Comparison

Pattern Sets vs SPELLING MAGIC 4

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

Head to head
About

Pattern Sets

This app helps young learners develop number sense by practicing subitizing, the ability to quickly recognize quantities without counting. It features various dot patterns, dice patterns, and 10-frames for practice, with adjustable settings for exposure time and quantity range.

Highlights
  • Subitizing practice
  • Dot patterns
  • Dice patterns
  • 10-frames
  • Adjustable time and quantity
  • Two-color patterns
Features
Read full description

Subitizing, or quickly recognizing the quantity of objects in a group without having to count, is an important number sense skill. Practice recognizing the number of dots in a variety of pattern types including from 1 to 10 dots. Dice patterns and patterns based on 10-frames are included. Patterns are made with one or two colors. Set the length of time a pattern is shown and the range of dots displayed. The iPad version also incorporates up to 20 dots and two 10 Frames Pattern Sets is one app in the NumberSense series designed at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois for K-2 grade students. In addition to the support website, see www.augustana.edu/numbersense for information about the project. Pattern Sets is one app in the NumberSense series designed at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois for K-2 grade students. In addition to the support website, see www.augustana.edu/numbersense for information about the project.

About

SPELLING MAGIC 4

This app teaches children silent final 'e' words using phonics principles and interactive games. It helps build phonemic awareness and expand vocabulary through word building and exploration activities.

Highlights
  • Silent final 'e' word focus
  • Word building activities
  • Moveable alphabet exploration
  • Pronunciation aid with pictures
  • Phonics and phonemic awareness games
  • Science of Reading principles
Read full description

Introducing SPELLING MAGIC 4 – a dynamic app that focuses on teaching silent final e words to children. SPELLING MAGIC 4 incorporates the main principles of the Science of Reading. In the "Word Building" section, kids get to use the letters of the word to construct it, while the "Moveable Alphabet" section allows them to explore word construction using the entire alphabet. SPELLING MAGIC 4 offers ample opportunities for practicing building silent e words, including words that may not be part of a young learner's everyday vocabulary. This provides a unique chance to expand their word bank and vocabulary. The app also pronounces the word when the user taps on pictures, aiding in pronunciation and comprehension. SPELLING MAGIC 4 is committed to time-tested phonics principles to help children develop solid reading skills. It provides direct experience with letters and sounds to build phonemic awareness, improve phonological processing ability, and lay strong foundations in reading. The app includes games that focus on essential pre-reading skills such as blending and segmenting, offering meaningful challenges to strengthen phonemic awareness. Developed by a team of educators using accelerated learning techniques and Montessori principles, SPELLING MAGIC 4 has been thoroughly tested and approved by preschool children and their teachers in various settings. Your feedback and suggestions are highly valued as we continue to refine and enhance the app for an optimal learning experience. SPELLING MAGIC 4 is perfect for young children learning intermediate reading skills and those who are learning the foundations of English as their second language. Join us on this exciting learning journey and give your child the gift of strong reading skills that will set them up for success in school and in life.

Screenshots

Pattern Sets4 screens
SPELLING MAGIC 44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pattern Sets at 5.0 against SPELLING MAGIC 4's 4.4. Pattern Sets also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 7 months vs every 33 months). SPELLING MAGIC 4's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 1). 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. SPELLING MAGIC 4 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pattern Sets asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pattern Sets holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SPELLING MAGIC 4 has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pattern Sets ships an update every 7 months, SPELLING MAGIC 4 every 33 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Pattern Sets versus SPELLING MAGIC 4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPattern SetsSPELLING MAGIC 4
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.4 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings110 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 months — betterEvery 33 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB169 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClassroom Focused SoftwarePRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY

Customer experience

Pattern Sets

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SPELLING MAGIC 4

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Pattern Sets

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 4

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99

Questions

Is Pattern Sets free?
Pattern Sets is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SPELLING MAGIC 4 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 4 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pattern Sets or SPELLING MAGIC 4?
Pattern Sets is rated higher. Pattern Sets averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SPELLING MAGIC 4 averages 4.4 from 10 ratings.
Do Pattern Sets or SPELLING MAGIC 4 have ads?
Neither Pattern Sets nor SPELLING MAGIC 4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pattern Sets or SPELLING MAGIC 4?
Pattern Sets ships an update every 7 months, and SPELLING MAGIC 4 every 33 months. Most recently, Pattern Sets was updated on November 1, 2026 and SPELLING MAGIC 4 on November 1, 2026.

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