Comparison

Reading Challenge vs Step & Star

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

Head to head
About

Reading Challenge

Features
Read full description

Learn English Faster with Level-Based Reading Challenges (A1–C2) Take your English reading to the next level with structured daily challenges. From A1 beginner texts to C2 academic articles, each reading is designed to improve your vocabulary, comprehension, and exam readiness—especially for IELTS, CEFR, TOEFL or any other English exams. Whether you’re a complete beginner or aiming for fluency, you’ll always know exactly what to read next. What You’ll Get - Daily Reading Challenges (A1–C2) Follow clear challenge paths designed for your level—A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Special challenges include: - IELTS Reading Boost - Vocabulary Builder - Self-Help & Productivity - Biographies & World Icons - Quizzes After Every Reading Strengthen comprehension with multiple-choice quizzes and instant feedback. - Streaks, Badges & Progress Tracking Stay motivated with streaks and unlock badges as you complete readings and quizzes. Your progress automatically updates across challenges. - Smart Stats See your total readings, quiz performance, and challenge progress in one clean dashboard. • Smart Reminders Get gentle daily reminders—or choose a custom time that fits your schedule. Premium Experience (Upgrade Anytime) Go premium to unlock powerful learning tools: - Custom reading themes - Text-to-speech voices for pronunciation practice - Font size adjustment - Answer explanations in quizzes - Ad-free reading experience - Access to all special challenges Perfect for serious English learners preparing for IELTS, university exams, or career growth. Why This App Works Unlike random reading apps, this app gives you: - Structure - Daily habit formation - Level-appropriate content - Clear learning progression - Motivation through streaks & badges - Tools that help you understand, not just read It’s everything you need to build a long-term English reading habit. Start Your Reading Journey Today Improve your English comprehension, grow your vocabulary, and build a daily habit that lasts. Choose your challenge and begin now! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

Step & Star

This app helps create visual schedules for children and adults with predictable routines. It uses "First, Then" picture cards to guide users through tasks, offering audio prompts and celebrations upon completion. It's designed to build independence and reduce anxiety through clear, step-by-step guidance.

Highlights
  • First-Then visual schedule creation
  • Step-by-step auto-advancing cards
  • Built-in symbol library and custom photos
  • Text-to-speech and custom voice recording
  • Optional countdown timers
  • Celebrations for task completion
  • Multiple user profiles
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Step & Star turns everyday routines into simple "First, Then" picture cards — show what to do now, and the good thing that comes next. Step & Star is for kids and adults who do their best when they can see what comes next — and for the parents, teachers, and therapists who cheer them on. Predictable routines bring calm, confidence, and a lot more "I did it!" moments — whether it's one child at home or a whole classroom. Setting up a board takes seconds. Then they see one big, friendly card at a time — tap to hear it read aloud, finish the step, and watch it advance with a little celebration. WHY FAMILIES AND CLASSROOMS LOVE IT Predictable routines ease anxiety Builds independence and confidence Works at home, school, and in therapy FEATURES First-Then boards that auto-advance step by step Cards from a built-in symbol library, your own photos, or safe web image search Every card reads aloud, or record your own voice Optional countdown timers with a gentle chime Celebrations when a reward or the finish is reached Multiple profiles to keep each child or student separate Caregiver PIN lock so the board can be handed over safely Works offline, with data stored privately on your device FREE AND PREMIUM Free to use with one profile, multiple boards, the symbol library, photos, text-to-speech, timers, and celebrations. Premium unlocks unlimited profiles and boards, safe web image search, and custom voice recordings, available monthly, yearly, or as a one-time Lifetime purchase. Made with care for the people who need it most. Step & Star Premium is available as an auto-renewable subscription or a one-time purchase: Monthly — $3.99 per month Yearly — $19.99 per year (includes a 7-day free trial) Lifetime — $49.99, one-time purchase Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the period. You can manage or cancel anytime in your device's App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://myday-support.com/step-%26-star-privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Reading Challenge4 screens
Step & Star4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Reading Challenge at 13.0 against Step & Star's 15.1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Reading Challenge sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Step & Star sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading Challenge ships an update every 3 weeks, Step & Star monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Reading Challenge versus Step & Star: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading ChallengeStep & Star
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShohruxbek AtavullayevEmily Smith

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Reading Challenge

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$1.491 Month
  • Yearly Premium$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$14.99
3 purchases

Step & Star

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Reading Challenge free?
Reading Challenge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Step & Star free?
Step & Star is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Reading Challenge or Step & Star have ads?
Neither Reading Challenge nor Step & Star shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading Challenge or Step & Star?
Reading Challenge ships an update every 3 weeks, and Step & Star monthly. Most recently, Reading Challenge was updated on September 26, 2026 and Step & Star on September 30, 2026.

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