# SmartySprouts vs I Learn

The clearest difference is rating: I Learn at 5.0 against SmartySprouts's 4.5. I Learn also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 91%). SmartySprouts's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

SmartySprouts costs $3.99 and I Learn $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

I Learn holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: I Learn has 10 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of SmartySprouts's written reviews are positive against 100% of I Learn's.

SmartySprouts ships an update every 2 months, I Learn monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartySprouts | I Learn |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartysprouts/id548626869/reviews) | **[5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/i-learn-phonics-for-kids/id996078190/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **10** |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 185 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Good Neighbor Press, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/379870970) | [Preeti Kancharla](https://appshunter.io/developer/566021820) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartySprouts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartysprouts/id548626869)

This app offers 21 interactive pocket chart activities for young learners on iPad. It covers essential early education skills like math, phonics, and word building, with progress tracking for parents and teachers. Designed for short, engaging play sessions, it simplifies gameplay by locking to portrait mode.

**Highlights:** 21 interactive pocket chart activities, Math: addition, subtraction, fractions, Literacy: phonics, spelling, word building, Early learning: counting, colors, shapes, Progress tracking for parents/teachers, Portrait mode gameplay, Short, engaging activity sessions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### I Learn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/i-learn-phonics-for-kids/id996078190)

This app helps young children aged 4-7 build foundational reading and spelling skills through engaging, interactive word-building games. It focuses on sound awareness, decoding, and word recognition with unique "wiggle-and-replace" gameplay.

**Highlights:** Sound awareness and decoding practice, Engaging wiggle-and-replace word building, Learning mode for new words, Practice mode for mastered words, Flexible "Just Read" and "Read & Build" play styles, Parent insights for progress tracking, Adjustable mastery goals

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartySprouts free?

SmartySprouts costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is I Learn free?

I Learn costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SmartySprouts or I Learn?

I Learn is rated higher. SmartySprouts averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while I Learn averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.

### Do SmartySprouts or I Learn have ads?

Neither SmartySprouts nor I Learn shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartySprouts or I Learn?

SmartySprouts ships an update every 2 months, and I Learn monthly. Most recently, SmartySprouts was updated on November 1, 2026 and I Learn on November 6, 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.*