# Elmo Calls vs Alphablocks, How to Write

The clearest difference is rating: Elmo Calls at 4.3 against Alphablocks, How to Write's 3.8. Elmo Calls also leads on ratings volume (956 vs 22) and review sentiment (73% vs 56%). Alphablocks, How to Write's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Elmo Calls costs $1.99 and Alphablocks, How to Write $3.99 up front. Elmo Calls sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Alphablocks, How to Write asks for nothing beyond the download.

Elmo Calls holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elmo Calls has 956 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Elmo Calls's written reviews are positive against 56% of Alphablocks, How to Write's.

Elmo Calls ships an update every 7 months, Alphablocks, How to Write every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Elmo Calls | Alphablocks, How to Write |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.3 (956 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elmo-calls/id467703220/reviews)** | [3.8 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alphablocks-how-to-write/id1582623084/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **956** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | **73.5% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#13** | — |
| Size | 171 MB | 323 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sesame Workshop (Apps)](https://appshunter.io/developer/339077104) | [Blue-Zoo](https://appshunter.io/developer/938119031) |

## What reviewers say

### Elmo Calls

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elmo-calls/id467703220)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Paid · Education, #147 Top Paid (US App Store)

Engage in interactive video and audio calls with a beloved Sesame Street character. This app encourages imaginative play, teaches healthy habits, and fosters self-confidence through fun conversations and scheduled calls.

**Highlights:** Receive audio and video calls from Elmo, Send and receive voicemails from Elmo, Live video of user during calls, Schedule calls for various situations, Learn about healthy habits and letters, Engage in imaginative play with Elmo

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| "Playdate With Elmo" Pack | Free | one-time |
| "Feelings" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "ABCs" pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Special Visits" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Firsts and Celebrations" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Elmo is Proud of You!" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Laugh With Elmo!" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Happy Habits" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "You Can Do It!" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "Sing With Elmo!" Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| "All Calls" Pack | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💕 Fun and engaging
- 👍 Great for kids
- 🤩 Elmo calls are entertaining
- 😊 Brings joy and laughter

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Weak parental controls
- 📵 Scheduled calls don't work as expected

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Video calls don't work
- Purchased content not restoring
- Scheduled calls not triggering

**Requested features**

- More character call options (Big Bird, Cookie Monster, etc.)
- Ability to record video calls
- Improved UI for young users
- Scheduled calls that actually ring the device


### Alphablocks, How to Write

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alphablocks-how-to-write/id1582623084)

This app uses animated characters to teach children how to write letters and numbers. It features a guided learning path with pre-writing exercises, letter families, and tracing practice with rhymes. The app is designed by educational experts and is ad-free.

**Highlights:** Pre-writing line practice, Letter families based on shape, Scaffolded learning trajectory, Letter and numeral tracing, Writing rhymes for memorization, Adventure-based learning

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Elmo Calls free?

Elmo Calls costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Alphablocks, How to Write free?

Alphablocks, How to Write costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Elmo Calls or Alphablocks, How to Write?

Elmo Calls is rated higher. Elmo Calls averages 4.3 out of 5 from 956 ratings, while Alphablocks, How to Write averages 3.8 from 22 ratings.

### Do Elmo Calls or Alphablocks, How to Write have ads?

Neither Elmo Calls nor Alphablocks, How to Write shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Elmo Calls or Alphablocks, How to Write?

Elmo Calls ships an update every 7 months, and Alphablocks, How to Write every 5 months. Most recently, Elmo Calls was updated on October 18, 2026 and Alphablocks, How to Write 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.*