# Phonogram Sounds vs Times Alive

The clearest difference is price: Phonogram Sounds at Free against Times Alive's $14.99. Phonogram Sounds also leads on update cadence (every 6 months vs every 13 months). Times Alive's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (85% vs 70%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Phonogram Sounds is free to download; Times Alive costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Times Alive holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 153 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Phonogram Sounds's written reviews are positive against 85% of Times Alive's.

Phonogram Sounds ships an update every 6 months, Times Alive every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Phonogram Sounds | Times Alive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (84 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonogram-sounds/id797098295/reviews) | **[4.6 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/times-alive/id1436641502/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 84 | **153** |
| Positive reviews | 69.6% of reviews | **84.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#193** |
| Size | 27 MB | 156 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [All About Learning Press, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/786428125) | [City Creek](https://appshunter.io/developer/1382352784) |

## What reviewers say

### Phonogram Sounds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonogram-sounds/id797098295)

This interactive app provides clear audio pronunciations for letter sounds and combinations, featuring all 72 basic phonograms from a popular language arts curriculum. It's designed to support reading and spelling development for learners of all ages.

**Highlights:** Hear correct pronunciation of sounds, Clear enunciation of letters and combinations, Includes all 72 basic phonograms, Supports reading and spelling skills, Interactive learning experience

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great supplement for AAS/AAR
- 👍 Helpful for parents/teachers
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Clear phonetic sounds
- 👍 Good for practice

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Incorrect 'r' sound
- 👎 Incomplete phonogram set
- 👎 Not a standalone lesson
- 👎 Not for fun
- 👎 Missing Spalding compatibility

**Reported bugs**

- R says /er/ instead of /r/
- Sound not working
- App crashes
- No sound when tapping phonograms
- Sound only works with ringer on

**Requested features**

- Videos showing lip/tongue placement
- Interactive game app
- App for building words/movable tiles
- Level-based sound availability
- Enlarging tapped tile


### Times Alive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/times-alive/id1436641502)

**Currently charting:** #193 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This app makes learning multiplication tables engaging through story videos and songs. It offers quizzes and games covering all tables from 0-9, and tracks student progress. It's particularly beneficial for students with learning differences.

**Highlights:** Story videos and songs for memorization, Quizzes and games for all times tables (0-9), Progress tracking (completed lessons, scores, time), Pretest and post-test for progress monitoring, Supports students with learning differences

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Phonogram Sounds free?

Phonogram Sounds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Times Alive free?

Times Alive costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Phonogram Sounds or Times Alive?

Times Alive is rated higher. Phonogram Sounds averages 4.0 out of 5 from 84 ratings, while Times Alive averages 4.6 from 153 ratings.

### Do Phonogram Sounds or Times Alive have ads?

Neither Phonogram Sounds nor Times Alive shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Phonogram Sounds or Times Alive?

Phonogram Sounds ships an update every 6 months, and Times Alive every 13 months. Most recently, Phonogram Sounds was updated on October 20, 2026 and Times Alive on October 25, 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.*