Reading Mountain vs Spellexi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Reading Mountain
This structured literacy program uses a systematic, multisensory approach inspired by Orton-Gillingham to build strong reading and writing skills. It breaks down words into sounds and spelling patterns, offering interactive lessons, movable tiles, and decodable books for learners of all ages.
- Structured and cumulative learning
- Interactive 'New Learning' module
- Movable sound tiles for word building
- Integrated spelling and writing practice
- Level-appropriate decodable books
- Interactive reinforcement games
- Speech recognition for reading feedback
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BUILD READING, SPELLING, AND WRITING SKILLS STEP BY STEP Reading Mountain is a structured literacy program for learners of all ages, including new readers and learners who struggle with reading, spelling, or writing. Inspired by the Orton-Gillingham approach, the program teaches English in a clear, systematic sequence so learners understand how sounds, letters, and spelling patterns work together. A CLEAR PATH TO LITERACY Reading Mountain moves from foundational sounds to increasingly advanced word patterns. Each lesson builds on earlier skills and combines direct instruction with guided practice, review, and application. KEY FEATURES • Structured, cumulative lessons New phonics concepts, spelling rules, and sound patterns are introduced in a purposeful order, with review built into the journey. • Multisensory sound tiles Learners move and arrange tiles to read and spell words one sound at a time, strengthening the connection between spoken sounds and written letters. • Reading, spelling, and writing together Each lesson connects word reading, sentence reading, spelling, handwriting, and keyboard writing so learners apply the same concept in multiple ways. • Truly decodable books Books use the sound patterns and sight words learners have already been taught, helping them practice new skills in meaningful stories without relying on guessing. • AI-supported reading feedback Reading Mountain listens during supported reading activities and helps identify sounds and words that may need more practice. Lesson feedback can be emailed to parents or instructors. • Tap any word for help Learners can explore a word’s sounds, spelling pattern, pronunciation, and supporting visuals when they need extra guidance. • Skill-focused games Interactive games reinforce the exact reading and spelling skills taught in each lesson. • Family learning Individual plans support one learner. Family plans support up to four learners, each with a separate profile and progress. WHO IT’S FOR • Children learning to read • Older learners strengthening foundational skills • Learners with dyslexia or other reading difficulties • Parents, homeschool families, tutors, and educators seeking systematic literacy practice Reading Mountain uses a focused, age-flexible design that is engaging without being overstimulating. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Reading Mountain offers auto-renewing Individual and Family subscriptions with monthly and annual options. Individual plans cover one learner; Family plans cover up to four learners. U.S. BASE PRICES • Individual Monthly: $29.00 per month • Individual Annual: $239.00 per year • Family Monthly: $49.00 per month • Family Annual: $399.00 per year These are U.S. base prices. Actual prices may vary by country or region and are displayed in the app before purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID account settings. Privacy Policy: https://readingmountain.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Spellexi
This app transforms spelling practice into lasting skills using spaced repetition and a unique review system. It analyzes handwritten work via photos, providing instant feedback and tracking progress to ensure words are mastered.
- Spaced repetition for memory retention
- Photo grading of handwritten words
- Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check review
- Progress tracking and mastery visualization
- Works with any curriculum
- COPPA-compliant privacy
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Spellexi turns spelling practice into permanent spelling skills. Hi, I'm Cassandra. I'm a homeschool mom (and an engineer, and an education geek), and I built Spellexi because I couldn't find anything that truly helped my daughter with spelling. We'd buy the curriculum, study and practice, but the words weren't improving. I realized we needed a specific kind of simple practice. Spellexi is the tool to do it. HOW IT WORKS Open the app on your phone. Read words aloud while your kid writes each one on paper. Snap a photo of the finished page. Spellexi grades it instantly. Five minutes. The reason it works isn't the photo grading. It's what happens between sessions. Spellexi uses spaced repetition (the same memory science behind serious language learning) plus a built-in Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check review for the words your kid misses. You don't have to think about any of it. Just read the words, watch them write, congratulate them at the end. The "make this actually stick" part runs underneath. SEE IT WORKING After every session you get a celebration screen. You see real progress. You see the words your kid used to get wrong but now gets right. You see the ones they're close to mastering. You see the exact moment a word moves into "mastered." It's the most reassuring thing in homeschool. You stop wondering "is any of this working?" because you can watch, week by week, that yes, it really is. WHAT'S DIFFERENT Most spelling apps gamify drills on a screen. Spellexi keeps the child on paper and the parent in the loop. Most apps test recall. Spellexi confirms whether the word actually stuck. Most spelling curricula ask you to plan the practice. Spellexi handles the word list, the timing, and the spaced review for you. WHO IT'S FOR Spellexi was built for students who struggle with spelling, including kids with dyslexia, dysgraphia, adhd or learning differences. It works with whatever phonics or spelling curriculum you're already using. You don't have to switch. You just add the practice layer that makes it stick. SUBSCRIPTION Spellexi Monthly is $9.99/month. Spellexi Annual is $79.99/year. Both come with a one month free trial. Subscriptions auto-renew at the same price unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings. PRIVACY Spellexi is COPPA-compliant. The parent creates the account and owns the data. Handwritten samples are stored privately and used only to grade your child's practice. Full privacy policy at spellexi.com/privacy. QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK Open Settings in the app and tap "Send Feedback or Request a Feature." Your note comes straight to me. With thanks, Cassandra Spellexi founder Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Spellexi at 5.0 against Reading Mountain's 4.3. Reading Mountain's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Reading Mountain sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $29.00 per month and Spellexi sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Spellexi holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Reading Mountain has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Reading Mountain ships an update every 2 weeks, Spellexi every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Reading Mountain | Spellexi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (6 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LEARN MOUNTAIN LLC | Cassandra Jens |
Customer experience
Reading Mountain
Spellexi
In-app purchases
Reading Mountain
- Individual Monthly$29.001 Month
- Reading Mountain Full Access$29.991 Month
- Family Monthly$49.001 Month
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- Individual Annual$239.001 Year
- Family Annual$399.001 Year
Spellexi
- Spellexi Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
- Spellexi Annual1 Month trial$79.991 Year
Questions
Is Reading Mountain free?
Is Spellexi free?
Which has better reviews, Reading Mountain or Spellexi?
Do Reading Mountain or Spellexi have ads?
Which is updated more often, Reading Mountain or Spellexi?
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