Comparison

Math Shelf vs Montessori Math

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

Montessori Math

This app teaches math concepts for children aged 3 and up, from basic preschool skills to arithmetic. It features interactive activities like the Hundred Board and Fractions, designed with Montessori principles. Audio and graphics support non-readers.

Highlights
  • Interactive math activities
  • Montessori-inspired learning
  • Covers preschool to arithmetic
  • Audio and visual support
  • Self-correcting activities
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Ages 3 & Up. Learn and practice mathematics, starting with basic concepts for preschoolers and progress up to learning arithmetic. We have included our most popular activities, such as the Hundred Board, Skip Counting, Fractions, and more. You can download the app for free and browse through the activities before subscribing. Preschool children who cannot read yet can still learn everything presented by use of the integrated audio and graphics. Activities included with this release: PINK TOWER - Learn to identify different sizes and follow a sequence to assemble patterns. PATTERNING - Observe and practice patterning concepts to build math readiness skills. GEOMETRIC CABINET - Learn to identify and name geometric shapes. CARDS & COUNTERS - Learn to count from 1 to 10 and understand the quantity that each number represents. HUNDRED BOARD - Count from 1 to 100 using the 10x10 Hundred Board format. HUNDRED BOARD 101-200 - Learn the concept of counting beyond 100. COUNT TO 1000! - Practice counting from 1 all the way to 1000 and practice individual sets. SKIP COUNTING - Learn to skip count using the Hundred Board by 2s, 3s, 4s, etc. HUNDRED BOARD PATTERNS - Practice your knowledge of numbers out of sequence and assemble colorful patterns with numbers. NUMBER SEQUENCING - Practice identifying numbers by finding What Comes Before, After & In-Between? FRACTIONS - Learn the concept of breaking a whole into equal parts and progress up to identifying fractions numerically. ADDITION CHARTS - Visualize the basic addition equations with charts. ADDITION TABLES - Practice the Addition Tables over and over. SUBTRACTION CHARTS - Visualize the basic subtraction equations with charts. SUBTRACTION TABLES - Practice the Subtraction Tables over and over. MULTIPLICATION CHARTS - Visualize the basic multiplication equations with charts. MULTIPLICATION TABLES - Practice the Multiplication Tables over and over. DIVISION CHARTS - Visualize the basic division equations with charts. DIVISION TABLES - Practice the Division Tables over and over. These math activities are designed for both classroom and home use. All activities are self-correcting and self-guided. You will be pleasantly surprised how much children will be able to learn and retain with this app. Our design team consists of Engineers and a former Montessori Directress, AMI certified, with over 40 years of Montessori classroom experience. We have done our best to respect the Montessori method and bring you activities that take advantage of the digital age. Thank you so much for your support and we plan to continue to add new activities to this app for expanded learning. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy can be found here: http://www.mobilemontessori.org/privacy

Screenshots

Math Shelf2 screens
Montessori Math4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Math Shelf at 4.7 against Montessori Math's 3.5. Math Shelf also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 50%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 and Montessori Math sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Math Shelf holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. 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 50% of Montessori Math's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, Montessori Math every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Math Shelf versus Montessori Math: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMath ShelfMontessori Math
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (15 ratings) — better3.5 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size380 MB385 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn SchacterRantek Inc.

Customer experience

Math Shelf

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

Montessori Math

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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
2 purchases

Montessori Math

Subscriptions2
  • Montessori Math Monthly Sub.7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Montessori Math Yearly Sub.7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Math Shelf free?
Math Shelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Montessori Math free?
Montessori Math is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Math Shelf or Montessori Math?
Math Shelf is rated higher. Math Shelf averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Montessori Math averages 3.5 from 6 ratings.
Do Math Shelf or Montessori Math have ads?
Neither Math Shelf nor Montessori Math shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Math Shelf or Montessori Math?
Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, and Montessori Math every 3 months. Most recently, Math Shelf was updated on October 15, 2026 and Montessori Math on October 7, 2026.

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