# What's Hiding? vs Starfall Learn to Read

The clearest difference is rating: Starfall Learn to Read at 4.2 against What's Hiding?'s 2.0. Starfall Learn to Read also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 33%) and ratings volume (229 vs 3). What's Hiding?'s advantage is iOS requirement (8.1 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Starfall Learn to Read holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starfall Learn to Read has 229 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of What's Hiding?'s written reviews are positive against 75% of Starfall Learn to Read's.

What's Hiding? ships an update every 10 months, Starfall Learn to Read every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | What's Hiding? | Starfall Learn to Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whats-hiding/id416444482/reviews) | **[4.2 (229 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **229** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **74.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 9 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 37 MB | 91 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Classroom Focused Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/406741679) | [Starfall Education Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771099820) |

## What reviewers say

### What's Hiding?

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whats-hiding/id416444482)

This educational app helps young learners practice basic addition and subtraction. It uses visual aids like discs presented in frames, with some hidden to test number sense. The app supports numbers up to 20 and offers options for counting or subtilizing.

**Highlights:** Addition and subtraction practice, Visual disc counting, Numbers 1-5, 1-10, or 1-20 support, 5-frame and 10-frame formats, Counting or subtilizing options, iPad specific features

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Starfall Learn to Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261)

This free app offers engaging books, games, and movies to help children learn to read. It focuses on vowel sounds and spelling through interactive activities, songs, and movies, fostering a love for language and reading.

**Highlights:** Interactive reading activities, Engaging games and movies, Focus on vowel sounds and spelling, Songs and positive reinforcement, Suitable for emerging readers, Supports English language learners

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Excellent phonics and reading instruction method
- 🎵 Engaging songs and catchy tunes that maintain interest
- 🎨 Well-designed animations and interactive stories
- 👶 Effective for children with learning difficulties (dyslexia, ADHD, special needs)
- 💰 Free version available with substantial content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and fails to load on some devices
- ❌ Math games incompatible with certain iOS versions
- 📱 Technical issues with black/green screens on launch
- 🔄 Requires multiple restarts to function properly
- 💳 Misleading pricing - paid version converted to free

**Reported bugs**

- App won't load beyond launch screen (black or green screen)
- Math games incompatible with iPhone updates
- Sound not playing in some instances
- App requires deletion and reinstallation to function
- Crashes on iOS 9.2.1 and older versions

**Requested features**

- Reward/star system for motivation and progress tracking
- Lesson progression markers showing mastery of modules
- Writing and spelling exercises to reinforce learning
- More stories and content variety
- UK English version option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is What's Hiding? free?

What's Hiding? is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starfall Learn to Read free?

Starfall Learn to Read is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, What's Hiding? or Starfall Learn to Read?

Starfall Learn to Read is rated higher. What's Hiding? averages 2.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Starfall Learn to Read averages 4.2 from 229 ratings.

### Do What's Hiding? or Starfall Learn to Read have ads?

Neither What's Hiding? nor Starfall Learn to Read shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, What's Hiding? or Starfall Learn to Read?

What's Hiding? ships an update every 10 months, and Starfall Learn to Read every 9 months. Most recently, What's Hiding? was updated on October 11, 2026 and Starfall Learn to Read 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.*