# Phonogram Sounds — user reviews > 46 indexed App Store user reviews of Phonogram Sounds by All About Learning Press, Inc., rated 4.00/5 from 84 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonogram-sounds/id797098295/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonogram-sounds/id797098295.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 49 · 4★ 10 · 3★ 12 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 12 ## Newest reviews (15 of 46) ### 4/5 — Great free app *2022-05-20, version 1.8.1* Thanks for developing this free app! My kindergartener is enjoying it. ### 4/5 — Works ok *2021-05-12* If you can’t hear it, check sound. ### 4/5 — User friendly but not Spalding compatible *2021-03-03* I liked the layout and UI of this app and think it’s very easy to use but quickly discovered the sounds are not complete according to Spalding rules. **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! Orton-Gillingham teaches things just a bit differently than Spalding. It includes a few sounds that Spalding doesn't (or that Spalding teaches as "advanced" sounds), and vice versa. The app was designed to go with the All About Reading and All About Spelling programs, and any sounds that are handled differently are taught directly in the lessons instead. Thanks for checking out the app! ### 4/5 — Sort of useless above K *2018-12-19* We love this program and I have used it to teach both of my kids good reasoning skills. However, this aap does not reflect the program. The program is awesome and comprehensive. This aap is good for those learning from a non-native speaking place or those who don't get to work a lot one-on-one with their kids in making the sounds. The multiple sounds repeated often are quite confusing for a little one. Just as a thought, maybe you could check a level? And as you move from level 1 to 2, or say 3 to 4, the new learned sounds are then all audible. Additionally, I searched in multiple ways for the movable tile aap, and it seems to be gone. I completely agree that without the tiles being movable, there isn't much of a point to the aap. Trying to be empathetic, I imagine part of the challenge could be because multiple sounds are for each letter. What an opportunity for the student to show how they know how to choose the sound! Again, if the sounds were available by level, when they pick a tile for a sound, and then put it into the word, they could be prompted to choose which sound it is! This is a help for both spelling and reading! I gave this 4 stars instead of 1 because the program is great, and the developer has been so, so responsive to comments. But the aap on its own without those factors is a one star to me. I know in the future you'll make it a 4 or 5 like your program!! **Developer response:** Hi Kimes homeschooling! So glad you have enjoyed our program! For an app that just has the first sound for each letter, check out our Letter Sounds A to Z app instead: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/letter-sounds-app/ This one is used for the Pre-reading program but can also be helpful in Level 1 before your child starts learning the multiple sounds. The apps are supplemental to the program and are just a way for students to review sounds—they are definitely not meant to replace the reading or spelling programs in any way! We do have the Letter Tiles app as well—here’s a link for you: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/letter-tiles-app/ This one is only available for tablets, so if you were trying to find it in the store on your phone, that’s why it didn’t show up. The Letter Tiles app can be used in place of the physical letter tiles, or in addition to them for days you want to take spelling or reading on the go. Thanks for your interest and for taking the time to review our app! ### 3/5 — Only for U.S. *2018-09-24* This is a good resource - if you use American pronunciation for vowel sounds and sounding the letter ‘r’. If not, it’s just confusing. ### 4/5 — Simple and clear but needs more *2016-08-18* I've been using AAS since Level 1 and was excited about this app for reviewing the phonogram sounds, but Level 6 phonograms are missing here. Not helpful for this year. 🙁 **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! We'll consider this for future apps. This app covers the "basic phonograms" which are used in 97% of English words. Advanced phonograms are only taught through the All About Spelling program. ### 4/5 — Clear Phonetic Sounds *2016-06-08* We use All About Spelling and find this app helpful. The sound is clear and accurate. It would be nice if the tapped tile would enlarge. It should not be a substitute for phono cards but a handy when running errands. **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! We'll consider this for the future. ### 3/5 — Needs more! *2016-04-21* Once tapped on a letter it should enlarge flash card so you aren't still looking at all cards while hearing sound. Audio/visual processing is so important when learning to read and spell. **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! We'll consider this for the future. ### 4/5 — Great! ....but *2015-10-01* This app is wonderful for use during the All About Reading and Spelling programs. I'm so glad I can use it to be sure that I'm saying things correctly. However, it would be so great if there could be a small interactive game app that the kids could use to assist them in learning these phonograms correctly! **Developer response:** Thanks for your suggestion! ### 3/5 — Better if Tiles Moved *2015-09-12* My family loves All About Spelling. It has helped our 7 year old learn to spell and expand his vocabulary. But this app has little use beyond sounding out the phonograms. The tiles don't move and you can't build words. I think it would be much better if it could be used in lieu of the magnetic tiles. **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! We have now created a movable tiles app. You can check that out at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/letter-tiles-for-learning/id1314838376?ls=1&mt=8 ### 5/5 — Not Spalding Method *2014-09-02* This is a nice app, but it's missing several phonograms from the Spalding Method which is what our school is using. Spalding contains 87 so while helpful for auditory learning, this app isn't a complete set for us. It would be great if the developer could design one same as this, but with a complete Spalding set using the word cues. **Developer response:** This app was created to complement the All About Reading and All About Spelling programs, and covers the basic phonograms that are used in 97% of English words. The advanced phonograms are taught directly through our programs. Check them out at https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/ Thanks for your interest! ### 4/5 — Not bad, useful *2014-08-31* And this could be much better if it were a game, something interactive where it played the sounds, then allowed the child to either select the correct monogram or type in the letters using the keyboard. I'd even pay for that! **Developer response:** Thanks for your suggestion! ### 4/5 — Great app, suggested improvements... *2014-03-12, version 1.1* We use the All About Spelling curriculum, and I have been hoping for an app! This one is a great start, but I would LOVE to have the letter tile/word building magnet board as part of the app so we can use it for lessons on the go! We travel a lot and like to learn outside, but lugging the magnet board around results in lost pieces. If my daughter could use an app for that occasionally I would gladly pay to download it! ### 4/5 — Great app! *2014-03-07, version 1.1* There are some that need to be added or corrected: /i/ only 2 sounds. No /e/ sound. /r/ not as in /er/ but /r/ as in run /x/ has a 2nd sound /gz/ as in example /ou/ you have 4 sounds. The 5th sound is a short /oo/ as in would /ei/ 3rd sound - short /i/ as in money /oe/ 2nd sound - long oo as in shoe /wor/ should be added in the /er/ group. It has an /er/ sound in word, worship. Not hear the /w/ /ear/ has 3 sounds. /er/ as in earth, /ear/ as on hear and /ear/ as in bear. For the most part this is an awesome app. Closest I've found to how I teach. ### 5/5 — Best Phonogram App! *2014-02-21, version 1.1* Great for parents to help their kids complete homework. Thank you! Well done!! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Sound not working *2022-03-30, version 1.8.1* I’m raising the volume and when I tap a letter no sound comes out. Useless. Please fix! ### 1/5 — Crashing *2015-05-27, version 1.2* Would like to use the app but it won't let me in...when this gets fixed then I would be able to properly rate it. Thanks ### 1/5 — Boring.stopped working *2014-01-28, version 1.0* Its a page with letters and blends, you touch it and it says the sound or sounds. If it has more than one sound, it will go right into the next. I can use a better app. Now its not working. So, i, deleting it. ### 1/5 — No sound *2014-01-24, version 1.0* Looks good, but no sound. ### 1/5 — Phonogram sounds all about learning *2014-01-21* This iPad app doesn't work. I have downloaded it a few times and it's stick, no audio no movement. ### 1/5 — No sounds *2014-01-21, version 1.0* Downloaded the app on my iPad mini and app opens up but when clicking any button none of them make any sound ### 2/5 — Has potential *2014-03-24, version 1.1* This app has potential for teaching the all the sounds letters and/or letter combinations make BUT I am very surprised that the sound given for /r/ and /wr/ are /er/ rather than the correct /r/. This would make the word run pronounced erun and the word write- erite. This requires immediate correction. ### 2/5 — Excited for this! *2014-01-21, version 1.0* The list of phonograms is cut off and does not fully appear on my Ipad screen. Now you just need an All About Reading app for all the words they learn. The word appears on the screen and then they read the word and click on the word to see if they are correct. And put Ziggy in it! ### 3/5 — R says /er/ *2023-11-16, version 2.2.3* Why does R says /er/ and not /r/. That’s incorrect and super frustrating! Please fix ### 3/5 — Can’t build words… *2022-02-03* The sounds are great, but I wanted the app where we could build the words - we’ve had a hard time keeping track of all the letter tiles so I thought an app would help us. We don’t currently have an iPad though… so we can’t use the app. Bummer. **Developer response:** Check out our Letter Tiles app. It's a moveable tile app available for iPad, Android, and Amazon Tablets. This page has more information: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/letter-tiles-app/ If you have any questions, email me at support@allaboutlearningpress.com. Thanks for your interest! ~Merry :-) ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Pairs perfectly with AAR *2025-08-29* We have loved having this as a complimentary tool. We start practicing in preschool with a whiteboard and dry erase and by kindergarten we are working to blend and decode. **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! I'm glad it's working well for you! ~Merry :-) ### 5/5 — Videos *2024-10-23* I wish this app had videos to show how to place you lips and tongue **Developer response:** Thanks for your suggestion! ~Merry :-) ### 5/5 — Nice app but don’t get for fun. *2024-10-07* I use this app for school and I learned a lot but it’s not meant for fun. Good app. **Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! I'm glad the app was helpful. ~Merry :-) ### 5/5 — Special education teacher here! Love this app! *2024-07-22* Special education teacher here! Love this app to help my students hear the sounds as we are working through a lesson. It’s not meant to be a standalone lesson. I sometimes have a hard time saying the sounds with complete accuracy and this helps! The kids enjoy pressing the button to hear it. Thank you! **Developer response:** You're welcome! So glad the app is helpful as you teach your students! ~Merry :-) ### 5/5 — 5⭐️! It’s how our school teaches phonograms! *2023-09-26* This app is very helpful!! it is not just for beginning pre-readers where they just need to know the sounds of one letter. It is for the level after knowing one letter sound. This is if you’re are teaching your kids phonograms for the purpose of spelling and reading recognition quickly using the Spalding program. Our school uses the Spalding program, and I had a really hard time teaching my child Because I never learned it this way. It is so helpful to hear all the different sounds that each combination of letters could make. This app teaches exactly how they teach in schools, with the multiple sounds. It makes it easier for parents to help their kids practice at home just like they learn it at school. **Developer response:** I'm so glad the app is helping you as you work with your kids! Have fun! ~Merry :-) ### 5/5 — Phonograms *2020-05-13* This is a great app! However the sound for the letter “r” needs to be fixed. The man says “er” instead of the sound at the beginning of rabbit. We don’t say “ erabbit” we say “rabbit”. Otherwise this amazing. Fantastic for my upper level students who have LD or dyslexia. Thank you. **Developer response:** Thanks for your review, Jen! The /r/ sound is especially difficult to capture on audio. We recorded that one at least 100 times – no exaggeration! The professional voice talent very patiently tried different tones and lengths of the sound. When the sound was chopped off sooner, it was unintelligible. This is a sound that is more easily taught “live” in person! Marie recommends that the parent use the sounds app as a tool to learn the sounds, and then work with their children to ensure that the child is saying the sounds correctly. If the child is using the app, you may want to demonstrate the /r/ sound in person, and talk about how it changes slightly depending on whether it’s at the beginning or ending of a word (rope versus poor). We recommend using the app for review and practice, rather than for initially teaching the sounds. Enjoy! ### 5/5 — Love it *2019-01-06* I teach the Writing and Spelling Road to Reading and Thinking, by: The Riggs Institute. I have found this app to be a great supplement for the students to practice. Yes, I teach a couple of more phonograms than what the app has but, the students have fun finding the few that are different. I use it as a center. The students get to pick 5 each that they need to review before they start the game. Then they take turns saying the phonograms and touching the spelling pattern to see if they were right. If correct, that student gets a point. Then the next student gets a turn to say a phonogram then press it to check. When it is time to switch centers, the student with the most tally marks wins a reward ticket. My students love to play. ### 5/5 — Developer is responsive *2018-01-05, version 1.2* Developer writes back about concerns. ### 5/5 — Awesome supplement for All About Spelling!!! *2016-03-01* This app is meant to be a supplement to help a teacher/parent learn the phonetic sounds in order to teach them properly to their students/children. While it would be possible for the child to use it as a review of sounds, it isn't intended as a game or as a stand alone spelling instruction. (I try to move my children away from screen time as much as possible, so that they will know how to learn through mediums, not just entertainment.) It complements All About Spelling, which is a wonderful, student and teacher friendly course that teaches spelling based on phonograms and rules vs. memorizing long lists of unrelated words. As a homeschool mom, I found it much simpler to implement than other curricula with similar approaches. As for it not containing a few of the phonograms, I feel that the approach and instruction (of the AAS program, not app) is so thorough and clear, that adding in the missing phonograms would be of no consequence. Highly Recommended! ### 5/5 — simple & practical *2014-09-03* it's visually appealing. it provides a useful educational tool/reminder. If you teach the sounds using this board you could print one out (take a screen snapshot) and the students can have this as a handy reminder when working. --- *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 2026-08-13.*