Comparison

Simplex Spelling Light vs Touch

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

Touch

This app teaches touch-typing while simultaneously improving reading and spelling skills. It offers a step-by-step course with bite-sized modules, suitable for all ages and learning styles, including those with dyslexia. Track progress and build confidence in literacy.

Highlights
  • Learn touch-typing
  • Improve reading skills
  • Enhance spelling
  • Dyslexia-friendly approach
  • Step-by-step modules
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Please note in order to log in you need to have purchased a subscription to Touch-type Read and Spell. Learn to type in an easy and fun way! TTRS is an excellent touch-typing program on its own, with the added benefit of boosting reading and spelling skills. We offer a step-by-step touch-typing course that allows everyone to learn Keyboarding and enhance literacy skills at their own pace, via a series of bite-size modules and lessons. Improve spelling and reading skills in English with our dyslexia-friendly approach for children and adults. Measure progress and celebrate success as you build confidence in the workplace or classroom. The program is appropriate for children ages 6-7 through to adult learners. The TTRS iPad app is free for current course subscribers. **Important Notice** We recommend using a Bluetooth keyboard with the app. If you are having any technical issues, please email support@readandspell.com ----- TTRS enhances spelling, decoding, and sight-reading skills thanks to a multi-sensory approach grounded in phonics and based on the work of Orton-Gillingham. This makes it an appropriate solution for individuals who struggle with: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), visual impairments, hearing impairments and stroke recovery.

Screenshots

Simplex Spelling Light4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Simplex Spelling Light at free against Touch's subscription. Simplex Spelling Light also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.3) and review sentiment (77% vs 59%). Touch's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (50 vs 11). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Simplex Spelling Light holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 50 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Simplex Spelling Light's written reviews are positive against 59% of Touch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simplex Spelling Light ships an update every 10 months, Touch every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Simplex Spelling Light versus Touch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplex Spelling LightTouch
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (11 ratings) — better3.3 (50 ratings)
Positive reviews77.1% of reviews — better59.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1150 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size257 MB280 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPyxwise Software Inc.TOUCH-TYPE READ & SPELL LTD

Customer experience

Simplex Spelling Light

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

Touch

All ratings50 ratings
Positive54.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative36.0%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral6.1%
Negative34.7%

Bugs and requests

Simplex Spelling Light

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Touch

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Cannot log into the app
  • App closes on startup
  • Data cannot be read (missing/incorrect format)
  • Stuck on loading screen
  • App doesn't synchronize with computer
Show 6 more
  • Cannot switch profiles without closing
  • App crashes frequently
  • Keyboard not working with iPad
  • Progress not saved after sync issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • App bugs after updates

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add profiles for multiple students
  • Improve synchronization between app and web
  • Make subscription cost clearer upfront
  • Reduce waiting time on loading screens
  • Fix double spaces in sentences
Show 1 more
  • Add more variety to lessons

In-app purchases

None

Simplex Spelling Light

No in-app purchases

None

Touch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simplex Spelling Light free?
Simplex Spelling Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Touch free?
Touch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Simplex Spelling Light or Touch?
Simplex Spelling Light is rated higher. Simplex Spelling Light averages 3.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Touch averages 3.3 from 50 ratings.
Do Simplex Spelling Light or Touch have ads?
Neither Simplex Spelling Light nor Touch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simplex Spelling Light or Touch?
Simplex Spelling Light ships an update every 10 months, and Touch every 8 days. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Light was updated on October 12, 2026 and Touch on October 8, 2026.

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