Reading.com
A parent-and-child phonics app with 120 scripted lessons, decodable digital storybooks, videos and games that take children ages 3–8 from letter sounds to a late first grade reading level.
What is Reading.com?
Reading.com is a learn-to-read app from Reading.com LLC, published in app stores under Teaching.com. It is a co-play program: a parent and child sit together, and the app gives the parent a script for each short phonics lesson. The goal is plain. Start with letter sounds and finish at a late first grade reading level.
The core idea is that you are the teacher and the app is your lesson plan. You don't need training in phonics. The app tells you what to say, which sound to model and when to let your child try.
How it works
Each lesson takes about 15 to 20 minutes. A typical day looks like this:
- Open the next lesson and read the script aloud.
- Practice a new letter sound or pattern together.
- Blend and read words that use only the sounds taught so far.
- Read a short decodable storybook in the app.
- Let your child play one of the reading games alone, if they want more.
The decodable books matter. Your child reads words they can sound out, rather than guessing from pictures. Printables give you off-screen practice.
What it covers
| Part | What's included |
|---|---|
| Lessons | 120 scripted phonics lessons |
| Books | 84 interactive decodable storybooks |
| Videos | 42 letter and letter-sound videos |
| Games | 5 games for independent practice |
| Skills | Letters, blends, long vowel sounds, digraphs, plus newer word-parts and spelling activities |
It does not teach grammar, writing or handwriting. Reading.com is a beginning reading program, so plan what comes next once your child finishes.
Who it's best for
Reading.com fits preschoolers and kindergartners whose parents want a clear, scripted path and can give 15 minutes a day. It also suits families who like the step-by-step style of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons but want it on a tablet.
Look elsewhere if you need an app your child can use alone, or if your child is already past first grade reading. Older or struggling readers usually need a longer program, such as those on our reading programs for struggling readers page.
Pricing at a glance
Reading.com costs about $12.49 a month or $74.99 a year after a 7-day free trial, based on App Store list prices in October 2026. The trial converts to a paid plan automatically. The Reading.com pricing page covers plans, cancellation and refunds in detail.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Arizona's ESA law lists curricula and supplementary materials as allowed expenses, and other state scholarship and ESA programs have similar categories. Each program decides which products and vendors qualify. See Arizona ESA rules and Florida scholarships for two of the largest programs. You can save Reading.com to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to the programs that fit your family.
How it compares
- Hooked on Phonics uses more independent, game-style practice. See Hooked on Phonics vs Reading.com.
- Reading Eggs is more self-directed, with broader content. See Reading.com vs Reading Eggs.
- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is the low-cost book version of a scripted approach.
- Duolingo ABC is free, but less structured.
For more options, browse phonics programs, phonics for kindergarten and our list of the best reading apps for kids.
Who Reading.com is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Parents who want to teach reading themselves with a script
- Preschoolers and kindergartners starting from letter sounds
- Families who prefer decodable books over guessing from pictures
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want an app the child can use alone
- Children already reading beyond a first grade level
- Kids who need lots of game variety to stay engaged
Reading.com pros and cons
Pros
- Fully scripted lessons, so parents need no training
- Decodable storybooks match the phonics taught in each lesson
- Short 15–20 minute sessions
- Ad-free, with profiles for more than one child
- Clear endpoint: a late first grade reading level
Cons
- Requires an adult for every lesson
- Ends around first grade, so older strugglers outgrow it
- Subscription price varies by offer and platform
- Some children find the lesson format repetitive
What’s included
- 120 step-by-step phonics lessons for a grown-up and child to do together
- 84 interactive decodable digital storybooks
- 42 videos on letters and letter sounds
- 5 reading games for independent practice
- Printable activities and lessons scripted for parents
- Ad-free; lessons take about 15–20 minutes
How much does Reading.com cost?
Reading.com is a subscription. The US App Store lists the monthly plan at $12.49 and the annual plan at $74.99, and also shows a $14.99 monthly option, so the price you are offered can vary by offer and platform. One subscription covers the family, with separate child profiles.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.49/mo | Monthly | $12.49/mo |
| Annual | $74.99/yr | Yearly | $6.25/mo |
Free trial: 7-day free trial on monthly and annual plans. It converts to a paid plan automatically unless you cancel before it ends.
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.
On the US App Store, Reading.com holds a 4.7 average from about 75,000 ratings as of October 2026. Parents most often praise the step-by-step, parent-led structure. Independent comparison write-ups summarizing Reddit threads note that some children find it less exciting than game-heavy apps, and the Amazon Appstore version has a much lower rating from a small number of reviews.
Common praise
- Scripted lessons show parents exactly how to model blending and decoding
- Calm design that is engaging without being overstimulating
- Fits families who like the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons style
Common complaints
- Needs a parent sitting with the child every day
- Fewer games than other reading apps; some kids call it repetitive
- Low rating on the Amazon Appstore from a small sample
Sources: apps.apple.com · id1534938305 · brighterly.com · reading com vs hooked on phonics · amazon.com · B0CYVPFFMY
Reading.com family reviews
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Reading.com FAQs
How much is Reading.com?
As of October 2026, the US App Store lists Reading.com at $12.49 a month or $74.99 a year, with a $14.99 monthly option also shown. Prices can differ between the website, the App Store and Google Play, so check the price on the screen before you start the trial.
Is Reading.com free?
No. Reading.com offers a 7-day free trial, then charges for a monthly or annual plan. The trial turns into a paid plan automatically unless you cancel before it ends.
How do I cancel Reading.com?
Cancel where you paid. App Store and Google Play subscriptions are canceled in the store's subscription settings. Website subscriptions can be canceled from your account or by emailing support@reading.com with the subject Cancellation. You keep access until the paid period ends, and partial periods are not refunded.
What ages is Reading.com for?
The app is built for ages 3–8. It starts with letter sounds and aims to bring a child to a late first grade reading level, so it fits preschool through first grade best.
Can my child use Reading.com alone?
Not for the main lessons. They are designed for a grown-up and child to do together, with the adult reading from a script. The five reading games are meant for independent play.
Is Reading.com good for homeschool?
Many homeschool families use it as their beginning reading program because it is scripted and open-and-go. It covers phonics and decodable reading, not spelling, grammar or handwriting, so most families add those separately.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for Reading.com?
Some education savings account programs allow curriculum and learning software, which may include a reading app like this. Each program decides what qualifies and how purchases are made. You can save Reading.com to your Edulist wishlist and apply once to programs in your state.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: