# SPELLING MAGIC 3 vs Monkey Drum

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | SPELLING MAGIC 3 | Monkey Drum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spelling-magic-3/id446294881/reviews) | **[4.4 (116 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monkey-drum/id483225765/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **116** |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | **92.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 184 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 | **4.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [Flippfly, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/483225768) |

## What reviewers say

### SPELLING MAGIC 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spelling-magic-3/id446294881)

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)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deluxe Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |


### Monkey Drum

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monkey-drum/id483225765)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Chest (300 Heart Coins) | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Chest (1000 Heart Coins) | $1.99 | one-time |
| Large Chest (3500 Heart Coins) | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and entertaining for kids
- 🐵 Adorable monkey character
- 🎶 Great for rhythm and melody creation
- 💡 Encourages creativity and exploration
- 🌟 Good for cause and effect learning

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏳ Long load/intro time
- 🔄 Needs frequent updates
- 📉 Unplayable on newer OS versions
- 🤔 Some users find it boring
- 🐒 Disturbing animal design (no legs)

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Update Monkey Drum
- Update for latest iOS
- More instruments
- Button to record
- Clear all / start new song option


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*