Comparison

SPELLING MAGIC 3 vs 1600

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

Head to head
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.

About

1600

Explore the White House interactively by pointing your camera at a one-dollar bill. This app educates users of all ages about the institution's role in democracy through engaging augmented reality experiences.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality exploration
  • Point camera at dollar bill to activate
  • Learn about the White House
  • Interactive educational content
  • Explore from different angles
  • Discover hidden surprises
Features
Read full description

The White House's "1600" is a new way for kids and playful Americans of all ages to learn about what happens at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. All you need to do is tap "Start" and point your camera at George Washington (on the one dollar bill). Built through a collaboration with the White House Historical Association and Nexus Studios, the app’s aim is to educate and inspire the youngest Americans to learn more about the White House's role in our democracy. Our hope is that whether it is experienced on a teacher's desk or dining room table, kids walk away from "1600" with a better sense of the institution and its purpose. Not to mention, a smile. Tip: Move your phone around to explore from different angles, and touch the Oval Office to reveal a surprise.

Screenshots

SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens
16004 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 1600 at none against SPELLING MAGIC 3's 1. 1600 also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (77 vs 11). SPELLING MAGIC 3's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 50%) and rating (3.9 vs 3.5). On price, 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 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 1600 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SPELLING MAGIC 3 holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 1600 has 77 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 50% of 1600's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, 1600 every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SPELLING MAGIC 3 versus 1600: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPELLING MAGIC 31600
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (11 ratings) — better3.5 (77 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1177 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.48.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB250 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRESCHOOL UNIVERSITYWhite House Historical Association

Customer experience

SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

1600

All ratings77 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral10.4%
Negative32.5%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral13.3%
Negative36.7%

Bugs and requests

SPELLING MAGIC 3

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

1600

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • Camera focus is blurry
  • Animation restarts when dollar bill moves
  • App does not work on $1 bill only
  • Camera keeps getting blurry
Show 2 more
  • App crashes after clicking start
  • App does not download

Requested features

12 requests
  • Support for other denominations ($2, $5, $10, etc.)
  • Support for international currencies (pesos, yuan)
  • Ability to continue animation without constant focus
  • VR option
  • Expand content and features
Show 7 more
  • Add more historical details
  • Interactive elements
  • Button to choose seasons
  • Allow fast-forwarding or skipping sections
  • Support for coins
  • More White House situations
  • Animated US Constitution app

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99
None

1600

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 1600 free?
1600 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or 1600?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is rated higher. SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while 1600 averages 3.5 from 77 ratings.
Do SPELLING MAGIC 3 or 1600 have ads?
Neither SPELLING MAGIC 3 nor 1600 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or 1600?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, and 1600 every 3 days. Most recently, SPELLING MAGIC 3 was updated on October 7, 2026 and 1600 on October 13, 2026.

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