# Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 vs Xylophone Plus

The clearest difference is rating: Xylophone Plus at 5.0 against Simplex Spelling Phonics 1's 4.0. Xylophone Plus also leads on price ($2.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Simplex Spelling Phonics 1's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 37 months) and ratings volume (23 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Xylophone Plus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 ships an update every 5 months, Xylophone Plus every 37 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 | Xylophone Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | [4.0 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-spelling-phonics-1/id481553580/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xylophone-plus/id6444546308/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **23** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 81.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 37 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#127** | — |
| Size | 191 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pyxwise Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/456744015) | [Heng Jia Liang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532000635) |

## What reviewers say

### Simplex Spelling Phonics 1

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

**Currently charting:** #127 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

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


### Xylophone Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xylophone-plus/id6444546308)

This app provides a simple and fun way to learn music fundamentals with a virtual xylophone. It features high-quality sounds, animations, and includes popular children's songs for easy play and composition.

**Highlights:** Basic 8 notes for easy learning, High-quality sounds and animations, Includes 3 popular children's songs, Record and playback compositions, Save and share composed music, Suitable for all ages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 free?

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

### Is Xylophone Plus free?

Xylophone Plus costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Xylophone Plus is rated higher. Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 averages 4.0 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Xylophone Plus averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 or Xylophone Plus have ads?

Neither Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 nor Xylophone Plus shows ads.

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

Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 ships an update every 5 months, and Xylophone Plus every 37 months. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 was updated on October 31, 2026 and Xylophone Plus on October 22, 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.*