StartDOT Handwriting vs Number Formation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
StartDOT Handwriting
This app offers a virtual handwriting workbook for children aged 3-7 and those with special needs. It uses engaging pictures and stories to teach letter and number formation through proven learning methods, with adjustable settings for progressive difficulty.
- Virtual handwriting workbook
- Teaches letter and number formation
- Engaging pictures and stories
- Proven learning methods
- Adjustable difficulty settings
- Progress monitoring
- Worksheet downloads
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**TOP 10 APPS FOR KIDS** Cool Mom Tech Smart Apps for Kids: TOP PICK ... 5 Star Handwriting App! Teachers with Apps CERTIFIED! "A beautifully crafted app, a true treasure!" Appy Mall - "This is an essential app!", "Highly recommended" The iMums - 5 Stars ... "a handwriting program that works!" New & Noteworthy Kids Apps 2014 KNOW What’s Inside™ Member: Best Practices for Kids’ Apps So much more than a tracing app... A virtual handwriting workbook, perfect for in-person or asynchronous learning. Unforgettable pictures and stories help children learn how to write their letters and numbers in a fun, new way! (ages 3-7 & special needs) Developed by an occupational therapist with over 26 years of experience working with handwriting for young children and children with special needs. OVERVIEW All the depth of a classroom experience, in your own home, with the fun and simplicity of the digital environment. Proven learning methods combined in an app that truly teaches letter and number formation! FEATURES ~ Wide error range for beginners ~ Free worksheet downloads on our website www.startdothandwriting.com/free-downloads ~ 2 Learning Orders: Kinesthetic (guided) or Alphabetic (free choice) ~ Rainbow Letters to increase accuracy ~ Look-Back Progress Monitoring: All handwriting samples saved for all users! ~ Adjustable settings increase difficulty ~ Two writing screens: Learning and Practice ~ Unique teaching method and concepts simplifies learning. ~ Striking graphics combine with gentle teaching voice BEST FOR ... ~ Ages 3-6, and 6+ children with developmental delays ~ Casual home use, preschool, kindergarten, first grade, home school, therapy PRIVACY TrishCo takes privacy and security matters seriously, and wishes to inform all users of the StartDOT application, whether parents, professionals, community members or our most important audience - our hardworking kids, of our privacy practices. We encourage you to review our policy at www.startdothandwriting.com/privacy.
Number Formation
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Our Number Formation App is available as a multi-platform resource, which means that you can enjoy this exciting software on your favourite device! Simply use your multi-platform licence to activate the Number Formation App on your iPads and computers. Following on from our successful Letter Formation App comes our number formation version. Ideal for practising written numerals, this app shows the process for numbers 1–20, and allows the child to draw over the marks in the sand to consolidate their own skills. Teacher options provide the facility to select what the user hears and what numbers they can access for more focused work. FEATURES - Select a number stone from the array to see it drawn in the sand - Trace over the pattern to develop fine motor skills - Learn and consolidate numeral patterns - Use settings to disable number stones to limit those on offer - Use settings to disable all number stones to provide a free-play space - A Read Me file with guidance on other ways to support the development of number formation - No third-party advertising - No in-app purchases. WHO IS YELLOW DOOR? We are a publisher offering a range of inspiring and innovative literacy and maths resources. From multisensory games to interactive software, we combine hands-on learning with open-ended technology to promote communication and language, collaborative play and creativity across the curriculum. Our aim is to produce resources that are appealing to small hands and curious minds, and that will help build an engaging, playful learning environment for all young children. OTHER APPS FROM YELLOW DOOR Pre-Writing App Letter Recognition App Letter Formation App I-Spy Initial Sounds App Initial Sounds Bubble App Find the Rhyme App Come Alive Traditional Tales (6 individual apps) Come Alive Nursery Rhymes Come Alive Sound and Letters Come Alive Listening. REVIEW THE APP We would love to know what you think of our new app, so please leave a review!
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Number Formation at Free against StartDOT Handwriting's $4.99. Number Formation also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On update cadence, 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
Number Formation is free to download; StartDOT Handwriting costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
StartDOT Handwriting ships an update every 43 months, Number Formation every 36 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | StartDOT Handwriting | Number Formation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (11 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 43 months | Every 36 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 105 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TrishCO LLC | Yellow Door Ltd |
In-app purchases
StartDOT Handwriting
No in-app purchases
Number Formation
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is StartDOT Handwriting free?
Is Number Formation free?
Do StartDOT Handwriting or Number Formation have ads?
Which is updated more often, StartDOT Handwriting or Number Formation?
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