Comparison

SPELLING MAGIC 2 vs LightUp Learning

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

Head to head
About

SPELLING MAGIC 2

This app teaches children to read by focusing on consonant blend words. It uses interactive activities to help build words and understand letter sounds, aligning with Science of Reading principles. Two versions are available, offering different word counts and customization options.

Highlights
  • Teaches CVCC and CCVC words
  • Focuses on letter sounds and word construction
  • Word Building section
  • Moveable Alphabet section
  • Two levels of challenge
  • Developed with educators and Montessori principles
Read full description

Introducing SPELLING MAGIC 2, a key to your child's future reading success. SPELLING MAGIC 2 incorporates the main principles of the Science of Reading. SPELLING MAGIC 2 is tailored to focus on CVCC (consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant) words like "hand," "sent," and "gift," as well as CCVC (consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant) words such as "spin," "flap," and "stop." These types of words are also known as "consonant blend words" and are categorized into themes for enhanced learning. This app is designed to teach children the sounds of letters and how to construct words. It emphasizes the skill of building CCVC/CVCC words with four phonemes using short vowel words, indirectly imparting the essential reading skill of segmenting. With two levels of challenge, it offers a comprehensive learning experience. In the "Word Building" section of the app, only the components (letters) of the word are used for building, while the "Moveable Alphabet" section utilizes the entire alphabet for word construction. Please note that the purpose of this app is to provide ample opportunities for practicing building CCVC & CVCC words, presenting a chance to expand vocabulary. When tapped, the pictures always pronounce the sound of the word that the app prompts the child to build. The free version of SPELLING MAGIC 2 includes 72 words, while the DELUXE version offers 235 words and provides several choices in the options menu, including two types of voices, three font styles, two letter color options, a special feature to connect letters, and over 160 additional words from the free version. Developed by a team of educators using accelerated learning techniques and Montessori principles, this app has been tested and approved by preschoolers, who found it enjoyable and beneficial for learning letter sounds. We eagerly await your feedback and suggestions as we strive to provide a rewarding educational experience for young learners.

About

LightUp Learning

Build and learn about electronic circuits using magnetic blocks. Visualize electricity flow and program projects with drag-and-drop coding. Requires a physical LightUp kit.

Highlights
  • Magnetic circuit block assembly
  • Visualize electricity flow
  • Drag-and-drop coding interface
  • Project building guides
  • X-ray vision for circuits
Read full description

This is a companion app for the LightUp Edison and Tesla Kit. Build and learn about electronic circuits with LightUp kits and the LightUp Learning app. Magnetically snap together circuit blocks to build cool projects without needing to use wires, breadboards, or soldering irons. Take a photo and the LightUp Learning app will help out when you need a hand. It even gives you x-ray vision, letting you see the electricity flowing around your circuit! Ready to code? Simply drag and drop code blocks on your iPad to make a Music Box, Alarm and more! Purchase your very own LightUp kit at www.lightup.io.

Screenshots

SPELLING MAGIC 24 screens
LightUp Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SPELLING MAGIC 2 at 4.3 against LightUp Learning's 3.0. SPELLING MAGIC 2 also leads on review sentiment (63% vs 32%). LightUp Learning's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LightUp Learning asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SPELLING MAGIC 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of SPELLING MAGIC 2's written reviews are positive against 32% of LightUp Learning's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPELLING MAGIC 2 ships an update every 4 months, LightUp Learning every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SPELLING MAGIC 2 versus LightUp Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPELLING MAGIC 2LightUp Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (16 ratings) — better3.0 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews — better31.6% of reviews
Number of ratings16 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.48.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB143 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRESCHOOL UNIVERSITYLightUp

Customer experience

SPELLING MAGIC 2

All ratings16 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%

LightUp Learning

All ratings10 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive31.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative68.4%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 2

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99
None

LightUp Learning

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPELLING MAGIC 2 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LightUp Learning free?
LightUp Learning is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SPELLING MAGIC 2 or LightUp Learning?
SPELLING MAGIC 2 is rated higher. SPELLING MAGIC 2 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while LightUp Learning averages 3.0 from 10 ratings.
Do SPELLING MAGIC 2 or LightUp Learning have ads?
Neither SPELLING MAGIC 2 nor LightUp Learning shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPELLING MAGIC 2 or LightUp Learning?
SPELLING MAGIC 2 ships an update every 4 months, and LightUp Learning every 2 months. Most recently, SPELLING MAGIC 2 was updated on November 14, 2026 and LightUp Learning on November 6, 2026.

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