Comparison

Simplex Spelling Light vs Our Story 2

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simplex Spelling Light

This app enhances spelling and reading skills with a unique "reverse phonics" approach and contextually relevant spelling rules. It offers interactive learning for various student types, providing immediate feedback and explanations for word construction.

Highlights
  • Reverse phonics approach
  • Contextual spelling rule hints
  • Letter-by-letter feedback
  • Over 50 high-frequency words
  • Spoken words in sentences
  • User stats and reporting
Features
Read full description

Simplex Spelling Light improves spelling and reading skills in a fun and interactive way using a unique “reverse phonics” approach in combination with contextually relevant spelling rules. It has the same critically acclaimed design and features as the full versions of Simplex Spelling but comes with its own new high frequency word spelling lists. This Light version has been made available so that customers can evaluate the Simplex Spelling software to decide if they want to purchase a full version of Simplex Spelling Sight Words, CVC Words, Phonics1, Phonics2, or Phonics3. Simplex Spelling Light contains the main features of the full versions, while targeting more than 50 all new high frequency words in the English language. This makes the Light version a beautiful compliment to the full versions of Simplex Spelling. The Light version also includes placement tests in the Phonics1, Phonics2, and Phonics 3 classrooms to help customers determine which app is the best fit. In contrast with many of the current approaches that use flash cards, Simplex Spelling enables the student to build each word. Students gain skills above and beyond the sheer memorization of words, as the informative spelling rule hint feature explains why words are spelled in a particular manner. Simplex Spelling's unique, immediate letter by letter feedback system is designed with clues and hints that will enable every student to spell each word successfully. Simplex Spelling enhances understanding in a variety of students as it appeals to audio, visual and tactile learners. It is great tool to have for kids learning to spell, remedial students, or those learning English as a second language. Recommended for ages 5+. Note: You can not create your own spelling lists in Simplex Spelling Light. Features: - Over 50 high frequency spelling words to help build literacy. - Spelling words are spoken and used in a sentence to establish context. - The introduction spelling list seamlessly leads a student through all of the application’s features by providing spoken information while having the student spell new words. - A powerful phonics hint feature sounds out each word and provides a list of possible phonograms for each sound. - Features a full “reverse phonics” approach that includes sounds made by all the different letter combinations. This is in addition to the basic “single letter” phonics that most applications are limited to. - Contextually relevant spelling rule hints that help explain “how to spell” English words. - Unique letter by letter feedback system that provides feedback while the student is in the process of spelling each word. - Guaranteed success on every word. - Support for 40 user accounts. - User stats screen that allows you to see at a glance words that have been mastered and words that require further practice. - Ability to export & email student reports. - Remembers each user’s position in every list, so that you can immediately resume from where you last left off. - Supports both upper and lower case letters. - Supports both alphabetic and QWERTY keyboard layouts. - Supports both US, UK and Canadian English spelling of words. - An approach that appeals to audio, visual and tactile learners. Privacy Disclosure: - No 3rd party ads - Does not share any data - No In-App purchases - Contains child protected links to Apple App Store. - Contains child protected links in app to developer's website for additional information, support and teaching tips. - Contains child protected link to developer email support. COPPA Compliant 
https://pyxwise.com/privacy-policy/

About

Our Story 2

This educational app helps young children develop essential reading, language, and social skills through engaging digital activities. Created with child psychologists, it aims to foster an early interest in reading.

Highlights
  • Digital picture book creation
  • Develops reading skills
  • Enhances language skills
  • Promotes social skills
  • Child psychologist developed
  • Early interest in reading
Features
Read full description

Reading, even in the digital age, is probably one of the most important skills that children acquire. It can be an important source of pleasure which also develops vital language and social skills. It is fundamental to most school activities, it can also open up new worlds and give access to the wealth of human knowledge. This app, that has been developed by child psychologists and other specialists at The Open University, enables young children to take part in fun activities which can help develop interests and skills that will be relevant to them when they start to read.

Screenshots

Simplex Spelling Light4 screens
Our Story 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Our Story 2 at 4.3 against Simplex Spelling Light's 3.8. Our Story 2 also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Simplex Spelling Light's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Our Story 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simplex Spelling Light ships an update every 10 months, Our Story 2 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Simplex Spelling Light versus Our Story 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplex Spelling LightOur Story 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (11 ratings)4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size257 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPyxwise Software Inc.The Open University

Customer experience

Simplex Spelling Light

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive77.1%
Neutral12.5%
Negative10.4%

Our Story 2

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Simplex Spelling Light

No in-app purchases

None

Our Story 2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simplex Spelling Light free?
Simplex Spelling Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Our Story 2 free?
Our Story 2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Simplex Spelling Light or Our Story 2?
Our Story 2 is rated higher. Simplex Spelling Light averages 3.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Our Story 2 averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Simplex Spelling Light or Our Story 2 have ads?
Neither Simplex Spelling Light nor Our Story 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simplex Spelling Light or Our Story 2?
Simplex Spelling Light ships an update every 10 months, and Our Story 2 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Light was updated on October 22, 2026 and Our Story 2 on October 21, 2026.

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