The Phonics.org team is dedicated to helping parents and teachers navigate the many different phonics apps and programs for kids. Our literacy experts review and rate the popular programs available so that you can access honest, informed feedback from an educator’s perspective. Special thanks to children’s reading clinician, Jaymi Theissen, for all of the insightful reviews of phonics programs!

We understand the importance of choosing the right resources for your child’s literacy journey, which is why we created Phonics.org. Since the beginning of 2024, we’ve shared nearly 35 programs and apps—as well as their honest ratings—to give a well-rounded perspective on the best, the worst, and the decent learning apps you can play with your kids.

This comprehensive list compiles all our phonics program reviews and ratings, making it easier for you to find the best apps for your young learners. We’ll update this list monthly! In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to the Phonics.org Reviews Page for the latest updates we share!

The Phonics.org Rating Criteria 

Before we look at what all these phonics apps have to offer, here are the simple rating criteria that we use for each program review.

1. Quality of Literacy Instruction

The quality of literacy instruction is one of the most important ratings we look for. There are countless educational apps on the market today—but the question is, are they effective at teaching the right content? 

When assessing the type of literacy instruction for phonics apps/programs, we consider features and factors such as: 

• Which aspect of literacy instruction does the app focus on? 
• What kind of phonics instruction method is used?
• Is there research to support the instructional methods used?
• Are there independent efficacy studies to support the app’s effectiveness?
• Is the literacy instruction accurate?
  • Accurate phonemes
  • Accurate letter formation
  • Accurate phonics concepts
• Is there a logical scope and sequence? Do the activities follow the scope and sequence?
• Do concepts move from easy to more difficult?
• Is there an appropriate amount of repetition of important concepts?
• Are there essential pieces of phonics instruction missing?

2. Usability

Usability relates to the user-friendliness, functionality, and navigation of the app or program. When vetting usability ratings, we consider factors including: 

• Is the app easy to download and start playing?
• Does the app have adaptive learning options?
• Are the activities developmentally appropriate?
• Is it easy to navigate the app?
• Is the app accessible to diverse learners?
• Are there any glitches/ads that interfere with learning?
• Are there elements of tracking progress for parents/teachers?
• If necessary, how easy is it to access answers from customer support?
• Is it easy to sign up and/or cancel?

3. Engagement

Engagement rates how entertained and engaged players remain within the app or program. This answers questions like: 

• Is the app fun for kids to play?
• Is the app interactive?
• Is it visually appealing?
• Are the activities too difficult? Too easy?
• Do kids want to keep playing the app over time?
• What feedback mechanisms are used to motivate learners?

List of Phonics Apps for Kids (and Their Ratings)

Below are the apps and programs we’ve reviewed so far. Click on the app of your choice to jump to its summary with the option to explore the full article.

ABC Kids – Tracing and Phonics App

The ABC Kids Tracing and Phonics app is a cute and fun educational app for pre-readers and early readers. It lacks literacy foundations and contains incorrect letter sounds.

Overall Score: 3

ABC Ride

ABC Ride is an engaging app that combines letter recognition with interactive gameplay. It offers a fun way for children to learn letter names and sounds.

Overall Score: 3.7

ABCmouse

ABCmouse offers a wide range of activities but falls short in providing quality phonics instruction. It emphasizes quantity over quality for new readers.

Overall Score: 2.2

Blending Board

The Blending Board app provides a simple tool for practicing phoneme blending. It offers a straightforward approach to an essential phonics skill.

Overall Score: 3

Chimp Fu

Chimp Fu is a highly engaging app that focuses on syllable instruction. It combines effective literacy instruction with fun gameplay.

Overall Score: 4.3

Duck Duck Moose

The Duck Duck Moose reading app offers basic phonics activities but lacks depth in literacy instruction. It may be suitable for very young learners.

Overall Score: 2

Duolingo

Duolingo’s Learn to Read ABC provides an engaging and user-friendly approach to phonics instruction. It offers a solid foundation for early readers.

Overall Score: 4.3

Endless Alphabet

Endless Alphabet is a visually appealing app that introduces vocabulary but lacks structured phonics instruction. It’s more suitable for entertainment than literacy learning.

Overall Score: 3.3

Endless Reader

Endless Reader builds on Endless Alphabet, offering sight word practice and simple sentences. It’s engaging but lacks comprehensive phonics instruction.

Overall Score: 3.2

Flocabulary

Flocabulary combines music and literacy instruction effectively. It offers a unique and engaging approach to learning phonics and vocabulary.

Overall Score: 4.7

Foundations A-Z

Foundations A-Z provides a structured approach to literacy instruction but may lack engagement for some learners. It offers comprehensive content with room for improvement in usability.

Overall Score: 2.7

Hairy Letters

Hairy Letters offers a fun and effective way to learn letter sounds and formation. It combines quality instruction with engaging visuals.

Overall Score: 4.2

Homer

Homer Learn and Grow provides a well-rounded approach to early literacy. It offers personalized learning paths and engaging content.

Overall Score: 4

Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics offers a structured approach to phonics instruction. It provides a solid foundation but may lack engagement for some learners.

Overall Score: 3.5

Jolly Phonics

Jolly Phonics is a comprehensive phonics program that combines multisensory learning with systematic instruction. It offers a well-rounded approach to literacy.

Overall Score: 4.2

Khan Academy

Khan Academy Kids offers a wide range of educational content, including reading instruction. It provides engaging activities but may lack depth in phonics instruction.

Overall Score: 3.5

Lalilo

Lalilo provides adaptive phonics instruction but may lack engagement and user-friendliness. It offers personalized learning paths for students.

Overall Score: 2.7

Letter School

LetterSchool focuses on letter formation and recognition. It offers engaging activities but lacks comprehensive phonics instruction.

Overall Score: 3.3

Phonics Hero

Phonics Hero provides a structured approach to phonics instruction with engaging games. It offers a solid foundation for early readers.

Overall Score: 3.7

Phonics Ninja

Phonics Ninja falls short in all aspects of phonics instruction and engagement. It is not recommended for literacy learning.

Overall Score: 1

Pocket Phonics

ABC Pocket Phonics offers basic phonics instruction with letter tracing and sound recognition. It provides a simple approach to early literacy skills.

Overall Score: 3.2

Poio

Poio offers an innovative approach to reading instruction through gameplay. It provides an engaging experience but may lack structured phonics instruction.

Overall Score: 3

Project Read.AI

Project Read.AI utilizes artificial intelligence for personalized reading instruction. It offers adaptive learning but may need improvements in engagement and usability.

Overall Score: 3

Read Naturally Live

Read Naturally Live focuses on fluency development but may lack engagement for some learners. It offers structured practice for reading fluency.

Overall Score: 2.8

Readiculous

Mrs. Wordsmith’s Readiculous offers a fun and effective approach to vocabulary and reading comprehension. It combines quality instruction with engaging content.

Overall Score: 4

Reading Eggs

Reading Eggs provides a comprehensive approach to early literacy instruction. It offers a balance of phonics, sight words, and reading practice.

Overall Score: 3

Reading Raven

Reading Raven offers a comprehensive approach to early literacy skills. It provides engaging activities for letter recognition, phonics, and early reading.

Overall Score: 3.3

Reading.com

Reading.com stands out as a top-tier literacy app, offering high-quality instruction, excellent usability, and engaging content for young readers.

Overall Score: 4.8

Sesame Street – Alphabet Kitchen

Sesame Street Alphabet Kitchen combines familiar characters with letter recognition and phonics activities. It offers an engaging introduction to early literacy skills.

Overall Score: 3.8

SplashLearn

SplashLearn offers a range of reading activities but may lack depth in phonics instruction. It provides an interactive learning experience for early readers.

Overall Score: 2.8

Starfall ABC

Starfall ABC offers basic letter recognition and phonics activities. It provides a simple introduction to early literacy skills but may lack engagement for some learners.

Overall Score: 3

Super Simple Songs

Super Simple Songs uses music to teach early literacy concepts. It offers an engaging and fun approach to learning letters and sounds.

Overall Score: 3.8

Teach Your Monster to Read

Teach Your Monster to Read offers a gamified approach to phonics instruction. It provides a structured learning path with engaging characters and activities.

Overall Score: 3.2

Wonster Words

Wonster Words focuses on vocabulary development with some phonics elements. It offers engaging animations but may lack comprehensive literacy instruction.

Overall Score: 3

Phonics.org Reviews & Ratings: Special Compilations and Recommendations 

On occasion, we also share “Top 3” or “Top 5” lists of various phonics programs based on topic, merit, or category. You can read these specific recommendations (or warnings to stay away from!) below:

• Top 3 Reading Apps to Avoid
• Top 5 Reading Apps for Kids

These lists provide a quick overview of the best and worst apps we’ve reviewed, helping you make informed decisions about your child’s literacy education.

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