# Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 vs Spelling Shed

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 at 81% against Spelling Shed's 52%. Spelling Shed's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 costs $4.99 and Spelling Shed $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Spelling Shed holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spelling Shed has 523 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of Simplex Spelling Phonics 1's written reviews are positive against 52% of Spelling Shed's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 ships an update every 5 months, Spelling Shed monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 | Spelling Shed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | [4.0 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-phonics-1/id481553580/reviews) | **[4.3 (523 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spelling-shed/id1264568098/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 23 | **523** |
| Positive reviews | **81.4% of reviews** | 51.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#74** |
| Size | 191 MB | 154 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pyxwise Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/456744015) | [Education Shed Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1290298123) |

## What reviewers say

### Simplex Spelling Phonics 1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-phonics-1/id481553580)

This app uses a scientifically validated phonics approach to improve spelling skills. It teaches fundamental spelling patterns, sounds, and rules through structured lessons and high-frequency words, aiming to build long-term literacy and confidence.

**Highlights:** 450+ high-frequency words, 42 instructional phonics lessons, Spelling pattern and difficulty organization, Reverse phonics approach, Contextual spelling rule hints, Letter-by-letter feedback, Starting assessment test

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Spelling Shed

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spelling-shed/id1264568098)

**Currently charting:** #74 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This educational game makes spelling fun and accessible for children worldwide. Designed by teachers, it helps improve spelling, reading, vocabulary, and typing speed through engaging gameplay and customizable support. It offers a unique phonics system and curriculum coverage for comprehensive learning.

**Highlights:** Phonics spelling system, Customizable difficulty levels, Speed bonuses and hot streaks, OpenDyslexic font support, League-based scoring and rewards, Curriculum-aligned word lists, Avatar customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for learning spellings
- 🤩 Fun and engaging way to learn
- 🏫 Good for education purposes
- 🎓 Improves spelling skills

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Unclear voice pronunciation
- 💰 Expensive customization options
- 🤖 Poor explanation of words

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and lost progress
- Compatibility problems with updates
- Inconsistent performance on different devices
- Difficulty adding and managing spelling lists

**Requested features**

- Allow customization of spelling lists
- Improve audio quality and clarity
- Add more game modes and features
- Provide better progress tracking


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 free?

Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Spelling Shed free?

Spelling Shed costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 or Spelling Shed?

Spelling Shed is rated higher. Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 averages 4.0 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Spelling Shed averages 4.3 from 523 ratings.

### Do Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 or Spelling Shed have ads?

Neither Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 nor Spelling Shed shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 or Spelling Shed?

Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 ships an update every 5 months, and Spelling Shed monthly. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 was updated on October 26, 2026 and Spelling Shed on October 27, 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.*