# HB Following Directions vs Initial Code

The clearest difference is rating: Initial Code at 5.0 against HB Following Directions's 3.3. Initial Code also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 38%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). HB Following Directions's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (24 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Initial Code holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HB Following Directions has 24 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of HB Following Directions's written reviews are positive against 67% of Initial Code's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HB Following Directions | Initial Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hb-following-directions/id705212745/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/initial-code/id769196201/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **24** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 295 MB | 83 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Super Duper Publications](https://appshunter.io/developer/427263142) | [Sounds-Write Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/769196204) |

## What reviewers say

### HB Following Directions

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hb-following-directions/id705212745)

This educational app helps children improve auditory processing and following directions skills through a fun game format. It systematically teaches basic concepts and listening skills essential for reading, adapting to different learning levels.

**Highlights:** Follows increasingly difficult directions, Teaches 40 basic concepts, Improves listening and sound awareness, Fun game format, Monitors progress and provides feedback, Adapts to different skill levels

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Initial Code

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/initial-code/id769196201)

This educational app helps young children learn to read and spell in English through interactive activities. It focuses on blending, segmenting, and sound-spelling correspondences, with units unlocking as progress is made. Designed for iPad, it reinforces learning for automatic reading and writing skills.

**Highlights:** Reading and spelling practice, Blending and segmenting activities, Sound-spelling correspondence, Word and sentence reading/writing, Unit-based progression, Reinforces learning through repetition

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HB Following Directions free?

HB Following Directions is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Initial Code free?

Initial Code is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HB Following Directions or Initial Code?

Initial Code is rated higher. HB Following Directions averages 3.3 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Initial Code averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do HB Following Directions or Initial Code have ads?

Neither HB Following Directions nor Initial Code shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HB Following Directions or Initial Code?

HB Following Directions ships an update every 2 months, and Initial Code every 2 months. Most recently, HB Following Directions was updated on November 2, 2026 and Initial Code on November 1, 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.*