# Reading Train Starter Books vs WORD READING MAGIC 2

The clearest difference is rating: WORD READING MAGIC 2 at 4.6 against Reading Train Starter Books's 4.1. WORD READING MAGIC 2 also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Reading Train Starter Books's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Reading Train Starter Books sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and WORD READING MAGIC 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

WORD READING MAGIC 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 66 respectively.

Reading Train Starter Books ships an update every 3 months, WORD READING MAGIC 2 every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Reading Train Starter Books | WORD READING MAGIC 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884/reviews) | **[4.6 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-reading-magic-2/id1476200457/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 28 | **66** |
| Positive reviews | 78.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.3 GB | 238 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Learning Station, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/702227887) | [PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048727) |

## What reviewers say

### Reading Train Starter Books

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884)

This app offers a growing library of over 300 beginner books, songs, and quizzes designed to help children develop reading skills, confidence, and a love for reading. It includes professional narration, a word dictionary, and interactive games.

**Highlights:** 300+ beginner books, Songs and quizzes, Professional narration, 450+ word dictionary, Interactive train game, Leveled reading, Unlimited user accounts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Reading Train | $1.99 | per month |
| The Reading Train | $6.99 | per 6 months |
| The Reading Train | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Engaging for kids
- 💡 Interactive learning
- 🚀 Builds reading fluency
- 🎵 Fun songs and rewards
- 🗣️ Recording feature valuable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No sound issue
- 💸 Charged after trial
- ❌ Cannot unsubscribe easily
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Subscription not shareable

**Reported bugs**

- App has no sound
- App does not open/crashes
- Charged after trial period
- Cannot unsubscribe after trial
- Error with earning coins for songs

**Requested features**

- Higher level books
- More songs
- Update progress across devices
- Dark mode option
- Option to buy content outright (no subscription)


### WORD READING MAGIC 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-reading-magic-2/id1476200457)

This educational app focuses on teaching children the crucial skill of blending sounds to read words with adjacent consonants. It emphasizes a phonics-based approach, differentiating between blends and digraphs for effective early reading instruction.

**Highlights:** Focuses on blending sounds, Differentiates blends and digraphs, Phonics-based reading instruction, Supports early reading success, Designed for young learners

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 25 More Lesson Groups | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Reading Train Starter Books free?

Reading Train Starter Books is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is WORD READING MAGIC 2 free?

WORD READING MAGIC 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Reading Train Starter Books or WORD READING MAGIC 2?

WORD READING MAGIC 2 is rated higher. Reading Train Starter Books averages 4.1 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while WORD READING MAGIC 2 averages 4.6 from 66 ratings.

### Do Reading Train Starter Books or WORD READING MAGIC 2 have ads?

Neither Reading Train Starter Books nor WORD READING MAGIC 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Reading Train Starter Books or WORD READING MAGIC 2?

Reading Train Starter Books ships an update every 3 months, and WORD READING MAGIC 2 every 6 months. Most recently, Reading Train Starter Books was updated on November 1, 2026 and WORD READING MAGIC 2 on November 3, 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.*