# TenseBuilder vs Simplex Spelling Phonics 3

The clearest difference is price: Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 at $4.99 against TenseBuilder's $9.99. Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 also leads on rating (4.2 vs 4.0) and chart position (#187 vs unranked). TenseBuilder's advantage is update cadence (every 6 months vs every 13 months) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 14.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

TenseBuilder costs $9.99 and Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of TenseBuilder's written reviews are positive against 92% of Simplex Spelling Phonics 3's.

TenseBuilder ships an update every 6 months, Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TenseBuilder | Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tensebuilder/id427577382/reviews) | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-phonics-3/id572136313/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **5** |
| Positive reviews | 85.0% of reviews | **92.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#187** |
| Size | 466 MB | 230 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mobile Education Store LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/344378744) | [Pyxwise Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/456744015) |

## What reviewers say

### TenseBuilder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tensebuilder/id427577382)

This app uses animated videos to teach students how to identify and use correct past, present, and future verb tenses. It includes interactive exercises and a recording feature to help improve language skills.

**Highlights:** Animated video lessons, Demonstrates past, present, future tense, Focus on irregular past tense verbs, Interactive sentence completion, Voice recording for practice, Drag and drop sentence building

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Simplex Spelling Phonics 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-phonics-3/id572136313)

**Currently charting:** #187 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This app enhances English spelling and reading skills through phonics lessons, word patterns, and a unique reverse phonics approach. It scientifically helps students improve their spelling, covering over 750 high-frequency words and 52 instructional lists.

**Highlights:** Phonics lessons and word patterns, Reverse phonics approach, 750+ high-frequency words, 52 instructional lessons, Contextual spelling rule hints, Progress tracking for 40 users, Exportable progress reports

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TenseBuilder free?

TenseBuilder costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 free?

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TenseBuilder or Simplex Spelling Phonics 3?

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 is rated higher. TenseBuilder averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.

### Do TenseBuilder or Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 have ads?

Neither TenseBuilder nor Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TenseBuilder or Simplex Spelling Phonics 3?

TenseBuilder ships an update every 6 months, and Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 every 13 months. Most recently, TenseBuilder was updated on June 5, 2026 and Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 on September 13, 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.*