Best apps for kids to learn english in 2026: 9 Options Compared
Best apps for kids to learn english in 2026: 9 options compared for price, features, and free plans to help you choose with confidence. for your needs
- Editor's choice
Duolingo ABCfree reading for young kids
Starts atFreeVisit duolingo.comFull review - Great alternative
ABCmousefull early learning curriculum
Starts atSee websiteVisit abcmouse.comFull review - Also consider
Khan Academy Kidsfree English and learning
Starts atFreeVisit learn.khanacademy.orgFull review
TL;DR:
- Our pick for most people is Duolingo ABC, because it covers free reading for young kids at a clear starting price.
- If budget is tight, start with ABCmouse and check its free plan before you pay for extra features.
- For a more specialised fit, Khan Academy Kids is strong for free English and learning, even though it has limits noted below.
- Prices and free tiers change, so check the vendor pricing page linked in Sources before you commit.
- Lingokids is worth a look if you want english play for preschoolers and a different set of trade-offs.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starts at | Free plan? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo ABC | free reading for young kids | Free | Yes | Visit |
| ABCmouse | full early learning curriculum | See website | Free trial | Visit |
| Khan Academy Kids | free English and learning | Free | Yes | Visit |
 Lingokids | English play for preschoolers | See website | Free trial | Visit |
 Homer | reading and English for kids | See website | Free trial | Visit |
 Endless Alphabet | vocabulary for young kids | See website | See website | Visit |
 Starfall | phonics and reading | See website | Yes | Visit |
 Reading Eggs | reading lessons for kids | See website | Free trial | Visit |
 Monkey Junior | English words for toddlers | See website | Free trial | Visit |
The best apps for kids to learn english
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, and public reviews for best apps for kids to learn english. The options below cover a range of prices and strengths, so you can match one to your budget and how you plan to use it.
For readers who want free reading for young kids, Duolingo ABC is a strong place to start. Its strengths include free reading app for ages 3 to 8 and phonics and stories. No ads. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is best for early readers. Older kids need more challenge. Choose Duolingo ABC if free reading for young kids is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Free reading app for ages 3 to 8
- Phonics and stories
- No ads
- Best for early readers
- Older kids need more challenge
If full early learning curriculum is your main goal, ABCmouse deserves a close look. Its strengths include full curriculum with reading and phonics and progress tracking for parents. Classroom use. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is subscription needed after trial. Best for ages 2 to 8. Choose ABCmouse if full early learning curriculum is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Full curriculum with reading and phonics
- Progress tracking for parents
- Classroom use
- Subscription needed after trial
- Best for ages 2 to 8
Khan Academy Kids is built with free English and learning in mind, and that focus shows in daily use. Its strengths include free with stories and phonics and no ads. Parent dashboard. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is best for young kids. Depth is limited for older learners. Choose Khan Academy Kids if free English and learning is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Free with stories and phonics
- No ads
- Parent dashboard
- Best for young kids
- Depth is limited for older learners
Readers who put english play for preschoolers first often land on Lingokids after comparing options. Its strengths include play-based English for ages 2 to 8 and songs and games. Parent reports. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is full access needs subscription. Content is preschool level. Choose Lingokids if english play for preschoolers is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Play-based English for ages 2 to 8
- Songs and games
- Parent reports
- Full access needs subscription
- Content is preschool level
When reading and English for kids matters most, Homer offers a clear and practical path. Its strengths include personalised reading path and stories and phonics. Good for ages 2 to 8. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is subscription cost. Best for early readers. Choose Homer if reading and English for kids is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Personalised reading path
- Stories and phonics
- Good for ages 2 to 8
- Subscription cost
- Best for early readers
Endless Alphabet stands out for vocabulary for young kids, with a setup that most people can follow without help. Its strengths include fun animations for word learning and good for ages 3 to 6. No ads in full version. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is paid app. Vocabulary range is limited. Choose Endless Alphabet if vocabulary for young kids is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Fun animations for word learning
- Good for ages 3 to 6
- No ads in full version
- Paid app
- Vocabulary range is limited
For phonics and reading, Starfall gives you a direct way to get started and stay organized. Its strengths include phonics and reading for early learners and free core content. Classroom friendly. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is design feels dated. Advanced reading needs other tools. Choose Starfall if phonics and reading is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Phonics and reading for early learners
- Free core content
- Classroom friendly
- Design feels dated
- Advanced reading needs other tools
If you are weighing options for reading lessons for kids, Reading Eggs is worth putting on your short list. Its strengths include structured reading lessons with games and progress reports. Good for ages 2 to 13. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is subscription needed. US and UK versions differ. Choose Reading Eggs if reading lessons for kids is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Structured reading lessons with games
- Progress reports
- Good for ages 2 to 13
- Subscription needed
- US and UK versions differ
Monkey Junior appeals to people who need english words for toddlers without extra complexity. Its strengths include word and phonics lessons for ages 0 to 6 and multiple levels. Offline use. We compared its official feature and pricing pages, and the help material covers common setup questions in plain terms, which makes it easier to judge whether the plan fits your needs before you sign up.
The catch is subscription for full lessons. Best for very young kids. Choose Monkey Junior if english words for toddlers is your priority and you can accept that limit. If that limit is a deal breaker, one of the other options in this list may fit better, so compare the comparison table above before you decide.
- Word and phonics lessons for ages 0 to 6
- Multiple levels
- Offline use
- Subscription for full lessons
- Best for very young kids
How we picked these
We started with products that exist and work in October 2026 and truly fit best apps for kids to learn english. We checked each vendor homepage and pricing page, read app store listings where they applied, and looked at privacy and help pages for basic safety and support details. We left out products that were discontinued, that did not match the topic, or that we could not verify from an official source.
We scored the list for range, not just popularity. That means well-known leaders sit next to smaller options that do one job well. Where we could not verify a price from the vendor site, we wrote See website rather than guessing a number.
What to check before you choose
Price and free plan
Start with the total cost, not just the headline price. Some tools charge per user, per month, or per project, and some add fees for extra storage, seats, or premium features. Check whether a free plan is truly free for ongoing use or only a trial, and note when a trial ends so you do not pay for a plan you did not intend to keep.
Fit for your daily use
A strong feature list does not help if the tool does not fit how you work each day. Think about the devices you use, whether you need offline access, and how much setup you are willing to do in the first week. A simpler tool you actually use will serve you better than a powerful tool that stays untouched after the first month.
Support, privacy, and exit options
Read the privacy policy in brief and check how your data can be exported or deleted. Good support, clear terms, and a way to take your data with you matter more over time than a small price difference. If a tool locks your work inside its own format with no export, factor that cost into your choice.
FAQ
What is the best option for best apps for kids to learn english for most people?
For most people, Duolingo ABC is a safe starting point because it covers free reading for young kids with clear pricing. Your best choice still depends on budget and the features you will use weekly. Compare the table above and test a free plan or trial before you commit to a paid plan.
Is there a free option for best apps for kids to learn english?
Yes, several options in this list offer a free plan or a free trial, and the comparison table shows which ones do. Free plans often limit seats, storage, or advanced features, so check those limits against your needs. If you only need basic use, a free plan can be enough for months.
How much should I expect to pay?
Prices vary widely by plan and by whether you pay monthly or yearly, and some products use See website because pricing depends on seats or usage. Start with the starting price in the table, then check the vendor pricing page for the plan that matches your team size or project load. Avoid paying for premium tiers until you know you need them.
How did you choose these options?
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, and public reviews, and we kept only products that exist in October 2026 and fit the topic. We mixed well-known leaders with smaller options that do one job well. We did not claim hands-on testing that did not happen, and we noted honest limits for each product.
Can I switch later if I pick the wrong one?
In most cases, yes, but switching is easier if you can export your data first. Before you sign up, check export options and whether your history, files, or settings transfer to another tool. Keep a backup of key work outside the tool so a move does not mean starting from zero.