Top Pick

Favorite Phonics Games, Apps, and Websites

Phonics is a foundational early reading and writing skill, and that's why there's no shortage of phonics apps, games, and websites out there in the market. With this list, we've narrowed the field down to some phonics favorites, both free and paid, that help students navigate the world of words through building phonemic awareness and spelling skills. All of these tools are well-suited to students and classrooms, offering engaging experiences that will delight kids and encourage them to explore words and build literacy. They also leverage the interactivity and audio-visuality of digital media, helping kids play and experiment with and listen to letter sounds. 

Free Phonics Games, Apps, and Websites

Starfall ABCs Publisher: Starfall Education
ABCs and phonics integrate with fun images, animations, and activities
Grades Pre-K-K
Type App
Price Free
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 3
Teach Your Monster to Read Publisher: The Usborne Foundation
Free phonics adventure oozes charm, has limited learning potential
Grades Pre-K-2
Type Game
Price Free
Platforms Mac, Windows
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 4
Phonics Tic-Tac-Toe Interactive Game Publisher: Lakeshore Learning Materials
Twist on traditional game would get a boost from audio support
Grades K-2
Type App
Price Free
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 3
Phonics Genius Publisher: Innovative Mobile Apps
Quality flashcard-style phonics app missing some basics
Grades K-5
Type App
Price Free
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating 3

Paid Phonics Games, Apps, and Websites

Kids ABC Phonics Publisher: Intellijoy
Good intro for students new to phonics or apps -- or both
Grades Pre-K
Type App
Price $3.99
Platforms Android, Kindle Fire
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 4
Endless Wordplay: School Edition Publisher: Originator Inc.
Rhymes, phonetic approach, silly animations help kids construct words
Grades Pre-K-K
Type App
Price $14.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Rosetta Stone Kids Lingo Word Builder - English Reading and Spanish Speaking Ages 3 - 6 Publisher: Rosetta Stone Ltd.
Sweet early-literacy games introduce English phonics and Spanish vocab
Grades Pre-K-K
Type App
Price Free, Free to Try
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Fire phone
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating 4
Wonster Words (Pro Edition) - spelling with ABC phonics by Puzzling Publisher: 77SPARX Studio
Word construction and silly animations stress phonics and vocab
Grades Pre-K-K
Type App
Price $14.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
abc PocketPhonics: letter sounds & writing + first words Publisher: Apps in My Pocket Ltd
Strong phoneme development activities; good practice
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $6.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Alpha Writer, by Montessorium Publisher: Montessorium, LLC
Well-crafted app lets emerging readers and writers develop reading skills through word building
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $4.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating 3
Beginning Sounds Interactive Game Publisher: Lakeshore Learning Materials
Cute sorting games help kids learn 18 initial sounds
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 3
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Classroom Edition Publisher: Hooked on Phonics
Research-based curriculum adapts beautifully to fun, easy-to-use app
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $49.99
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
Common Sense Rating 5
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Montessori Early Reading - Phonics & Rhyme games Publisher: Les Trois Elles Interactive
Fun with simple words, language sounds best for emerging readers
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $1.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Montessori Letter Sounds - Phonics in English, Spanish, French & Italian Publisher: Les Trois Elles Interactive
Thoughtfully designed, self-paced games bring letters, sounds to life
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $4.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 5
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Touch and Write Phonics Publisher: FizzBrain
Dig into unique writing textures for letter tracing and phonics fun
Grades Pre-K-1
Type App
Price $2.99
Platforms iPad
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 4
Endless Alphabet Publisher: Originator Inc.
Adorable animated monsters teach sophisticated vocabulary
Grades Pre-K-2
Type App
Price Free to Try, Paid
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, Apps for Windows
Common Sense Rating 3
Teacher Rating 4
PocketPhonics Stories Publisher: Apps in My Pocket Ltd
Comprehensive, serious phonics program has great supports, some fun
Grades Pre-K-2
Type App
Price $12.99
Platforms iPad
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Montessori Crosswords Publisher: L'Escapadou
Gently ease kids into phonics with superb Montessori-inspired puzzles
Grades Pre-K-3
Type App
Price $2.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating 4
Starfall Learn to Read Publisher: Starfall Education
Delight emergent readers with lively phonics lessons
Grades K-2
Type App
Price $2.99
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
Common Sense Rating 4
Teacher Rating 4

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