# PBPhonics 1 to 3 vs Twinkl Formation & Handwriting

The clearest difference is rating: Twinkl Formation & Handwriting at 4.5 against PBPhonics 1 to 3's 3.3. Twinkl Formation & Handwriting also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months) and review sentiment (41% vs 17%). PBPhonics 1 to 3's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Twinkl Formation & Handwriting sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. PBPhonics 1 to 3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Twinkl Formation & Handwriting holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Twinkl Formation & Handwriting has 63 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of PBPhonics 1 to 3's written reviews are positive against 41% of Twinkl Formation & Handwriting's.

PBPhonics 1 to 3 ships an update every 12 months, Twinkl Formation & Handwriting every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PBPhonics 1 to 3 | Twinkl Formation & Handwriting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbphonics-1-to-3/id448032923/reviews) | **[4.5 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/twinkl-formation-and-handwriting/id1581040887/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **63** |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | **41.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 41 MB | 228 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cowirrie](https://appshunter.io/developer/381724640) | [Twinkl Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/508771802) |

## What reviewers say

### PBPhonics 1 to 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbphonics-1-to-3/id448032923)

This app helps adults and young adults improve basic English literacy by practicing phonics. It allows users to hear phonemes, blend them into words, and record themselves to compare pronunciation. Instruction is visual, adapting to the user's progress.

**Highlights:** Hear and blend phonemes, Record and compare pronunciation, Visual instruction with animated gestures, Adaptive vocabulary and test complexity, Teacher progress review, Australian accent pronunciation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Twinkl Formation & Handwriting

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/twinkl-formation-and-handwriting/id1581040887)

This app helps young learners develop essential handwriting skills by practicing letter and number formation, and shapes. It offers a fun, engaging, and prep-free experience for children, with customizable word lists and offline functionality.

**Highlights:** Letter and number formation practice, Shape tracing, Fine motor skill development, Customizable word lists, Offline functionality, Multi-language support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Twinkl Monthly Subscription | $0.49 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $2.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PBPhonics 1 to 3 free?

PBPhonics 1 to 3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Twinkl Formation & Handwriting free?

Twinkl Formation & Handwriting is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PBPhonics 1 to 3 or Twinkl Formation & Handwriting?

Twinkl Formation & Handwriting is rated higher. PBPhonics 1 to 3 averages 3.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Twinkl Formation & Handwriting averages 4.5 from 63 ratings.

### Do PBPhonics 1 to 3 or Twinkl Formation & Handwriting have ads?

Neither PBPhonics 1 to 3 nor Twinkl Formation & Handwriting shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PBPhonics 1 to 3 or Twinkl Formation & Handwriting?

PBPhonics 1 to 3 ships an update every 12 months, and Twinkl Formation & Handwriting every 2 months. Most recently, PBPhonics 1 to 3 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Twinkl Formation & Handwriting on October 31, 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.*