Comparison

Number Frames, by MLC vs Number Line Galaxy Lite

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

Number Line Galaxy Lite

Explore 15 planets while practicing basic math skills like addition, subtraction, and multiplication. This app features an empty number line for experimentation, aligning with K1-4 and UK KS1/KS2 math curricula.

Highlights
  • 15 Planets to explore
  • Addition and subtraction practice
  • Number bond practice (1-10 and 1-20)
  • Multiplication support
  • Empty number line for experimentation
  • Aligns with K1-4 and UK KS1/KS2 curriculum
Features
Read full description

Number Line Galaxy includes: * 15 Planets to explore * Simple addition and subtraction, * Number bond practice (1-10 and 1-20), * Multiplication support with adapted number lines, * NEW empty number line to allow kids to experiment with the tool and to use the number line with their everyday math. A number line is a straight, horizontal line with numbers placed at even increments along the length. Based around K1-4 and the new UK KS1 and KS2 Maths National Curriculum, Number Line Galaxy covers; basic addition, number bonds, subtraction and multiplication. Number lines are used in schools all around the world and research has shown the importance of the number line as a tool for helping children develop greater flexibility in mental arithmetic.

Screenshots

Number Line Galaxy Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Number Frames, by MLC at 89% against Number Line Galaxy Lite's 0%. Number Frames, by MLC also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (7 vs 2). Number Line Galaxy Lite's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.4). On price, update cadence, 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 Frames, by MLC holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Number Frames, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 0% of Number Line Galaxy Lite's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Number Frames, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, Number Line Galaxy Lite every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Number Frames, by MLC versus Number Line Galaxy Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNumber Frames, by MLCNumber Line Galaxy Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (7 ratings) — better3.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings7 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 7 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.46.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning Centermadebyeducators

Customer experience

Number Frames, by MLC

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

Number Line Galaxy Lite

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Number Frames, by MLC

No in-app purchases

None

Number Line Galaxy Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Number Frames, by MLC free?
Number Frames, by MLC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Number Line Galaxy Lite free?
Number Line Galaxy Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Number Frames, by MLC or Number Line Galaxy Lite?
Number Frames, by MLC is rated higher. Number Frames, by MLC averages 4.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Number Line Galaxy Lite averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Number Frames, by MLC or Number Line Galaxy Lite have ads?
Neither Number Frames, by MLC nor Number Line Galaxy Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Number Frames, by MLC or Number Line Galaxy Lite?
Number Frames, by MLC ships an update every 13 months, and Number Line Galaxy Lite every 7 months. Most recently, Number Frames, by MLC was updated on October 24, 2026 and Number Line Galaxy Lite on October 22, 2026.

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