Dictation vs Their First Patterns
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Dictation
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Dictation Helper is an easy and yet powerful app that lets you practice dictation at ease Features - Record your own voice lines - Output voice lines with Text-to-Speech - Add a text script to each voice line to verify your writing during dictation - Add an image to show an original sheet of what to dictate - Drag-and-drop to reorder voice lines - Swipe to delete voice lines - Practice dictation with serial or random voice lines - Create and keep multiple dictations, makes practicing older dictations at ease - Drag-and-drop to reorder dictations - Lock dictations to prevent accidental editing and deletion - Auto voice selection for Text-to-Speech based on region - Specify an installed voice for Text-to-Speech - Customize rate for Text-to-Speech - Customize rate for voice line playback
Their First Patterns
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See what repeats. Complete the line. Bring the pattern theater to life. Their First Patterns is a playful first pattern experience for kids ages 3 to 5. Your child chooses one of three friendly theater companies, then helps its performers copy, finish, and fill repeating sequences. Every activity makes the rule visible. Your child taps or drags a performer into an open place, sees the completed line move together, and continues directly to a new pattern. There are no scores, timers, lives, streaks, or noisy reward screens. THREE CLEAR WAYS TO PLAY β’ Copy β look at a complete pattern and build the same line β’ Finish β spot what repeats and choose what comes next β’ Fill β find the missing performer inside a visible pattern BUILT FOR EARLY PATTERN THINKING β’ Three five-performer theater companies to choose from β’ Repeating patterns that gently grow from simple alternation to richer groups β’ Short activities with one to three actions β’ Tap-to-place plus forgiving drag β’ Gentle visual help when a child needs another look β’ Continuous play with a Home door always available β’ No reading or narration required for child play WHO IT'S FOR Their First Patterns is made for children ages 3, 4, and 5 β toddlers ready for a first thinking game, preschoolers building early math and logic, and kindergarten-bound kids who are starting to notice how things repeat. It works the same whether a child plays alone or a grown-up plays along. A QUIETER KIND OF PLAY The pattern is the reward. The performers breathe, dance, and wiggle, but the app has no points, coins, competitive pressure, error buzzers, or endless celebration screens. Sound can be turned off in the parent area without changing how any activity works. MADE FOR FAMILIES Every activity and theater company is included. There are no in-app purchases, subscriptions, paid levels, third-party ads, or accounts. Child play works offline. Progress and sound preferences stay on the device. The app contains no analytics, tracking, advertising identifiers, or cloud copy of your child's play. Settings, reset controls, privacy information, support, and links to our other family apps sit behind a two-second parent hold. Their First Patterns is made by the family behind Their First Words, Numbers, and Puzzles.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Their First Patterns at every 10 days against Dictation's monthly. Their First Patterns also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Dictation ships an update monthly, Their First Patterns every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dictation | Their First Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 10 days β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.4 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 57 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sin Yee Fan | Their First Words LLC |
In-app purchases
Dictation
No in-app purchases
Their First Patterns
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Dictation free?
Is Their First Patterns free?
Do Dictation or Their First Patterns have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dictation or Their First Patterns?
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