# Cambugs: Letter Sounds

> Interactive app for children to learn letter sounds for reading fluency. (iPhone/iPad app by Cambugs.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-letter-sounds/id574190228 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cambugs](https://appshunter.io/developer/574190431)
- Category: Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 42 App Store ratings · 27 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.4 · 12 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-11-13
- Data updated: 2026-07-05
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-letter-sounds/id574190228/reviews.md

## What is Cambugs?

Cambugs: Letter Sounds teaches children the initial phonemes (letter sounds) which are the first step on their journey to become fluent, confident readers. 

Cambugs has been developed by educational psychologists and parents, working in partnership with the University of Cambridge. We know the importance of parents taking an active role in their children’s learning, so we developed an app where parents/teachers and children work together.

Cambugs: Letter Sounds is targeted at pre-readers, as well as struggling older readers. It uses evidence-based techniques that research has shown helps children develop their reading skills. You will notice in this app that children engage in lots of repetition — this is because this is a very effective strategy for ensuring that children remember and retain the sounds that they learn. There is also a test for ensuring that your child is able to remember their letter sounds quickly and fluently — this is because fluency is a key skill needed for becoming a confident reader.

◆ Developed by educational psychologists using teaching techniques that we know work.

◆ Teaches your child their letter sounds to a level where they can demonstrate confidence and fluency — key skills needed for later word reading and comprehension of text.

◆ Uniquely designed as a joint activity so that you are guiding your child through their learning. Think of it as being a bit like sitting down and reading a story with your child. 

◆ When children learn a new sound they are rewarded with a ‘Cambug’. These bugs have been designed by children for children.

◆ Statistics screen shows you how many letter sounds your child knows and which sounds they need to learn. This is very useful if being used in a school setting. 

Cambugs: Letter Sounds includes four activities :

‣ Sorting: Sort letter sounds into two piles (sounds your child knows and sounds that have yet to be learned ). This initial activity ensures the app is personalised to meet the specific learning needs of your child.

‣ Learning: Children learn a new letter sound alongside letter sounds that they know already. This is called ‘incremental learning’ and ensures your child remembers their sounds.

‣ Fluency Test: Children are timed to see how quickly they can say each sound. The app automatically puts letters that your child has not yet learned fluently back in the unknown pile to be re-learned at a later date. If your child likes the competitive element of the test, switch on the Time Challenge.

‣ Bug Collection: Your child will find a new bug in their collection whenever they learn a new sound and they can visit this at any time!

This free version is limited to two users. Unlimited users are available with an in-app purchase, or by purchasing Cambugs: Letter Sounds Schools — also available on the App Store.

## Key features

- Teaches initial phonemes (letter sounds)
- Joint learning activity for parents/teachers and children
- Evidence-based learning techniques
- Sorting, Learning, and Fluency Test activities
- Bug collection reward system
- Statistics screen for progress tracking

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Users | $2.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 27)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-letter-sounds/id574190228/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Accessibility

*2021-03-23, version 2.1*

Can you make this app accessible to non-speaking individuals who are learning to read? It would be great if there was an option in the settings that added two to four buttons at the bottom that offered auditory choices of letter sounds that a non-speaking child could use to make a choice.

### 3/5 — Needs some work

*2017-08-07, version 1.6*

Why can't you see each child's results (how many they've gotten wrong or right and which ones they missed) I would keep this app if they fixed that.

### 3/5 — Great for First letter sounds

*2017-05-11, version 1.6*

My 3yo uses this app, with my supervision and help. It has really helped him learn letter sounds, which is exactly what I was looking for. He really likes earning bugs, and playing with them. There are a few things that I really dislike about the app. Some of the sounds that the "instructor" gives are wrong. We haven't made it very far (10 letters in), but for sure, the "r" is wrong. If I wasn't constantly watching him play, and coaching him through it, this could really mess with his reading skills. Another thing I don't like, is the amount of time they give for the test. He knows these letters, but he likes to take a quick breath before saying the sound, and it's not fast enough to qualify as "knowing" the sound. When he misses those letters in the test, he has to start all over to learn them. I think it would be better to give them more time, and let them move on and teach him some more letters.

### 4/5 — Nice but Limited

*2015-12-07, version 1.5*

I really like this , however will not purchase an upgrade since I can't select targets to work on. Needs more options for setting.

### 4/5 — Love it!

*2015-09-17, version 1.4*

My son really likes this app and it has helped him learn his letter sounds

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2015-05-09, version 1.2*

This is the best app I have ever come across for teaching children there phonics, I have tried many different apps and none can deliver the help needed but Cambugs! I recommend it to everyone as it has really really helped me. THANK YOU CAMBUGS!! Anyone who thinks this app is bad clearly doesn't get it and doesn't know how to teach children to learn and have a good time doing so. As a mother with two children each with learning difficulties I found this app incredible! Now both my boys can say there alphabet!

### 5/5 — Great

*2014-07-18, version 1.2*

Well I just wrote a very thoughtful review and it was all erased.  To be brief - I think this is an excellent teaching tool.  Only thing I would change is that I would like to control which order the sounds are introduced to match up with the sequence that I am teaching them.

### 5/5 — Really helpful

*2013-11-17, version 1.2*

Both my children like this app alot they are 5 and 6 years.  It's great to see how well thought out the app is for learning and remembering the child and their progress through the levels.  Very impressed :))

### 5/5 — Excellent app!

*2013-11-10, version 1.2*

Exactly what I was after for my reception age child. Uses phonic sound not letter names!!

### 3/5 — Teaching tool, not really a game

*2013-10-29, version 1.2*

Useful educational program but not really a game, and not for children who don't already know letter sounds. This app starts off testing children on which letter sounds they know, and it's a sort of flash card reinforcement program. Kids win bugs if they get they right but, at least as far as we got, there are no learning theoh play activities. The parent works with the child, using the program as an additional tool to teach letter sounds. This is not an educational game that the child can play alone. I was hoping for something that would teach the letter sounds in a fun way, like the Letterland program or Jolly Phonics. Unfortunately it's really difficult to find any apps with a British accent which are suitable for beginners.

## Frequently asked questions about Cambugs

### What does Cambugs: Letter Sounds do?

Cambugs: Letter Sounds teaches children initial phonemes, or letter sounds, which are crucial for developing reading fluency and confidence. It employs evidence-based techniques and is designed for collaborative learning between children and adults.

### What are the key activities in the app?

The app features four main activities: Sorting, where letter sounds are categorized based on what the child knows; Learning, which introduces new sounds alongside known ones; Fluency Test, which times children to assess their speed and accuracy with sounds; and Bug Collection, a reward system where children earn 'Cambugs' for learning new sounds.

### How much does Cambugs: Letter Sounds cost?

A free version of the app is available, which is limited to two users. Unlimited users can be accessed through an in-app purchase, or by purchasing the 'Cambugs: Letter Sounds Schools' version.

### Who is this app designed for?

This app is primarily targeted at pre-readers who are just beginning their reading journey. It is also beneficial for older children who are struggling with reading and need to reinforce their foundational phonics skills.

### How does the app help children learn and retain letter sounds?

The app utilizes a strategy of repetition, which is a proven method for ensuring children remember and retain the letter sounds they learn. It also includes a fluency test to help children become quick and confident in their sound recognition, a key skill for reading.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1 — 2018-10-02

Support for iOS 12 and the new iPhones.

Removes the 1 from the app name on device to make it easier to find the app that was just downloaded.

### 2.0 — 2018-09-05

Stickers, landscape, Split View and more.

This update adds a Messages sticker pack with all the bugs.

Cambugs is now fully unified across iPhone and iPad and works at any shape and size.

• The app can now be used in landscape.
• Supports Split View and Slide Over on iPad.
• Runs at the proper size on iPhone X and the 10.5" iPad Pro.

The passcode lock feature has been removed.

This update requires iOS 11 or later.

### 1.6 — 2016-07-24

• Cambugs now appears at native size on the big iPad Pro.
• The timed test has been renamed to the fluency test.

### 1.5 — 2015-09-17

This little update ensures everything works correctly on iOS 9.

### 1.4 — 2015-06-22

Cambugs First Words is now available, which is the final step on children’s journeys to become fluent, confident readers.

Bugs now bounce around in the bug collection.

You can tap letters on the statistics screen to hear their sound hints.

The backgrounds in activities on iPhone are more interesting, they match iPad.

Improved use of the larger screens on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

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## More apps by Cambugs

- [Cambugs 2: Phonics](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-2-phonics/id676677690)
- [Cambugs: Letter Sounds Schools](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-letter-sounds-schools/id874415942)
- [Cambugs 3: First Words](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-3-first-words/id929792621)

All apps by Cambugs: https://appshunter.io/developer/574190431

## Related topics

[letter sounds teach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/letter-sounds-teach)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-05.*