Comparison

SPELLING MAGIC 3 vs Simplex Spelling Light

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

Simplex Spelling Light

This app enhances spelling and reading skills with a unique "reverse phonics" approach and contextually relevant spelling rules. It offers interactive learning for various student types, providing immediate feedback and explanations for word construction.

Highlights
  • Reverse phonics approach
  • Contextual spelling rule hints
  • Letter-by-letter feedback
  • Over 50 high-frequency words
  • Spoken words in sentences
  • User stats and reporting
Features
Read full description

Simplex Spelling Light improves spelling and reading skills in a fun and interactive way using a unique “reverse phonics” approach in combination with contextually relevant spelling rules. It has the same critically acclaimed design and features as the full version of Simplex Spelling HD but comes with its own new high frequency word spelling lists. This Light version has been made available, so that customers can evaluate the Simplex Spelling software to decide if they want to purchase the full version of Simplex Spelling HD. Simplex Spelling Light contains over 50 new high frequency English words that do not appear in the full version of Simplex Spelling HD so the two products compliment each other beautifully. It also contains all of the great learning features of the full version of Simplex Spelling HD. In contrast with many of the current approaches that use flash cards, Simplex Spelling enables the student to build each word. Students gain skills above and beyond the sheer memorization of words, as the informative spelling rule hint feature explains why words are spelled in a particular manner. Simplex Spelling's unique, immediate letter by letter feedback system is designed with clues and hints that will enable every student to spell each word successfully. Simplex Spelling enhances understanding in a variety of students as it appeals to audio, visual and tactile learners. It is great tool to have for kids learning to spell, remedial students, or those learning English as a second language. - "Top Rated" - Balefire Labs. Recommended for ages 5+. Note: You can not create your own spelling lists in Simplex Spelling Light. Features: - Over 50 high frequency spelling words to help build literacy. - Spelling words are spoken and used in a sentence to establish context. - The introduction spelling list seamlessly leads a student through all of the application’s features by providing spoken information while having the student spell new words. - A powerful phonics hint feature sounds out each word and provides a list of possible phonograms for each sound. - Features a full “reverse phonics” approach that includes sounds made by all the different letter combinations. This is in addition to the basic “single letter” phonics that most applications are limited to. - Contextually relevant spelling rule hints that help explain “how to spell” English words. - Unique letter by letter feedback system that provides feedback while the student is in the process of spelling each word. - Guaranteed success on every word. - Support for 40 user accounts. - User stats screen that allows you to see at a glance words that have been mastered and words that require further practice. - Ability to export & email student reports. - Remembers each user’s position in every list, so that you can immediately resume from where you last left off. - Supports both upper and lower case letters. - Supports both alphabetic and QWERTY keyboard layouts. - Supports both US, UK and Canadian English spelling of words. - An approach that appeals to audio, visual and tactile learners. KNOW WHAT'S INSIDE 
 As a MOMs with Apps member, we follow the 
"Know what's inside" best practices for kids' apps We care about your child's privacy. Privacy Disclosure: - Does not contain 3rd party ads. - Does not share any data. - Does not track your child's location. - Does not contain In-App purchases. - Does not contain links to social media. - Does not contain push notifications. - Contains in app links to view a safe enclosed version of the developer's website for additional information, support and teaching tips. - Contains child protected links that allow you to : "email the developer questions", to rate the app and to view other Pyxwise apps. COPPA Compliant http://www.pyxwise.com/privacypolicy.html

Screenshots

SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens
Simplex Spelling Light4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simplex Spelling Light at none against SPELLING MAGIC 3's 1. Simplex Spelling Light also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.4). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Simplex Spelling Light asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for SPELLING MAGIC 3 against 3.8 for Simplex Spelling Light. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 11 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 77% of Simplex Spelling Light's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, Simplex Spelling Light every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SPELLING MAGIC 3 versus Simplex Spelling Light: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPELLING MAGIC 3Simplex Spelling Light
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (11 ratings) — better3.8 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better77.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1111
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 10 months
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 MB121 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRESCHOOL UNIVERSITYPyxwise Software Inc.

Customer experience

SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

Simplex Spelling Light

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive77.1%
Neutral12.5%
Negative10.4%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99
None

Simplex Spelling Light

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simplex Spelling Light free?
Simplex Spelling Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Simplex Spelling Light?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is rated higher. SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Simplex Spelling Light averages 3.8 from 11 ratings.
Do SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Simplex Spelling Light have ads?
Neither SPELLING MAGIC 3 nor Simplex Spelling Light shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Simplex Spelling Light?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, and Simplex Spelling Light every 10 months. Most recently, SPELLING MAGIC 3 was updated on September 20, 2026 and Simplex Spelling Light on September 27, 2026.

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