Comparison

Alphabuddy vs Young Writer

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

Head to head
About

Alphabuddy

Features
Read full description

With Alphabuddy children (age 2 - 6) will practice tracing the letters of the alphabet. This is done with the help of unique hand-crafted plasticine letters and exclusively illustrated animals. Your child will learn how to write the letters, while you’re busy working, driving, or in line at the supermarket! Children’s critical reading skills have declined during the pandemic, with the potential destructive consequence being a lacking self-esteem in their adult lives. Research shows that: -Reading helps to stir the imagination -Reading helps to build character -Reading helps to keep focus -Reading promotes deep thinking Bottom line: although games and video have a place in their lives, your children could be missing out on the most important skill if there is little room for learning the alphabet at an early age. Key Features: -Practice writing the letters of the alphabet One of the most effective ways to teach children to read separate letters is to let them trace the letters of the alphabet. Alphabuddy does just that! -Associate the letter to an animal The animal illustrations were created exclusively for Alphabuddy. They help the child link a letter to an animal, creating a fun and playful environment. -Stay on track with reminders when it’s time to practice next Too many to-do’s to keep track of? We hear you. Add Alphabuddy to your routine by simply setting up a reminder to pop up on a scheduled time and day. It could be when it’s time to wash the dishes, connect to the meeting or right after nap time! Perks: -100% ad-free and kid-friendly -The letters are unique and hand-crafted from plasticine, making them memorable and easy to recognize -Energetic female voice-over and happy music -Colorful and super-easy-to-use design Plan options: -Alphabuddy Free Learn and practice tracing the hand-crafted letters A to E with a little help from our best friends: the Alligator, Butterfly, Cat, Dolphin and Elephant. -Alphabuddy Premium Trace the entire alphabet of hand-crafted letters from A-Z with the rest of our unique custom illustrated animals for only $4.99.

About

Young Writer

This app offers interactive tracing lessons for children to learn letters, numbers, and shapes. It provides guided practice and rewards to build confidence and fine motor skills. Unlock more content through various subscription options.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step tracing guidance
  • Animated stroke demonstrations
  • Real-time tracing feedback
  • Multiple child profiles
  • Left- and right-handed support
  • Rewards and achievements
Features
Read full description

Young Writer: LEARN & TRACE Help children learn to write—one letter, number, shape, and word at a time. Young Writer turns handwriting practice into a guided learning experience for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and early elementary learners. Children trace with step-by-step guidance while parents, teachers, and instructors can see how they are actually writing, adjust practice settings, and tailor lessons to each child. NEW IN YOUNG WRITER 2.0 SEE THE WRITING Know more than just whether a lesson earned a star. • Replay completed traces in Checking for Understanding • Review how a child formed a letter, number, shape, or word • Export progress and trace information as a PDF when you need to share or keep a record • Use the child's actual writing to identify areas that need more practice SET THE STANDARD Choose how challenging practice should be for your child or students. • Adjust difficulty and pass criteria • Choose dotted, dashed, or solid tracing guides • Control step hints, sounds, celebrations, and auto-advance • Configure recording and practice behavior • Set defaults for everyone or make an individual exception when needed MAKE IT YOUR OWN Every child learns differently. • Create custom letters, numbers, names and phrases for a child to trace • Draw your own version and compare it with the app's default • Save multiple custom versions and switch between them • Restore the original letters whenever you want A quick parental gate keeps adult tools away from little hands. FREE TO START Start learning immediately with free Capital ABC and Animal tracing modules. Children can: • Trace uppercase letters A–Z • Trace animals • Create their own profile • Earn stars for completed lessons • Learn proper stroke order through guided tracing • Practice with a finger or Apple Pencil on iPad UNLOCK THE COMPLETE LEARNING EXPERIENCE Premium unlocks all current premium modules and future educational content as it is released. • Lowercase Letters — a–z • Numbers — 0–20 • Shapes • Names • Phrases • Future learning modules DESIGNED FOR YOUNG LEARNERS • Step-by-step tracing guidance • Animated stroke demonstrations • Real-time tracing feedback • Encouraging rewards and achievements • Multiple child profiles • Left- and right-handed writing support • Apple Pencil support • Kid-friendly interface • No advertisements BUILT FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS & INSTRUCTORS Young Writer works on the same device whether one parent is practicing with a child at home or an instructor is working with multiple learners. Adults can manage profiles, configure practice, review completed traces, and preserve learning records—while children stay focused on the activity itself. GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD Start with capital letters and animal tracing, then progress to lowercase letters, numbers, shapes, words, and phrases. New handwriting lessons and learning modules are added regularly. PREMIUM OPTIONS Choose the plan that works for your family: • Monthly Subscription • Yearly Subscription • Lifetime Unlock Premium unlocks all current premium content and future premium modules while your subscription is active, or forever with Lifetime Unlock. Young Writer is designed for: • Toddlers • Preschool & Pre-K • Kindergarten • Homeschool • Early elementary • Parents & caregivers • Teachers & instructors Whether your child is writing their first capital letter, practicing numbers, learning shapes, tracing words, or working on a customized version of a letter, Young Writer provides guided practice with an adult in control of the learning experience. Download Young Writer and start learning one step at a time. Privacy Policy: https://www.satwebapps.com/ic/wp/young-writer-trace-letters-numbers-and-shapes/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Alphabuddy4 screens
Young Writer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Alphabuddy at 13.0 against Young Writer's 17.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Alphabuddy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Young Writer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alphabuddy ships an update every 10 days, Young Writer every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Alphabuddy versus Young Writer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlphabuddyYoung Writer
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBababoon Games BVDan Ristea

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Alphabuddy

One-time1
  • F-Z Letters$2.99
3 purchases

Young Writer

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium3 Days trial$3.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$6.99

Questions

Is Alphabuddy free?
Alphabuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Young Writer free?
Young Writer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Alphabuddy or Young Writer have ads?
Neither Alphabuddy nor Young Writer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alphabuddy or Young Writer?
Alphabuddy ships an update every 10 days, and Young Writer every 6 days. Most recently, Alphabuddy was updated on October 30, 2026 and Young Writer on October 25, 2026.

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