# READING MAGIC 3 vs TERC EarthLabs

READING MAGIC 3 and TERC EarthLabs both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 89% of READING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 40% of TERC EarthLabs's. READING MAGIC 3 also leads on ratings volume (16 vs 1) and update cadence (every 22 months vs every 53 months). TERC EarthLabs's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.7). On price, rating and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. READING MAGIC 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TERC EarthLabs asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for READING MAGIC 3 against 5.0 for TERC EarthLabs. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: READING MAGIC 3 has 16 ratings behind it against 1, 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 40% of TERC EarthLabs's.

READING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 22 months, TERC EarthLabs every 53 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC 3 | TERC EarthLabs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-3/id446469837/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terc-earthlabs/id929008909/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **16** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **89.5% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 22 months** | Every 53 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 250 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [TERC, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/663250154) |

## 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 |


### TERC EarthLabs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terc-earthlabs/id929008909)

This app offers free high school Earth science curriculum units with interactive visualizations, videos, and hands-on labs. It allows users to run Flash-based videos and interactives on their iPad for engaging science education.

**Highlights:** Interactive visualizations, Video content, Hands-on labs, Flash-based interactives, Curriculum units

**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 TERC EarthLabs free?

TERC EarthLabs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC 3 or TERC EarthLabs?

TERC EarthLabs is rated higher. READING MAGIC 3 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while TERC EarthLabs averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC 3 or TERC EarthLabs have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC 3 nor TERC EarthLabs shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC 3 or TERC EarthLabs?

READING MAGIC 3 ships an update every 22 months, and TERC EarthLabs every 53 months. Most recently, READING MAGIC 3 was updated on November 6, 2026 and TERC EarthLabs 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.*