Comparison

ELSB Lite vs Digraphs CH SH

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

Head to head
About

ELSB Lite

This app provides systematic instruction for print and phonemic awareness, featuring seven levels and ongoing assessments for personalized student progress. Research supports its effectiveness as a literacy program.

Highlights
  • Systematic print and phonemic awareness instruction
  • Seven distinct learning levels
  • Ongoing student assessments
  • Personalized progress tracking
  • Research-backed effectiveness
Read full description

The Early Literacy Skills Builder app incorporates systematic instruction to teach both print and phonemic awareness. ELSB is a multi-year program with seven distinct levels and ongoing assessments so students progress at their own pace. Note: This free version comes with level 1 - Lesson 1 and Level 5 - lesson 1. Full levels can be purchased from the in-app store. Five years of solid research have been completed through the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, proving ELSB to be a highly effective literacy program and more effective than a sight-word only program. ELSB is based upon the principles of systematic and direct instruction. It incorporates scripted lessons, least-prompt strategies, teachable objectives, built-in lesson repetition, and ongoing assessments. The seven ELSB levels contain five structured lessons each. All students begin at Level 1. Instruction is one-on-one or in small groups. Teach scripted lessons daily in two 30-minute sessions. On the completion of each level, formal assessments are given. ELSB includes everything you need to implement a multi-year literacy curriculum.

About

Digraphs CH SH

Read full description

Digraphs – SH and CH is an educational app that supports speech development, auditory skills, and early preparation for reading and writing in English. Designed as a speech therapy tool, it works perfectly both in therapy sessions and at home. Through interactive exercises, kids will: learn correct pronunciation of the SH and CH digraphs, recognize and reinforce letters and syllables, prepare for fluent reading, improve auditory and visual memory, focus, and concentration, strengthen phonemic awareness, auditory analysis, and synthesis – essential for reading and writing, develop logical thinking skills. Key features: Based on speech therapy and educational methods, Engaging graphics and interactive tasks, 100% ad-free environment, Safe and motivating learning experience. Digraphs – SH and CH combines learning with fun, helping kids build confidence in communication and preparing them for the next steps in education.

Screenshots

Digraphs CH SH4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ELSB Lite at Free against Digraphs CH SH's $3.99. ELSB Lite also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Digraphs CH SH's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and device support (4 vs 1). On 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

ELSB Lite is free to download; Digraphs CH SH costs $3.99 up front. ELSB Lite sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Digraphs CH SH asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ELSB Lite ships an update every 2 months, Digraphs CH SH every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ELSB Lite versus Digraphs CH SH: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterELSB LiteDigraphs CH SH
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.8 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size236 MB238 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAttainment CompanyRafal Sadowski

In-app purchases

7 purchases

ELSB Lite

One-time7
  • Level 1$21.99
  • Level 2$21.99
  • Level 3$21.99
Show 4 more
  • Level 4$21.99
  • Level 5$21.99
  • Level 6$21.99
  • Level 7$21.99
None

Digraphs CH SH

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ELSB Lite free?
ELSB Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Digraphs CH SH free?
Digraphs CH SH costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ELSB Lite or Digraphs CH SH have ads?
Neither ELSB Lite nor Digraphs CH SH shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ELSB Lite or Digraphs CH SH?
ELSB Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Digraphs CH SH every 5 months. Most recently, ELSB Lite was updated on September 21, 2026 and Digraphs CH SH on September 14, 2026.

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