# Starfall Learn to Read vs ABC Spelling

The clearest difference is update cadence: ABC Spelling at fortnightly against Starfall Learn to Read's every 9 months. ABC Spelling also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (86% vs 71%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ABC Spelling holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ABC Spelling has 3.2K ratings behind it against 228, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Starfall Learn to Read's written reviews are positive against 86% of ABC Spelling's.

Starfall Learn to Read ships an update every 9 months, ABC Spelling fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starfall Learn to Read | ABC Spelling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (228 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261/reviews) | **[4.6 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abc-spelling-spell-and-phonics/id1186728253/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 228 | **3.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 71.3% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 91 MB | 210 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) | [RV AppStudios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/340181308) |

## 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


### ABC Spelling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abc-spelling-spell-and-phonics/id1186728253)

This educational game helps young children learn the alphabet, phonics, and spelling through interactive games. It features colorful graphics, animations, and a report card system to track progress, making learning fun and accessible for kids and parents.

**Highlights:** Alphabet and phonics learning, Spelling games, Fill in the blank exercises, Progress tracking report cards, Sticker rewards for achievements, Customizable game modes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for kids
- 🚀 Fun and engaging activities
- 💡 Helpful for learning and development
- 🔒 No ads or in-app purchases

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate phonics sounds
- 🐛 Incorrect teaching techniques
- 🐛 Frequent freezing or crashing

**Reported bugs**

- Sound issues
- Compatibility problems on older devices

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced word families and blends
- Incorporate lower case letters
- Improve sentence structure and grammar


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starfall Learn to Read free?

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

### Is ABC Spelling free?

ABC Spelling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Starfall Learn to Read or ABC Spelling?

ABC Spelling is rated higher. Starfall Learn to Read averages 4.2 out of 5 from 228 ratings, while ABC Spelling averages 4.6 from 3.2K ratings.

### Do Starfall Learn to Read or ABC Spelling have ads?

Neither Starfall Learn to Read nor ABC Spelling shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Starfall Learn to Read or ABC Spelling?

Starfall Learn to Read ships an update every 9 months, and ABC Spelling fortnightly. Most recently, Starfall Learn to Read was updated on November 10, 2026 and ABC Spelling on November 11, 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.*