Comparison

Number Frames, by MLC vs Tynker Junior

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

Head to head
About

Number Frames, by MLC

This app provides virtual number frames to help elementary students visualize and manipulate numbers up to one hundred. It supports counting, comparing, and computing, aiding the transition from one-by-one counting to more efficient strategies. Custom frames can be created for advanced visualization of factors and fractions.

Highlights
  • Standard and custom number frames
  • Variety of counters and colors
  • 5s grid for grouping emphasis
  • Resizable covers for problem modeling
  • Drawing and annotation tools
  • Math text and writing tools
  • Shareable work via image or code
Features
Read full description

Number Frames help students structure numbers to five, ten, twenty, and one hundred. Students use the frames to count, represent, compare, and compute with numbers in a particular range. The frames allow students see quantities as equal groups of other quantities and in relation to benchmark quantities. This helps primary students move away from one-by-one counting toward more efficient ways of counting and computing. As students advance, custom frames can be constructed to help visualize factors, products, fractional parts and more. These virtual versions of number frames are open-ended educational tools, ideal for elementary classrooms and other learning environments that use iPads. Number frames are a key model used in Bridges in Mathematics, second edition. Online preview available at: www.mathlearningcenter.org/bridges FEATURES: • Use standard 5-, 10-, 20-, and 100-frames, or create custom frames up to 12 x 12. • Choose from a variety of counters and colors. Drag single counters — or stacks of 5 and 10 — into frames or on to the workspace. • Apply a 5s grid to frames to emphasize every 5th line and reinforce grouping by five. • Hide and reveal counters 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

Tynker Junior

This app introduces children aged 4-7 to coding concepts through engaging, word-free picture blocks. It helps them develop problem-solving, logic, and critical thinking skills through interactive coding adventures. Designed for young learners, it makes learning to code fun and accessible.

Highlights
  • Word-free picture block coding
  • Problem-solving and logic development
  • Music and art creation
  • 200+ coding challenges
  • Tap-based interface
  • Voiceovers for guidance
Features
Read full description

The Ultimate Coding Playground for Kids Ages 4-7! Tynker Junior is the award-winning app specifically designed for young learners, including pre-readers who haven’t even started school yet. Through vibrant, word-free picture blocks, your child will learn to solve problems, compose music, and create art—all with the power of code. Why Parents and Teachers Love Tynker: * Trusted Globally: Used by 1 out of every 3 U.S. K-8 schools and 100,000+ schools worldwide. * Proven Success: Over 60 million kids in 150 countries have started their STEM journey with Tynker. * Designed for Little Hands: A tap-based interface with friendly voiceovers and no complex dragging or reading required. 5 EPIC CODING ADVENTURES With 200+ coding challenges, your child will explore: Ocean Odyssey: Master sequencing and patterns while helping Gillie the Goldfish. Robots: Learn about events and parameters as you fix a wacky robot factory. Wild Rumble: Help endangered animals using counting loops and delays. Puffball Panic: Navigate dynamic environments using conditional logic. Super Squad: Defeat villains and retrieve stolen treasure using advanced problem-solving. WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN Tynker Junior transforms screen time into a brain-building workout. Your child will master: Logic & Sequencing: Understanding cause and effect. Critical Thinking: Solving complex puzzles step-by-step. Programming Concepts: Loops, conditional logic, and debugging. 21st Century Skills: Resilience, focus, and algorithmic thinking—the same foundations used in professional languages like Swift and Python. Privacy & Terms: Privacy Policy: https://www.tynker.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.tynker.com/terms/

Screenshots

Tynker Junior4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker Junior at 4.5 against Number Frames, by MLC's 4.0. Tynker Junior also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (4.2K vs 7). Number Frames, by MLC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (89% vs 59%). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Tynker Junior sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Number Frames, by MLC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker Junior holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker Junior has 4.2K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 89% of Number Frames, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 59% of Tynker Junior's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Number Frames, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, Tynker Junior every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Number Frames, by MLC versus Tynker Junior: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNumber Frames, by MLCTynker Junior
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (7 ratings)4.5 (4.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews — better58.8% of reviews
Number of ratings74.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB396 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning CenterTynker

Customer experience

Number Frames, by MLC

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

Tynker Junior

All ratings4,180 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral6.7%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral11.8%
Negative29.4%

Bugs and requests

Number Frames, by MLC

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Tynker Junior

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Levels/games not progressing properly
  • Login and account issues
  • Compatibility problems on certain devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add more advanced coding lessons
  • Improve customer support and responsiveness
  • Integrate with full Tynker app for seamless experience

In-app purchases

None

Number Frames, by MLC

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Tynker Junior

Subscriptions5
  • Individual Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Individual Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan7 Days trial$59.993 Months
  • Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan$119.991 Year
One-time1
  • Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan$314.99

Questions

Is Number Frames, by MLC free?
Number Frames, by MLC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tynker Junior free?
Tynker Junior is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Number Frames, by MLC or Tynker Junior?
Tynker Junior is rated higher. Number Frames, by MLC averages 4.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Tynker Junior averages 4.5 from 4.2K ratings.
Do Number Frames, by MLC or Tynker Junior have ads?
Neither Number Frames, by MLC nor Tynker Junior shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Number Frames, by MLC or Tynker Junior?
Number Frames, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, and Tynker Junior every 2 months. Most recently, Number Frames, by MLC was updated on October 3, 2026 and Tynker Junior on October 18, 2026.

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