# READING MAGIC vs Reading Train Starter Books

The clearest difference is rating: READING MAGIC at 4.6 against Reading Train Starter Books's 4.1. Reading Train Starter Books's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 62%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. READING MAGIC sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Reading Train Starter Books sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

READING MAGIC holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 28 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of READING MAGIC's written reviews are positive against 78% of Reading Train Starter Books'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 Train Starter Books every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC | Reading Train Starter Books |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-learning-to-read/id416896853/reviews)** | [4.1 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **41** | 28 |
| Positive reviews | 62.2% of reviews | **78.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 208 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [The Learning Station, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/702227887) |

## 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 Train Starter Books

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884)

This app offers a growing library of over 300 beginner books, songs, and quizzes designed to help children develop reading skills, confidence, and a love for reading. It includes professional narration, a word dictionary, and interactive games.

**Highlights:** 300+ beginner books, Songs and quizzes, Professional narration, 450+ word dictionary, Interactive train game, Leveled reading, Unlimited user accounts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Reading Train | $1.99 | per month |
| The Reading Train | $6.99 | per 6 months |
| The Reading Train | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Engaging for kids
- 💡 Interactive learning
- 🚀 Builds reading fluency
- 🎵 Fun songs and rewards
- 🗣️ Recording feature valuable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No sound issue
- 💸 Charged after trial
- ❌ Cannot unsubscribe easily
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Subscription not shareable

**Reported bugs**

- App has no sound
- App does not open/crashes
- Charged after trial period
- Cannot unsubscribe after trial
- Error with earning coins for songs

**Requested features**

- Higher level books
- More songs
- Update progress across devices
- Dark mode option
- Option to buy content outright (no subscription)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is READING MAGIC free?

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

### Is Reading Train Starter Books free?

Reading Train Starter Books is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC or Reading Train Starter Books?

READING MAGIC is rated higher. READING MAGIC averages 4.6 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Reading Train Starter Books averages 4.1 from 28 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC or Reading Train Starter Books have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC nor Reading Train Starter Books shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC or Reading Train Starter Books?

READING MAGIC ships an update every 6 months, and Reading Train Starter Books every 3 months. Most recently, READING MAGIC was updated on October 15, 2026 and Reading Train Starter Books on October 10, 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.*