# iWriteWords vs iTrace for Schools

The clearest difference is price: iWriteWords at $2.99 against iTrace for Schools's $19.99. iWriteWords also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (94% vs 80%). iTrace for Schools's advantage is ratings volume (845 vs 12). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

iWriteWords costs $2.99 and iTrace for Schools $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

iWriteWords holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iTrace for Schools has 845 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of iWriteWords's written reviews are positive against 80% of iTrace for Schools's.

iWriteWords ships an update every 6 weeks, iTrace for Schools every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iWriteWords | iTrace for Schools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iwritewords/id307025309/reviews)** | [4.4 (845 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/itrace-for-schools/id583678381/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 12 | **845** |
| Positive reviews | **93.8% of reviews** | 80.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 156 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Roy Winata](https://appshunter.io/developer/1324561549) | [DEVPOCKET LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1316880489) |

## What reviewers say

### iWriteWords

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iwritewords/id307025309)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy for a preschooler to use
- 👍 Awesome app - best of class
- 👍 Helping my toddler write and spell words
- 👍 Very good
- 👍 Really cool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glad to see the update
- 🐛 Good, but more realistic and fun pictures please!
- 🐛 Good BUT ....
- 🐛 Needs a little more.
- 🐛 Some things arnt great.

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes
- Incompatible with iOS 6
- Letters not dropping in correct orientation
- Freezes almost every time used

**Requested features**

- Add your own word option
- additional practice
- option to pick letters
- phonics option
- ability to input words and names


### iTrace for Schools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/itrace-for-schools/id583678381)

This app guides children in learning to write letters, numbers, words, and shapes through interactive tracing and repetition. Designed for early learners, it fosters proper formation and fine-motor skills with positive reinforcement and adaptive pacing.

**Highlights:** Guided letter and number tracing, Print and cursive writing practice, Custom word lists with photos/voice, Multiple handwriting styles, Progress tracking and rewards, Printable worksheets

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Wonderful app for practicing handwriting
- 🎨 Ability to add custom words and pictures
- 📈 Tracks progress and mistakes
- 🚫 No ads or data collection
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Helps whole family learn

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive compared to free versions
- 🐛 Strict on letter tracing, not forgiving for early learners
- 🔙 Back button causes loss of progress
- 🔇 Sound issues and missing audio features
- 🔍 Difficult to access parent controls

**Reported bugs**

- Lowercase 'a' not recognized correctly
- Parental controls math problem not visible
- Sound stopped working after updates

**Requested features**

- Save completed words
- Option to practice just custom words
- Add letter names and sounds
- Cursive letter connections
- French language support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iWriteWords free?

iWriteWords costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is iTrace for Schools free?

iTrace for Schools costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iWriteWords or iTrace for Schools?

iWriteWords is rated higher. iWriteWords averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while iTrace for Schools averages 4.4 from 845 ratings.

### Do iWriteWords or iTrace for Schools have ads?

Neither iWriteWords nor iTrace for Schools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iWriteWords or iTrace for Schools?

iWriteWords ships an update every 6 weeks, and iTrace for Schools every 2 months. Most recently, iWriteWords was updated on October 29, 2026 and iTrace for Schools on October 21, 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.*