Comparison

Math Shelf vs Kindergarten 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

Kindergarten Math

This app offers a fun and engaging way for young children to learn fundamental math skills. It provides a structured curriculum designed to supplement school lessons, with interactive games and progress tracking for parents.

Highlights
  • Interactive math games
  • Supplement school curriculum
  • Progress tracking dashboard
  • Skill-based mini-games
  • Parent account creation
  • Review previously learned skills
Features
Read full description

The fun in learning is here! Our Kindergarten Math Series is one of the best kids math games on the market! Introducing our Kindergarten Math Series! Aimed to provide an enjoyable learning experience, the six kindergarten math apps are designed to match your child's lessons for the entire school year. It’s a complete kindergarten Math Curriculum for your 5 year old. Whether it’s to practice or hone your child’s math skills, the Kindergarten Math Series is a perfect program to supplement your child’s learning at school and at home. The schedule below shows the time frame for playing the Kindergarten Math Series: Saba’s Island (Saba the monkey) - Month 1 to 2 Mari’s Kitchen (Mari the bear) - Month 2 to 4 Pat’s Voyage (Pat the parrot) - Month 4 to 5 Joe’s Jungle (Joe the squirrel) - Month 6 to 7 Pearl’s Pizza (Pearl the cat) - Month 8 to 9 Clifton’s Cruise (Clifton the dog) - Month 9 to 10 Playing each app ahead of schedule is entirely up to the parents. They can also go back a month or two to review the skills that they have previously learned at school. Parents who have preschool age children (4 years old) can introduce their child to the Kindergarten Math curriculum by playing the Kindergarten Math Series. Whether it's counting coconuts, watermelons or writing numbers, Saba needs to complete the task from each NPC (non-playable character) to be able to move to the next level. Each level starts with skills practices in every mini game and lets players earn ions that they can use to buy different kinds of gear from the shop. At the end of each level, they will complete challenge activities that get recorded on the Parent Dashboard. Track your child’s progress using the Parent Dashboard Parents can create a free account at https://app.ioschool.com or on the app itself. They will be able to see what skills their child worked on and how they did on the assessments. Each session is recorded by the date. Parents can determine if their child is progressing or will need additional support and practice. Privacy Policy https://ioschool.com/privacy-policy/ Contact Us We would love to hear from you https://ioschool.com/get-in-touch/ support@ioschool.com https://www.facebook.com/ioschoolinc https://twitter.com/ioschoolinc

Screenshots

Math Shelf2 screens
Kindergarten Math4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kindergarten Math at none against Math Shelf's 10. Kindergarten Math also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Math Shelf's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). On price, device support 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. Math Shelf sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Kindergarten Math asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Kindergarten Math 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, Kindergarten Math weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Math Shelf versus Kindergarten Math: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMath ShelfKindergarten Math
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (15 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size380 MB466 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn SchacteriO School, Inc.

Customer experience

Math Shelf

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

Kindergarten Math

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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
None

Kindergarten Math

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Math Shelf free?
Math Shelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Kindergarten Math free?
Kindergarten Math is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Math Shelf or Kindergarten Math?
Kindergarten Math is rated higher. Math Shelf averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Kindergarten Math averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Math Shelf or Kindergarten Math have ads?
Kindergarten Math shows ads; Math Shelf does not.
Which is updated more often, Math Shelf or Kindergarten Math?
Math Shelf ships an update every 4 months, and Kindergarten Math weekly. Most recently, Math Shelf was updated on October 15, 2026 and Kindergarten Math on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons