Best Reading Apps for Kindergarten in 2025

Age-appropriate phonics and early literacy apps to help your 5-6 year old learn to read.

SpellingJoy TeamSpellingJoy Team
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
Kindergarten child learning to read

Kindergarten is when the magic of reading begins. Children move from recognizing letters to understanding that letters make sounds, and sounds make words. The right reading app can make this journey engaging and effective.

We've tested the best reading apps for kindergartners (ages 5-6), focusing on apps that teach phonics systematically, build sight word recognition, and make learning to read fun—not frustrating.

Our Top Picks:

1

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 - Comprehensive free learning for kindergartners
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
2

HOMER

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

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Best for - Adaptive phonics and reading program
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
3

Teach Your Monster to Read

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.

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Best for - Fun systematic phonics (free on web)
Price - 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
4

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 learn-to-read lessons
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
5

Starfall

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

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Best for - Affordable systematic phonics
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
6

Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics has been teaching children to read for 35+ years with its proven phonics methodology.

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Best for - 35+ years of phonics success
Price - $50-80/yr
Grades - Ages 3-8
Platforms - iOS, Android

Pros

  • Established brand (35+ years)
  • Proven methodology
  • Good for struggling readers

Cons

  • Subscription required
  • Limited age range

Frequently Asked Questions

By end of kindergarten, most children can recognize all letters, know letter sounds, read simple CVC words (cat, dog), and recognize some sight words. Apps should support this progression from letter recognition to simple word reading.

Our Verdict

Khan Academy Kids is the best free option with comprehensive phonics and early reading activities.

For a structured learn-to-read program, HOMER or Reading Eggs offer research-backed curricula.

For pure phonics fun, Teach Your Monster to Readmakes learning letter sounds engaging through gameplay.

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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.