Common Sense Media vs Shakespeare's Monkey
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Common Sense Media
This app provides parents with unbiased reviews and ratings for movies, TV shows, games, apps, and more. It helps families discover safe and age-appropriate content for children by detailing mature themes and positive messages. Users can filter content by age, interests, and streaming services, and create custom watchlists.
- Content ratings for movies, TV, games, apps, books, podcasts
- Details on mature and positive content elements
- Community reviews from parents and kids
- Filter content by age, interests, and streaming services
- Customizable watch and read lists
- Curated collections of media
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We are the essential review guide for parents when it comes to what kids are into: movies, TV shows, games, apps, podcasts, and more. Designed for families seeking unbiased and trusted information to help guide them to find safe and smart content for their children. •See how much age-appropriate content and positive messages your kid will find across movies, TV shows, books, games, apps, and more. •Get firsthand insights and extra details from other parents and kids in our community reviews. •Browse our library and effortlessly find the perfect pick for family movie night, thanks to intuitive filters, such as the streaming services you have, your kid's age and interests, and your family's preferences. •Easily filter out movies and TV shows with content and messages that aren't appropriate for your kids or that isn't right for your family. •Explore hand-curated collections of the best movies, shows, and books based on category, genre, theme, topic, and more. •Create your own custom watch and read list and save movies, TV shows, and books for later. Independent and Nonprofit Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working on behalf of kids and teens to make the digital world more safe, healthy, and equitable for them and for all families. Our unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Terms of service: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/site-terms-use
Shakespeare's Monkey
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Turn every swipe into a sonnet. Dive into an infinite word grid where letters tumble endlessly like ideas in the Bard’s mind. Spot hidden words, stretch them to epic length, and unlock chapters of beloved classics—from Pride & Prejudice to Moby‑Dick—one discovery at a time. But you’re not alone on this literary safari: - Leaderboard duels show who’s crowned King‑of‑the‑Quill for the day. - Longest‑word trophies let you flex that sesquipedalian streak in style. - Real‑time challenges keep the grid fresh, so no two plays are ever the same. Whether you’ve got 30 seconds in line or a long commute, Shakespeare’s Monkey turns idle moments into masterstrokes of vocabulary—and bragging rights. Ready to out‑word your friends and finish great books along the way? Swing into the grid. Download Shakespeare’s Monkey today and let your letters run wild!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shakespeare's Monkey at none against Common Sense Media's 3. Shakespeare's Monkey also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Common Sense Media's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price 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
Both are free to download. Common Sense Media sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Shakespeare's Monkey asks for nothing beyond the download.
Common Sense Media ships an update every 3 weeks, Shakespeare's Monkey weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Common Sense Media | Shakespeare's Monkey |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (9K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 59.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 84 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Common Sense Media | Max Osterried |
Bugs and requests
Common Sense Media
Reported bugs
3 issues- Constant log-out issues
- Unreliable login functionality
- Compatibility problems on older devices
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to mark content as already viewed
- More customization options for user preferences
- Improved search and recommendation algorithms
Shakespeare's Monkey
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Common Sense Media
- Monthly Plan$3.991 Month
- Weekly Plan$9.997 Days
- Yearly Plan$39.991 Year
Shakespeare's Monkey
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Common Sense Media free?
Is Shakespeare's Monkey free?
Do Common Sense Media or Shakespeare's Monkey have ads?
Which is updated more often, Common Sense Media or Shakespeare's Monkey?
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