Comparison

Simplex Spelling Light vs Hairy Phonics 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

Hairy Phonics 2

This educational app helps children aged 4-6 learn vowel digraphs through interactive games and animations. It guides users through a structured learning sequence, reinforcing sounds and letter formation, and is particularly beneficial for children with dyslexia.

Highlights
  • Learn 9 vowel digraph phonemes
  • Structured learning sequence
  • Phonic animations with actions
  • Letter tracing for writing practice
  • Games for blending phonemes
  • Sounding out words
Features
Read full description

More Hairies need your help! Learn phonics: ai, ay, ee, ea, ie, oa, oi, oy, oo This is the perfect follow-on to Hairy Phonics 1, introducing the next set of phonemes every child needs to learn. Hairy Phonics 2 develops phonemic awareness with the 9 most common vowel digraphs. This is where two vowels join together to make one sound. - Learn 9 phonemes (sounds): ai, ay, ee, ea, ie, oa, oi, oy, oo. - Guides your child through a structured sequence of learning. - Phonic animations link an action with the sound. - Trace the letters with your finger. - Play games to blend the phonemes into a whole word and improve understanding - Sound out words and understand how the digraph changes the sound of the word - 6 new Hairies dance with the Mega Hairy This is a particularly important skill for those with dyslexia. Designed for 4-6 year olds. This app is strictly educational and has no in-app purchases. *********************************************************** REVIEWS *********************************************************** My daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia and this app shows her the phonics sounds along with a picture for the words she is building. It is great in the way that she wants to play the game and laughs at all the videos that goes with the sounds. In addition to her reading struggles she also has problems with writing and she is asked to follow the path to make the letters correctly as well. She doesn't seem to realize that she is learning and playing at the same time. She is already asking if there is a hairy phonics 3 as well. My son loves it and had really helped him with his phonics.

Screenshots

Simplex Spelling Light4 screens
Hairy Phonics 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Simplex Spelling Light at Free against Hairy Phonics 2's $2.99. Simplex Spelling Light also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 33%) and rating (3.8 vs 3.1). Hairy Phonics 2's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Simplex Spelling Light is free to download; Hairy Phonics 2 costs $2.99 up front. 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 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Simplex Spelling Light's written reviews are positive against 33% of Hairy Phonics 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simplex Spelling Light ships an update every 10 months, Hairy Phonics 2 every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Simplex Spelling Light versus Hairy Phonics 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplex Spelling LightHairy Phonics 2
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating3.8 (11 ratings) — better3.1 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews77.1% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 10 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size257 MB250 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPyxwise Software Inc.Nessy Learning Limited

Customer experience

Simplex Spelling Light

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

Hairy Phonics 2

All ratings9 ratings
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

Simplex Spelling Light

No in-app purchases

None

Hairy Phonics 2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simplex Spelling Light free?
Simplex Spelling Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hairy Phonics 2 free?
Hairy Phonics 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Simplex Spelling Light or Hairy Phonics 2?
Simplex Spelling Light is rated higher. Simplex Spelling Light averages 3.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Hairy Phonics 2 averages 3.1 from 9 ratings.
Do Simplex Spelling Light or Hairy Phonics 2 have ads?
Neither Simplex Spelling Light nor Hairy Phonics 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simplex Spelling Light or Hairy Phonics 2?
Simplex Spelling Light ships an update every 10 months, and Hairy Phonics 2 every 12 months. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Light was updated on October 12, 2026 and Hairy Phonics 2 on October 13, 2026.

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