iWriteWords vs Starfall Numbers
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".
Starfall Numbers
This app uses interactive activities and songs to help children learn number recognition and counting skills. It connects numbers to real-world objects and introduces basic math concepts for early learners.
- Number symbol and value recognition
- Counting activities
- Interactive introductions for numbers 0-100
- Coin counting and math expressions
- 15 animated math songs
- Closed captioning for songs
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Explore numbers through the magic of curiosity and the power of motivation: the Starfall way! With this app, your child will learn to recognize number symbols and values by connecting them to real-world objects (such as 1 sun, 5 fingers, and 10 toes). Your child will then apply these concepts with counting activities and songs! Starfall Numbers includes interactive introductions for numbers 0-20, 25, 50, and 100. Counting activities introduce coins, math symbols, and simple expressions while building counting skills from 0 to 100 in entertaining and practical ways. Your child will also enjoy singing along with 15 Starfall math songs! Counting song favorites and calendar concepts are animated playfully, with a closed caption option to display song lyrics. Each activity and song reinforces simple language and basic vocabulary, making this app an excellent choice for pre-readers, emerging readers, and English language learners alike.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iWriteWords at 94% against Starfall Numbers's 25%. iWriteWords also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.2) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 11 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and chart position 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
iWriteWords costs $2.99 and Starfall Numbers $4.99 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 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 35 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of iWriteWords's written reviews are positive against 25% of Starfall Numbers's.
iWriteWords ships an update every 6 weeks, Starfall Numbers every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iWriteWords | Starfall Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (12 ratings) — better | 3.2 (35 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.8% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 35 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 11 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #137 — better | #192 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 156 MB | 78 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roy Winata | Starfall Education Foundation |
Customer experience
iWriteWords
Starfall Numbers
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
Starfall Numbers
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iWriteWords
No in-app purchases
Starfall Numbers
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iWriteWords free?
Is Starfall Numbers free?
Which has better reviews, iWriteWords or Starfall Numbers?
Do iWriteWords or Starfall Numbers have ads?
Which is updated more often, iWriteWords or Starfall Numbers?
Which is more popular, iWriteWords or Starfall Numbers?
Other comparisons
