Comparison

Math Shelf vs Ignite by Hatch

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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 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

About

Ignite by Hatch

This app offers quick, engaging skill-building games for Pre-K children to prepare them for kindergarten. It provides individualized learning experiences with 170 sequenced skills and automatically collects real-time skill assessment data for teachers.

Highlights
  • Skill-building games for Pre-K
  • 170 sequenced learning skills
  • Individualized learning experiences
  • Real-time child skill assessment
  • Teacher data reporting
  • Kindergarten readiness focus
Read full description

Ignite by Hatch is created specifically for Pre-K children to play quick, engaging skill-building experiences. Ignite by Hatch propels children towards kindergarten readiness through the delivery of 170 sequenced skills designed to provide individualized learning experiences. When children play Ignite by Hatch in the classroom, real-time child skill assessment data is automatically collected and provided to teachers, saving teachers time while enabling a more robust understanding of every child’s abilities.

Screenshots

Math Shelf2 screens
Ignite by Hatch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Math Shelf at 80% against Ignite by Hatch's 12%. Math Shelf also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.5). Ignite by Hatch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Math Shelf sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Ignite by Hatch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Math Shelf holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Math Shelf's written reviews are positive against 12% of Ignite by Hatch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, Ignite by Hatch monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Math Shelf versus Ignite by Hatch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMath ShelfIgnite by Hatch
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (15 ratings) — better3.7 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better11.8% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size380 MB357 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn SchacterHatch, Inc.

Customer experience

Math Shelf

All ratings13 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Ignite by Hatch

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive11.8%
Neutral17.6%
Negative70.6%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Math Shelf

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Access7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • 1 Year Access7 Days trial$41.991 Year
One-time8
  • 1 Students Monthly Subscription$1.99
  • 1 Student Monthly Subscription$2.99
  • 2 Students Monthly Subscription$3.99
Show 5 more
  • 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
None

Ignite by Hatch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Math Shelf free?
Math Shelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ignite by Hatch free?
Ignite by Hatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Math Shelf or Ignite by Hatch?
Math Shelf is rated higher. Math Shelf averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Ignite by Hatch averages 3.7 from 6 ratings.
Do Math Shelf or Ignite by Hatch have ads?
Neither Math Shelf nor Ignite by Hatch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Math Shelf or Ignite by Hatch?
Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, and Ignite by Hatch monthly. Most recently, Math Shelf was updated on July 7, 2026 and Ignite by Hatch on August 24, 2026.

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