Comparison

Learning Sight Words vs Reading Train Christmas

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Learning Sight Words

Features
Read full description

Studies have shown that good readers look at some words and automatically decode them. The Sight Words app lets beginning readers get a head start on learning these words. It helps older students who are struggling with reading master the sight words. There are 208 words organized by level of difficulty–Pre-Primer, Primer, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. The colorful photos provide a visual cue for the word. The phrases and sentences help the student visualize the word in context. Once the student is familiar with the words, use the Settings button to switch to the Practice mode. The app will display each of the words along with foils. The default is to find three targets in a field of fifteen foils. Both the number of targets and the number of foils can be changed in the Options. When the student is doing well in the Practice level, tap the Settings button to look at the options for the Challenge level. The Challenge level has foils that are not necessarily familiar to the student. The default is to find three targets in a field of fifteen foils. At first the foils are words that (usually) have no letters in common with the target word. If the student finds all of the targets in less than 20 seconds per screen with few mistakes, the app automatically changes the foils to words that look more like the target. When all of the target words have been practiced, the app moves the student to the next level of difficulty—all words start with a capital letter. When all the words have been viewed, the app again moves to a more difficult level—words randomly starting with a capital or lowercase letter. Appropriate for neurotypical children ages K-3rd grade, and children or adults having difficulty reading due to problems with with Auditory Processing, Auditory Conceptualization, Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD), TBI, or Stroke. This app is based on the Sight Words DVD from LocuTour.

About

Reading Train Christmas

This app offers interactive Christmas-themed books, songs, and games designed to build foundational reading skills. It features multiple reading levels, professional narration, and a fun train game to reinforce learning. Parents can track progress through detailed reporting tools.

Highlights
  • Interactive Christmas books
  • Multiple reading levels
  • Sing-along Christmas songs
  • Educational train game
  • User recording of books
  • Progress tracking for parents
  • Built-in audio dictionary
Features
Read full description

Listen, read, and record 10 fun Christmas books at 3 easy reading levels: 30 books in all! Sing along with 5 Christmas songbooks and 18 more favorite children's songs. Play the train game; win coins for the Music Store; collect and learn new words in the train yard. "Beautifully designed storybooks and related games that teach foundational reading": Appolicious.com Books, songs and games to build skills, self confidence and a love of reading. Real reading, for fun and information, right from the start. "A dynamic tool to augment any beginning readers program": Teachers With Apps Safe for Kids: The Learning Station is a Proud Member of Moms With Apps Kid tested and teacher approved. We are ad-free and take our users privacy seriously. View our Privacy Policy here: http://www.readingtrain.org * Listen, read and record books at 3 different beginning reading levels to grow as a reader. * Play the train game after every book to learn letters and words * Built-in picture/audio dictionary * 5 Christmas song books PLUS 18 more sing-along songs. * Professional narration- American English. All books can be recorded by users. * Unlimited user accounts * Powerful student reporting tools Books Kids CAN Read. Written by Libby Curran, a People Magazine Teacher of the Year, these engaging little books are field tested in real classrooms to get kids started on the path to reading independence. Books Kids LOVE to Read and Re-read. Children are naturally curious, so encourage them to explore our ABC books to learn new vocabulary and build the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in school. After reading stories they can play the train quiz game, explore the picture/audio dictionary and listen to song books. Give Your Kids the Tools to Succeed. Stuck on a word? Tap and hold to hear every word and access the built in audio dictionary filled with hundreds of words. Play a unique quiz game at the end of every book to extend the learning. The Reading Train Alphabet is packed full of tools to help children succeed, all on their own. Read to Learn- Meet Common Core Standards Read beginning level books with purpose and understanding. Develop the concepts of print: reading left to right and matching written words with spoken words. Learn letter names and sounds, build background knowledge and improve reading comprehension and foundational skills. Quizzes Disguised as Games. Play the train game after finishing every book, but don't tell them it's a quiz! Check progress on the parent's page to see all the books children have read and recorded as well as detailed scores on the quizzes. The Right Team For the Job Created by award winning master teacher and early literacy expert, Libby Curran, The Reading Train is the culmination of 20+ years of teaching experience. Backed by an all-star team of teachers turned iOS developers and a professional children's musician, The Reading Train is serious about making learning fun. Keep in Touch We welcome your feedback, to keep up with all things Reading Train check out: readingtrain.org facebook.com/readingtrain email: support@readingtrain.org We welcome suggestions on future books and curriculum. Contact Libby with suggestions about new content at: libby@readingtrain.org

Screenshots

Learning Sight Words4 screens
Reading Train Christmas4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Reading Train Christmas at Free against Learning Sight Words's $1.99. Learning Sight Words's advantage is update cadence (every 9 months vs every 32 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 11.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Reading Train Christmas is free to download; Learning Sight Words costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Learning Sight Words ships an update every 9 months, Reading Train Christmas every 32 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Learning Sight Words versus Reading Train Christmas: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLearning Sight WordsReading Train Christmas
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 months — betterEvery 32 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB653 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLearning Fundamentals, Inc.The Learning Station, LLC

In-app purchases

None

Learning Sight Words

No in-app purchases

None

Reading Train Christmas

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Learning Sight Words free?
Learning Sight Words costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Reading Train Christmas free?
Reading Train Christmas is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Learning Sight Words or Reading Train Christmas have ads?
Neither Learning Sight Words nor Reading Train Christmas shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Learning Sight Words or Reading Train Christmas?
Learning Sight Words ships an update every 9 months, and Reading Train Christmas every 32 months. Most recently, Learning Sight Words was updated on October 17, 2026 and Reading Train Christmas on September 26, 2026.

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