# Benchmark Universe Library vs Scholastic F.I.R.S.T.

The clearest difference is rating: Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. at 3.5 against Benchmark Universe Library's 2.8. Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). Benchmark Universe Library's advantage is review sentiment (38% vs 10%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 60 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of Benchmark Universe Library's written reviews are positive against 10% of Scholastic F.I.R.S.T.'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Benchmark Universe Library ships an update every 6 months, Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Benchmark Universe Library | Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/benchmark-universe-library/id1080268475/reviews) | **[3.5 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scholastic-first/id1367760788/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **60** |
| Positive reviews | **37.5% of reviews** | 10.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 36 MB | 433 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Benchmark Education Company, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1080268474) | [Scholastic Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/392025741) |

## What reviewers say

### Benchmark Universe Library

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/benchmark-universe-library/id1080268475)

Access award-winning, leveled e-books for students and teachers. Download titles for offline use and enjoy features like audio read-aloud and comprehension support. Designed for easy navigation for K-8 learners.

**Highlights:** Award-winning, leveled e-books, Offline access via download, Audio read-aloud with text highlighting, Search and filter by level, Lexile, grade, and language, Support for close reading and comprehension, Extension activities

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Scholastic F.I.R.S.T.

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scholastic-first/id1367760788)

This app helps children learn to read through a research-based methodology that breaks down reading skills into thousands of micro-actions. It offers personalized learning paths and detailed progress reports for educators and parents.

**Highlights:** Personalized reading paths, Micro-action learning methodology, Phonemic awareness focus, Progress reporting for educators, Adaptive learning technology, Offline access

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Benchmark Universe Library free?

Benchmark Universe Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. free?

Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Benchmark Universe Library or Scholastic F.I.R.S.T.?

Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. is rated higher. Benchmark Universe Library averages 2.8 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. averages 3.5 from 60 ratings.

### Do Benchmark Universe Library or Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. have ads?

Neither Benchmark Universe Library nor Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Benchmark Universe Library or Scholastic F.I.R.S.T.?

Benchmark Universe Library ships an update every 6 months, and Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. every 2 months. Most recently, Benchmark Universe Library was updated on October 24, 2026 and Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. on October 24, 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.*