iWriteWords vs Handwriting Heroes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iWriteWords
This app combines drawing letters with a fun game where players guide a character to collect numbered balls. Successfully drawing all letters reveals a cute illustration and allows progression to new levels.
- Draw letters to collect numbered balls
- Guide character with finger
- Reveal cute drawings upon word completion
- Slide letters into a spinning hole
- Advance through levels
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How to play: Help Mr. Crab collect the numbered balls by dragging him with your finger - and drawing the letter at the same time. Once all the letters in the word are drawn properly, a cute drawing appears. Slide the letters into the spinning hole and advance to the next level. --------------------------------------- Featured by Apple in "Back to School Apps" Featured by Apple in "Apps for Learning to Write" Featured by Apple in "Words for the Wise" Featured by Apple in "Summer Learning Fun for Kids" Featured by Apple in "Apps for Learning to Read" Featured by Apple in "Special Education" Featured by Apple in "Games for Kids" Featured by Apple in "Apps for Kids" Featured by Apple in "Staff Favorites".
Handwriting Heroes
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Handwriting Heroes is a systematic Pre-K through 3rd grade curriculum that has revived handwriting instruction in classrooms across the nation! Let our playful heroes teach your students how to form their letters through memorable tales, hilarious animations, and catchy tunes. The format is simple, and the pace is fast! Please visit www.handwritingheroes.org for more information.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Handwriting Heroes at Free against iWriteWords's $2.99. iWriteWords's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On 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
Handwriting Heroes is free to download; iWriteWords costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iWriteWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Handwriting Heroes every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iWriteWords | Handwriting Heroes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (12 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 156 MB | 653 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roy Winata | Cheryl Bregman |
Bugs and requests
iWriteWords
Reported bugs
4 issues- Occasional crashes
- Incompatible with iOS 6
- Letters not dropping in correct orientation
- Freezes almost every time used
Requested features
17 requests- Add your own word option
- additional practice
- option to pick letters
- phonics option
- ability to input words and names
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- option to hear letter sounds instead of names
- ability to choose which letters to practice
- speak the word after it's written
- speak the letters and word in a clear voice
- option for uppercase and lowercase letters
- ability to write numbers
- different skill levels with narrower thresholds
- ability to play alphabet song without shaking
- add more words and game center integration
- add more letters like J, Q, V
- add profiles for different users
- reset game option
Handwriting Heroes
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iWriteWords
No in-app purchases
Handwriting Heroes
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iWriteWords free?
Is Handwriting Heroes free?
Do iWriteWords or Handwriting Heroes have ads?
Which is updated more often, iWriteWords or Handwriting Heroes?
Other comparisons
