# READING MAGIC 3 vs Pearson TELL

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pearson TELL at none against READING MAGIC 3's 1. Pearson TELL also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 22 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). READING MAGIC 3's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and ratings volume (16 vs 3). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

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

READING MAGIC 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: READING MAGIC 3 has 16 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 89% of READING MAGIC 3's written reviews are positive against 100% of Pearson TELL's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC 3 | Pearson TELL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-3/id446469837/reviews)** | [4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearson-tell/id991402030/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **16** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 89.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 250 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | **11.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [Pearson Education, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/386384450) |

## 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 |


### Pearson TELL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearson-tell/id991402030)

This app offers a self-administered online language proficiency assessment for K-12 students. It includes various tests to monitor progress and provide schools with insights into students' language skills, informing instructional decisions. Results are available quickly thanks to innovative speech and writing evaluation technology.

**Highlights:** K-12 language proficiency assessment, Screener, diagnostic, and progress monitoring tests, Measures listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, Innovative speech and writing evaluation technology, Fast, reliable scored results, Detailed reporting for schools and districts

**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 Pearson TELL free?

Pearson TELL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC 3 or Pearson TELL?

READING MAGIC 3 is rated higher. READING MAGIC 3 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Pearson TELL averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC 3 or Pearson TELL have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC 3 nor Pearson TELL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC 3 or Pearson TELL?

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