Comparison

Line 'em Up vs SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

Head to head
About

Line 'em Up

This educational app helps children master number order through a digital version of a classroom activity. Users arrange number tiles from least to greatest, with customizable options for the number of tiles and starting range. Advanced features allow for work with hundreds and negative numbers.

Highlights
  • Number order mastery
  • Digital classroom activity
  • Customizable tile count
  • Adjustable number range
  • Supports hundreds and negatives (iPad)
Read full description

Designed to promote mastery of number order. This app replicates a simple classroom activity in which children place number tiles in order from least to greatest. Options include using 10, 15, or 20 number tiles and designating a range of beginning numbers. Includes options in the iPad version to designate the beginning number as well as setting options to worth with hundreds and negative numbers. Designed as part of the Number Sense Project at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.

About

SPELLING MAGIC 3

This app helps children develop reading skills by focusing on multi-syllable words. It teaches letter sounds and word building through engaging activities and themed categories. Offers two challenge levels and a DELUXE version with expanded vocabulary and customization.

Highlights
  • Multi-syllable word focus
  • Science of Reading principles
  • Word building activities
  • Themed vocabulary categories
  • Two challenge levels
  • Pronunciation aid via pictures
  • Progress tracker (DELUXE)
Read full description

Introducing SPELLING MAGIC 3 – the key to unlocking your child's future reading success! SPELLING MAGIC 3 incorporates the main principles of the Science of Reading. SPELLING MAGIC 3 is designed to focus on words with multiple syllables, providing an engaging platform for learning. From everyday words like "pretzel" and "button" to compound words such as "bobcat" and "hotdog," this app covers a wide range of vocabulary, all grouped into themed categories for easy organization and enhanced interest. With a strong emphasis on teaching letter sounds and word building, SPELLING MAGIC 3 not only helps children learn the sounds of the alphabet but also indirectly teaches essential reading skills like segmenting. The app offers two levels of challenge to cater to different learning abilities. In the "Word Building" section, children use the components (letters) of the word to build it, while the "Moveable Alphabet" section allows them to use the entire alphabet for word construction. It's important to note that SPELLING MAGIC 3 aims to provide ample opportunities for practicing building multiple-syllable words, even including words that may not be part of a young learner's everyday vocabulary. This presents a unique chance to expand their word bank and vocabulary. Additionally, tapping on pictures will prompt the app to pronounce the word, aiding in pronunciation and comprehension. The free version of SPELLING MAGIC 3 offers 72 words, while the DELUXE version boasts an impressive 335 words, along with a range of customizable options such as two types of voices, three types of fonts, two letter color styles, a special feature to connect the letters, and a lesson progress tracker. This version includes over 260 additional words compared to the free version, providing an even more comprehensive learning experience. This app was developed by a team of educators using the Science of Reading Principles, accelerated learning techniques and Montessori principles. SPELLING MAGIC 3 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.

Screenshots

Line 'em Up4 screens
SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Line 'em Up at none against SPELLING MAGIC 3's 1. Line 'em Up also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.9) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.4). SPELLING MAGIC 3's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 63%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Line 'em Up asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Line 'em Up holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 11 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Line 'em Up's written reviews are positive against 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Line 'em Up ships an update every 9 months, SPELLING MAGIC 3 every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Line 'em Up versus SPELLING MAGIC 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLine 'em UpSPELLING MAGIC 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better3.9 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings511 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 5 months — better
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
Size35 MB184 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClassroom Focused SoftwarePRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY

Customer experience

Line 'em Up

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative12.5%

SPELLING MAGIC 3

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral9.1%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Line 'em Up

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99

Questions

Is Line 'em Up free?
Line 'em Up is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Line 'em Up or SPELLING MAGIC 3?
Line 'em Up is rated higher. Line 'em Up averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 from 11 ratings.
Do Line 'em Up or SPELLING MAGIC 3 have ads?
Neither Line 'em Up nor SPELLING MAGIC 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Line 'em Up or SPELLING MAGIC 3?
Line 'em Up ships an update every 9 months, and SPELLING MAGIC 3 every 5 months. Most recently, Line 'em Up was updated on November 1, 2026 and SPELLING MAGIC 3 on November 1, 2026.

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