Comparison

SPELLING MAGIC 3 vs Reading Train Starter Books

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

Reading Train Starter Books

This app offers a growing library of over 300 beginner books, songs, and quizzes designed to help children develop reading skills, confidence, and a love for reading. It includes professional narration, a word dictionary, and interactive games.

Highlights
  • 300+ beginner books
  • Songs and quizzes
  • Professional narration
  • 450+ word dictionary
  • Interactive train game
  • Leveled reading
  • Unlimited user accounts
Features
Read full description

Every child can learn to read with this growing library of 300+ engaging beginner books, songs and quizzes. Complete reading curriculum building skills, self confidence, vocabulary and a love of reading. FREE: Try 33 books, 21 songs, play the train games and use the 450+ word dictionary for FREE. Grand Prize Winner of the 2015 Technology and Reading Award, International Literacy Association. "No other app is as specifically tailored to the needs of beginning readers." KinderTown.com "Beautifully designed storybooks and related games that teach foundational reading": Appolicious.com "A vast selection of mini books to help kids reach reading independence" Geeks With Juniors. Access the whole library of over 300 books with a FREE trial for 30 days when you sign up for an auto-renewing subscription. Choose $1.99/month; 6.99 for 6 months or 9.99 for a year! (U.S. Dollars) All subscriptions are renewing. You may turn off auto-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings. Safe for Kids: The Learning Station is a Proud Member of Moms With Apps and the Know What's Inside Program. Kid tested and parent/teacher approved. We are ad-free and take our users privacy seriously. View our Privacy Policy here: http://www.readingtrain.org * Listen, read and record books at 3 different beginning reading levels. * Professional narration: American English. All books can be recorded by users. * Play the train game after every book. * 450+ word integrated dictionary * 20 free song books * Unlimited user accounts * Powerful reporting tools Books Kids CAN Read. Books Kids LOVE to Read. Leveled books on numbers, colors, animals, shapes, and science help build the foundational knowledge kids need to succeed in school. Keep in Touch We welcome your feedback: support@readingtrain.org facebook.com/readingtrain How the Reading Train Works- * Free users can read/listen/record the first book in every unit, (33 books in all), play the train game, use the integrated 450+ word dictionary, and listen to 21 song books. * Subscribers get access to all 300+ books, with new books added regularly. * To access our entire library of books, FREE for the first month, choose an automatically renewing subscription for $1.99/one month; $6.99/six months; 9.99/twelve months. (U.S. Dollars) * After subscribing, you may need to touch the "Restore" button on the "buy" screen where you purchased the subscription. (You will not be charged again.) * The service can be shared with additional iPads you own. * Your subscription is for your iTunes account and payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase (subscribing is optional and in a parent-only section of the app). * Your Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period * Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal * You may turn off auto-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings- Manage Subscriptions. * No refunds for unused portions of the current subscription are allowed during active subscription period. * For help or additional information please contact us at http://www.readingtrain.org/contact/ or send an email to support@readingtrain.org * Our apps take privacy very seriously. We do not collect, access or transmit any personal information. Full details of our privacy policy are available here- https://www.readingtrain.org/privacy-policy/ Please read our Terms of Use here- https://www.readingtrain.org/terms-of-use * Not compatible with iPad 1.

Screenshots

SPELLING MAGIC 34 screens
Reading Train Starter Books4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Reading Train Starter Books at 4.1 against SPELLING MAGIC 3's 3.9. On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Reading Train Starter Books sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reading Train Starter Books holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 28 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of SPELLING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 78% of Reading Train Starter Books's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, Reading Train Starter Books every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SPELLING MAGIC 3 versus Reading Train Starter Books: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPELLING MAGIC 3Reading Train Starter Books
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (11 ratings)4.1 (28 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better78.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1128 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.411.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB1.3 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRESCHOOL UNIVERSITYThe Learning Station, LLC

Customer experience

SPELLING MAGIC 3

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

Reading Train Starter Books

All ratings28 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive78.1%
Neutral2.7%
Negative19.2%

Bugs and requests

SPELLING MAGIC 3

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Reading Train Starter Books

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App has no sound
  • App does not open/crashes
  • Charged after trial period
  • Cannot unsubscribe after trial
  • Error with earning coins for songs

Requested features

5 requests
  • Higher level books
  • More songs
  • Update progress across devices
  • Dark mode option
  • Option to buy content outright (no subscription)

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SPELLING MAGIC 3

One-time1
  • Deluxe Upgrade$1.99
3 purchases

Reading Train Starter Books

Subscriptions3
  • The Reading Train1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • The Reading Train1 Month trial$6.996 Months
  • The Reading Train1 Month trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is SPELLING MAGIC 3 free?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reading Train Starter Books free?
Reading Train Starter Books is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Reading Train Starter Books?
Reading Train Starter Books is rated higher. SPELLING MAGIC 3 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Reading Train Starter Books averages 4.1 from 28 ratings.
Do SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Reading Train Starter Books have ads?
Neither SPELLING MAGIC 3 nor Reading Train Starter Books shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPELLING MAGIC 3 or Reading Train Starter Books?
SPELLING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 5 months, and Reading Train Starter Books every 3 months. Most recently, SPELLING MAGIC 3 was updated on October 30, 2026 and Reading Train Starter Books on October 29, 2026.

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