# Starfall Learn to Read vs LeapFrog Academy™ Learning

Starfall Learn to Read and LeapFrog Academy™ Learning both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of Starfall Learn to Read's written reviews are positive against 17% of LeapFrog Academy™ Learning's. Starfall Learn to Read also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). LeapFrog Academy™ Learning's advantage is ratings volume (1.9K vs 229) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LeapFrog Academy™ Learning sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Starfall Learn to Read asks for nothing beyond the download.

LeapFrog Academy™ Learning holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LeapFrog Academy™ Learning has 1.9K ratings behind it against 229, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Starfall Learn to Read's written reviews are positive against 17% of LeapFrog Academy™ Learning's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Starfall Learn to Read ships an update every 9 months, LeapFrog Academy™ Learning every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starfall Learn to Read | LeapFrog Academy™ Learning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (229 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261/reviews) | **[4.3 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/leapfrog-academy-learning/id1169264888/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 229 | **1.9K** |
| Positive reviews | **74.7% of reviews** | 16.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 91 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Starfall Education Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771099820) | [LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/309910982) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### LeapFrog Academy™ Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/leapfrog-academy-learning/id1169264888)

This interactive educational app offers over 2,000 ad-free learning activities designed by educators for children aged 3-6. It covers math, reading, spelling, science, critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional skills through games, eBooks, puzzles, and videos.

**Highlights:** 2,000+ learning activities, Ad-free educational content, Math, reading, and spelling skills, Science and critical thinking, Creativity and social-emotional learning, Parent Dashboard for progress tracking, Offline play mode

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $7.99 | per month |
| 6-Month Subscription | $39.99 | per 6 months |
| 12-Month Subscription | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great when it works
- 👍 Fun and engaging content
- 👍 Helps kids learn

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constantly freezes and crashes
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes and crashes frequently
- Login and loading issues
- Compatibility problems with newer devices
- Sound not working

**Requested features**

- More non-fiction books
- Ability to exit tutorial videos
- Improved stability and reliability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starfall Learn to Read free?

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

### Is LeapFrog Academy™ Learning free?

LeapFrog Academy™ Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Starfall Learn to Read or LeapFrog Academy™ Learning?

LeapFrog Academy™ Learning is rated higher. Starfall Learn to Read averages 4.2 out of 5 from 229 ratings, while LeapFrog Academy™ Learning averages 4.3 from 1.9K ratings.

### Do Starfall Learn to Read or LeapFrog Academy™ Learning have ads?

Neither Starfall Learn to Read nor LeapFrog Academy™ Learning shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Starfall Learn to Read or LeapFrog Academy™ Learning?

Starfall Learn to Read ships an update every 9 months, and LeapFrog Academy™ Learning every 4 months. Most recently, Starfall Learn to Read was updated on October 22, 2026 and LeapFrog Academy™ Learning on October 24, 2026.

---

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