Comparison

Number Line, by MLC vs Area Model

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

Area Model

This educational app helps elementary students master multiplication and division using a visual area model approach. It features interactive tools like Base Ten manipulatives and a drawing pad, aligning with common core standards. Students can personalize their learning with animal icons and bright colors.

Highlights
  • Common Core aligned lessons
  • Base Ten manipulatives
  • Guided tutorial
  • Create custom problems
  • Drawing pad for equations
  • Animal character icons
Read full description

Area Model - Multiplication and Division is an app designed to develop the skills elementary students need to understand and illustrate multiplication and division problems in adherence to the common core state standards. Students benefit from a visual example of the math concept using Base Ten manipulatives. Developed by an elementary teacher and designed by a software developer with years of experience in creating educational software, this innovative, educational app teaches the skills necessary to master multiplication and division. Your student will enjoy learning multiplication and division as they choose animal icons, and bright colors in this interactive math app! FEATURES - Common Core aligned - Base Ten pieces (ones, tens, hundreds) and graph paper - Guided tutorial models how to solve problems - Create your own multi-digit problems for practice - Drawing pad for writing equations. Compare your algorithm to the area model. Choose your pen color. - Icons: choose from five cute animal characters

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Number Line, by MLC at 67% against Area Model's 0%. Number Line, by MLC also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Area Model's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 16.1). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Area Model sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Number Line, by MLC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Number Line, by MLC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Number Line, by MLC has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Number Line, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 0% of Area Model's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, Area Model every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Number Line, by MLC versus Area Model: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNumber Line, by MLCArea Model
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (15 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 13 months — betterEvery 18 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS16.16.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning CenterBytes Arithmetic LLC

Customer experience

Number Line, by MLC

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

Area Model

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Number Line, by MLC

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Area Model

One-time1
  • Practice Mode$2.99

Questions

Is Number Line, by MLC free?
Number Line, by MLC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Area Model free?
Area Model is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Number Line, by MLC or Area Model?
Number Line, by MLC is rated higher. Number Line, by MLC averages 4.4 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Area Model averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Number Line, by MLC or Area Model have ads?
Neither Number Line, by MLC nor Area Model shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Number Line, by MLC or Area Model?
Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, and Area Model every 18 months. Most recently, Number Line, by MLC was updated on November 6, 2026 and Area Model on November 1, 2026.

Other comparisons