Epic
A kids' digital library of 40,000+ ebooks, read-to-me books, audiobooks and short learning videos for children 12 and under, with a paid family plan and free school-day access through teachers.
What is Epic?
Epic is a digital library for kids 12 and under. It runs in a web browser and in apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. Families get more than 40,000 ebooks, read-to-me books, audiobooks and short learning videos from publishers such as HarperCollins and National Geographic. It is made by Epic Creations, Inc. and is often called "getepic" after its web address.
The core idea is simple: give a child a huge, ad-free shelf of books that matches their age and reading level, and let them explore.
How it works
You create a parent account and up to four child profiles. Each child sets an age and interests. Epic then recommends books, and the parent dashboard shows what each child finished and how long they read.
A typical session looks like this:
- Your child opens their profile and picks a book, or one you assigned.
- Pre-readers choose a read-to-me book or an audiobook and follow along.
- Independent readers read on their own, tap words for audio definitions, and take a short quiz.
- They earn badges and reading time, which you can see on your dashboard.
You can download books for offline reading, which helps on trips. Parent involvement is light. The main job is setting the right age so your child stays in age-appropriate books.
What it covers
Epic is broad, not sequential. There is no scope and sequence, no placement test and no phonics lessons.
| Reader stage | What Epic offers |
|---|---|
| Pre-readers, ages 2–5 | Read-to-me picture books, songs and audiobooks |
| Beginning readers, K–2 | Early readers, leveled picture books, quizzes |
| Growing readers, grades 3–5 | Chapter books, graphic novels, nonfiction, videos |
| Ages 11–12 | A smaller selection; Common Sense Media notes the collection favors younger readers |
Some books are available in Spanish, French and Chinese.
Who it's best for
Epic fits families who want lots of books at home without trips to the library, and kids who love read-alouds. It is a strong add-on to a phonics program for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Look elsewhere if your child is still learning letter sounds and needs direct instruction. In that case, start with Hooked on Phonics, Reading Eggs or Teach Your Monster to Read. For teen readers, a public library app is usually a better match.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, the App Store lists Epic Family at $13.99 per month or $84.99 per year after a 7-day free trial. Prices have changed several times and differ by platform and promotion, so check the checkout screen before you start. Epic School is free for teachers and students from 7am to 4pm local time, so ask your child's teacher whether their class uses it.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Maybe. Epic is a digital library, not a full curriculum, and education savings account rules differ on subscriptions like this. Some programs allow educational software; others limit spending to curriculum and tutoring. Each program decides. Learn what your state allows on the scholarships hub, or read what ESA funds can buy. You can save Epic to your Edulist wishlist and apply once to the programs you qualify for.
How it compares
- Starfall teaches phonics and early math for much less, but it has far fewer books.
- Reading Eggs adds structured lessons and a placement test on top of an ebook library.
- ABCmouse and Khan Academy Kids cover more subjects for younger children.
Browse more reading programs, free reading apps and our list of the best reading apps for kids.
Who Epic is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Kids ages 4–10 who already read a little and want lots of variety
- Families who travel and want offline books on a tablet
- Pre-readers who enjoy read-to-me books and audiobooks
- Classrooms, where it is free during the school day
Look elsewhere if
- Teaching a child to read from scratch; pair it with a phonics program
- Strong readers over 12 looking for popular teen series
- Families who want zero screen time
Epic pros and cons
Pros
- Very large library, including read-to-me titles and audiobooks
- Ad-free, with up to 4 kid profiles on one plan
- Offline reading for car rides and flights
- Free for teachers and students during school hours
- Quizzes, badges and reading logs help reluctant readers
Cons
- Not a structured phonics or reading program
- Collection leans toward picture books and beginner chapter books
- Younger kids can sometimes reach books meant for older readers
- Prices vary between the web and app stores and change often
What’s included
- 40,000+ books, audiobooks and learning videos, per the App Store listing
- Read-to-me books and narrated audiobooks
- Up to 4 child profiles on Epic Family with a parent dashboard
- Offline downloads
- Quizzes, badges and reading-time tracking
- Some titles in Spanish, French and Chinese
- Free Epic School access for teachers and students during school hours
How much does Epic cost?
Families pay for Epic Family, which covers up to 4 child profiles. As of October 2026 the Apple App Store lists a $13.99 monthly plan and an $84.99 annual plan, along with several older or promotional price points. Epic's own family page does not print prices, and offers change often, so confirm the price at checkout. Epic School is free for verified educators and their students during school hours.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Family, monthly (App Store) | $13.99/mo | Monthly | $13.99/mo |
| Epic Family, annual (App Store) | $84.99/yr | Yearly | $7.08/mo |
| Epic School (teachers and students, school hours) | Free | Yearly | Free |
Free trial: 7-day free trial of Epic Family, per the App Store listing and Epic's family pages.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
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.
Public App Store reviews are strongly positive about Epic becoming part of bedtime and daily reading routines. The most common complaints are about age filtering and occasional bugs. Common Sense Media parent reviews raise subscription and customer-service frustrations.
Common praise
- Sparks daily reading habits, including at bedtime
- Read-to-me and audio options for pre-readers
- Collections, quizzes and badges keep kids engaged
Common complaints
- Search can surface books meant for much older readers
- A 'reading too fast' check frustrates some kids
- Subscription and billing problems in some parent reviews
Sources: apps.apple.com · id719219382 · commonsensemedia.org · epic kids books and videos
Epic family reviews
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Epic FAQs
Is the Epic reading app free?
Epic is free for teachers and their students during school hours (7am–4pm local time) through Epic School. At home, families need the paid Epic Family plan after a 7-day free trial. Some schools pay for Epic School Plus, which extends access to 24/7.
How much does Epic cost per month?
As of October 2026, the Apple App Store lists Epic Family at $13.99 per month or $84.99 per year. Epic runs promotions and its web prices can differ, so check the price on the checkout screen before you start the trial.
What ages is Epic for?
Epic describes itself as a digital reading platform for kids 12 and under. In practice the library is deepest for preschool through about 4th grade, with many picture books, early readers and beginner chapter books.
Does Epic teach kids how to read?
Not on its own. Epic is a library with read-to-me books, audiobooks and quizzes, not a step-by-step phonics course. Pair it with a phonics program such as Hooked on Phonics, Reading Eggs or UFLI if your child is still learning to decode.
How do I cancel Epic?
Cancel from your Epic parent account settings if you subscribed on the web. If you subscribed in the iPhone, iPad or Android app, cancel in your Apple or Google Play subscription settings, because deleting the app doesn't stop billing.
Can kids use Epic offline?
Yes. The App Store listing says books can be downloaded for offline reading on Apple devices, which is handy for trips. Downloads need to happen while you're connected.
Can I use an ESA or scholarship to pay for Epic?
Possibly. Some education savings account programs allow online learning subscriptions, but rules differ by state and many favor full curricula. Save Epic to your Edulist wishlist and check your state's scholarship page to see what applies.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: