Comparison

SPELLING MAGIC 3 vs Monkey Drum

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

Monkey Drum

Create music by drawing or playing instruments, then watch jungle animals react to your tunes. Customize characters and unlock new instruments and items by playing or using in-app currency.

Highlights
  • Create music by drawing
  • Play instruments with mini-keyboard
  • Customize characters
  • Save and remix songs
  • Unlock new instruments and items
  • True 3D graphics
Features
Read full description

ATTENTION: Some users have experienced problems with Monkey Drum on devices running iOS 8. "…no reason not to try this one out: it’s free!" - GEEKDAD (By Wired.com) "It’s a really great way to use creativity and rhythm and wrap it into a whole lot of fun." - MusiciansWithApps.com Featured by Apple in Apps For Learning Music! ------------------------- Making music has never been so fun, or so easy! Play realistic instruments and watch as little jungle animals copy your tunes. See their funny reactions as you feed them bananas, spin them, or bop them on the head! Make them happy and see them reward you with a special song! Create real music just by drawing and watch as the creatures play your creation. Get creative and re-mix your songs with different instruments, or accessorize your characters with a hat and sunglasses. Use Heart Coins to unlock new instruments and other fun items. Features: * Create songs by drawing on the screen * Play cool instruments with a mini-keyboard * Customize your characters with a hat or sunglasses * Save and name your songs * Remix songs - change instruments and tempo * True 3D graphics with tons of surprises! * Djembe drum, marimba, and kalimba included * Earn Heart Coins and bananas just by playing! * Unlock new instruments and other fun items! Items you can unlock: * Microphone * Acoustic Guitar * Congas * Girl Monkey * Panda * Sunglasses * Baseball Hat * Bunches of Bananas Note: This app is completely free to play and all items can be unlocked simply by playing. We also offer the option to buy additional Heart Coins with real money - if you'd like to disable this option, see the settings on your device.

Screenshots

SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens
Monkey Drum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Monkey Drum at 4.4 against SPELLING MAGIC 3's 3.9. Monkey Drum also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (116 vs 11). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and Monkey Drum sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Monkey Drum holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Monkey Drum has 116 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 92% of Monkey Drum's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, Monkey Drum every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SPELLING MAGIC 3 versus Monkey Drum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPELLING MAGIC 3Monkey Drum
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (11 ratings)4.4 (116 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews92.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11116 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.44.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRESCHOOL UNIVERSITYFlippfly, LLC

Customer experience

SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

Monkey Drum

All ratings116 ratings
Positive82.8%
Neutral8.6%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive92.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative3.2%

Bugs and requests

SPELLING MAGIC 3

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Monkey Drum

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Screen goes black after filling hearts/coins
  • Game sounds can be heard but screen is black
  • App not letting phone go into sleep mode
  • No sound reported
  • Repeated glitches

Requested features

8 requests
  • Update Monkey Drum
  • Update for latest iOS
  • More instruments
  • Button to record
  • Clear all / start new song option
Show 3 more
  • Fix xylophone (backwards notes)
  • Add legs to animals
  • Dark mode option

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99
3 purchases

Monkey Drum

One-time3
  • Small Chest (300 Heart Coins)$0.99
  • Medium Chest (1000 Heart Coins)$1.99
  • Large Chest (3500 Heart Coins)$5.99

Questions

Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Monkey Drum free?
Monkey Drum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Monkey Drum?
Monkey Drum is rated higher. SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Monkey Drum averages 4.4 from 116 ratings.
Do SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Monkey Drum have ads?
Neither SPELLING MAGIC 3 nor Monkey Drum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Monkey Drum?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, and Monkey Drum every 3 weeks. Most recently, SPELLING MAGIC 3 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Monkey Drum on November 1, 2026.

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