Comparison

Reading Train Alphabet Lite vs Begin Learning

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

Head to head
About

Reading Train Alphabet Lite

This app helps young children learn to read through interactive alphabet books, songs, and games. It offers features like recording stories, a picture dictionary, and progress tracking for parents. The content is designed to build confidence and a love for reading from an early age.

Highlights
  • Interactive alphabet books
  • Recordable stories
  • Picture/audio dictionary
  • Train game quizzes
  • 20 song books
  • Student reporting tools
Features
Read full description

Learn to read with fun alphabet books kids can read and record all by themselves. Play the train game; win coins for the music store; collect and learn new words in the train yard. Enjoy Books A, B and C, 21 song books, train game quizzes and the picture/audio dictionary for FREE. In app purchase unlocks all 24 ABC books at 3 easy beginning reading levels: 72 books in all! Books, songs and games to build skills, self confidence and a love of reading. Real reading, for fun and information, right from the start. "Entices kids to learn to read through carefully designed mini books, games, and songs": Geeks With Juniors Safe for Kids: The Learning Station is a Proud Member of Moms With Apps Kid tested and teacher approved. We are ad-free and take our users privacy seriously. View our Privacy Policy here: http://www.readingtrain.org * Listen, read and record books at 3 different beginning reading levels to grow as a reader. * Play the train game after every book to learn letters and words * Built-in picture/audio dictionary * 20 song books * Professional narration- American English. All books can be recorded by users. * Unlimited user accounts * Powerful student reporting tools Books Kids CAN Read. Written by Libby Curran, a People Magazine Teacher of the Year, these engaging little books are field tested in real classrooms to get kids started on the path to reading independence. Books Kids LOVE to Read and Re-read. Children are naturally curious, so encourage them to explore our ABC books to learn new vocabulary and build the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in school. After reading stories they can play the train quiz game, explore the picture/audio dictionary and listen to song books. Give Your Kids the Tools to Succeed. Stuck on a word? Tap and hold to hear every word and access the built in audio dictionary filled with hundreds of words. Play a unique quiz game at the end of every book to extend the learning. The Reading Train Alphabet is packed full of tools to help children succeed, all on their own. Read to Learn- Meet Common Core Standards Read beginning level books with purpose and understanding. Develop the concepts of print: reading left to right and matching written words with spoken words. Learn letter names and sounds, build background knowledge and improve reading comprehension and foundational skills. Quizzes Disguised as Games. Play the train game after finishing every book, but don't tell them it's a quiz! Check progress on the parent's page which shows books read and recorded and detailed scores on the quizzes. The Right Team For the Job Created by award winning master teacher and early literacy expert, Libby Curran, Reading Train apps are the culmination of 20+ years of teaching experience. Backed by an all-star team of teachers turned iOS developers and a professional children's musician, The Reading Train is serious about making learning fun. Keep in Touch We welcome your feedback, to keep up with all things Reading Train check out: readingtrain.org facebook.com/readingtrain email: support@readingtrain.org We welcome suggestions on future books and curriculum. Contact Libby with suggestions about new content at: libby@readingtrain.org

About

Begin Learning

Explore a curated collection of award-winning learning games for children aged 2-10. This free app offers engaging activities in early reading, math, STEM, coding, and social-emotional skills, featuring content from popular educational brands.

Highlights
  • Curated selection of award-winning learning games
  • Covers early reading, math, STEM, coding, and social-emotional skills
  • Content from Sesame Street, HOMER, codeSpark, and Little Passports
  • Designed for ages 2-10
  • Focuses on curiosity, character, core skills, creativity, and critical thinking
Features
Read full description

Tap into the power of digital play with a free, curated selection of Begin's award-winning learning games. Designed for learners of all ages, there's something for everyone to explore, like early reading, math, social-emotional skills, STEM, coding, and more. Unlock 10+ exclusive games from Learn with Sesame Street by Begin, HOMER, codeSpark, and Little Passports and enjoy skill-building screen time you and your child can feel good about. The Begin Approach focuses on the five essential skill areas proven to help children succeed in school and life. We call these the 5 C's (curiosity, character, core skills, creativity, and critical thinking), and we deliver them through each playful learning experience we design. We are so excited to share the best content from our beloved products in a single app, so you can see if our full products are right for your child. Why You'll Love It - No ads. EVER. - Free (no in-app purchases!), safe, and fun to play - Something for everyone ages 2-10 - Includes the best content from our award-winning family of apps What’s included From Learn with Sesame Street by Begin (social-emotional learning): - Big Bird's Bowling Party - Marshall Grover - It Feels Good to be Kind From HOMER (early reading and math): - Pizza Party - Biggest Bubble - Jack's Concert From codeSpark (#1 learn-to-code app): - Foo Rescue - Paper Shape - Footorial: What is Code? From Little Passports (curiosity and exploration): - Plunge Into the Pacific - Max & Mia Serengeti - Aloft in the Amazon

Screenshots

Reading Train Alphabet Lite4 screens
Begin Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Reading Train Alphabet Lite at 4.5 against Begin Learning's 3.9. Reading Train Alphabet Lite also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 60%). Begin Learning's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 17 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Reading Train Alphabet Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Begin Learning asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reading Train Alphabet Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Reading Train Alphabet Lite's written reviews are positive against 60% of Begin Learning's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading Train Alphabet Lite ships an update every 17 months, Begin Learning every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Reading Train Alphabet Lite versus Begin Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading Train Alphabet LiteBegin Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (4 ratings) — better3.9 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings416 — better
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size696 MB137 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Learning Station, LLCHomer

Customer experience

Reading Train Alphabet Lite

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Begin Learning

All ratings16 ratings
Positive68.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reading Train Alphabet Lite

One-time1
  • All alphabet books$1.99
None

Begin Learning

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reading Train Alphabet Lite free?
Reading Train Alphabet Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Begin Learning free?
Begin Learning is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Reading Train Alphabet Lite or Begin Learning?
Reading Train Alphabet Lite is rated higher. Reading Train Alphabet Lite averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Begin Learning averages 3.9 from 16 ratings.
Do Reading Train Alphabet Lite or Begin Learning have ads?
Neither Reading Train Alphabet Lite nor Begin Learning shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading Train Alphabet Lite or Begin Learning?
Reading Train Alphabet Lite ships an update every 17 months, and Begin Learning every 3 months. Most recently, Reading Train Alphabet Lite was updated on September 26, 2026 and Begin Learning on September 17, 2026.

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