Starfall I'm Reading vs Relay Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Starfall I'm Reading
This app helps young children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. It offers a selection of stories and activities designed to build comprehension and fluency using high-frequency words in context. An AutoRead feature models fluent reading and can be toggled off for independent readers.
- Stories and activities for reading comprehension
- Controlled vocabulary with high-frequency words
- AutoRead feature to model fluent reading
- Plays, fiction, non-fiction, comics, and fables
- Audio support for fluency practice
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Starfall® I’m Reading is the fourth step of Starfall’s Learn to Read phonics sequence, which teaches the foundational skills for learning to read. Step 1: ABCs Step 2: Learn to Read Step 3: It’s Fun to Read Step 4: I’m Reading! Starfall I’m Reading is the final step of Starfall’s free early learn-to-read sequence. I’m Reading! focuses on bridging the gap between basic phonics and true reading mastery. The program expands fluency and comprehension through exercise with words from the Dolch and Fry sight word lists. These words are challenging to sound out phonetically, but represent the majority of words found in children’s texts. Familiarity with these words builds confidence and natural ease with reading. The texts cover a wide range of multicultural fiction and nonfiction stories, with clickable words and sentences for fluency assistance throughout. Travel-ready. No internet connection required. Find Starfall I’m Reading, along with 700+ additional activities and counting across reading, math, music, and more in the Starfall app. The Starfall website and applications are program services of Starfall Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) publicly supported nonprofit organization. Starfall® and Starfall.com® are registered trademarks in the US, the European Union, and various other countries. Copyright © 2002–2026 by Starfall Education. All rights reserved. Starfall apps are inclusively designed to support all children, including English Language Learners (ELLs). Starfall also provides an Enhanced Accessible Index for children with visual, hearing, or mobility impairments. For more information, please contact Customer Service at (+1) 303-417-6414.
Relay Reader
This app helps users of all ages improve their reading skills by taking turns reading aloud with a virtual partner. Users can record themselves to practice and build confidence while enjoying classic literature.
- Turn-based reading with virtual partner
- Self-recording for reflection
- Builds reading confidence and stamina
- Access to literary classics
- Suitable for all ages
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Relay Reader™ is an application for developing readers, young and old. Here’s how it works: • Readers take turns reading out loud with a skilled virtual partner, just like in a relay. • Readers can record themselves and reflect on how they sound. • Readers build reading confidence, skill, and stamina, all while enjoying literary classics in a whole new way.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Starfall I'm Reading at 100% against Relay Reader's 0%. Starfall I'm Reading also leads on ratings volume (46 vs 8). Relay Reader's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Relay Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starfall I'm Reading has 46 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Starfall I'm Reading's written reviews are positive against 0% of Relay Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Starfall I'm Reading ships an update every 10 months, Relay Reader every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Starfall I'm Reading | Relay Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (46 ratings) | 4.5 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 46 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 7 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 102 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Starfall Education Foundation | Educational Testing Service |
Customer experience
Starfall I'm Reading
Relay Reader
In-app purchases
Starfall I'm Reading
No in-app purchases
Relay Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Starfall I'm Reading free?
Is Relay Reader free?
Which has better reviews, Starfall I'm Reading or Relay Reader?
Do Starfall I'm Reading or Relay Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Starfall I'm Reading or Relay Reader?
Other comparisons
