Comparison

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 vs Syllable Word Search

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2

This app scientifically improves spelling and reading skills using phonics, word patterns, and syllabication. It offers over 650 words across 54 lessons, breaking down words into syllables and sounds to build phonemic awareness.

Highlights
  • Scientifically validated approach
  • Phonics, word patterns, syllabication
  • Over 650 high-frequency words
  • 54 instructional lessons
  • Reverse phonics hint feature
  • Syllable breakdown (visual & auditory)
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Scientifically validated as a highly effective approach to improving spelling skills. A published study revealed that students demonstrated an average spelling improvement of 1.9 grades among children in a classroom setting who regularly used Simplex Spelling over a 18 week period. The largest student improvement observed over the same time period was 4.4 grade levels as assessed by administering the Schonell Spelling Test. Simplex Spelling is one of the best ways to improve English spelling and reading skills. Using a powerful combination of phonics lessons, spelling/word patterns, syllabication, our unique “reverse phonics” (phonics encoding) approach and contextually relevant spelling rules. - "Simplex Spelling has a feedback method that rivals anything a teacher can do in the classroom. " - Carolina Nugent, Director of Education KinderTown. - "No other literacy apps are this comprehensive." - Teachers With Apps - "WOW!!!! I found my miracle app" - Speech Language Neighborhood - Academics' Choice Award 

Teaching over a year of spelling curriculum with more than 650 high frequency words divided into 54 lists that are organized by spelling patterns and difficulty levels. Each of the 54 lists comes with a lesson that teaches one of the basic building blocks of spelling in the English language. These basic building blocks include syllables, sounds, spelling rules and some of the more advanced English phonograms. 

 Students learn a new concept for each lesson building on the skills learned from previous lessons and those covered in Simplex Spelling Phonics 1. Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 guides the student and acts as a personal spelling coach with every word, while teaching students "how to spell" English words. Our “reverse phonics” hint feature breaks each word down into individual phonemes to improve phonemic awareness, a critical skill in achieving literacy. One of the main areas of focus in Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 is on syllables and how they affect the way we speak, read and spell. Every word is broken down into its syllables both visually and auditorily to help students build phonological awareness skills. Many lessons teach the concepts of open and closed syllables, compound words, the rules governing vowels in syllables and syllable stresses. The stress on each syllable is subtly conveyed with every word to help students understand how the stress on a syllable affects the way words are pronounced and spelled. The schwa sound and its occurrence in English words is also taught.

 Recommended age 6+
 
Note: You can not create your own spelling lists.

 Features: 
 - Over 650 high frequency spelling words to help build literacy. - Words are spoken and used in a sentence to establish context and improve vocabulary. 
 - Introductory spelling list seamlessly leads a student through all of the application’s features.
 - A starting assessment/placement test. - Review lists to track learning progress. - 54 instructional lessons teach syllables, phonics, phonograms, and spelling rules. 
- A full “reverse phonics” approach that builds phonemic awareness. - Contextually relevant spelling rule hints that help explain “how to spell” English words.
 - Letter by letter feedback system provides feedback while the student is in the process of spelling each word. 
 - Support for 40 user accounts. - Export and email student progress reports. 
 
- Supports US, UK and Canadian English spelling of words.

 Privacy Disclosure: 
- Does not contain 3rd party ads 
 - Does not share any data 
 - Does not contain In-App purchases - Contains child protected links to "email the developer questions" and developer's website for additional information, support and teaching tips. COPPA Compliant https://pyxwise.com/privacy-policy/

About

Syllable Word Search

This educational game challenges players to find and connect syllables to form words across 27 missions. It offers adjustable difficulty, custom game creation, and multiple pronunciation options.

Highlights
  • 27 challenging levels
  • Word formation by connecting syllables
  • Custom mission creation
  • Multiple pronunciation options
  • Open-Dyslexia font support
  • Hints and time limits
Features
Read full description

*** 2015 Academics´ Choice Award - Smart Media Winner *** Join Spike in this new space adventure in which he must travel through 27 missions in order to reach his destiny. Each mission will require the use of special skills to find and complete all the words found in deep space. In each mission you will have to find and join syllables to complete all the words and finish the task. But beware new and different challenges await. Time may run out, moves may be counted or correct order must be followed, thankfully Spike has left green marks to help you follow the correct path. A black hole may appear in some missions and swallow words if they are not completed in time, so stay on your toes and concentrate to finish the missions. Thankfully Spike has also created a practice environment in which you will able to create your own mission and gain skills to complete levels. Syllable Word Search uses a unique memory card game and word search style game, that challenges players to form words by searching for syllables. Each of the 27 levels in Syllable Word Search provides increasing challenges to players. The player must complete a level before proceeding to the next. Levels become more challenging as the player advances through the game: the list of words increases, words are presented by topics, 2 to 6 syllable words are introduced, green cards are no longer available, duplicate syllables are presented on the board, among many other challenges. For advance players, Syllable Word Search has the option to create your own mission. In this option the player selects the characteristics and complexity of the board. Choose from different game plays: ============================ * 27 levels * Boards size varies * 2 to 6 syllable ENGLISH words * Listen to the word in one of the 4 pronunciations available (American English, UK English, Australian English, South Africa English) * Uses Open-Dyslexia font for ease of reading * Select syllables in order or random order * Get hints * Have time limits * Have card moves limits * Create your own game with themes and challenges available * Access over 3700 words and choose from 14 themes

Screenshots

Simplex Spelling Phonics 24 screens
Syllable Word Search4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Syllable Word Search at 5.0 against Simplex Spelling Phonics 2's 3.6. Syllable Word Search also leads on price ($3.99 vs $4.99). Simplex Spelling Phonics 2's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 costs $4.99 and Syllable Word Search $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Syllable Word Search holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 ships an update every 15 months, Syllable Word Search every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 versus Syllable Word Search: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplex Spelling Phonics 2Syllable Word Search
Price$4.99$3.99 — better
Rating3.6 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 14 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size203 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPyxwise Software Inc.BQWare

Customer experience

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative20.0%

Syllable Word Search

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2

No in-app purchases

None

Syllable Word Search

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 free?
Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Syllable Word Search free?
Syllable Word Search costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 or Syllable Word Search?
Syllable Word Search is rated higher. Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 averages 3.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Syllable Word Search averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 or Syllable Word Search have ads?
Neither Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 nor Syllable Word Search shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 or Syllable Word Search?
Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 ships an update every 15 months, and Syllable Word Search every 14 months. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 was updated on September 21, 2026 and Syllable Word Search on September 17, 2026.

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