Comparison

Tabletop First Words vs Reading Train

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

Head to head
About

Tabletop First Words

Features
Read full description

Has your child mastered the alphabet? Is he or she ready to start reading words? Like a super fun interactive tabletop, with cards, buttons and letter tiles, Tabletop First Words transforms your iPad into an exciting learning tool. First Words presents collections of words and pictures of common objects that are familiar to children. A picture appears on the tabletop surface with a set of scrambled letter tiles. The child's task is to spell the word letter-by-letter by moving tiles into the correct position. The word is pronounced and each letter is pronounced as your child touches the letter tile. Play First Words together while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, sitting in the waiting room at the dentist, or traveling by train or bus. It’s a fun and convenient way to entertain your preschooler while reinforcing reading readiness skills. Features: * Simulated wood playing surface and interactive letter tiles. * Sound effects and speech * A scoreboard indicates progress * On/Off options for select features Tabletop First Words presents words in five categories. Select a category by simply tapping the icon on the right side of the screen. The categories are: * Common 3-Letter Words * Numbers * Colors * Clothing * School Related Letter tiles appear in a scrambled order below a picture from the selected category. The word associated with the picture is pronounced and each letter is also pronounced as the child touches the letter tile. The child's task is to slide the letter tiles into the correct position to spell the word. Correct letters stick in position. Incorrect letters bounce back to their starting position. Photographic images are used to illustrate each word and enhance the excitement of the learning activites.

About

Reading Train

This app offers a comprehensive reading program for young learners, featuring interactive ABC books, engaging games, and songs. It helps children develop foundational reading skills, build vocabulary, and boost their confidence through a fun, safe, and ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • 24 ABC books at 3 reading levels
  • Interactive train game for word learning
  • Built-in picture/audio dictionary
  • 18 song books
  • Professional narration
  • User recording of books
  • Student reporting tools
Features
Read full description

Listen, read, and record 24 fun ABC books at 3 easy reading levels: 72 books in all! Play the train game; win coins for the music store; collect and learn new words in the train yard. "Beautifully designed storybooks and related games that teach foundational reading": Appolicious.com Books, songs and games to build skills, self confidence and a love of reading. Real reading, for fun and information, right from the start. "A dynamic tool to augment any beginning readers program": Teachers With Apps Safe for Kids: The Learning Station is a Proud Member of Moms With Apps Kid tested and teacher approved. We are ad-free and take our users privacy seriously. View our Privacy Policy here: http://www.readingtrain.org * Listen, read and record books at 3 different beginning reading levels to grow as a reader. * Play the train game after every book to learn letters and words * Built-in picture/audio dictionary * 18 song books * Professional narration- American English. All books can be recorded by users. * Unlimited user accounts * Powerful student reporting tools Books Kids CAN Read. Written by Libby Curran, a People Magazine Teacher of the Year, these engaging little books are field tested in real classrooms to get kids started on the path to reading independence. Books Kids LOVE to Read and Re-read. Children are naturally curious, so encourage them to explore our ABC books to learn new vocabulary and build the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in school. After reading stories they can play the train quiz game, explore the picture/audio dictionary and listen to song books. Give Your Kids the Tools to Succeed. Stuck on a word? Tap and hold to hear every word and access the built in audio dictionary filled with hundreds of words. Play a unique quiz game at the end of every book to extend the learning. The Reading Train Alphabet is packed full of tools to help children succeed, all on their own. Read to Learn- Meet Common Core Standards Read beginning level books with purpose and understanding. Develop the concepts of print: reading left to right and matching written words with spoken words. Learn letter names and sounds, build background knowledge and improve reading comprehension and foundational skills. Quizzes Disguised as Games. Play the train game after finishing every book, but don't tell them it's a quiz! Check progress on the parent's page to see all the books children have read and recorded as well as detailed scores on the quizzes. The Right Team For the Job Created by award winning master teacher and early literacy expert, Libby Curran,The Reading Train Alphabet is the culmination of 20+ years of teaching experience. Backed by an all-star team of teachers turned iOS developers and a professional children's musician, The Reading Train Alphabet is serious about making learning fun. Keep in Touch We welcome your feedback, to keep up with all things Reading Train check out: readingtrain.org facebook.com/readingtrain email: support@readingtrain.org We welcome suggestions on future books and curriculum. Contact Libby with suggestions about new content at: libby@readingtrain.org

Screenshots

Reading Train4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Reading Train at every 5 months against Tabletop First Words's every 32 months. Reading Train also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Tabletop First Words's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $3.99). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Tabletop First Words costs $0.99 and Reading Train $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tabletop First Words ships an update every 32 months, Reading Train every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Tabletop First Words versus Reading Train: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTabletop First WordsReading Train
Price$0.99 — better$3.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 32 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB698 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVentura Educational SystemsThe Learning Station, LLC

In-app purchases

None

Tabletop First Words

No in-app purchases

None

Reading Train

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tabletop First Words free?
Tabletop First Words costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Reading Train free?
Reading Train costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Tabletop First Words or Reading Train have ads?
Neither Tabletop First Words nor Reading Train shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tabletop First Words or Reading Train?
Tabletop First Words ships an update every 32 months, and Reading Train every 5 months. Most recently, Tabletop First Words was updated on October 5, 2026 and Reading Train on October 12, 2026.

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