# READING MAGIC 5 vs Phonics Hero

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phonics Hero at every 4 weeks against READING MAGIC 5's every 11 months. READING MAGIC 5's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 65%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. READING MAGIC 5 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Phonics Hero sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $6.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

READING MAGIC 5 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of READING MAGIC 5's written reviews are positive against 65% of Phonics Hero's.

READING MAGIC 5 ships an update every 11 months, Phonics Hero every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | READING MAGIC 5 | Phonics Hero |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-5/id587172901/reviews)** | [4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonics-hero-learn-to-read/id908692848/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **11** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | **90.0% of reviews** | 64.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 226 MB | 70 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) | [Phonics Hero Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037936559) |

## What reviewers say

### READING MAGIC 5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-magic-5/id587172901)

This educational app teaches children the rules of the silent final 'e' in English phonics through engaging games. It helps develop essential reading skills like blending and segmenting, fostering phonemic awareness and phonological processing.

**Highlights:** Teaches silent final 'e' rules, Develops phonemic awareness, Enhances phonological processing, Includes engaging blending and segmenting games, Discourages picture guessing, Offers lesson tracking (deluxe version)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deluxe Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |


### Phonics Hero

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonics-hero-learn-to-read/id908692848)

This app uses fun, science-backed phonics games to help children aged 4-7 learn to read and spell. It offers a superhero-themed adventure with over 850 unique games, progressing from letter sounds to full sentences. Parents and educators can track progress through a website.

**Highlights:** Fun-filled phonics games, Science-backed learning approach, Superhero mission adventure, Step-by-step reading progression, Personalized placement test, Over 850 unique games, Progress reports

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Phonics Hero | $6.00 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is READING MAGIC 5 free?

READING MAGIC 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Phonics Hero free?

Phonics Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, READING MAGIC 5 or Phonics Hero?

READING MAGIC 5 is rated higher. READING MAGIC 5 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Phonics Hero averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.

### Do READING MAGIC 5 or Phonics Hero have ads?

Neither READING MAGIC 5 nor Phonics Hero shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, READING MAGIC 5 or Phonics Hero?

READING MAGIC 5 ships an update every 11 months, and Phonics Hero every 4 weeks. Most recently, READING MAGIC 5 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Phonics Hero on November 1, 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.*