative23.8%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

In-app purchases

None

Number Line, by MLC

No in-app purchases

None

SAM Root

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 SAM Root free?
SAM Root is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Number Line, by MLC or SAM Root?
Number Line, by MLC is rated higher. Number Line, by MLC averages 4.4 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while SAM Root averages 3.8 from 42 ratings.
Do Number Line, by MLC or SAM Root have ads?
Neither Number Line, by MLC nor SAM Root shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Number Line, by MLC or SAM Root?
Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, and SAM Root monthly. Most recently, Number Line, by MLC was updated on October 9, 2026 and SAM Root on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons