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.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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
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.
- Common Core aligned lessons
- Base Ten manipulatives
- Guided tutorial
- Create custom problems
- Drawing pad for equations
- Animal character icons
Read full descriptionHide 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 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
Both are free to download. Area Model sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Number Line, by MLC asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Number Line, by MLC | Area Model |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (15 ratings) — better | 3.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months — better | Every 18 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 6.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Math Learning Center | Bytes Arithmetic LLC |
Customer experience
Number Line, by MLC
Area Model
In-app purchases
Number Line, by MLC
No in-app purchases
Area Model
- Practice Mode$2.99
Questions
Is Number Line, by MLC free?
Is Area Model free?
Which has better reviews, Number Line, by MLC or Area Model?
Do Number Line, by MLC or Area Model have ads?
Which is updated more often, Number Line, by MLC or Area Model?
Other comparisons















