Comparison

Short Vowel Word Study vs Syllable Count (Multi

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

Head to head
About

Short Vowel Word Study

This app teaches children spelling patterns for short vowel words using a research-based approach. It offers hands-on activities like sorting, finding, spelling, and writing words to reinforce learning. A parent section explains the methodology, and a bonus game section provides fun reinforcement.

Highlights
  • Word sorting activities
  • Phonics pattern analysis
  • Interactive spelling games
  • Letter tile manipulation
  • Tracing and writing words
  • Parental theory explanation
  • Bonus word fun games
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Teaching kids to spell includes much more than a list of spelling words students should memorize and write on a spelling test each week. Effective spelling methods do not rely on rote memorization, but are developmentally appropriate and hands-on. Word Study is a widely research-based spelling approach whose purpose is to “examine words in order to reveal the logic and consistencies within [the] written language system and to help student achieve mastery in recognizing, spelling, and defining specific words” (Words Their Way, Bear, et. al, 2012). Word Study is developmentally appropriate because it takes into consideration what the student understands or does not yet understand about spellings and word meanings to discover where spelling instruction should start. This is accomplished by looking at the student’s misspellings of certain word patterns (from simple words like man to more complex words such as multitude). It is hands-on in that it requires students to analyze, manipulate, and create meaningful and logical generalizations of how word spellings work. Short Vowels Word Study app is based on the Word Study approach described above and is for students in the late Letter Name-Alphabetic Spellers to early Within Word Pattern Spellers, according to the spelling development levels of Words Their Way. Short Vowels Word Study helps kids learn the spelling patterns related to word families and longer short vowel words through developmentally appropriate and hands-on spelling activities. Short Vowels Word Study teaches kids who are ready for: > word families, > short vowel words (CVC), and > longer short vowel words with blends and diagraphs (CCVC and CVCC) The Spelling Activities Included: SORT IT - Sorting words based on their spelling pattern. FIND IT - Analyzing words based on their patterns and finding the one that does not fit based on its phonics sound or visual pattern. SPELL IT - Manipulating letter tiles to spell short vowel words. WRITE IT - Spelling short vowel words by tracing and writing the word. Short Vowels Word Study Bonus Sections - a parent section that explains the theory behind the spelling activities included in the app - a “Word Fun” section, where kids can play hands-on spelling games after earning stars from their spelling activities Kids Safe, No Adds or In-App purchases! please see our Privacy Policy PRIVACY POLICY We take privacy very seriously: Does not contain ads Does not contain integration with social networks Does not use analytics / data collection tools Does not contain in-app purchases Does contain web links for parents To read more about teaching kids to spell through a developmental approach to spelling, visit This Reading Mama or purchase her book, Teaching Kids to Spell. http://thisreadingmama.com/ http://thisreadingmama.com/teaching-kids-to-spell/

About

Syllable Count (Multi

This educational game helps children improve reading and spelling by practicing syllable counting. Players collect coins by correctly identifying syllables in words, which can then be used to unlock prizes for a fun monster vs. robot fighting game. It includes progress tracking for parents and teachers, with customizable difficulty levels.

Highlights
  • Syllable counting practice
  • Coin collection for prizes
  • Monster vs. Robot fighting game
  • Progress reports for parents/teachers
  • Customizable difficulty levels
  • Multi-user support (up to 30)
  • Text-to-Speech and sound effects options
Features
Read full description

Syllable Count (Multi-User) is a fun game to improve your child's reading and spelling abilities. Breaking the word down by syllables can help kids read the word. Practice sounding out the word (to hear the sound of a vowel) or breaking the word into parts will build a strong foundation in reading for beginning readers. All of the app's 6,500 words are all grouped into 7 syllable words. In this game, your child will collect the coins by answering the number of syllables in the word correctly. Then, kids can spend their coins for the prizes from a game machine. All of the prizes you get will be used and played in fighting game, You (Monster) vs Robot, which is similar as rock-paper-scissors game. Try to count the syllables in a word as many as you can! Syllable Count (Multi-User) also includes a progress report for a parent and teacher to track their child's performance. An additional setup option allows them to control the level of difficulty by customizing the number of syllables in a word to match their child (i.e, more syllable words make more difficult). This game will help your child improve their reading skills in a fun and interactive environment. **Plus, this game allows multiple users, so parent or teacher can add up to 30 users to customize the level of difficulty and keep the progress report for individual child. **You can turn on/off the Text-to-Speech to read the words, and sound effects. ***If you have any questions or problems related to our app, please email us at playsmart.kids@gmail.com. We are willing to assist you.

Screenshots

Short Vowel Word Study4 screens
Syllable Count (Multi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Syllable Count (Multi at 100% against Short Vowel Word Study's 56%. Syllable Count (Multi also leads on rating (4.0 vs 2.9) and price ($0.99 vs $3.99). Short Vowel Word Study's advantage is chart position (#199 vs unranked) and ratings volume (12 vs 3). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Short Vowel Word Study costs $3.99 and Syllable Count (Multi $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Syllable Count (Multi holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Short Vowel Word Study's written reviews are positive against 100% of Syllable Count (Multi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Short Vowel Word Study ships an update every 9 months, Syllable Count (Multi every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on June 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Short Vowel Word Study versus Syllable Count (Multi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShort Vowel Word StudySyllable Count (Multi
Price$3.99$0.99 — better
Rating2.9 (12 ratings)4.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 6 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#199 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better14.2
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB148 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThis Reading Mama, LLC.Jariya Tuantranont

Customer experience

Short Vowel Word Study

All ratings12 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral22.2%
Negative22.2%

Syllable Count (Multi

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Short Vowel Word Study

No in-app purchases

None

Syllable Count (Multi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Short Vowel Word Study free?
Short Vowel Word Study costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Syllable Count (Multi free?
Syllable Count (Multi costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Short Vowel Word Study or Syllable Count (Multi?
Syllable Count (Multi is rated higher. Short Vowel Word Study averages 2.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Syllable Count (Multi averages 4.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Short Vowel Word Study or Syllable Count (Multi have ads?
Neither Short Vowel Word Study nor Syllable Count (Multi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Short Vowel Word Study or Syllable Count (Multi?
Short Vowel Word Study ships an update every 9 months, and Syllable Count (Multi every 6 months. Most recently, Short Vowel Word Study was updated on June 24, 2026 and Syllable Count (Multi on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons