# Play n' Trace vs Manuscript

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Play n' Trace at none against Manuscript's 7. Play n' Trace also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 26.0). Manuscript's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 18 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Manuscript sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Play n' Trace asks for nothing beyond the download.

Play n' Trace ships an update every 18 months, Manuscript every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Play n' Trace | Manuscript |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-n-trace/id1017771990/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **5** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 265 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Buffalo Games, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818576121) | [Junaid Khan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869793914) |

## What reviewers say

### Play n' Trace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-n-trace/id1017771990)

This app enhances an electronic writing tablet for children aged 3-10, offering interactive games and lessons. It uses the tablet's translucent surface for tracing, writing, and learning activities, developed with child development experts.

**Highlights:** Interactive learning games, Tracing activities, Progressive lesson levels, Child development focus, Doodle and write functionality, Clear screen with button press

**In-app purchases:** none


### Manuscript

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manuscript-handwriting-ai/id6758747421)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Manuscript+ | $5.99 | per month |
| Manuscript+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Pencil Sharpener | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gold Star | $4.99 | one-time |
| Apple for Teacher | $9.99 | one-time |
| Standing Ovation | $19.99 | one-time |
| Manuscript+ Lifetime | $139.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Play n' Trace free?

Play n' Trace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Manuscript free?

Manuscript is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Play n' Trace or Manuscript have ads?

Neither Play n' Trace nor Manuscript shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Play n' Trace or Manuscript?

Play n' Trace ships an update every 18 months, and Manuscript every 2 weeks. Most recently, Play n' Trace was updated on November 1, 2026 and Manuscript on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*