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Best Reading Apps for Struggling Readers in 2025

Patient, encouraging apps that help kids catch up and build confidence in reading.

SpellingJoy TeamSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: January 15, 2025
Child being encouraged while reading

If your child is struggling with reading, you're not alone—and there's hope. The right apps can provide the structured practice, repetition, and encouragement that struggling readers need to catch up and build confidence.

We've identified the best reading apps for struggling readers—apps that are patient, provide appropriate levels, and make practice feel rewarding rather than frustrating.

💙 You've Got This

Reading struggles don't define your child. With consistent practice, the right support, and patience, most struggling readers catch up. Celebrate small wins along the way.

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 phonics with lots of repetition
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

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 - Books at exactly the right level
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
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 - Phonics disguised as adventure
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

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 phonics & reading 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
5

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 pace to your child
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
6

Starfall

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

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Best for - Back-to-basics phonics foundation
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

The best apps for struggling readers offer: systematic phonics instruction, plenty of repetition without feeling repetitive, adjustable pace, positive encouragement, and books at the right reading level. Patience and consistency are key.

Our Verdict

Best structured program: Reading Eggs offers systematic phonics with the repetition struggling readers need.

Best leveled reading: Raz-Kids provides books at exactly the right level—not too hard, not too easy.

Best free option: Khan Academy Kids is 100% free and offers patient, encouraging phonics instruction.

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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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