Top 5 English Learning Apps for Kids (Honest Comparison)
An unbiased review of the leading educational apps for children: Spellings.App, Khan Academy Kids, Duolingo ABC, Lingokids, and ABCmouse. Compare features, pricing, and effectiveness.
With hundreds of educational apps promising to teach your child English, choosing the right one feels overwhelming. We've tested dozens of apps with real kids (ages 4-10) over several months to bring you this honest, detailed comparison of the top 5 that actually deliver results.
Our Testing Methodology
We evaluated each app based on educational effectiveness, engagement level, ease of use, value for money, and parent feedback. Each app was tested for at least 30 days with multiple children across different age groups.
| App | Ages | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spellings.App | 4-10 | FREE | Spelling & Vocabulary | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Khan Academy Kids | 2-8 | FREE | All Subjects | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Duolingo ABC | 3-7 | FREE | Reading Basics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Lingokids | 2-8 | $14.99/mo | Playful Learning | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ABCmouse | 2-8 | $12.99/mo | Comprehensive Curriculum | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Spellings.App - Best for Spelling & Vocabulary Mastery
Ages 4-10 | FREE with optional premium
What Makes It Special
Spellings.App stands out for its laser focus on spelling and vocabulary building through AI-powered adaptive learning. Unlike general education apps, it specializes in one thing and does it exceptionally well.
✅ Pros
- • AI adapts to each child's learning pace
- • Visual + audio learning for better retention
- • Gamification keeps kids engaged daily
- • Detailed parent analytics dashboard
- • Spaced repetition for long-term memory
- • No ads or distractions
❌ Cons
- • Limited to English vocabulary/spelling
- • Premium features require subscription
- • Less content variety than comprehensive apps
- • May need supplementing for complete curriculum
👨👩👧 Parent Review
"My daughter went from struggling with basic sight words to confidently spelling complex words in just 6 weeks. The AI really understands her learning style." - Sarah M., mom of 7-year-old
Best For: Children who need focused spelling and vocabulary improvement, especially those struggling with traditional methods or preparing for spelling bees.
2. Khan Academy Kids - Best Free Comprehensive Learning
Ages 2-8 | FREE
What Makes It Special
Completely free with no ads or subscriptions, Khan Academy Kids offers research-backed curriculum created with Stanford experts. It's the gold standard for free educational content.
✅ Pros
- • 100% free forever, no hidden costs
- • No ads or in-app purchases
- • Comprehensive curriculum (all subjects)
- • Adaptive learning path
- • Offline mode available
- • Multiple child profiles
- • Regular content updates
❌ Cons
- • Less gamification than paid apps
- • Limited parent analytics
- • Max age is 8 years old
- • Can feel academic vs. playful
- • No live support
👨👩👧 Parent Review
"I can't believe this is free! My twins have learned so much, from letters to basic math. It's our go-to app for screen time that counts." - Michael T., dad of 5-year-old twins
Best For: Budget-conscious families wanting comprehensive early education, homeschoolers needing a complete curriculum, or as a supplement to other apps.
3. Duolingo ABC - Best for Beginning Readers
Ages 3-7 | FREE
What Makes It Special
From the makers of the famous language app, Duolingo ABC focuses exclusively on teaching reading fundamentals through phonics, sight words, and simple stories—all completely free.
✅ Pros
- • Completely free with no ads
- • Simple, intuitive interface
- • Excellent phonics instruction
- • Short, focused lessons (5-10 min)
- • Multiple child profiles
- • Teaches letter tracing
- • Fun characters and stories
❌ Cons
- • Reading-only focus (no math, etc.)
- • Limited content depth
- • Max age around 7
- • No parent dashboard
- • Less engaging for older kids
- • No advanced vocabulary
👨👩👧 Parent Review
"Perfect for my 4-year-old! Much simpler than ABCmouse, which was overwhelming. She can navigate it herself and loves the little green owl." - Jennifer K., mom of 4-year-old
Best For: Preschoolers and kindergarteners just starting to read, especially those who get overwhelmed by complex apps with too many options.
4. Lingokids - Best for Playful, Interactive Learning
Ages 2-8 | $14.99/month
What Makes It Special
Winner of multiple awards, Lingokids uses "Playlearning™" methodology with over 650 learning objectives. It's incredibly engaging with songs, games, and interactive activities that kids love.
✅ Pros
- • Extremely engaging and fun
- • Oxford University content
- • 21st-century skills focus
- • Adaptive difficulty
- • Offline play mode
- • No ads, COPPA certified
- • Regular new content
❌ Cons
- • Most expensive option
- • Can be overstimulating
- • Limited free version
- • Focus on play vs. academics
- • Some content feels random
👨👩👧 Parent Review
"My son LOVES Lingokids! The songs are catchy (maybe too catchy—I sing them too!). He's learning without realizing it's educational." - Carlos R., dad of 5-year-old
Best For: Young children who need high engagement, ESL learners, or kids who resist traditional educational apps.
5. ABCmouse - Best Comprehensive Paid Curriculum
Ages 2-8 | $12.99/month
What Makes It Special
With over 10,000 activities across all subjects, ABCmouse offers the most comprehensive curriculum available. It's like having an entire preschool/kindergarten program on your device.
✅ Pros
- • Massive content library (10,000+ activities)
- • Complete curriculum path
- • Progress tracking system
- • Virtual classroom rewards
- • Printable worksheets
- • Multiple subjects covered
- • Trusted by schools
❌ Cons
- • Can be overwhelming
- • Interface feels dated
- • Subscription required
- • Heavy marketing emails
- • Some content feels repetitive
- • Navigation can confuse young kids
👨👩👧 Parent Review
"There's SO much content it's almost overwhelming. Great value if you use it fully, but my kids preferred simpler apps. Good for structured learners." - Amanda P., mom of 6 and 8-year-olds
Best For: Families wanting one app for everything, homeschoolers needing full curriculum, or children who thrive with structured learning paths.
How to Choose the Right App for Your Child
Decision Framework
🎯 If Your Priority is Spelling/Vocabulary:
Choose Spellings.App - It's specialized, uses AI effectively, and shows measurable results in weeks, not months.
💰 If Budget is Your Main Concern:
Choose Khan Academy Kids - Completely free with no compromises on quality. Add Duolingo ABC for extra reading practice.
📚 If You Want Everything in One Place:
Choose ABCmouse - Despite the dated interface, it has the most comprehensive content available.
🎮 If Engagement is the Challenge:
Choose Lingokids - Most fun and playful, though less academic. Great for reluctant learners.
📖 If Starting Reading is the Goal:
Choose Duolingo ABC - Simple, focused, and free. Perfect for pre-readers without overwhelming them.
Our Recommended Combinations
🏆 Premium Combo
Spellings.App + Khan Academy Kids
Focused spelling/vocabulary improvement plus free comprehensive curriculum. Total: FREE
💚 Budget Combo
Khan Academy Kids + Duolingo ABC
Complete early education covering all subjects and reading fundamentals. Total: FREE
📚 Homeschool Combo
ABCmouse + Spellings.App
Full curriculum plus specialized spelling support. Total: $12.99/month
🎯 Focused Learning
Spellings.App (standalone)
When spelling and vocabulary are the main challenges. Total: FREE
Real Parent Feedback: What Works
"We tried ABCmouse first but it was too much. Switched to Khan Academy Kids (free!) and added Spellings.App for targeted help. Perfect combination!"
— Rachel T., mother of 7-year-old
"Lingokids kept my ESL student engaged when nothing else would. Yes, it's pricey, but seeing him excited about English is priceless."
— Maria S., ESL teacher and parent
"Started with free apps (Khan & Duolingo ABC) for basics, then added Spellings.App when we identified specific spelling struggles. Strategic and affordable!"
— Tom W., father of twins
Important Considerations
⚠️ Watch Out For:
- • Subscription auto-renewal: Check renewal terms before subscribing
- • Screen time limits: Even educational apps should have boundaries
- • Age appropriateness: Apps work best within their designed age ranges
- • Device compatibility: Check if apps work on your devices before subscribing
- • Data privacy: Ensure apps are COPPA compliant for children's privacy
The Bottom Line: Our Recommendations
Ready to Boost Your Child's Spelling & Vocabulary?
Try Spellings.App free for 7 days. See why parents rate us #1 for spelling improvement.
Try Spellings.App →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple apps together?
Absolutely! Many parents find success combining a free comprehensive app (like Khan Academy Kids) with a specialized paid app (like Spellings.App) for targeted support.
How much screen time is appropriate?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests 1 hour of high-quality content for ages 2-5, and parent-determined limits for 6+. Educational apps can be part of this, but shouldn't be the only activity.
Should I choose free or paid apps?
Start with free options (Khan Academy Kids, Duolingo ABC) to establish learning habits. Add paid apps only when you identify specific needs that free apps don't address well.
My child gets bored quickly. Which app is best?
Lingokids has the highest engagement factor with its playful approach. Spellings.App's gamification also works well for maintaining interest. Avoid apps with long lessons.
Are these apps replacement for tutoring?
Apps are excellent supplements but shouldn't completely replace human interaction. They work best when parents stay involved and celebrate progress together.
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Disclosure: We tested all apps independently over several months. While Spellings.App is our product, we've provided honest assessments of all apps based on real usage and parent feedback. All opinions are genuine and based on actual testing results.
John Hattie Jr.
Chiang Mai, Thailand • Private Researcher
John Hattie Jr. is an independent education researcher based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With a passion for evidence-based learning strategies and educational technology, he focuses on practical applications of cognitive science in childhood education. His research interests include visual learning, gamification, and multilingual education development.
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