# First Grade Reading Program vs Starfall

The clearest difference is price: Starfall at Free against First Grade Reading Program's $0.99. Starfall also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 21 months) and ratings volume (4.3K vs 1). First Grade Reading Program's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Starfall is free to download; First Grade Reading Program costs $0.99 up front. Starfall sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per month. First Grade Reading Program asks for nothing beyond the download.

First Grade Reading Program holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starfall has 4.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of First Grade Reading Program's written reviews are positive against 75% of Starfall's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

First Grade Reading Program ships an update every 21 months, Starfall every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | First Grade Reading Program | Starfall |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-grade-reading-program/id504193423/reviews)** | [4.1 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall/id707189889/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **4.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **74.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#191** |
| Size | 99 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Visual Learning Aids, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/327866969) | [Starfall Education Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771099820) |

## What reviewers say

### First Grade Reading Program

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-grade-reading-program/id504193423)

This phonics-based reading program helps young learners develop fluency and comprehension. It features read-along audio for stories and interactive word family exercises. Multiple-choice questions after each story reinforce understanding.

**Highlights:** Phonics-based reading approach, Read-along audio stories, Word family exercises, Reading comprehension questions, Fluency and confidence building

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Starfall

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall/id707189889)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Grossing · Education, #201 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app offers engaging reading and math activities for children from preschool to 5th grade. It features games, songs, and interactive lessons designed by educators to support early literacy and numeracy skills. The platform also includes accessibility features for children with impairments.

**Highlights:** Reading phonics and fluency, Math concepts and operations, Interactive games and songs, Accessibility features, Sequential learning objectives, Holiday activities and sing-alongs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starfall Monthly | $5.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy and fun learning
- 🎨 Engaging activities and games
- 🧠 Helps with reading, math, and more
- 🌟 Nostalgic childhood memories
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for kids of all ages

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Limited free content, requires subscription
- 🔒 Difficulty managing parental controls
- 🐛 Technical issues like crashes and freezes
- 📱 Compatibility problems on mobile devices
- 🔍 Repetitive content and lack of updates

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription issues and trouble logging in
- Freezing and crashing on certain devices
- Glitches in specific games and activities
- Compatibility problems with newer OS versions
- Incorrect pronunciation of numbers and dates

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced content for older kids
- Improve accessibility for visually impaired users
- Provide offline mode for use without internet
- Allow customization of character and settings
- Integrate with other educational platforms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is First Grade Reading Program free?

First Grade Reading Program costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starfall free?

Starfall is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, First Grade Reading Program or Starfall?

First Grade Reading Program is rated higher. First Grade Reading Program averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Starfall averages 4.1 from 4.3K ratings.

### Do First Grade Reading Program or Starfall have ads?

Neither First Grade Reading Program nor Starfall shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, First Grade Reading Program or Starfall?

First Grade Reading Program ships an update every 21 months, and Starfall every 2 months. Most recently, First Grade Reading Program was updated on October 6, 2026 and Starfall on October 12, 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.*