# Kids' Words vs Starfall Learn to Read

The clearest difference is price: Starfall Learn to Read at Free against Kids' Words's $0.99. Starfall Learn to Read also leads on ratings volume (228 vs 5) and update cadence (every 9 months vs every 26 months). Kids' Words's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and rating (4.4 vs 4.2). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Starfall Learn to Read is free to download; Kids' Words costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Kids' Words holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starfall Learn to Read has 228 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Kids' Words's written reviews are positive against 71% of Starfall Learn to Read's.

Kids' Words ships an update every 26 months, Starfall Learn to Read every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kids' Words | Starfall Learn to Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kids-words/id492595352/reviews)** | [4.2 (228 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **228** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 71.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 26 months | **Every 9 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 39 MB | 91 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Circular3D](https://appshunter.io/developer/492595355) | [Starfall Education Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771099820) |

## What reviewers say

### Kids' Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kids-words/id492595352)

This educational game helps parents and teachers assess children's word recognition skills. It provides detailed report cards to track progress and identify areas of strength and weakness. The app features engaging themes, vibrant music, and sound effects to enhance the learning experience.

**Highlights:** Word recognition testing, Detailed report cards, Progress tracking, Multiple themes, Pronunciation guidance, Vibrant music and sounds, Supports multiple children and teachers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Starfall Learn to Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261)

This free app offers engaging books, games, and movies to help children learn to read. It focuses on vowel sounds and spelling through interactive activities, songs, and movies, fostering a love for language and reading.

**Highlights:** Interactive reading activities, Engaging games and movies, Focus on vowel sounds and spelling, Songs and positive reinforcement, Suitable for emerging readers, Supports English language learners

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Excellent phonics and reading instruction method
- 🎵 Engaging songs and catchy tunes that maintain interest
- 🎨 Well-designed animations and interactive stories
- 👶 Effective for children with learning difficulties (dyslexia, ADHD, special needs)
- 💰 Free version available with substantial content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and fails to load on some devices
- ❌ Math games incompatible with certain iOS versions
- 📱 Technical issues with black/green screens on launch
- 🔄 Requires multiple restarts to function properly
- 💳 Misleading pricing - paid version converted to free

**Reported bugs**

- App won't load beyond launch screen (black or green screen)
- Math games incompatible with iPhone updates
- Sound not playing in some instances
- App requires deletion and reinstallation to function
- Crashes on iOS 9.2.1 and older versions

**Requested features**

- Reward/star system for motivation and progress tracking
- Lesson progression markers showing mastery of modules
- Writing and spelling exercises to reinforce learning
- More stories and content variety
- UK English version option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kids' Words free?

Kids' Words costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starfall Learn to Read free?

Starfall Learn to Read is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Kids' Words or Starfall Learn to Read?

Kids' Words is rated higher. Kids' Words averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Starfall Learn to Read averages 4.2 from 228 ratings.

### Do Kids' Words or Starfall Learn to Read have ads?

Neither Kids' Words nor Starfall Learn to Read shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kids' Words or Starfall Learn to Read?

Kids' Words ships an update every 26 months, and Starfall Learn to Read every 9 months. Most recently, Kids' Words was updated on October 20, 2026 and Starfall Learn to Read on October 28, 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.*