# READING MAGIC vs Reading Raven

The clearest difference is price: READING MAGIC at Free against Reading Raven's $2.99. READING MAGIC also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 16 months). Reading Raven's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (87% vs 62%). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

READING MAGIC is free to download; Reading Raven costs $2.99 up front. READING MAGIC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Reading Raven asks for nothing beyond the download.

READING MAGIC holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 64 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of READING MAGIC's written reviews are positive against 87% of Reading Raven's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

READING MAGIC ships an update every 6 months, Reading Raven every 16 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC | Reading Raven |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[4.6 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-learning-to-read/id416896853/reviews)** | [4.3 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-raven/id508474629/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **64** |
| Positive reviews | 62.2% of reviews | **86.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#199** |
| Size | 208 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [Early Ascent, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/496586138) |

## What reviewers say

### READING MAGIC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-learning-to-read/id416896853)

This app makes learning to read an exciting adventure for young children. It focuses on CVC words and uses science-based phonics principles to build essential reading skills like blending and segmenting.

**Highlights:** CVC word focus, Blending and segmenting practice, Phonemic awareness building, Phonological processing improvement, Engaging games and activities, Discourages picture guessing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deluxe Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |


### Reading Raven

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-raven/id508474629)

**Currently charting:** #199 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This app guides young children through a fun, adventure-filled journey to learn reading. It offers step-by-step lessons from pre-reading skills to reading full sentences, incorporating games and printing practice.

**Highlights:** Self-paced reading lessons, Eleven types of educational games, Customizable by age/reading level, Dynamic speed and tolerance adaptation, Sticker rewards, Free form letter and word writing, Voice instructions and feedback

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Highly effective for learning to read
- 🤩 Fun and engaging for children
- 🚀 Well-thought-out progression
- 💡 Innovative voice recording feature
- 👍 Easy to navigate and understand

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Charges money without authorization
- 👎 No way to cancel subscriptions
- 😞 Slow email support
- 💰 Have to pay again for each device
- 😠 Poor customer service

**Reported bugs**

- Freezes iPhone during letter tracing
- Background noise makes letter names hard to hear
- No option to add more than 1 player profile (despite guide saying so)
- In-app purchases removed (positive feedback, but implies previous issue)

**Requested features**

- Add multi-user profiles
- Option to change manuscript style (D'Nealian)
- More levels for paid app
- Add more volumes/lessons
- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is READING MAGIC free?

READING MAGIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Reading Raven free?

Reading Raven costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC or Reading Raven?

READING MAGIC is rated higher. READING MAGIC averages 4.6 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Reading Raven averages 4.3 from 64 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC or Reading Raven have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC nor Reading Raven shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC or Reading Raven?

READING MAGIC ships an update every 6 months, and Reading Raven every 16 months. Most recently, READING MAGIC was updated on September 23, 2026 and Reading Raven on September 23, 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.*