Comparison

Math Word Problems vs Phonics Friends

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

Head to head
About

Math Word Problems

This app guides children through math word problems step-by-step, starting with basic addition and subtraction. It focuses on building comprehension and confidence through incremental learning and a reward system. Designed for students in grades 2-5, it can be used independently or with adult guidance.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step word problem guidance
  • Incremental skill development
  • Frustration-free learning
  • Reward Center for motivation
  • Parental review and reporting
  • Content by professional teachers
  • Timers for fluency development
Features
Read full description

** Happy Frog Apps is a Mom’s Choice Award Winner! Also featured on FunEducationalApps.com. TeachersWithApps.com, and more! ** Unique on the app store, this app helps kids understand HOW to do math word problems step-by-step. We start with the absolute basics, and by the end your child will know how to interpret and complete one-step math word problems using addition and subtraction. *** 5 stars! Thank you for showing my daughter HOW to do word problems. This has really improved her attitude to math. *** 5 stars! So good! I love how you focus on math comprehension. This will be great for my Grade 3 strugglers. Math Word Problems is targeted to children in Grades 2-5 who struggle with understanding math word problems and how to do them. Each level in Math Word Problems targets a specific step in working through a math word problem. Once proficient, these skills are combined as your child works through complete problems. Skill development steps are incremental and focus on attaining success. A must-have for kids struggling with math word problems. Key Benefits: - Builds word problem comprehension skills step-by-step until mastery. - Incremental learning. New levels are unlocked only when your child is ready. - Frustration-free learning. Your child will always be guided to the correct answer. - Fun and engaging Reward Center to increase motivation. - Easy parental review. Just check out the stars to see how your child is doing. - Content designed by professional teachers and researchers. - Advanced levels include timers to ensure fluency. Research shows fluency in the foundation skills is critical to reading and math comprehension. - Can be used independently (just hand it over: your child will know what to do!) or with a therapist/parent for intervention. - Provides extensive reporting for up to 10 players to suit the needs of parents, teachers and therapists. Our apps are designed for and tested by typical and special needs children. Testers include children with Autism and other special needs. Our apps work for them! To evaluate the app, download the free version, which has 4 free levels. Additional levels and additional players can be accessed with in-app purchases. If you prefer no in-app purchases, download the School Edition of this app, which includes all levels and up to 10 players. If your child struggles with understanding math word problems, they may also have difficulty with reading comprehension. Check out our other apps to strengthen your child’s reading skills: www.HappyFrogApps.com. We take customer service very seriously! If you ever have a problem or find that we've missed something, contact us at our website and we will do our best to fix the problem. We collect NO private information in our app. None! Our apps do not allow unrestricted web access.

About

Phonics Friends

Read full description

Welcome to the enchanting world of Phonics Friends! Our mission is to make phonics practice not just educational but irresistibly fun for young learners. Targeted towards students in grades K-2, this app offers a unique blend of entertainment and learning, ideal for both classroom and home environments. Meet Your Phonics Friends! Join Hammy the Hamstronaut in outer space, splash around the pond with Freddie the Frog, build word foundations with Hard Hat Harry at the construction site, and whip up delicious syllable recipes with Chef Cherie in the kitchen. Each character brings a unique flavor to the learning experience, making phonics practice a joyous adventure. Interactive and Engaging Game Play Phonics Friends isn’t just another educational app – it's a journey into a world of interactive learning. With four immersive game settings, children practice letter sounds, word segmentation, and blending in a dynamic environment. The app’s intuitive design ensures that students can dive right into the action without any hurdles. Earn Badges and Rewards! As your child progresses through the game, they earn badges and prizes, celebrating each level achievement. This gamification element keeps students motivated and eager to learn more. Family-Friendly and Teacher-Approved Phonics Friends is perfect for the at-home parent market, homeschoolers, and teachers alike. With the option to create multiple user accounts on a single device, it’s ideal for shared device scenarios. The app ensures privacy, storing only minimal student data. Aligned with the Science of Reading Developed in line with research-based reading principles, Phonics Friends aligns with the Science of Reading, offering a robust foundation in phonics. It supports in-class and at-home practice, making it a versatile tool for literacy development. Learn Anywhere, Anytime! Whether it's in the classroom, at home, or on the go, Phonics Friends is designed for flexibility. Its simple user interface and captivating characters keep students engaged and interested, transforming phonics practice into an enjoyable experience. Monitor Progress and Achievements Parents and teachers can easily track student progress within the app. This feature helps in assessing the effectiveness of the learning process and encourages continued engagement. Join the Phonics Friends Family Today! Embark on this phonics adventure and watch as your child flourishes in their reading journey. Phonics Friends is more than just an app; it’s a companion in your child’s educational journey, making learning to read an exciting and rewarding experience. Download now and let the phonics fun begin!

Screenshots

Math Word Problems4 screens
Phonics Friends4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phonics Friends at monthly against Math Word Problems's every 22 months. Phonics Friends also leads on price ($2.99 vs $6.99). Math Word Problems's advantage is iOS requirement (12.2 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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

Math Word Problems costs $6.99 and Phonics Friends $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Math Word Problems ships an update every 22 months, Phonics Friends monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Math Word Problems versus Phonics Friends: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMath Word ProblemsPhonics Friends
Price$6.99$2.99 — better
Rating3.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 22 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.2 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB631 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJanine TooleTeacher Created Materials

In-app purchases

None

Math Word Problems

No in-app purchases

None

Phonics Friends

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Math Word Problems free?
Math Word Problems costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phonics Friends free?
Phonics Friends costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Math Word Problems or Phonics Friends have ads?
Neither Math Word Problems nor Phonics Friends shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Math Word Problems or Phonics Friends?
Math Word Problems ships an update every 22 months, and Phonics Friends monthly. Most recently, Math Word Problems was updated on June 3, 2026 and Phonics Friends on September 23, 2026.

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