Comparison

Phonics Stars vs SimpleMath

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Phonics Stars

Features
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Phonics Stars makes learning to read fun and interactive! Play games aligned to UFLI scope and sequence, covering vowels (a, e, i, o, u), consonants, and blends. With 6 different game typesβ€”Word Match, Scramble, Letter Pop, Missing Vowel, Bingo, and Memoryβ€”kids stay engaged while building essential reading skills. FEATURES: β€’ 25 lessons (Lesson 10 reviews items from Lessons 1-9) β€’ 6 different game types keep learning fresh and exciting β€’ Track progress with session history and star rewards β€’ Free access to lessons 10-15 β€’ Unlock lessons 16-34 with one in-app purchase IMPORTANT NOTE: Phonics Stars contains entirely original content and was not created by or endorsed by UFLI. Our games are independently designed to align with the UFLI scope and sequence framework. PERFECT FOR: β€’ Parents supporting early readers at home β€’ Children ages 4-8 learning to decode and read β€’ Teachers looking for supplemental learning tools Privacy Policy: https://phonics-stars.neocities.org/#privacy Terms of Use: https://phonics-stars.neocities.org/#terms

About

SimpleMath

Features
Read full description

SimpleMath β€” Kids Math is a bilingual learning app for children ages 6–8. Children can learn in English, Chinese or Japanese with clear visual models, short practice rounds, gentle review, daily challenges, and collectible stickers. The free learning path starts with counting, comparison, and number bonds. SimpleMath Premium gives families access to every math world, all three languages, and future content. Premium features are shown only after a parent completes an adult math check. β€’ Learn, practice, and review with clear math visuals β€’ Solve Grade 1 word problems with object boards that show how quantities fit together β€’ Build number sense, operations, time, measurement, fractions, decimals, geometry, data, probability, and reasoning β€’ Switch between English, Chinese and Japanese at any time β€’ Optional spoken support and on-device learning progress β€’ No ads, accounts, analytics, or data collection β€’ Follow the Lantern Trail: a story journey across six illustrated worlds where every practice round changes the adventure β€’ Grown-ups can preview any lesson, see a curriculum map with learning insights, print practice sheets, and set up to six child profiles β€’ Explore the Math Lab: 87 hands-on simulations, all offline Subscription terms (United States): SimpleMath Premium Monthly is $4.99 per month. SimpleMath Premium Annual includes a 7-day free trial, then costs $29.99 per year. SimpleMath Premium Lifetime is a one-time $59.99 purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple Account settings. Prices may vary by storefront. Privacy Policy: https://williamjiamin.github.io/simplemath-support/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Phonics Stars4 screens
SimpleMath4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phonics Stars at daily against SimpleMath's every 2 months. 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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Phonics Stars sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SimpleMath sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phonics Stars ships an update daily, SimpleMath every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Phonics Stars versus SimpleMath: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhonics StarsSimpleMath
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily β€” betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size17 MB1.0 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMAURENE PRANADA TROTTERη«‹ζ΄Ύ ζ±ͺ

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Phonics Stars

One-time1
  • Phonics Stars$4.99
3 purchases

SimpleMath

Subscriptions2
  • SimpleMath Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • SimpleMath Premium Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • SimpleMath Premium Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is Phonics Stars free?
Phonics Stars is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SimpleMath free?
SimpleMath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Phonics Stars or SimpleMath have ads?
Neither Phonics Stars nor SimpleMath shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Phonics Stars or SimpleMath?
Phonics Stars ships an update daily, and SimpleMath every 2 months. Most recently, Phonics Stars was updated on November 9, 2026 and SimpleMath on November 5, 2026.

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