Comparison

Syllable Word Search vs Reading Speed/Fluency Builder

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

Head to head
About

Syllable Word Search

This educational game challenges players to form words by finding and connecting syllables. Progress through 27 levels with increasing difficulty, or create your own custom missions. Features include multiple pronunciations and an dyslexia-friendly font.

Highlights
  • Form words by connecting syllables
  • 27 challenging levels
  • Custom mission creation
  • Multiple English pronunciation options
  • Dyslexia-friendly font
  • Time and move limits
  • Topic-based word lists
Features
Read full description

*** 2015 Academics´ Choice Award - Smart Media Winner *** Join Spike in this new space adventure in which he must travel through 27 missions in order to reach his destiny. Each mission will require the use of special skills to find and complete all the words found in deep space. In each mission you will have to find and join syllables to complete all the words and finish the task. But beware new and different challenges await. Time may run out, moves may be counted or correct order must be followed, thankfully Spike has left green marks to help you follow the correct path. A black hole may appear in some missions and swallow words if they are not completed in time, so stay on your toes and concentrate to finish the missions. Thankfully Spike has also created a practice environment in which you will able to create your own mission and gain skills to complete levels. Syllable Word Search uses a unique memory card game and word search style game, that challenges players to form words by searching for syllables. Each of the 27 levels in Syllable Word Search provides increasing challenges to players. The player must complete a level before proceeding to the next. Levels become more challenging as the player advances through the game: the list of words increases, words are presented by topics, 2 to 6 syllable words are introduced, green cards are no longer available, duplicate syllables are presented on the board, among many other challenges. For advance players, Syllable Word Search has the option to create your own mission. In this option the player selects the characteristics and complexity of the board. Choose from different game plays: ============================ * 27 levels * Boards size varies * 2 to 6 syllable ENGLISH words * Listen to the word in one of the 4 pronunciations available (American English, UK English, Australian English, South Africa English) * Uses Open-Dyslexia font for ease of reading * Select syllables in order or random order * Get hints * Have time limits * Have card moves limits * Create your own game with themes and challenges available * Update to the full version and access over 3700 words and choose from 14 themes By downloading this app, you agree to Apple's standard End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Reading Speed/Fluency Builder

This app helps children improve their reading speed and fluency through a game-like environment. It offers graduated practice, audio support, and motivational rewards to build confidence and comprehension skills for young learners.

Highlights
  • Graduated reading practice
  • Mastery-based progression
  • Multiple texts per level
  • Progress reporting
  • Audio support for fluent reading
  • Fun reward system
  • Incremental reading levels
Features
Read full description

** Happy Frog Apps is a Mom’s Choice Award Winner! Also featured on FunEducationalApps.com, TeachersWithApps.com, and more! ** Reading Fluency Builder quickly develops your child's reading speed to meet grade level expectations. Reading fluency is a key prerequisite if your child is struggling with reading comprehension. Reading Fluency Builder provides a fun game-like environment that motivates even hesitant learners. What parents say about our awesome apps: *** 5 stars! Brilliant! An app that understands how kids actually learn. Thank you!
 *** 5 stars! My kids love this app because of the fun, silly sentences. I love it because it works!  
 Reading Fluency Builder provides: - Graduated practice starting with simple texts and slower speeds. - Students progress only when they demonstrate mastery. - Students can practice with multiple texts per level. - 'At a glance' reporting shows you instantly how your learner is progressing. - Audio support is provided so learners can hear a fluent model. - Fun Reward Center increases student motivation. - Incremental levels take a student from mid Grade 1 reading speed up to mid Grade 5 reading speed. Our app is based on proven research on the effectiveness of modeled and repeated reading to increase fluency -- but we make it fun! Our apps are designed for and tested by typical and special needs children. Testers include children with Autism and other special needs. Our apps work for them! Our apps are also suitable for adults dealing with aphasia or learning English as a Second Language. 
To evaluate the app, download the free version, which has four free levels. Additional levels and additional players can be accessed with in-app purchases. (All levels can be purchased for $2.99 -- price may change.) 

If you prefer no in-app purchases, download the School Edition of this app, which includes all levels and up to 10 players. We take customer service very seriously! If you ever have a problem or find that we've missed something, contact us at our website and we will do our best to fix the problem.  We collect NO private information in our app. None! Our apps do not allow unrestricted web or social media access. We conform to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Screenshots

Syllable Word Search4 screens
Reading Speed/Fluency Builder4 screens

Verdict

The call

Syllable Word Search and Reading Speed/Fluency Builder both sit at 2.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 88% of Syllable Word Search's written reviews are positive against 17% of Reading Speed/Fluency Builder's. Reading Speed/Fluency Builder's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 13 months) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 16.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Syllable Word Search sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Reading Speed/Fluency Builder sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.3 for Syllable Word Search against 2.3 for Reading Speed/Fluency Builder. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 7 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Syllable Word Search's written reviews are positive against 17% of Reading Speed/Fluency Builder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Syllable Word Search ships an update every 13 months, Reading Speed/Fluency Builder every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Syllable Word Search versus Reading Speed/Fluency Builder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSyllable Word SearchReading Speed/Fluency Builder
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (6 ratings) — better2.3 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better16.7% of reviews
Number of ratings67 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.012.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBQWareJanine Toole

Customer experience

Syllable Word Search

All ratings6 ratings
Positive16.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative9.4%

Reading Speed/Fluency Builder

All ratings7 ratings
Positive14.3%
Neutral28.6%
Negative57.1%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Syllable Word Search

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Access (1 Month)$2.991 Month
  • Premium Access (1 Year)$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full Version$29.99
3 purchases

Reading Speed/Fluency Builder

One-time3
  • Up to 2 Users$1.99
  • Access All Levels$2.99
  • Add up to 10 Users$2.99

Questions

Is Syllable Word Search free?
Syllable Word Search is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reading Speed/Fluency Builder free?
Reading Speed/Fluency Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Syllable Word Search or Reading Speed/Fluency Builder?
Syllable Word Search is rated higher. Syllable Word Search averages 2.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Reading Speed/Fluency Builder averages 2.3 from 7 ratings.
Do Syllable Word Search or Reading Speed/Fluency Builder have ads?
Neither Syllable Word Search nor Reading Speed/Fluency Builder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Syllable Word Search or Reading Speed/Fluency Builder?
Syllable Word Search ships an update every 13 months, and Reading Speed/Fluency Builder every 4 months. Most recently, Syllable Word Search was updated on October 23, 2026 and Reading Speed/Fluency Builder on October 24, 2026.

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