Best Reading Apps for 1st Grade in 2025

Build fluency, comprehension, and reading confidence with apps designed for 6-7 year olds.

SpellingJoy TeamSpellingJoy Team
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
First grader reading independently

First grade is a pivotal year for reading. Children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. The right apps can build fluency, expand vocabulary, and develop comprehension skills that last a lifetime.

We've tested the best reading apps for 1st graders (ages 6-7), focusing on apps that offer leveled content, build reading stamina, and keep young readers engaged.

Our Top Picks:

1

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 - Structured reading lessons with games
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
2

Epic!

Epic! provides access to a library of 40,000+ children's books, audiobooks, and educational videos. $84.99/year or $13.99/month.

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Best for - 40,000+ books at 1st grade levels
Price - $84.99/yr
Grades - Pre-K-6 (Ages 2-12)
Platforms - iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV

Pros

  • 40,000+ books from quality publishers
  • Read-To-Me and audiobooks
  • Offline reading available

Cons

  • Free tier very limited (1 book/day)
  • Price increased recently
  • Not spelling-focused
3

HOMER

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

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Best for - Adapts to your child's level
Price - $80/yr
Grades - Ages 2-8
Platforms - iOS, Android

Pros

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

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited age range
4

Khan Academy Kids

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

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Best for - Free reading and phonics practice
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
5

Raz-Kids

Raz-Kids (by Learning A-Z) provides a leveled reading library with 800+ eBooks across 29 levels, audio support, and comprehension quizzes. $132/year for up to 36 students.

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Best for - Leveled eBooks with comprehension quizzes
Price - $132/yr (classroom)
Grades - K-5
Platforms - Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • 800+ leveled eBooks (29 levels)
  • Listen-Read-Record feature
  • Comprehension quizzes for every book

Cons

  • Primarily for schools/classrooms
  • Price increased from $115 to $132
  • Requires Learning A-Z subscription
6

Starfall

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

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Best for - Systematic phonics support
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

Frequently Asked Questions

By end of 1st grade, children typically read at levels D-J (Fountas & Pinnell) or DRA 6-16. They can read simple chapter books, understand basic punctuation, and comprehend stories with some inference. Apps should offer books at these levels.

Our Verdict

Reading Eggs offers the most comprehensive 1st grade reading curriculum with lessons, games, and assessments.

For building a reading habit, Epic! provides thousands of books at 1st grade levels—let your child explore and find books they love.

Khan Academy Kids remains the best free option with quality reading content for early elementary students.

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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.