# Simplex Spelling Light vs Hairy Phonics 2

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simplex Spelling Light | Hairy Phonics 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[3.8 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-light/id465715154/reviews)** | [3.1 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hairy-phonics-2/id938109205/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **11** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | **77.1% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 months** | Every 12 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 257 MB | 250 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pyxwise Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/456744015) | [Nessy Learning Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/410276291) |

## What reviewers say

### Simplex Spelling Light

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-light/id465715154)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Hairy Phonics 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hairy-phonics-2/id938109205)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*