# READING MAGIC 3 vs Picture Packets

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Picture Packets at none against READING MAGIC 3's 1. Picture Packets also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 89%). READING MAGIC 3's advantage is update cadence (every 22 months vs every 69 months) and ratings volume (15 vs 2). On rating and ads there is nothing between them.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for READING MAGIC 3 against 5.0 for Picture Packets. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: READING MAGIC 3 has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of READING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 100% of Picture Packets's.

READING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 22 months, Picture Packets every 69 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC 3 | Picture Packets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | — |
| Rating | [4.9 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-3/id446469837/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picture-packets-phrases/id499946596/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **15** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 89.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 22 months** | Every 69 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 250 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.7** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [Bob Baratta-Lorton](https://appshunter.io/developer/499646138) |

## What reviewers say

### READING MAGIC 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-3/id446469837)

This app makes learning to read an exciting adventure for children. It uses interactive activities and science-backed methods to help master words with two or more syllables, building essential literacy skills.

**Highlights:** Science of Reading methodology, Focus on multi-syllable words, Blending and segmenting skills, Phonemic awareness development, Three engaging learning modes, Interactive reading games, Progress tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deluxe Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |


### Picture Packets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picture-packets-phrases/id499946596)

This app is part of a comprehensive reading and writing curriculum designed for beginning readers or those who have struggled with literacy. It focuses on developing the ability to blend sounds and remember words to read entire phrases, building upon foundational phonetic skills.

**Highlights:** Part of a 14-app reading curriculum, Focuses on blending sounds to form phrases, Develops memory for blended words, Builds upon phonetic skills, 38 Picture Packets pages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is READING MAGIC 3 free?

READING MAGIC 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Picture Packets free?

Pricing for Picture Packets is not currently listed on the App Store.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC 3 or Picture Packets?

Picture Packets is rated higher. READING MAGIC 3 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Picture Packets averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC 3 or Picture Packets have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC 3 nor Picture Packets shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC 3 or Picture Packets?

READING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 22 months, and Picture Packets every 69 months. Most recently, READING MAGIC 3 was updated on October 29, 2026 and Picture Packets on October 12, 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.*