# Starfall Learn to Read vs Learn to Read

The clearest difference is rating: Learn to Read at 4.7 against Starfall Learn to Read's 4.2. Learn to Read also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (71K vs 226). Starfall Learn to Read's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Learn to Read sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $12.49 per month. Starfall Learn to Read asks for nothing beyond the download.

Learn to Read holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Learn to Read has 71K ratings behind it against 226, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Starfall Learn to Read's written reviews are positive against 81% of Learn to Read's.

Starfall Learn to Read ships an update every 11 months, Learn to Read every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starfall Learn to Read | Learn to Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (226 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261/reviews) | **[4.7 (71K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-to-read-readingcom/id1534938305/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 226 | **71K** |
| Positive reviews | 74.7% of reviews | **81.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#14** |
| Size | 91 MB | 252 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) | [Teaching.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/1526854604) |

## 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


### Learn to Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-to-read-readingcom/id1534938305)

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Education, #59 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app offers a guided, co-play experience for parents and children aged 3-8 to learn reading skills. It uses research-backed phonics lessons, interactive storybooks, videos, and games to build foundational reading abilities.

**Highlights:** 99 step-by-step phonics lessons, 67 interactive digital storybooks, 42 educational videos, 3 expert-designed reading games, Printable offline activities, Family subscription with 3 profiles, Ad-free experience

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Learn to Read (Monthly) | $12.49 | per month |
| Learn to Read (Monthly) | $12.49 | per month |
| Monthly (With Free Trial) | $12.49 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $12.49 | per month |
| Learn to Read (Monthly) | $12.99 | per month |
| Learn to Read (Monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| Learn to Read (Monthly) | $17.99 | per month |
| Learn to Read (Yearly) | $66.99 | per year |
| Learn to Read (Yearly) | $74.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Engaging and fun for kids
- 🚀 Effective at teaching reading skills
- 💡 Structured, step-by-step approach
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Promotes parent-child bonding
- 🎨 Colorful and visually appealing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤑 Expensive subscription model
- 🐢 Slow progression for more advanced learners
- 🤖 Lack of flexibility to customize or skip lessons
- 🤔 Placement assessment not accurate for all levels
- 🤯 Frustrating when app crashes or logs out

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional app crashes or freezes
- User data loss after app updates
- Inability to redeem promo codes

**Requested features**

- Option to learn cursive writing
- More independent practice games and activities
- Ability to jump to appropriate lesson level
- Support for multiple languages or accents
- Printable resources like flashcards or worksheets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starfall Learn to Read free?

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

### Is Learn to Read free?

Learn to Read is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Learn to Read is rated higher. Starfall Learn to Read averages 4.2 out of 5 from 226 ratings, while Learn to Read averages 4.7 from 71K ratings.

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

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

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

Starfall Learn to Read ships an update every 11 months, and Learn to Read every 5 days. Most recently, Starfall Learn to Read was updated on September 5, 2026 and Learn to Read on September 24, 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.*