# Highlights™ Shapes vs Highlights Library Reading

The clearest difference is rating: Highlights™ Shapes at 3.9 against Highlights Library Reading's 3.2. Highlights™ Shapes also leads on review sentiment (63% vs 32%) and ratings volume (342 vs 41). Highlights Library Reading's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Highlights™ Shapes sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Highlights Library Reading asks for nothing beyond the download.

Highlights™ Shapes holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Highlights™ Shapes has 342 ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Highlights™ Shapes's written reviews are positive against 32% of Highlights Library Reading's.

Highlights™ Shapes ships an update every 6 weeks, Highlights Library Reading every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Highlights™ Shapes | Highlights Library Reading |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (342 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlights-shapes/id1127726827/reviews)** | [3.2 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlights-library-reading/id1468973367/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **342** | 41 |
| Positive reviews | **62.8% of reviews** | 32.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 96 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Highlights for Children, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/567496442) | [Chungchy Dot Com Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/979464384) |

## What reviewers say

### Highlights™ Shapes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlights-shapes/id1127726827)

This app helps young children learn and practice matching, sorting, and categorizing shapes and colors through engaging, story-driven puzzles. It features imaginative worlds and gradually increasing challenges to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

**Highlights:** Shape and color matching, Sorting and categorizing activities, Color mixing lessons, Progressive challenge levels, Exploration of imaginative worlds, Ad-free environment, Multiple language options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chapter Two | $1.99 | one-time |
| Chapter Three | $1.99 | one-time |
| Chapter Four | $1.99 | one-time |
| Chapter Five | $1.99 | one-time |
| "Pack 2 + Pack 3" | $2.99 | one-time |
| 25% Off Preschool Puzzle Fun! | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👶 Excellent educational tool for learning shapes and colors
- 🎮 Engaging and intuitive gameplay mechanics for toddlers
- 🧠 Builds abstract reasoning, patience, and problem-solving skills
- 🎨 Appealing graphics and visual design
- 🦊 Charming fox character guide

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 Persistent sound/audio issues across multiple devices
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for additional levels
- 🚫 No family sharing support for purchases
- 📉 Limited content - only 3-4 levels available
- ⏱️ Levels complete too quickly (3-10 minutes each)

**Reported bugs**

- Sound/audio not working despite system updates and reinstalls
- Notifications must be enabled for sound to function
- Purchased levels not transferring to new devices
- Language switching glitch preventing Spanish audio
- Home button not protected from accidental child taps

**Requested features**

- More levels and increased difficulty progression
- Additional shape types and more complex puzzles
- Alphabet/letter learning app similar to shapes version
- Language options including Spanish and Chinese audio
- Family sharing capability for purchases


### Highlights Library Reading

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlights-library-reading/id1468973367)

This digital library offers a vast collection of engaging stories for young learners, designed to build reading confidence and foster a love for books. It provides an interactive experience with audio, videos, and puzzles, supported by a learning management system for educators.

**Highlights:** Extensive digital library of stories, Audio support for all stories, Engaging videos and puzzles, Customizable learning management system, Focus on building reading confidence, Hidden Pictures puzzles

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Highlights™ Shapes free?

Highlights™ Shapes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Highlights Library Reading free?

Highlights Library Reading is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Highlights™ Shapes or Highlights Library Reading?

Highlights™ Shapes is rated higher. Highlights™ Shapes averages 3.9 out of 5 from 342 ratings, while Highlights Library Reading averages 3.2 from 41 ratings.

### Do Highlights™ Shapes or Highlights Library Reading have ads?

Neither Highlights™ Shapes nor Highlights Library Reading shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Highlights™ Shapes or Highlights Library Reading?

Highlights™ Shapes ships an update every 6 weeks, and Highlights Library Reading every 5 weeks. Most recently, Highlights™ Shapes was updated on October 23, 2026 and Highlights Library Reading 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.*