# SplashLearn vs 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics

The clearest difference is update cadence: SplashLearn at every 9 days against 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics's every 3 months. SplashLearn also leads on ratings volume (32K vs 834) and chart position (#70 vs unranked). 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SplashLearn sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for SplashLearn against 4.5 for 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SplashLearn has 32K ratings behind it against 834, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of SplashLearn's written reviews are positive against 100% of 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics's.

SplashLearn ships an update every 9 days, 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SplashLearn | 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (32K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashlearn-kids-learning-app/id672658828/reviews) | [4.5 (834 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3rd-grade-reading-and-phonics/id6468935970/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **32K** | 834 |
| Positive reviews | 74.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#70** | — |
| Size | 493 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [StudyPad, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432105528) | [Smart Kidz Club Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/947115810) |

## What reviewers say

### SplashLearn

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

**Currently charting:** #70 Top Grossing · Education, #192 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


### 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3rd-grade-reading-and-phonics/id6468935970)

This app helps third graders enhance their reading and phonics skills through an interactive platform. It offers a vast library of books covering science, health, physics, social sciences, literature, and English language arts, fostering curiosity and a love for reading.

**Highlights:** Vast library of educational books, Covers science, health, physics, and literature, Human narration with 'Read Myself' and 'Read To Me' modes, Enhances reading comprehension and vocabulary, Develops critical thinking and writing skills, Interactive learning platform

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reading Books for Grade 3:1M | $3.99 | per month |
| Reading Books for Grade 3:1Y | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SplashLearn free?

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

### Is 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics free?

3rd Grade Reading & Phonics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SplashLearn or 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics?

SplashLearn and 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 32K and 834 ratings respectively.

### Do SplashLearn or 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics have ads?

Neither SplashLearn nor 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SplashLearn or 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics?

SplashLearn ships an update every 9 days, and 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics every 3 months. Most recently, SplashLearn was updated on September 25, 2026 and 3rd Grade Reading & Phonics on September 22, 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.*