Virtual or Physical Soroban? I Bought a Real One for $15 – Now It's Collecting Dust
I bought a real Soroban on Amazon. My son used it for 2 weeks then abandoned it for the app. Here's my detailed comparison after trying both – and why the app version won.
"You need a real abacus to learn Soroban!" – That's what I thought when I decided to teach my son mental math. I went on Amazon, ordered a $15 wooden Soroban right away. When it arrived, my son excitedly opened it and slid the beads around. Then... 2 weeks later it sat in a corner collecting dust. I asked myself: Where did I go wrong?
Why I Thought Physical Was Essential
I read online that Soroban is Japan's super-brain mental math method. Japanese kids learn Soroban from young age and calculate like computers. I wanted my son to be like that too.
I searched "Soroban abacus" on Amazon and found tons of results. Prices from $10 to $40. I picked a $15 one, 13 rods, plastic beads. 5-star reviews. I figured it was good enough to start.
When it arrived, I told my son: "Honey, this is a Soroban abacus. Learn this and you'll calculate like a superhero!" He was so excited, sat down and slid the beads around.
But then problems started...
Problems I Encountered With the Real Abacus
1. I Didn't Know How to Teach
I had the abacus but didn't know Soroban myself. I searched YouTube for tutorials. After 5 minutes, I was confused. Upper beads, lower beads, slide up, slide down... I didn't understand, so how could I teach my son?
2. My Son Played Without Knowing Right or Wrong
He slid beads around like playing with a toy. Just randomly. I asked: "What's your answer?" He said: "I don't know, I'm just playing." No one checking, no feedback – he wasn't learning anything.
3. No Exercises Included
The abacus is just a tool. Learning requires exercises. I searched everywhere but couldn't find a proper Soroban workbook in English for kids his age.
4. Beads Were Loose, Son Got Bored
The $15 version had average quality. Beads were slightly loose. Slide hard once and they scattered everywhere. Had to reset. He couldn't do it himself, asked me, I was busy... Eventually he avoided using it.
I realized: Having a real abacus doesn't mean your child will learn. Without guidance, without exercises, without feedback – the abacus is just a toy.
When I Tried the Virtual Abacus
One day I searched "teach Soroban at home" and found apps with virtual abacuses. I downloaded one to try. I was surprised.
The virtual abacus had things the real one didn't:
- •Step-by-step guidance: Which bead to slide, in which direction
- •Leveled exercises: From easy to hard, appropriate for each stage
- •Auto-grading: Instant right/wrong feedback
- •Rewards and badges: Goals that motivate learning
- •Learn anywhere: On phone, iPad, computer
My son tried one session and completed 20 exercises. Meanwhile, with the real abacus, in 2 weeks he hadn't completed a single one.
Detailed Comparison: Physical vs Virtual
Physical Soroban
- •Pro: Real tactile feel, sliding real beads – good for fine motor skills
- •Pro: No electricity or internet needed
- •Pro: Can last forever if well maintained
- •Con: No exercises included
- •Con: No guidance – parents must figure out how to teach
- •Con: No right/wrong feedback
- •Con: Bulky, hard to carry around
- •Con: Beads fall off easily on cheap models
Virtual Soroban (App)
- •Pro: Detailed step-by-step guidance
- •Pro: Leveled exercises from basic to advanced
- •Pro: Instant auto-grading and feedback
- •Pro: Gamification (badges, points) for motivation
- •Pro: Learn anywhere anytime
- •Pro: Parents don't need to know Soroban
- •Con: Requires electronic device
- •Con: No real tactile sensation
When to Use a Physical Abacus
After experiencing both, here's my thinking:
Early stage (first 1-3 months): Use virtual. Your child needs to learn correct techniques and rules. The app provides guidance so they won't learn wrong habits from the start.
After getting comfortable (month 3+): Can buy a real one for extra practice. By then they know how to use it; they just need practice to master it.
If you can't afford a physical one: Virtual alone is enough. The ultimate goal of Soroban is mental calculation (Anzan) – no abacus needed at all.
Tip: If you still want to buy a physical one, choose $20+ versions, 13-17 rods, with smooth-sliding beads that stay in place. Don't go cheap like I did!
My Son's Results
After 2 months using the virtual abacus on the app, my son can add and subtract within 100 on Soroban. He does 15-20 exercises daily, about 15 minutes each session.
The important thing: He enjoys learning. Because of points, levels, rewards. He sees it as a game, not homework.
The $15 physical abacus? It sits on a shelf. Occasionally he takes it out to play – but just play, not learn.
Advice for Parents
- •Don't rush to buy physical: Let your child try virtual first. If they like it and practice regularly, buy a physical one as a reward.
- •Choose an app with clear curriculum: Not all apps are good. Need leveled exercises, guidance, auto-grading.
- •Don't expect self-learning with physical abacus: If you don't know Soroban, your child can't self-learn with a physical one. They need guidance.
- •Method matters more than tool: The abacus is just a tool. How you learn determines results.
If you're deciding between buying a physical abacus or using an app, try the app first. It's free, nothing to lose. If your child learns well, you can always buy a physical one later.
Sorokid has a free virtual Soroban abacus with leveled exercises. Your child can self-learn even if you don't know Soroban.
Let Your Child Try Free