# SplashLearn vs Read with Ello

The clearest difference is monetization model: SplashLearn at free with in-app purchases against Read with Ello's subscription. SplashLearn also leads on ratings volume (32K vs 2.8K). Read with Ello's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SplashLearn sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Read with Ello sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Read with Ello holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SplashLearn has 32K ratings behind it against 2.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of SplashLearn's written reviews are positive against 78% of Read with Ello's.

SplashLearn ships an update every 9 days, Read with Ello every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SplashLearn | Read with Ello |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (32K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashlearn-kids-learning-app/id672658828/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-with-ello/id1536720182/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **32K** | 2.8K |
| Positive reviews | 74.6% of reviews | **78.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#68** | #195 |
| Size | 493 MB | 639 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [StudyPad, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432105528) | [Ello Technology, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467293710) |

## What reviewers say

### SplashLearn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashlearn-kids-learning-app/id672658828)

**Currently charting:** #68 Top Grossing · Education, #173 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app offers curriculum-aligned math and reading lessons for children aged 2-11 through interactive games, books, and activities. It adapts to each child's learning level, providing personalized support and challenges to build foundational skills and confidence.

**Highlights:** Curriculum-aligned math and reading lessons, Interactive learning games and activities, Personalized learning paths, Progress tracking for parents, 4000+ games, books, and challenges, Safe, ad-free environment

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Solo - Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership 3-Month | $23.99 | per 3 months |
| SplashLearn Membership Yearly | $69.99 | per year |
| SplashLearn Solo - Yearly | $69.99 | per year |
| SplashLearn Membership Yearly | $89.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and engaging learning experience
- 💡 Effective for reinforcing math and reading skills
- 🚀 Constant updates and progress reports
- 👍 Motivating reward system with coins and achievements
- 💡 Personalized learning paths and curriculum

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Technical issues like crashes, freezing, and loading problems
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Difficulty canceling subscription
- 🤔 Limited free access, forces paid subscription
- 🤔 Repetitive content and lack of variety in some areas

**Reported bugs**

- Progress not saving properly
- Incorrect answers being marked as correct
- Profiles not working or logging out unexpectedly

**Requested features**

- More advanced content for higher grade levels
- Option to turn off answers and allow more time for students
- Improved sync between app and web versions
- Better customer support and responsiveness


### Read with Ello

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-with-ello/id1536720182)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

This app uses advanced AI to act as a personalized reading coach for children. It listens, provides feedback, and guides young learners through a library of decodable books to build reading confidence and skills.

**Highlights:** AI reading coach, Personalized 1:1 instruction, Library of 700+ decodable books, Speech recognition technology, Science of Reading principles, Adaptive learning system

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read with Ello Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Read with Ello Monthly Plan | $14.99 | per month |
| Read with Ello Subscription | $25.00 | per month |
| Read with Ello Annual Plan | $99.00 | per year |
| Read with Ello Subscription | $139.00 | per year |
| Read with Ello Annual Plan | $139.00 | per year |
| Read with Ello Annual Plan | $139.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps with reading progress
- 👍 Engaging and fun for kids
- 👍 Builds reading confidence
- 👍 Customized book selection
- 👍 Motivates kids to read

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Voice recognition issues
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🔒 Concerns about subscription model and pricing

**Reported bugs**

- Books not loading properly
- App skipping pages during reading
- Incorrect word recognition

**Requested features**

- Ability to repeat words/sentences
- Larger font size options
- More book variety and levels
- Sibling profiles and shared books
- Progress tracking and reporting for parents


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SplashLearn free?

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

### Is Read with Ello free?

Read with Ello is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SplashLearn or Read with Ello?

Read with Ello is rated higher. SplashLearn averages 4.5 out of 5 from 32K ratings, while Read with Ello averages 4.8 from 2.8K ratings.

### Do SplashLearn or Read with Ello have ads?

Neither SplashLearn nor Read with Ello shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SplashLearn or Read with Ello?

SplashLearn ships an update every 9 days, and Read with Ello every 2 weeks. Most recently, SplashLearn was updated on September 24, 2026 and Read with Ello on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SplashLearn or Read with Ello?

SplashLearn currently peaks at #68 in the App Store charts, and Read with Ello at #195. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*