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Best ELA Apps for 1st Grade (2026)

The top reading, spelling, and phonics apps to build literacy skills for ages 6-7.

STSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: March 30, 2026
First grade student practicing reading and writing at a desk

Our top picks

Our pick
1

SpellingJoy ELA

Best guided ELA year

SpellingJoy ELA is a voiced, interactive English Language Arts curriculum for ages 5-10. The child plays a ~20-minute daily lesson alone — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words with tappable tiles, reads back (speech recognition), and writes with AI feedback. Phonics-first, standards-aware, a full 36-week year per grade. Parents review the week's work. It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program, and is not COPPA/FERPA certified — parental consent and supervision are the parent's responsibility.

Best for:A voiced, do-it-alone 1st grade ELA year (ages 6-7)Price:$19/monthGrades:K-5Platforms:Web

Pros

  • 7-day free trial — try the full course before you pay
  • A full 36-week guided ELA year per grade (K-5)
  • Phonics-first and mapped to Common Core standards

Cons

  • Card required up front; $19/mo after the 7-day free trial
  • Web-only (no native mobile app yet)
  • AI tutor, not a state-accredited program
Our pick
2

SpellingJoy

Best free spelling

SpellingJoy is a 100% free spelling practice platform for K-6 students. Unlimited spelling games, unlimited tests, 134+ word lists, custom list creation, and progress tracking - all completely free with no subscriptions and no hidden costs.

Best for:Free unlimited spelling practice for K-6Price:100% FreeGrades:K-6Platforms:Web

Pros

  • 100% free - unlimited games, tests, and lists
  • No subscription or hidden costs ever
  • K-6 curriculum with 134+ word lists

Cons

  • Web-only (no native mobile apps yet)
  • Classroom features coming soon
3

Reading Eggs

Best reading program

Reading Eggs provides a comprehensive reading program for children ages 2-13 with lessons, games, and books.

Best for:Structured reading and spelling progressionPrice:$70-100/yrGrades:Ages 2-13Platforms:All platforms

Pros

  • Wide age range
  • Comprehensive program
  • Includes spelling component

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Can be overwhelming
4

Starfall

Best phonics foundation

Starfall teaches reading through systematic phonics with engaging activities for Pre-K through 5th grade.

Best for:Systematic phonics and early readingPrice:$35/yrGrades:Pre-K-5Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Good for early readers
  • Systematic phonics approach

Cons

  • Limited for older students
  • Dated interface
5

HOMER

Best personalized reading

HOMER creates personalized reading journeys for children ages 2-8 based on their interests and skill level.

Best for:Adaptive reading path for ages 2-8Price:$80/yrGrades:Ages 2-8Platforms:iOS, Android

Pros

  • Personalized learning path
  • Comprehensive reading program
  • Good for early readers

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited age range
6

Khan Academy Kids

Best all-in-one free

Khan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.

Best for:Comprehensive free ELA + mathPrice:FreeGrades:Ages 2-8Platforms:iOS, Android, Amazon

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Comprehensive curriculum
  • No ads

Cons

  • Only goes to age 8
  • Not specialized for spelling
  • No web version
7

ABCmouse

Best full curriculum

ABCmouse offers a full early learning curriculum with thousands of activities for children ages 2-8.

Best for:Complete early learning curriculumPrice:$45-59/yrGrades:Ages 2-8Platforms:All platforms

Pros

  • Comprehensive curriculum
  • Engaging content
  • Progress tracking

Cons

  • Requires subscription
  • Only to age 8
8

Teach Your Monster to Read

Best phonics game

Teach Your Monster to Read uses a game-based approach to teach systematic phonics. Free on web, $4.99 mobile app. Covers first 2 years of learning to read.

Best for:Award-winning gamified phonicsPrice:Free (web) / $4.99 (app)Grades:Pre-K-1 (Ages 3-6)Platforms:Web (free), iOS ($4.99), Android ($4.99), Amazon

Pros

  • Completely free on desktop
  • BAFTA award-winning
  • Systematic synthetic phonics

Cons

  • Limited age range (3-6)
  • British accent audio
  • Mobile apps not free

Frequently asked questions

What is the best guided ELA app for a 1st grader to use alone?

SpellingJoy ELA is our top pick for a do-it-alone 1st grade ELA year. It is a voiced, interactive curriculum — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words, reads back, and writes with feedback — organized into a full 36-week year per grade and mapped to Common Core standards. It is $19/month. (Note: it is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.)

What ELA skills should 1st graders develop?

First graders should build fluency with CVC words, learn common sight words, practice short and long vowel patterns, begin writing simple sentences, and develop reading comprehension. The best ELA apps reinforce these skills through interactive spelling games, guided reading, and phonics activities.

Are free ELA apps good enough for 1st grade?

Yes. SpellingJoy and Khan Academy Kids are completely free and cover core 1st grade ELA skills including spelling, sight words, phonics, and reading comprehension. Free apps are especially effective when paired with classroom instruction or read-alouds at home.

How long should a 1st grader use ELA apps each day?

Experts recommend 15-20 minutes per session for 1st graders, with no more than one hour of total educational screen time per day. Short, focused sessions are more effective than longer stretches because they maintain engagement and prevent fatigue.

Should I use a spelling app or a reading app for my 1st grader?

Ideally, use both. Spelling and reading reinforce each other - spelling builds phonics awareness that improves reading, while reading exposes children to new words that strengthen spelling. Combining a free spelling app like SpellingJoy with a reading app like Reading Eggs or Starfall gives the best results.

Our Verdict

SpellingJoy ELA is our top pick for a guided 1st grade ELA year. It is a voiced, interactive curriculum your child runs alone — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words, reads back, and writes with feedback — a full 36-week year per grade mapped to Common Core, for $19/month. See the SpellingJoy ELA year. (It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.) For free spelling practice, the original SpellingJoy app offers 134+ word lists covering Dolch and Fry sight words, CVC patterns, and grade-level vocabulary - all completely free, and Reading Eggs offers a structured progression from phonics to fluency.

If you want a free all-in-one solution, Khan Academy Kids covers reading, math, and social-emotional learning at no cost. For families willing to pay, HOMER delivers a personalized reading path that adapts to each child's level.

The most effective approach is to pair a spelling app like SpellingJoy with a reading-focused app like Starfall or Teach Your Monster to Read for well-rounded 1st grade ELA practice.

ST

About the Author

SpellingJoy Team

The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.

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