# StoryBuilder for iPad vs First Phrases

The clearest difference is rating: First Phrases at 4.2 against StoryBuilder for iPad's 3.4. First Phrases also leads on device support (3 vs 1). StoryBuilder for iPad's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $15.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

StoryBuilder for iPad costs $7.99 and First Phrases $15.99 up front. First Phrases sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. StoryBuilder for iPad asks for nothing beyond the download.

First Phrases holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 13 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 95% and 94% positive.

StoryBuilder for iPad ships an update every 7 months, First Phrases every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StoryBuilder for iPad | First Phrases |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$7.99** | $15.99 |
| Rating | [3.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storybuilder-for-ipad/id377631532/reviews) | **[4.2 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases/id473894018/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **13** |
| Positive reviews | **94.8% of reviews** | 93.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 56 MB | 612 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mobile Education Store LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/344378744) | [Hamaguchi Learning & Development, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/460288922) |

## What reviewers say

### StoryBuilder for iPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storybuilder-for-ipad/id377631532)

This app helps children improve their narrative skills by assisting with paragraph formation, idea integration, and abstract thinking through inference. It utilizes audio clips to enhance auditory processing for children with special needs, offering a fun environment to build stories.

**Highlights:** Improve paragraph formation, Integrate ideas, Higher level abstractions, Auditory processing enhancement, Record narrative in own voice, Archive and email stories, Import photos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for creative writing
- 👍 Encourages story telling
- 👍 Helps with sentence structure
- 👍 Recording feature is beneficial
- 👍 Useful for special needs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Lack of diversity in pictures
- 😞 Some picture prompts are confusing
- 😞 Recordings don't stay in archive long
- 😞 Voice recording can be strange
- 😞 Visuals could be better

**Reported bugs**

- Recordings deleted after a week
- Voice recording can be strange

**Requested features**

- French or Spanish version
- Import own pictures
- Video export of stories
- Tap words to hear them read aloud
- More age-appropriate content for older kids


### First Phrases

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases/id473894018)

This interactive app helps young children learn to combine words into meaningful phrases. It features animated characters performing actions and allows for recording and playback to aid language development. Ideal for speech therapy and early literacy support.

**Highlights:** 72 verb + noun phrase combinations, Animated characters performing actions, Record and playback speech, Group setting for multiple users, Data collection and reporting, Visual support for learning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| In-app purchase | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Engaging animations
- 👍 Effective for speech therapy
- 👍 Customizable settings
- 👍 Good for language development
- 👍 Interactive learning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 🐛 Screen share disconnects
- 💰 In-app purchases for characters
- 💰 Price considered high by some
- 🐛 App crashes frequently

**Reported bugs**

- Screen share disconnects during animations
- App crashes frequently
- Settings do not save
- Words do not flip to show phrases after update
- App not working after new iPad purchase (resolved)

**Requested features**

- Store recordings for progress tracking
- Add more phrases
- Allow more student profiles
- Save multiple recordings
- Repeat targeted phrase with icons on all pages


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StoryBuilder for iPad free?

StoryBuilder for iPad costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is First Phrases free?

First Phrases costs $15.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, StoryBuilder for iPad or First Phrases?

First Phrases is rated higher. StoryBuilder for iPad averages 3.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while First Phrases averages 4.2 from 13 ratings.

### Do StoryBuilder for iPad or First Phrases have ads?

Neither StoryBuilder for iPad nor First Phrases shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StoryBuilder for iPad or First Phrases?

StoryBuilder for iPad ships an update every 7 months, and First Phrases every 4 months. Most recently, StoryBuilder for iPad was updated on November 1, 2026 and First Phrases on November 6, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*