# BrainPOP Jr. vs Starfall Learn to Read

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Starfall Learn to Read at none against BrainPOP Jr.'s 5. BrainPOP Jr.'s advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 11 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BrainPOP Jr. sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Starfall Learn to Read asks for nothing beyond the download.

BrainPOP Jr. holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainPOP Jr. has 21K ratings behind it against 226, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of BrainPOP Jr.'s written reviews are positive against 75% of Starfall Learn to Read's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

BrainPOP Jr. ships an update every 6 weeks, Starfall Learn to Read every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainPOP Jr. | Starfall Learn to Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (21K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainpop-jr/id536371867/reviews)** | [4.2 (226 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **21K** | 226 |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | **74.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 24 MB | 91 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BrainPOP®](https://appshunter.io/developer/364894355) | [Starfall Education Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771099820) |

## What reviewers say

### BrainPOP Jr.

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainpop-jr/id536371867)

This app offers engaging animated movies, interactive activities, and quizzes for K-3 learners. It aims to transform passive screen time into active, enriched educational experiences with relatable characters guiding children through various subjects. The platform is designed to foster critical thinking and independent learning.

**Highlights:** Animated movies, Interactive activities, Quizzes, K-3 curriculum, Critical thinking focus, Independent learning

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BrainPOP Jr. Explorer Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Full Access Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| BrainPOP Jr. Monthly Combo | $19.99 | per month |
| Full Access Yearly | $119.00 | per year |
| BrainPOP Jr. Yearly Combo | $159.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Makes learning fun
- 👍 Engaging videos and quizzes
- 👍 Helpful for homeschooling and supplemental learning
- 👍 Informative and educational content
- 👍 Funny and entertaining

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 💰 Lack of free content
- 🐛 Crashes and technical issues
- 👎 Limited content selection

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to subscribe
- Videos not loading properly
- Quiz functionality not working

**Requested features**

- More free videos and content
- Lower subscription pricing
- Improved device compatibility
- Expanded topic coverage
- Better navigation and organization


### 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 BrainPOP Jr. free?

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

### Is Starfall Learn to Read free?

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

### Which has better reviews, BrainPOP Jr. or Starfall Learn to Read?

BrainPOP Jr. is rated higher. BrainPOP Jr. averages 4.6 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while Starfall Learn to Read averages 4.2 from 226 ratings.

### Do BrainPOP Jr. or Starfall Learn to Read have ads?

Neither BrainPOP Jr. nor Starfall Learn to Read shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BrainPOP Jr. or Starfall Learn to Read?

BrainPOP Jr. ships an update every 6 weeks, and Starfall Learn to Read every 11 months. Most recently, BrainPOP Jr. was updated on September 22, 2026 and Starfall Learn to Read on September 5, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*