Comparison

Counting 123 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

Counting 123

This app offers a playful and engaging way for children to learn counting and number recognition. It features four distinct mini-games designed to make learning fun and interactive, with colorful animations and illustrations.

Highlights
  • Learn numbers 1-10
  • Pronunciation of digits
  • Tap & catch fish counting game
  • Spot the differences memory game
  • Interactive grasshopper activity
  • Dresses fashion show game
Read full description

Your ultimate counting teacher!!! Watch your children as they play & quickly learn how to count and recognize numbers in this fun and simple children’s game. Your children will be counting in no time!!! Completely FREE & packed with 4 different mini-games Fish Tap challenge, Spot the Differences, Jumping Grasshopper and a Dresses Fashion Show. Enjoy remarkable animation technology which introduces a first look at numbers for the whole family to enjoy. What’s Inside - Learn to count 1 to 10 with 4 mini-games: > Numbers - Fun to learn digits and pronunciation > Tap & catch the fish - catch & count your fish > Spot the Differences - memorize & find the differences > Help the Grasshopper leap through the snow - interactive activity > Dresses Fashion Show - a celebration of colors Features: > Beautiful HD illustrations and a rich narrative on every page > Enjoy numerous engaging and fun animations on each page ABOUT TabTale With over 1.5 billion downloads and growing, TabTale has established itself as the creator of pioneering virtual adventures that kids and parents love. TabTale’s apps spark children’s imaginations and inspire them to think creatively while having fun! Visit us: http://www.tabtale.com/ Like us: http://www.facebook.com/TabTale Follow us:@TabTale Watch us: http://www.youtube.com/Tabtale CONTACT US Let us know what you think! Questions? Suggestions? Technical Support? Contact us 24/7 at: WeCare@TabTale.com. FOR PARENTS The app is free to play but certain in-game items may require payment. You may restrict in-app purchases by disabling them on this device. The app may include advertising for TabTale and certain third parties which will redirect users to our sites, apps or third-party sites. Your privacy matters. The app may enable collection of limited user data by TabTale or its carefully selected providers (e.g. ad networks and analytics) for limited purposes described in our Privacy Policy (e.g. respond to support queries; enable, analyze and improve the app’s features and services; serve contextual ads and measure their performance). For more information (notably on the providers), please read our Privacy Policy: https://tabtale.com/privacy-policy/ . By downloading, updating or using the app you consent (in your personal capacity and for other users of your device) to this collection and use of limited device information for ad display and reporting purposes and you accept our Terms of Use: https://tabtale.com/terms-of-use/.

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

Counting 1234 screens
SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens

Verdict

The call

Counting 123 and SPELLING MAGIC 3 both sit at 3.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 28% of Counting 123's. Counting 123's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.4). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Counting 123 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and SPELLING MAGIC 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for Counting 123 against 3.9 for SPELLING MAGIC 3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 11 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of Counting 123's written reviews are positive against 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Counting 123 ships an update every 4 months, SPELLING MAGIC 3 every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Counting 123 versus SPELLING MAGIC 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCounting 123SPELLING MAGIC 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (14 ratings) — better3.9 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews28.1% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB184 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKID BABY TODDLER LTD.PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY

Customer experience

Counting 123

All ratings14 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral7.1%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews89 reviews
Positive28.1%
Neutral7.9%
Negative64.0%

SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

Bugs and requests

Counting 123

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Ads cover tap locations
  • Paid features locked after purchase
  • App crashes occasionally
  • Inappropriate ads shown
  • App restarts each time it's entered
Show 2 more
  • Loading time increased
  • Unable to purchase message persists

Requested features

4 requests
  • Move ads to a less intrusive location
  • Add an ads bar below gameplay
  • Improve game engagement for older children
  • Offer more stages or challenges

SPELLING MAGIC 3

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Counting 123

One-time5
  • Remove Ads!$0.99
  • Unlock 12 Jigsaw Puzzles$1.99
  • Unlock 4 Match It Games$1.99
Show 2 more
  • Unlock 12 Coloring Pages$1.99
  • Super Deal!$3.99
1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99

Questions

Is Counting 123 free?
Counting 123 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Counting 123 or SPELLING MAGIC 3?
Counting 123 is rated higher. Counting 123 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 from 11 ratings.
Do Counting 123 or SPELLING MAGIC 3 have ads?
Neither Counting 123 nor SPELLING MAGIC 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Counting 123 or SPELLING MAGIC 3?
Counting 123 ships an update every 4 months, and SPELLING MAGIC 3 every 5 months. Most recently, Counting 123 was updated on November 1, 2026 and SPELLING MAGIC 3 on October 30, 2026.

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