Funetix vs Sommer Learning
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Funetix
This app offers a comprehensive reading learning experience for children, simulating 12 hours of one-on-one tutoring. It guides learners from basic phonics to a second-grade reading level using a unique, patented method with pictograms and tiered support tools.
- Simulates 12 hours of private tutoring
- Teaches all 44 English sounds with pictograms
- Progresses from ABCs to 2nd grade reading level
- Patented Diacritic Support for clarity
- Uses unique games and challenges
- Builds reading confidence
Read full descriptionHide full description
FUNetix® is a completely new, game changing “Reading Learning” app truly designed “from the ground up,” and proven through 17 years of field testing by the American Youth Literacy Foundation, 501 c 3. -With over 2,000 screens of fully narrated linear content, kids enjoy a confidence building, reading learning experience that simulates 12 hours of private, professional 1-on-1, tutoring. -Forty modules take children from the ABC’s to a 2nd grade reading level in just about 12 hours, giving them powerful, newfound confidence in their ability to decode any English word. -Patented in 2012 (US 8,131,538 B2), FUNetix stands apart from virtually every other reading app in the marketplace for its wholly unique approach to teaching all 44 sounds of the English language (phonemic awareness) using pictograms, and for naming every English sound before moving on to English spelling conventions and irregularities. -FUNetix takes the stress and anxiety out of learning how to read. Children aren’t spooked by Kindercode™, otherwise known as 21E®, the children’s phonetic English code that teaches blending and segmentation with fully predictable symbol/sound correspondences. -Children advance with unprecedented speed to reading everyday English words and sentences (say good-bye to “The cat sat on the mat.”), using powerful, tiered learning support tools to include: Audio Support, Phonetic Support, and our 8-years-patented and proven Diacritic Support. -Learners are systematically weaned off of diacritics when they are ready, and as they become accustomed to English Verbal Word Form Patterns and as they begin to read sentences and stories with comprehension. -Short “phonics” break out sessions populate the later modules to reinforce certain common English letter patterns, but FUNetix is primarily a step by step “treasure hunt” (in the form of unique games and challenges) that leads to fully capable and confident readers in record time. -FUNetix’ success comes, in part, by taking away the intimidation factor many children experience when they can’t “sound out” a word. For example, how is a child supposed to know that the “ea” in the word “read” sounds different than the “ea” in the word “bread?” With FUNetix, children don’t have to guess, or feel anxious, because all of the “sound data” is provided to them by our proprietary learning support tools. -Of note, the patented FUNetix system was created by a former Spanish and Arabic linguist for the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, in 2003, who, as a father, was driven to find a solution to his 8-year-old son’s reading challenges, and, as a result, stumbled upon the insight of applying the “Diacritic Method” used by the ancient Greeks, Arabs, Hebrews and Persians to clarify their own written codes. Since 2008, the American Youth Literacy Foundation’s mission has been to scale the 100% free, FUNetix reading system to reach every child in America and millions more around the world. -FUNetix is a simple, easy, fun, logical and achievable path to literacy for beginning English readers presented in the form of a smartphone, “treasure hunt” app, that teaches most children how to read in about 12 hours. -Children complete 21 primers and books from K-2nd grade level within the app, and in a “surprise ending / fresh beginning,” kids are treated to a wonderful graduation / trophy ceremony and are invited to become permanent, VIP Members of the “Wonderful Content Library,” where they can browse books, games, puzzles and treasure hunts (all accompanied by the patented, FUNetix learning support tools) each time they return to the app. -If you want your child to become a strong, confident reader, understanding grade level, everyday English, in about 12 hours, with a further understanding of English letters, sounds and phonics patterns, please download and play the FUNetix 12 Hour Reading App. It’s 100% free and presented as a gift to your child from the American Youth Literacy Foundation, 501 c 3.
Sommer Learning
This platform offers engaging K-3 education in phonics, math, and writing. It features interactive lessons, games, and stories designed to build reading fluency, mathematical understanding, and handwriting skills.
- Phonics instruction with stories
- Math lessons from addition to trigonometry
- Handwriting practice for letters and numbers
- Interactive games and quizzes
- Award-winning author's books included
- Printable worksheets
Read full descriptionHide full description
Sommer Learning is a digital platform for K-3 kids covering Phonics, Numbers/Math and Writing. PHONICS ADVENTURE Phonics Adventure aspires to motivate students to read fluently. It combines systematic, explicit phonics instruction with interesting stories that promote character traits and social skills. Authentic, action-packed stories, coupled with interactive and engaging activities, increase motivation and reading achievement. In addition included and available for FREE in this program are books by Carl Sommer, author of the stories which have won over *100 prestigious National Awards* for his 42 Sommer-Time Stories. To keep users engaged and the learning interesting, activities include lessons, interactivities, games, videos/songs, quizzes and eBooks. NUMBER SUCCESS Topics from *Addition to Trigonometry* explained in video lessons by instructors who are Winners of the Prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence In Mathematics And, to motivate Students With Practical and Real-Life Applications of Mathematics there are On-Location videos with Instructor *Carl Sommer*: Award-Winning Author, Educator, and Successful Businessman. WRITING SUCCESS Buzzie, the writing bee, will teach you to write the letters(uppercase and lowercase) and numbers in Manuscript and Cursive form. The user can also practice writing on the screen.or print worksheets to practice with pen and pencil. TYPING This program is only available on laptops and desktops at https://sommerlearning.com/typing/courses/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sommer Learning at 5.0 against Funetix's 4.4. Sommer Learning also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 7 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). Funetix's advantage is ratings volume (18 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sommer Learning holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Funetix has 18 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Funetix ships an update every 7 months, Sommer Learning every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and June 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Funetix | Sommer Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (18 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 18 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 99 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | American Youth Literacy Foundation, Inc. | Reliable EDM, LTD. |
Customer experience
Funetix
Sommer Learning
In-app purchases
Funetix
No in-app purchases
Sommer Learning
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Funetix free?
Is Sommer Learning free?
Which has better reviews, Funetix or Sommer Learning?
Do Funetix or Sommer Learning have ads?
Which is updated more often, Funetix or Sommer Learning?
Other comparisons















