# READING MAGIC for Schools vs Starfall I'm Reading

The clearest difference is price: Starfall I'm Reading at Free against READING MAGIC for Schools's $3.99. Starfall I'm Reading also leads on ratings volume (48 vs 9). READING MAGIC for Schools's advantage is iOS requirement (13.7 vs 15.0). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Starfall I'm Reading is free to download; READING MAGIC for Schools costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

READING MAGIC for Schools holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starfall I'm Reading has 48 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 93% of READING MAGIC for Schools's written reviews are positive against 100% of Starfall I'm Reading's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

READING MAGIC for Schools ships an update every 13 months, Starfall I'm Reading every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC for Schools | Starfall I'm Reading |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.4 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-for-schools/id585133208/reviews)** | [4.3 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-im-reading/id723107920/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **48** |
| Positive reviews | 92.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | **Every 10 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 190 MB | 102 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.7** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [Starfall Education Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771099820) |

## What reviewers say

### READING MAGIC for Schools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-for-schools/id585133208)

This app makes learning to read an exciting adventure for young children. It uses interactive games and activities focused on CVC words and phonics principles to build essential reading skills. Designed by educators, it helps children develop phonemic awareness and phonological processing.

**Highlights:** Interactive CVC word games, Focus on phonemic awareness, Blending and segmenting practice, Science of reading-based approach, Lesson tracking and sequenced curriculum, Discourages picture guessing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Starfall I'm Reading

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starfall-im-reading/id723107920)

This app helps young children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. It offers a selection of stories and activities designed to build comprehension and fluency using high-frequency words in context. An AutoRead feature models fluent reading and can be toggled off for independent readers.

**Highlights:** Stories and activities for reading comprehension, Controlled vocabulary with high-frequency words, AutoRead feature to model fluent reading, Plays, fiction, non-fiction, comics, and fables, Audio support for fluency practice

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is READING MAGIC for Schools free?

READING MAGIC for Schools costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starfall I'm Reading free?

Starfall I'm Reading is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC for Schools or Starfall I'm Reading?

READING MAGIC for Schools is rated higher. READING MAGIC for Schools averages 4.4 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Starfall I'm Reading averages 4.3 from 48 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC for Schools or Starfall I'm Reading have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC for Schools nor Starfall I'm Reading shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC for Schools or Starfall I'm Reading?

READING MAGIC for Schools ships an update every 13 months, and Starfall I'm Reading every 10 months. Most recently, READING MAGIC for Schools was updated on October 7, 2026 and Starfall I'm Reading on October 21, 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.*