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Best Epic! Alternatives in 2025

Free and cheaper reading app options to replace Epic! for your kids.

SpellingJoy TeamSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: January 15, 2025
Stack of children's books

Epic! is a fantastic digital library with 40,000+ books—but at $$84.99/yr, it's not cheap. And with recent changes limiting free school access, many families are looking for alternatives.

Good news: there are excellent free and cheaper options. Whether you want a completely free library (Sora), a free learning platform (Khan Academy Kids), or a structured reading program (Reading Eggs), we've found the best Epic alternatives.

💡 Pro Tip

Your local library likely offers free digital books through Sora or Libby. Get a library card and you'll have access to thousands of eBooks for free!

Our Top Picks:

1

Sora (OverDrive)

Sora (by OverDrive) gives students free access to eBooks and audiobooks through their school or public library. The modern library card for digital readers.

Visit Sora (OverDrive)
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Best for - Free eBooks through your library
Price - Free (library)
Grades - All ages
Platforms - Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • ✓ Free through school/public library
  • ✓ Thousands of eBooks & audiobooks
  • ✓ Works with library card

Cons

  • ✗ Requires library participation
  • ✗ Popular books have wait times
  • ✗ Setup varies by school/library
2

Khan Academy Kids

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

Visit Khan Academy Kids
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Best for - 100% free books and learning for ages 2-8
Price - Free
Grades - Ages 2-8
Platforms - iOS, Android, Amazon

Pros

  • ✓ Completely free
  • ✓ Comprehensive curriculum
  • ✓ No ads

Cons

  • ✗ Only goes to age 8
  • ✗ Not specialized for spelling
  • ✗ No web version
3

Reading Eggs

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

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Best for - Learn-to-read curriculum with books
Price - $70-100/yr
Grades - Ages 2-13
Platforms - All platforms

Pros

  • ✓ Wide age range
  • ✓ Comprehensive program
  • ✓ Includes spelling component

Cons

  • ✗ Expensive
  • ✗ Can be overwhelming
4

Amazon Kids+

Amazon Kids+ bundles books, educational apps, games, and videos for kids ages 3-12. Best experienced on Amazon Fire tablets with built-in parental controls.

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Best for - Books + games + videos for Prime families
Price - $48-96/yr
Grades - Ages 3-12
Platforms - Fire tablets, iOS, Android, Kindle

Pros

  • ✓ Books, games, videos, apps combined
  • ✓ Parental controls included
  • ✓ Works best on Fire tablets

Cons

  • ✗ Not focused solely on reading
  • ✗ Best value requires Fire tablet
  • ✗ Screen time concerns
5

CommonLit

CommonLit offers free, high-quality reading passages with comprehension questions for grades 3-12. A nonprofit making literacy accessible.

Visit CommonLit
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Best for - Free literary passages (grades 3-12)
Price - Free
Grades - Grades 3-12
Platforms - Web

Pros

  • ✓ Completely free
  • ✓ High-quality literary passages
  • ✓ Aligned to standards

Cons

  • ✗ Not for early readers (starts grade 3)
  • ✗ Web only
  • ✗ Less engaging for reluctant readers
6

Starfall

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

Visit Starfall
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Best for - Free phonics + early reading
Price - $35/yr
Grades - Pre-K-5
Platforms - Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • ✓ Affordable
  • ✓ Good for early readers
  • ✓ Systematic phonics approach

Cons

  • ✗ Limited for older students
  • ✗ Dated interface
7

SpellingJoy

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.

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Best for - 100% free spelling practice K-6
Price - 100% Free
Grades - K-6
Platforms - 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Epic! costs $72-85/year and recently limited free school access. Many families want free or cheaper options. Good news: Sora offers free library books, Khan Academy Kids is completely free for ages 2-8, and CommonLit provides free reading for older students.

Our Verdict

Best free alternative: Sora gives you free library access to thousands of eBooks—just need a library card.

Best for young kids: Khan Academy Kids is 100% free with books, games, and learning activities for ages 2-8.

Best all-in-one: Amazon Kids+ combines books, games, and videos—great value if you already have Prime.

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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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