Ello
An AI reading and math tutor app for ages 4–9 that listens as a child reads decodable books aloud, helps when they get stuck and adapts the next session. The current Ello 2.0 app is free to start with an optional paid upgrade.
What is Ello?
Ello is an AI tutor app that helps young children learn to read, and now practice early math. Its main feature is listening. Your child reads a book out loud, and Ello's speech recognition, designed for children's voices, follows along, notices mistakes and helps when they get stuck.
Ello Technology, Inc. was founded by Tom Sayer, Dr. Elizabeth Adams and Catalin Voss. It's a public benefit corporation. The original app, Read with Ello, paired the AI coach with decodable ebooks and printed books. Its newer app, Ello 2.0, rolling out through 2026, adds math and a free tier.
How it works
Children use Ello on an iPhone, iPad or Android device. Each day, Ello suggests a short plan called a Daily Quest that mixes reading and math, up to about 15 minutes.
A typical session:
- Ello picks a decodable book that matches the sounds your child has learned.
- Your child reads aloud. Ello listens and helps on tricky words.
- A short game practices a phonics skill or a math idea.
- Ello adjusts the next session based on what went well and what didn't.
Parents get progress reports. You don't need to sit beside your child for every session, though reading real books together off-screen still matters.
What it covers
| Area | What children practice |
|---|---|
| Pre-reading | Letter sounds and early phonemic awareness, starting in pre-K |
| Phonics and decoding | Reading 1,200+ decodable books built on the Science of Reading |
| Fluency | Reading aloud with real-time feedback |
| Early math | Counting, numbers and addition |
Sources differ on the exact top grade: the App Store says pre-K through grade 5, and Google Play says pre-K through grade 3. Most families use it from about age 4 to 8.
Who it's best for
Ello is a good fit for kids who are learning to decode and need lots of read-aloud practice, especially when a parent can't listen to every session. Shy readers sometimes find it easier to read to an app first.
It isn't a full reading curriculum. Children with dyslexia or major gaps benefit from structured, explicit teaching like All About Reading or a dyslexia-focused reading program.
Pricing at a glance
Ello 2.0 is free to download and use for daily activities, with no ads. An optional paid upgrade adds the full AI tutoring experience. As of October 2026, Ello doesn't publish that price on its website, so check the amount in the app before you subscribe. Families in certain government assistance programs have been offered a reduced price through Ello Access.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly, if you upgrade. Some education savings account programs allow educational app subscriptions, while others focus on curriculum and tutoring. Each program decides. Learn more about what ESA funds can buy, save Ello to your Edulist wishlist, and check the scholarships in your state.
How it compares
- Amira Learning uses a similar listening AI, but it's sold to schools.
- Reading Eggs offers structured lessons and a big ebook library, but it doesn't listen to kids read.
- Hooked on Phonics combines an app with printed workbooks and storybooks each month.
- Teach Your Monster to Read is a free-on-computer phonics game.
See more reading apps and the best reading apps for kids.
Who Ello is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Kids ages 5–8 practicing reading aloud with decodable books
- Families who can't always sit and listen to every practice session
- Beginning readers who are shy about reading aloud to adults
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting a complete, parent-led reading curriculum
- Households needing several child profiles on the free app today
- Children already reading fluently beyond about 3rd grade
Ello pros and cons
Pros
- Listens to kids read aloud instead of only multiple choice
- Decodable books follow a phonics scope and sequence
- Free tier with no ads
- Adds early math alongside reading
- Made by a public benefit corporation with literacy researchers
Cons
- Upgrade price isn't published on the website
- Ello 2.0 reviews mention one child per account for now
- Free daily activity amount feels short to some parents
- Phones and tablets only; no web version
What’s included
- AI tutor that listens to kids read aloud and corrects mistakes in real time
- 1,200+ decodable books built on the Science of Reading, per the App Store listing
- Early math games covering counting, numbers and addition
- Daily Quests mixing reading and math, up to about 15 minutes
- Progress reports for parents
- Free to start, with no ads
How much does Ello cost?
Ello 2.0 is free to download and use for daily reading and math activities with no ads. Ello says an optional paid upgrade with premium features is available, but its website doesn't list the price as of October 2026, so check the amount shown in the app before subscribing. The earlier Read with Ello app was subscription-based, and independent reviews from 2025–2026 recorded different prices over time.
Free trial: Not needed to start; the free tier is open to all families.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
The new Ello 2.0 app has a small number of App Store ratings (3.9 stars from 29 as of October 2026). Parents like that it's interactive and good for practice, but several who used the original Ello dislike the single-child limit and short free sessions.
Common praise
- Interactive, fun and easy for young children
- Good supplement for daily reading practice
- Responsive support that fixed reported problems
Common complaints
- Only one child per account in Ello 2.0
- Two activities a day isn't enough for some families
- Occasional bugs with grade-level settings
Sources: apps.apple.com · id6739630070
Ello family reviews
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Ello FAQs
Is the Ello reading app free?
Ello 2.0 is free to start. Families can use daily reading games, math games and Daily Quests at no cost with no ads. An optional paid upgrade unlocks the full AI tutoring experience.
How much does Ello cost?
Ello does not list the upgrade price on its website as of October 2026. The price appears in the app before you subscribe. Earlier versions of Read with Ello used a monthly or annual subscription, and prices changed over time.
What ages is Ello for?
The App Store listing says ages 4 to 9. It supports pre-readers starting in pre-K and covers early reading and phonics, plus early math such as counting and addition.
How does Ello's AI reading tutor work?
Your child reads a decodable book aloud to the app. Ello's speech recognition, built for children's voices, listens, catches mistakes and steps in with help, then adapts the next session to the skills your child needs.
Is Ello good for struggling readers?
It can help with practice because it listens and gives feedback during oral reading, which many apps don't. A child with significant reading difficulties or dyslexia still needs structured, explicit instruction from an adult or specialist.
What devices does Ello work on?
Ello 2.0 is available on iPhone and iPad through the App Store and on Android through Google Play. There's no web version for computers.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: