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The kids' software directory

Reading apps and reading coaches

Phonics, reading coaches that listen, read-alouds and free books.

  • 107 researched
  • 2 to know about

Peabody's own: free stories by reading level, read aloud. It is ours, so it is not in the list below and we do not rate it.

Researched by Peabody

Facts from each maker's own pages (terms, pricing, privacy), with our one-line take. A to Z; we rank nothing until we have tried it.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    ABCmouse

    Age of Learning, Inc. ยท ages about 2-6 (preschool to kindergarten)

    A full preschool program for families who want one paid app; cancel carefully and watch the reward loop.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    ABCya

    ABCya.com LLC (a division of IXL Learning) ยท ages about 4-12 (pre-K to grade 6+)

    Handy for quick grade-level practice in class or at home; skip if you want an ad-free experience without paying.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Adventure Academy

    Age of Learning, Inc. ยท ages grades 3-8 (about 8-13)

    Good for kids who love online games and need a nudge toward school subjects; families wanting no social contact should set chat to off or choose a solo app.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard

    Amazon ยท ages 3-12

    A good-value bundle for families already on Amazon devices with kids 3-12; skip it if your child mostly uses an iPad or a phone.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    AmblesideOnline

    AmblesideOnline (volunteer advisory) ยท ages about 5-18 (Year 0 to Year 12)

    A strong free plan for homeschool families drawn to Charlotte Mason and literature-rich learning; secular families or those wanting an interactive program should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Amira Learning

    Amira Learning ยท ages about 5-14 (school product; listed studies run from kindergarten to middle school)

    Worth asking about if your child's school uses it; parents cannot buy it, so home users should look at family apps instead.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Beanstack

    Joyful Reading Company ยท ages all ages; K-12 for schools

    Worth using for your library's summer reading program; skip the streak pressure if it makes reading feel like homework.

  • Desk researchPaid

    Bedtimestory.ai

    Bedtimestory AI ยท ages about 3-8 (bedtime stories read by a parent)

    Fine for a parent who wants quick custom bedtime stories and reads them first; families who want clear child-privacy promises should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Bloom Library

    SIL Global ยท ages mostly early readers; some books for adults (health, farming)

    A standout for families reading in a home or heritage language; parents should filter by topic, since religious and adult titles mix with children's books.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Book Dash

    Book Dash (South African nonprofit) ยท ages about 0-6

    A fine free source of diverse picture books, especially for families who speak South African languages; parents wanting an interactive reading app should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchFree

    BOOK IT! Summer of Stories

    Pizza Hut, LLC ยท ages PreK-grade 6 (about 4-12)

    Fine for families happy with a pizza reward to kick-start a summer reading habit; parents who don't want food brands in their kids' reading should skip it.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Bookshare

    Benetech (nonprofit) ยท ages all ages (PreK-12 students through adults)

    A free, practical library for US students with a documented print disability; families without that need should use a public library app instead.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Boost Reading

    Amplify Education, Inc. ยท ages grades K-5 (about 5-11)

    Worth asking about if your child's school uses Amplify CKLA or mCLASS; families cannot buy it on their own.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Britannica Kids

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. ยท ages PreK-12

    A trustworthy paid encyclopedia for homework; check whether your school or library already provides it before subscribing.

  • Desk researchPaid

    Childbook.ai

    Childbook.ai (operated from Poland) ยท ages made by adults; books aimed at about 2-8

    For parents or teachers making custom picture books; a child should not use it directly.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Civic Online Reasoning

    Digital Inquiry Group ยท ages about 11-18 (middle school to college)

    Among the stronger free options for teaching teens to check what they read online; parents wanting a self-paced app for kids will need to adapt it.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    CommonLit

    CommonLit (nonprofit) ยท ages about 8-18 (grades 3-12)

    A strong free choice for teachers wanting good reading passages with questions; parents looking for a home reading app for young kids should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Diffit

    Diffit, Inc. ยท ages grades K-12 (teacher tool)

    A helpful, low-risk tool for teachers and homeschool parents preparing reading at several levels; there is nothing here for a child to use alone.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Duck Duck Moose apps

    Duck Duck Moose, LLC (part of Khan Academy) ยท ages about 2-10

    Fine free picks for toddlers and preschoolers, but families wanting a maintained, all-in-one app may prefer Khan Academy Kids.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Duolingo ABC

    Duolingo, Inc. ยท ages about 3-8 (preschool to grade 2)

    One of the safest free phonics apps for preschool and kindergarten; kids reading chapter books are past it.

  • Desk researchFree

    Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool

    Lee Giles (Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool) ยท ages preschool-grade 8 (about 4-14); high school on a sister site

    A strong free option for homeschool families comfortable with a Christian worldview and supervising web use; secular families or those wanting a closed, ad-free platform should skip it.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Education.com

    Education.com, Inc. (IXL Learning) ยท ages about 4-14 (pre-K to grade 8)

    A practical source of printables and practice for parents and teachers; kids get the most from it with an adult choosing the work.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Ello

    Ello Technology, Inc. ยท ages about 5-9 (grades K-5 per the app listing)

    A strong fit for a beginning reader age 5-8 whose parent is comfortable with voice recording; families wanting no microphone use or several kids on one plan should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Endless Alphabet (Originator)

    Originator Inc. ยท ages about 2-6

    A well-loved, low-stress first-letters app worth a one-time purchase; not a full reading program.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Epic

    Epic Kids Inc. ยท ages about 2-12

    Good for families who want lots of books on a tablet; a child who cannot yet decode will need a phonics program alongside it.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Exact Path

    Edmentum ยท ages grades K-12

    A common district intervention tool; useful if your child's school uses it with a teacher watching progress, not something parents pick themselves.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Foundations A-Z

    Learning A-Z (LAZEL, Inc., a Cambium Learning Group company) ยท ages about 5-11 (grades K-5)

    A solid choice for K-5 teachers or homeschool families who want a structured phonics plan; parents of a child who already reads well will get little from it.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI)

    Heinemann (part of HMH) ยท ages grades K-8 (systems by level)

    A long-used small-group intervention with independent early-grade evidence; parents of struggling readers should ask how often their child is seen and how progress is measured.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Freckle

    Renaissance Learning ยท ages about 5-18 (grades K-12; math through Algebra 2)

    A reasonable school pick for differentiated practice, especially in districts already using Star tests; families can't buy it directly.

  • Desk researchFree

    Funbrain

    Funbrain Holdings LLC (owned by Tinybop Inc.) ยท ages about 4-14 (pre-K to grade 8)

    Fine for occasional free play and reading at home; schools and privacy-minded parents may prefer ad-free options.

  • Desk researchThrough schools

    Fundations

    Wilson Language Training ยท ages grades K-5

    A solid school phonics core for early grades; parents mostly meet it through their child's school.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Gale In Context: Elementary

    Gale, part of Cengage Group ยท ages grades K-5 (about 5-11)

    A safe, free-through-the-library place for young kids to start research projects; check your library's website for a login.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Gemini Storybook

    Google ยท ages made by adults; books suit about 3-10

    Useful for parents who want a one-off custom picture book, used by the adult; not something to hand to a child.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Global Digital Library

    Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) ยท ages about 3-10 (emergent readers to grade 4 math)

    A decent free leveled-reading and early-math source, especially for multilingual families; decline marketing cookies when the banner appears.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Google Learn Your Way

    Google ยท ages about 15-18 and adults (tested with 15- to 18-year-olds)

    Worth a try for high schoolers who learn better with audio, maps or quizzes than plain text; it is a demo, so do not plan schoolwork around it.

  • Desk researchFree

    Highlights Kids

    Highlights for Children, Inc. ยท ages about 6-12

    A safe, free corner of the web for younger readers; don't expect a learning program.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    HOMER

    Begin (Conscious Content Media, Inc.) ยท ages about 2-8

    A gentle, well-made start for toddlers and preschoolers; parents of confident readers will get more from a library app.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Hooked on Phonics

    Hooked & Company, Inc. ยท ages about 3-8 (Pre-K to grade 2)

    Good for parents who want a ready-made phonics plan with physical books; families on a budget can get similar phonics free elsewhere.

  • Desk researchFree

    hoopla

    Midwest Tape, LLC ยท ages all ages (kids' and teen titles inside a general library)

    A strong free extra for families whose library offers it; keep the account in a parent's name and turn on Kids Mode for young children.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    i-Ready

    Curriculum Associates ยท ages grades K-8

    A widely used school tool you will meet through your child's district rather than choose; ask the school how much weekly screen time it assigns and what data it sends.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Ignite Reading

    Ignite Reading ยท ages grades 1-8, mostly early grades

    A promising high-dose tutoring model for early readers; ask your school how recordings are stored.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Imagine Language & Literacy

    Imagine Learning ยท ages about 4-12 (grades pre-K-6)

    A reasonable choice for schools with many English learners in the early grades; families cannot buy it and should ask their school what it records.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    International Children's Digital Library

    ICDL Foundation with the University of Maryland ยท ages about 3-13

    A quiet, ad-free treasure for families looking for picture books in a home language; children wanting modern, polished reading apps will find it dated.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    K5 Learning

    K5 Learning ยท ages about 5-11 (grades K-5)

    Handy for parents who want quick printable practice for K-5; families looking for an interactive or adaptive program should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Khan Academy Kids

    Khan Academy (nonprofit) ยท ages 2-8 (preschool to grade 2)

    An easy first learning app for preschool and early grades; families who want a structured phonics program may want to pair it with one.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    KidLit TV

    KidLit TV (founded by Julie Gribble) ยท ages about 3-12

    A pleasant free way to meet authors and draw along; best watched with a grown-up who skips the trailers.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Kindle Colorsoft Kids

    Amazon ยท ages about 3-12 (Amazon Kids+ is designed for 3-12)

    A focused, distraction-free reader for kids who love comics or illustrated books; families happy with black-and-white text may prefer a non-color Kindle Kids.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Kindle Kids

    Amazon ยท ages about 6-12

    A solid distraction-free reader for chapter-book kids in Amazon's world; families wanting color can look at the Colorsoft kids model.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Kumon Math and Reading Program (with Kumon Connect)

    Kumon North America, Inc. ยท ages about 3 to high school

    Suits families who want a steady daily practice habit in math or reading with a local instructor; skip it if your child needs concept-first teaching or already has a heavy homework load.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Lalilo

    Renaissance ยท ages grades K-2 (about 5-8)

    Fine as classroom phonics practice if your school uses it; families cannot buy it directly.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    LeapFrog Academy

    LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (owned by VTech) ยท ages about 3-6

    A gentle, ad-free practice app for preschoolers and kindergartners; families who want free options or fewer rewards may prefer other apps.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Learning Ally

    Learning Ally, Inc. (nonprofit) ยท ages grades PreK-12, plus college and adults

    A strong choice for a child with dyslexia or a print disability who needs grade-level books; check first whether the school already provides it free.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Lexia Core5 Reading

    Lexia (Cambium Learning Group) ยท ages pre-K to grade 5

    One of the better-evidenced school reading programs, especially for struggling and disadvantaged readers; families get it only through a school.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Lexile Find a Book

    MetaMetrics ยท ages readers about 5-18 (tool used by adults)

    Handy for parents holding a Lexile score from school who want library ideas; families without a score may find a librarian or grade-level lists just as useful.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Libby

    OverDrive ยท ages all ages (kids' and teen collections inside a general library)

    Every family with a library card should know about it; parents of young kids should turn on Libby for Kids and lock it with a passkey.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    LibriVox

    LibriVox (volunteer project) ยท ages all ages (children's genres sit beside adult classics)

    A free source of human-read classics for family listening; a parent should pick the book and preview the reader.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Luka AI Reading Robot

    Luka AI (Ling Technology; Lingverse Technology Pte. Ltd. and Luka (Beijing) Intelligent Technology Co.) ยท ages about 2-8

    May suit families wanting a picture-book reader for preschoolers, but read the privacy terms carefully first; families wary of cameras and overseas data handling should skip it.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Microsoft Immersive Reader

    Microsoft ยท ages all ages (helpful from early readers up)

    A useful free helper for any child who struggles with print, especially with dyslexia; it supports reading but does not teach it.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Microsoft Reading Coach

    Microsoft ยท ages about 5-14 (stories from kindergarten to middle-school level)

    A solid free fluency tool for children who can already sound out words; very new readers need a phonics program first.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Montessori Preschool (Edoki)

    Edoki Academy (operated by Bayard) ยท ages about 3-7

    A good structured choice for families drawn to Montessori learning at ages 3-7; check which plan the trial converts to before starting it.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    NaturalReader

    NaturalSoft Ltd (Canada) ยท ages older students and adults; school EDU plans

    Useful for teens and parents who want text read aloud; younger children are better served by a school-managed reader.

  • Desk researchPaid

    Nessy Reading and Spelling

    Nessy Learning Ltd ยท ages about 6-11

    A solid pick for families of struggling or dyslexic early readers who want a structured phonics routine; skip it if you want proven results from independent trials.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Night Zookeeper

    Wonky Star Ltd (UK) ยท ages 6-12

    A good pick for reluctant writers ages 6-12 whose parents want human feedback; skip it if you do not want another subscription.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Novel Effect

    Novel Effect, Inc. ยท ages preschool and elementary, read with an adult

    A fun storytime add-on for families and classrooms that already own the books; skip it if you'd rather not have a microphone on during reading.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Open Library

    Internet Archive ยท ages all ages; K-12 Student Library sorted by grade

    A useful free backup when the local library lacks a title; parents should set up the account, since the terms say nothing about children.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Oscar Stories

    HeyQQ GmbH ยท ages about 3-8 (App Store: made for ages 6-8)

    A good fit for parents of young children who want quick moral-of-the-story bedtime tales on a phone; skip if you want the child to do the writing.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Oxford Owl

    Oxford University Press ยท ages about 3-11

    A strong free reading shelf for ages 3-11, especially for families using UK phonics schemes; U.S. parents will need to translate the levels.

  • Desk researchFree

    PBS KIDS Summer of Adventure

    PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) ยท ages about 2-8

    Handy for parents of preschoolers and early grade-schoolers who want low-cost summer ideas; families wanting a summer learning plan with tracking should look elsewhere.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Project Gutenberg

    Project Gutenberg (volunteers) ยท ages older readers; children's classics for reading aloud

    Best for parents and older kids who want free classics; younger children need an adult to choose books, as the terms suggest.

  • Desk researchFree

    Quordle

    Merriam-Webster (created by Freddie Meyer) ยท ages about 10 and up

    A good free brain warm-up for word-loving teens and confident older readers; younger kids will find nine guesses for four words frustrating.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Raz-Kids

    Learning A-Z (LAZEL, Inc., a Cambium Learning Group company) ยท ages grades K-5

    Common and useful for leveled practice when a teacher assigns it; not a replacement for library books a child picks.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Reach All Readers

    Anna Geiger (formerly The Measured Mom) ยท ages about 5-9 (grades K-3); the site is for adults

    Worth a look for K-3 teachers and homeschooling parents who want structured phonics printables; families wanting an app their child uses alone should skip it.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Read 180

    HMH ยท ages grades 3-12

    A well-studied option for older students far behind in reading; check that your child gets real teacher time, not just the app.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Read Along by Google

    Google ยท ages about 5-10 (early primary readers)

    A good free first choice for early readers on Android or the web; families wanting a full phonics course should pair it with something more structured.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Read&Write

    Everway (formerly Texthelp) ยท ages grades K-12 and adults

    A solid support tool for kids with dyslexia or reading gaps, usually best gotten through school; families buying alone pay $184 a year.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Reading Eggs

    3P Learning ยท ages about 2-13

    A reasonable all-in-one reading and math subscription for ages 3-8; check the auto-renewal date before the trial ends.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    ReadWorks

    ReadWorks (nonprofit) ยท ages about 5-18 (grades K-12)

    A solid free source of reading passages for teachers and parents who will assign them; reluctant readers who need a game or story hook may lose interest.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    RIF Literacy Central

    Reading Is Fundamental (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-12

    A useful free shelf of book activities for teachers, librarians and reading-minded parents; kids won't use it on their own.

  • Desk researchFree

    RoomRecess

    RoomRecess.com (built by an elementary school teacher) ยท ages about 6-11 (grades K-5)

    Useful free practice for K-5 skills; families who mind ads or want progress reports should pick another tool.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Scanning Pens (C-Pen reading pens)

    Scanning Pens (Empowering Tech Group) ยท ages about 6 and up

    A practical tool for children with dyslexia who read paper books and worksheets; families mostly reading on screens can use free built-in text-to-speech instead.

  • Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads

    Sora

    OverDrive ยท ages grades K-12 (school collections)

    If your child's school uses it, it is a safe, ad-free way to read assigned and free-choice books at home; there is nothing to buy as a family.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Speechify

    Speechify Inc. ยท ages teens and adults; children only on a parent's account

    Useful for a teen with dyslexia who needs to listen to schoolwork; younger children have simpler free options such as Immersive Reader.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    SplashLearn

    StudyPad, Inc. ยท ages 2-11 (preschool to grade 5)

    A playful math and phonics option for preschool to grade 5 if you're happy to pay; families who want free or evidence-backed tools have other choices.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Squaredle

    Squaredle ยท ages about 10 and up

    A good daily word habit for teens and families playing together; under-13s are outside its terms.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Starfall

    Starfall Education Foundation (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-11 (Pre-K to grade 5)

    A safe, low-cost pick for preschool and early grades, especially for families who want no ads and no data collection.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Story Spark

    Algorithm Riders Ltd ยท ages 13+ users; books aimed at about 2-10

    A fit for parents making a keepsake book or teens who want to publish their writing; younger kids should create with a parent on the parent's account.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Story Time From Space

    Global Space Education Foundation (nonprofit) ยท ages about 4-10 (lesson plans for K-12)

    A memorable free story time for young space fans at home or in class; teachers wanting full ready-made units will find the curriculum thin.

  • Desk researchFree

    Storyberries

    Smart Projects Consulting Pty Ltd (Australia) ยท ages 0-12 (sorted as 0-3, 4-6, 7-12)

    Handy for a grown-up looking for a quick free story to read together; not a site to hand a child alone because of tracking ads.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Storybird

    Storybird Corp. ยท ages about 6-16

    A good fit for kids who love to write and draw inspiration from pictures; families wanting a lasting free tool should know the free part is only a week long.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Storyline Online

    SAG-AFTRA Foundation (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-10 (picture books; no age range stated)

    A lovely free read-aloud option for young kids, best used on the website or app rather than YouTube itself.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Storynory

    Storynory Ltd (UK) ยท ages young children to preteens; family listening

    One of the most private free story options found; good for bedtime and car rides, and parents should use the website or podcast rather than look-alike apps.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    StoryWeaver

    Pratham Books (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-12 (picture books to longer stories)

    A treasure for multilingual families and teachers who want free stories in home languages; English-only families have many alternatives.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Super Teacher Worksheets

    Super Teacher Worksheets ยท ages about 4-12 (Pre-K to grade 6); the site is for adults

    Good value for teachers and homeschool parents who want printable practice; not something to hand to a child as an app.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Teach Your Monster to Read

    Teach Your Monster Ltd (The Usborne Foundation) ยท ages about 3-6 (early phonics)

    A great free phonics game for preschool and kindergarten on a computer; older readers will outgrow it fast.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    This Reading Mama

    Becky Spence (This Reading Mama, LLC) ยท ages about 3-9 (preschool to early grades); the site is for adults

    A useful printable source for parents and teachers of beginning readers; families who dislike ad-heavy sites may prefer the paid library.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Time4Learning

    Time4Learning (a Cambium Learning Group brand) ยท ages about 4-18 (PreK to grade 12)

    A practical option for homeschooling parents who want a ready-made online curriculum; families wanting a teacher-led, accredited program need the separate virtual school.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Todo English

    Enuma ยท ages about 5-10

    A well-built English starter for young non-native speakers; weigh the monthly cost and voice recording.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Toniebox 2

    tonies ยท ages about 1-12

    A simple, sturdy audio player for toddlers and young kids; plan for the ongoing cost of figures.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Turtle Diary

    TurtleDiary LLC ยท ages about 3-11 (preschool to grade 5)

    A budget-friendly practice site for K-5; many families will find free, ad-free alternatives good enough.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Unite for Literacy

    Unite for Literacy ยท ages about 2-7

    A safe free pick for toddlers, preschoolers and multilingual families; school-age readers will want a bigger library.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Vocabulary.com

    Vocabulary.com, a division of IXL Learning ยท ages about 10-18 and adults (middle school, high school, test prep)

    A good pick for middle and high schoolers building vocabulary or prepping for tests; younger children are better served through a school account.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Vooks

    Vooks, Inc. ยท ages picture-book age (about pre-K to grade 3); Creator app 4-10+

    A calm, ad-free story app for preschoolers and early readers; check your library's free options first.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Wattpad

    Wattpad Corp. ยท ages 13+ (App Store rating 16+)

    Good for older teens who love to read and write; parents of 13 to 15 year olds should look at what they read and who comments.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    WEBTOON

    WEBTOON Entertainment ยท ages 13+

    Fine for comic-loving teens 13+; parents should switch off Coin Hunter and set a spending limit in the app store.

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Worksheetfun

    Worksheetfun ยท ages about 3-10 (preschool to grade 5)

    Handy for parents who want quick free paper practice for preschool and early grades; families looking for a structured program or adaptive practice will need something else.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    WorksheetWorks

    WorksheetWorks.com ยท ages about 5-14

    A strong pick for parents and teachers who want custom printable practice without ads; it is a tool for adults, not something a young child uses alone.

  • Desk researchPaidNo ads

    Yoto Player

    Yoto ยท ages toddlers to about 10+ (cards sorted 0-2 up to 9+)

    A simple, low-risk audio player for young children; budget for cards or a Club plan over time.

Know before you buy

Shut down, exposed children's data, or said unsafe things in tests.

  • WarningFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Once Upon a Bot

    Charlie Holtz (independent project) ยท ages about 3-10 (with a parent)

    Fun for a parent and child to try together without uploading photos; families who want clear privacy promises should skip it until it publishes a policy.

  • WarningFree

    Scholastic Home Base

    Scholastic Inc. ยท ages kids under 13 and up (Scholastic's middle-grade readers)

    No longer available; a reminder that kids' creations on free platforms can disappear, so save what matters.