Math Shelf vs Obradovic Lab AMES
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Math Shelf
This app provides an experimentally proven program to enhance early mathematics achievement for preschool and kindergarten students. It offers on-level instruction through adaptive learning and placement tests, aligning with Common Core Standards.
- Experimentally proven to increase math achievement
- Common Core Aligned content
- Adaptive learning and placement tests
- Cloud-based syncing for school and home
- Free 7-day trial
- Supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod
Read full descriptionHide full description
Math Shelf is experimentally proven to increase preschool and Kindergarten students' mathematics achievement. **** Winner Re-Imagine Education Best Learning App **** From over 3,000 entries Math Shelf won the Silver Medal for best learning app. **** Common Core Aligned ***** Math Shelf's content exceeds the expectations in the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. **** On Level Instruction for Every Student **** Placement tests and adaptive learning provide on level learning for every student in your class. **** Cloud Based ***** Play Math Shelf on any iPad or iPhone. Students can play for free at home and data will sync to their school account. **** Experimentally Proven **** Read our 3 peer-reviewed published studies at www.mathshelf.com/research. ****Valhalla Foundation Funded**** Program Related Investment and grant recipient from the Valhalla Foundation to improve early math education. **** Heising-Simons Foundation Funded **** Grant recipient Heising-Simons Foundation to improve early mathematics education. **** Free Trial **** Try Math Shelf with your students for 7 days. **** Technology Requirements **** iPhone 6 and above. Plays on iOS 12.0 and above. You may purchase an auto-renewing subscription through an In-App Purchase. You can access all games and administrative features. Auto-renewable subscription -1 month ($4.99) period, for 2 students access. -1 year ($41.99) period, for 2 students access. Your subscription will be charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew (at the duration selected) unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your Apple Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://mathshelf.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://mathshelf.com/terms
Obradovic Lab AMES
This iPad application is designed for researchers to assess executive functions and delay of gratification in children. It features three distinct tasks and has been validated with children aged 4-12 across multiple countries.
- Executive function assessment
- Delay of gratification tasks
- Child-focused research tool
- Validated with ages 4-12
- Cross-cultural testing
Read full descriptionHide full description
The Assessment of Motivation, Effort, and Self-Regulation (AMES) is an iPad app for researchers. It includes three tasks designed to assess executive functions and delay of gratification in children. The app has been tested extensively with children age 4 to 12 in the U.S., Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Obradovic Lab AMES at none against Math Shelf's 10. Obradovic Lab AMES also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Math Shelf's advantage is ratings volume (15 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Math Shelf sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Obradovic Lab AMES asks for nothing beyond the download.
Obradovic Lab AMES holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Math Shelf has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, Obradovic Lab AMES every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and June 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Math Shelf | Obradovic Lab AMES |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (15 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 380 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | John Schacter | Stanford University |
Customer experience
Math Shelf
Obradovic Lab AMES
In-app purchases
Math Shelf
- 1 Month Access7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- 1 Year Access7 Days trial$41.991 Year
- 1 Students Monthly Subscription$1.99
- 1 Student Monthly Subscription$2.99
- 2 Students Monthly Subscription$3.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 3 Students Monthly Subscription$5.99
- 2 Students Monthly Subscription$5.99
- 3 Students Monthly Subscription$8.99
- 3 Students Subscription$9.99
- 4 Students Monthly Subscription$11.99
Obradovic Lab AMES
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Math Shelf free?
Is Obradovic Lab AMES free?
Which has better reviews, Math Shelf or Obradovic Lab AMES?
Do Math Shelf or Obradovic Lab AMES have ads?
Which is updated more often, Math Shelf or Obradovic Lab AMES?
Other comparisons















