# READING MAGIC vs Shakespeare SwipeSpeare

The clearest difference is rating: READING MAGIC at 4.6 against Shakespeare SwipeSpeare's 2.7. Shakespeare SwipeSpeare's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.7). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. READING MAGIC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Shakespeare SwipeSpeare sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

READING MAGIC holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 23 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of READING MAGIC's written reviews are positive against 58% of Shakespeare SwipeSpeare's.

READING MAGIC ships an update every 6 months, Shakespeare SwipeSpeare every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC | Shakespeare SwipeSpeare |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-learning-to-read/id416896853/reviews)** | [2.7 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakespeare-swipespeare/id582673708/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **42** | 23 |
| Positive reviews | **62.2% of reviews** | 57.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 208 MB | 171 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [BookCaps](https://appshunter.io/developer/461992824) |

## 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 |


### Shakespeare SwipeSpeare

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakespeare-swipespeare/id582673708)

Easily understand Shakespeare's works with this app that translates classic texts into modern English. Swipe to toggle between original and translated versions, access a built-in dictionary, biography, and study guides. Order print or ePub versions of plays.

**Highlights:** Modern English translations, Interactive swipe to toggle text, Searchable Shakespeare Dictionary, Shakespeare biography, Print and ePub ordering, Cross-device sync, Study guides and lesson plans

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Midsummer Nights Dream | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hamlet | $1.99 | one-time |
| Macbeth | $1.99 | one-time |
| Romeo and Juliet | $1.99 | one-time |
| Julius Caesar | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Tempest | $1.99 | one-time |
| Twelfth Night | $1.99 | one-time |
| Othello | $1.99 | one-time |
| Much Ado About Nothing | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Plays | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Great resource for understanding Shakespeare
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 📚 Modern translation alongside original text
- 🚀 Swipe feature for quick translation
- 🎯 Helpful for students and teachers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 App takes money without unlocking content
- 🚫 Customer service unresponsive
- ❓ Confirmation codes not sent
- 💰 Lost money on purchases
- 📉 Purchases not restoring on new devices

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening app
- Crashes when trying to open a book
- Takes money but doesn't unlock plays
- Confirmation code not sent
- Purchases not restoring

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit notes
- Side-by-side view of original and modern text
- Line numbers included
- Character lists available
- Bookmark functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is READING MAGIC free?

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

### Is Shakespeare SwipeSpeare free?

Shakespeare SwipeSpeare is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC or Shakespeare SwipeSpeare?

READING MAGIC is rated higher. READING MAGIC averages 4.6 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Shakespeare SwipeSpeare averages 2.7 from 23 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC or Shakespeare SwipeSpeare have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC nor Shakespeare SwipeSpeare shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC or Shakespeare SwipeSpeare?

READING MAGIC ships an update every 6 months, and Shakespeare SwipeSpeare every 6 weeks. Most recently, READING MAGIC was updated on November 1, 2026 and Shakespeare SwipeSpeare on November 1, 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.*