# READING MAGIC for Schools vs Short Vowel Word Study

The clearest difference is rating: READING MAGIC for Schools at 4.4 against Short Vowel Word Study's 2.9. READING MAGIC for Schools also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 56%). Short Vowel Word Study's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.7). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

READING MAGIC for Schools costs $3.99 and Short Vowel Word Study $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 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of READING MAGIC for Schools's written reviews are positive against 56% of Short Vowel Word Study's.

READING MAGIC for Schools ships an update every 13 months, Short Vowel Word Study every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC for Schools | Short Vowel Word Study |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.4 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-for-schools/id585133208/reviews)** | [2.9 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-vowel-word-study/id919696645/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | **92.9% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | **Every 9 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 190 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.7 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) | [This Reading Mama, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1169090181) |

## 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


### Short Vowel Word Study

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-vowel-word-study/id919696645)

This app teaches children spelling patterns for short vowel words using a research-based approach. It offers hands-on activities like sorting, finding, spelling, and writing words to reinforce learning. A parent section explains the methodology, and a bonus game section provides fun reinforcement.

**Highlights:** Word sorting activities, Phonics pattern analysis, Interactive spelling games, Letter tile manipulation, Tracing and writing words, Parental theory explanation, Bonus word fun games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**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 Short Vowel Word Study free?

Short Vowel Word Study costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC for Schools or Short Vowel Word Study?

READING MAGIC for Schools is rated higher. READING MAGIC for Schools averages 4.4 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Short Vowel Word Study averages 2.9 from 12 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC for Schools or Short Vowel Word Study have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC for Schools nor Short Vowel Word Study shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC for Schools or Short Vowel Word Study?

READING MAGIC for Schools ships an update every 13 months, and Short Vowel Word Study every 9 months. Most recently, READING MAGIC for Schools was updated on November 1, 2026 and Short Vowel Word Study on November 6, 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.*