Number Line, by MLC vs Reflex Student
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
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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
Reflex Student
This award-winning system helps students in grades 2-8 achieve instant recall of math facts. It uses a fun, game-based approach within an adaptive environment to boost skills, confidence, and test scores.
- Math fact recall for all four operations
- Adaptive learning environment
- Game-based learning
- Motivational elements
- Improves confidence and test scores
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ExploreLearning Reflex is now available on the iPad to subscribing students. Just log in to get started (Internet connection required). Reflex is an award-winning research-based system that helps grade 2-8 students to develop instant, effortless recall of math facts in all four operations. Students have already answered billions of math facts on Reflex, increasing their skill, confidence and test scores. Reflex provides: • A highly adaptive environment that continually adjusts to create the optimal learning experience for every child • Fun and motivational game-based learning, so students enjoy using the program and take pride in their success • Outstanding results for students of all ability levels across grades 2-8.
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Number Line, by MLC at 4.4 against Reflex Student's 3.2. Number Line, by MLC also leads on monetization model (free vs subscription) and review sentiment (67% vs 45%). Reflex Student's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (2.3K vs 15). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Number Line, by MLC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Reflex Student has 2.3K ratings behind it against 15, 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 45% of Reflex Student's.
Number Line, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, Reflex Student every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | Number Line, by MLC | Reflex Student |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (15 ratings) — better | 3.2 (2.3K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 44.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 15 | 2.3K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Math Learning Center | ExploreLearning |
Customer experience
Number Line, by MLC
Reflex Student
Bugs and requests
Number Line, by MLC
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Reflex Student
Reported bugs
5 issues- Incorrect answers marked wrong
- Percentage not updating properly
- Login and authentication issues
- Disappearing games and progress
- Glitchy and laggy performance
Requested features
5 requests- More games and activities
- Ability to choose activities
- Improved progress tracking
- Customization options
- Reduced time pressure
In-app purchases
Number Line, by MLC
No in-app purchases
Reflex Student
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Number Line, by MLC free?
Is Reflex Student free?
Which has better reviews, Number Line, by MLC or Reflex Student?
Do Number Line, by MLC or Reflex Student have ads?
Which is updated more often, Number Line, by MLC or Reflex Student?
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