Comparison

SPELLING MAGIC 3 vs Primary Writer

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

Primary Writer

This app allows children and adults to create and customize stories with various backgrounds and colors. Once complete, users can share their creations as PDFs or print them directly from their iPad.

Highlights
  • Story writing interface
  • Customizable paper backgrounds
  • Color customization options
  • PDF export
  • AirPrint direct printing
  • Kid-friendly design
Features
Read full description

Primary Writer is an app for kids (or the kid at heart) who like to write. Write your story, choose your paper's background and further customize the look with color and other choices. When you're done, you can share the pdf version of your creation to your friends or relatives. If you have access to an AirPrint printing device, you can print it out directly from your iPad.

Screenshots

SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Primary Writer at every 2 months against SPELLING MAGIC 3's every 5 months. SPELLING MAGIC 3's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.6). 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 and Primary Writer sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. 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 SPELLING MAGIC 3 against 4.0 for Primary Writer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 5 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 75% of Primary Writer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, Primary Writer every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SPELLING MAGIC 3 versus Primary Writer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPELLING MAGIC 3Primary Writer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (11 ratings)4.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.4 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB130 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRESCHOOL UNIVERSITYWinztech Services LLC

Customer experience

SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

Primary Writer

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99
8 purchases

Primary Writer

One-time8
  • Animals 1$0.99
  • Valentine Fun$0.99
  • Halloween Treat$0.99
Show 5 more
  • Spring Faves$0.99
  • We Love Mom$0.99
  • We Love Dad$0.99
  • Summertime$0.99
  • Christmas$0.99

Questions

Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Primary Writer free?
Primary Writer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Primary Writer?
Primary Writer is rated higher. SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Primary Writer averages 4.0 from 5 ratings.
Do SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Primary Writer have ads?
Neither SPELLING MAGIC 3 nor Primary Writer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Primary Writer?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, and Primary Writer every 2 months. Most recently, SPELLING MAGIC 3 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Primary Writer on November 1, 2026.

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