Comparison

Reading Machine vs Lexy

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

Head to head
About

Reading Machine

This educational app helps beginning and struggling readers learn new words by breaking them down into letters and sounds. It acts as a personal reading tutor, guiding users to decode unfamiliar words independently, enhancing confidence and reading enjoyment.

Highlights
  • Word decoding with phonics
  • Personalized reading tutor
  • Supports over 5,000 words
  • Text-to-speech engine
  • Book suggestions for readers
  • Full decoding support for early reader titles
Features
Read full description

Used by teachers, parents, and learners since 2010, Reading Machine is now available for free! This app for beginning and struggling readers is still 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you have any technical issues with the app, or if the app does not meet your expectations for any reason, please email us so we can address your needs and strengthen our support for more readers and a better world. Email: diana@dianasharp.com or support@sharpcuriosity.com Reading Machine helps readers learn new words by seeing and hearing how the letters and sounds in a word go together. The app is perfect for times when readers can’t or don’t want to ask someone else for help on unfamiliar words. Like a personal reading tutor, the app guides readers into figuring out a new word based on the word’s letters and sounds. Readers can use the app while they read traditional books or other printed material. They can also use the app alongside e-books, websites, and other digital material on the iPad. The app is a fun addition to parent-child reading time, and it also works well for older readers who do not like to ask for help on words when they read independently. Developing readers of any age can gain self-confidence as they figure out new words on their own with the app’s support. Videos of how the app works are available at www.sharpcuriosity.com. Created by a parent, learning scientist, and reading researcher, the app’s underlying dictionary is powered by a real human voice with support for over 5,000 words, plus a text-to-speech engine for pronouncing all other words. As readers advance from simple to more complex words, the app dictionary provides tailored decoding support for each word, ranging from individual phonemes and letters, to multi-letter sounds, syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words, and whole words within compound words. The app also includes suggestions for parents about fun books to get at the library or bookstore to match readers’ interests and skill levels. • The Reading Machine is like a secret decoder ring for unlocking printed words. Use it paired with real books – books you already own or books you’ve borrowed from the public library.  Or use it on the iPad alongside e-books or web pages. • Great for early or struggling readers. • Lets you have more fun reading with your child because your child can use the Reading Machine to figure out words instead of having to ask you for help. • Best for children who already know the sounds that go with each letter and can read some words, but still need help reading sentences and books. • Comes with full decoding and phonics support for all the words in over 125 well-loved early reader titles.  Older readers can even use the app with the first chapter of Harry Potter. • The app provides lists of suggested titles (“Book Sets”) for readers with different interests and skill levels.  This is a great guide for finding books your reader will enjoy. These books are easy to find for free at your public library.  Or head to your favorite bookstore.  • All the words in over 125 books, listed in the Book Sets, have phonics support provided by the app, with clear pronunciation recorded by a natural, human voice.  • For any word not in the app’s dictionary, readers can hear the whole word pronunciation with text-to-speech voice.  So they are never stuck on any word. • Among the words that have phonics and decoding support are the 300 most frequent words in the English language, which cover 65% of all English reading material. Many of these words are often called “sight words.” • When new Book Sets and new words are available for the app, they can be downloaded for free from within the app. For more info and videos, see http://www.sharpcuriosity.com

About

Lexy

This app uses phonics games and AI to help children learn to read. It adapts to each child's pace and provides personalized feedback, making reading practice fun and effective for struggling readers, including those with dyslexia and ADHD. It offers structured lessons and progress tracking in a distraction-free environment.

Highlights
  • Adaptive phonics lessons
  • On-device voice recognition
  • Orton-Gillingham inspired methods
  • Structured phonics curriculum
  • Progress tracking
  • Dyslexia-friendly design
  • AR rewards
Features
Read full description

Is your child struggling with reading? Watching a bright kid dread reading homework is hard. Lexy turns learning to read into phonics games your child will actually ask to play - a patient tutor that listens as they read aloud, adapts to their pace, and celebrates every win. Built for dyslexia, ADHD, and every struggling reader. WHY PARENTS & TEACHERS LOVE LEXY "My dyslexic son actually ASKS to practice!" - Parent "Best IEP intervention tool we've found" - Special Ed Teacher A READING TUTOR THAT GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD Lexy is like having a patient, encouraging tutor who remembers everything: - Lessons get easier or harder based on how your child is doing TODAY - Extra help appears exactly when they need it (like magic!) - Never too fast, never too slow - just right for their pace - Catches tricky patterns before frustration sets in - Gets smarter about what works for YOUR child every week STRUCTURED PHONICS, PROVEN METHODS - 50+ structured phonics lessons, from letter sounds to decodable words and sight words - Orton-Gillingham inspired multisensory learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) - 10,000+ word smart dictionary with age-appropriate definitions - Interactive reading games with instant voice feedback - Daily phonics practice sessions personalized to your child - Progress tracking so you can watch reading confidence grow BUILT FOR DYSLEXIC AND NEURODIVERGENT LEARNERS - On-device voice recognition hears your child read and coaches pronunciation - ADHD-friendly short, engaging sessions - Dyslexia-friendly fonts and customizable display options - Pacing that respects cognitive load limits MAKES READING PRACTICE FUN, NOT FRUSTRATING - Stunning 3D AR rewards to collect and share - Achievement system that celebrates small wins - Home Screen widgets show daily progress and streaks - Custom Daily Goals adapt to age and skill level - Friendly AI tutor (Lexy) provides personal encouragement - No ads, no distractions - pure learning environment PERFECT FOR: - Struggling readers and kids with dyslexia (ages 5-12) - Parents helping early readers learn to read at home - Teachers and special education professionals - Schools and classrooms (bulk licensing available) - Homeschool families building a daily reading habit - Teens and adults improving literacy skills - English language learners (ESL/EFL) PRIVACY AND SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST - Apple Intelligence: voice processing happens on-device for maximum privacy - COPPA and GDPR Compliant (safe for children under 13) - FERPA Compliant (approved for educational institutions) - Hybrid AI: on-device Apple Intelligence + secure cloud AI for personalization - No third-party tracking or data selling - No ads or intrusive in-app purchase prompts - Family-friendly content with age-appropriate vocabulary AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES - American English - British English - French - German - Spanish START FREE TODAY Two practice sessions free every day. No credit card required. Premium unlocks unlimited practice and the full curriculum - cancel anytime. Download now • Try 50+ phonics lessons Perfect for: Dyslexia • ADHD • Struggling Readers • Homeschool • IEP/504 Plans Join thousands of families who've made reading practice something their kids actually look forward to. Small wins every day add up to real reading confidence. Created by DyslexiaAI - educators and parents building world-class tools for dyslexic and neurodivergent minds. SUPPORT AND RESOURCES Privacy Policy: https://dyslexia.ai/privacy-policy Support Center: https://dyslexia.ai/contact Educator Portal: https://dyslexia.ai/platform Contact Us: support@dyslexia.ai Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Reading Machine4 screens
Lexy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lexy at 4.5 against Reading Machine's 3.6. Lexy also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (319 vs 13). Reading Machine's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 33%) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, ads and device support 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. Lexy sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Reading Machine asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lexy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lexy has 319 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Reading Machine's written reviews are positive against 33% of Lexy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading Machine ships an update every 14 months, Lexy monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Reading Machine versus Lexy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading MachineLexy
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (13 ratings)4.5 (319 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings13319 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDiana Sharp ConsultingRound Tower Software Studios Limited

Customer experience

Reading Machine

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Lexy

All ratings319 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral4.7%
Negative10.7%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Reading Machine

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Lexy

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App glitches on iPhone
  • AI learner not working
  • WiFi error messages
  • Error messages displayed frequently
  • Cannot sign up
Show 11 more
  • 3D rewards freeze screen
  • Calibration issue
  • App crashes
  • Phonetics not working in French
  • Upside down letters
  • Premium pop-up prevents play
  • Microphone not detecting voice
  • Sound takes over a minute to play
  • App freezes phone
  • Premium issues after free trial
  • App won't let user do anything after paying

Requested features

3 requests
  • More time for sounding out words
  • More levels (up to 15)
  • Fix microphone issues for lisp

In-app purchases

None

Reading Machine

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Lexy

Subscriptions10
  • Premium Monthly14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly$5.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Educational Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Family Monthly14 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly14 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly14 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • Yearly1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • Educational Yearly14 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Family Yearly14 Days trial$89.001 Year

Questions

Is Reading Machine free?
Reading Machine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lexy free?
Lexy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Reading Machine or Lexy?
Lexy is rated higher. Reading Machine averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Lexy averages 4.5 from 319 ratings.
Do Reading Machine or Lexy have ads?
Neither Reading Machine nor Lexy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading Machine or Lexy?
Reading Machine ships an update every 14 months, and Lexy monthly. Most recently, Reading Machine was updated on November 1, 2026 and Lexy on November 3, 2026.

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