Comparison

Funetix vs Read Not Guess

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

Read Not Guess

This app offers science-based phonics lessons and decodable stories to help parents teach their children to read. It focuses on building reading confidence and fluency through an engaging and intuitive learning experience.

Highlights
  • Phonics-based reading lessons
  • Decodable stories for fluency
  • Intuitive design for parents and kids
  • Progress tracking
  • Engaging learning environment
Features
Read full description

# Read Not Guess: Teach Your Child to Read with Phonics Give your child the gift of reading with Read Not Guess, the easy-to-use app that helps parents teach their children to read using phonics and decodable stories. Our proven method, trusted by over 5,000 parents, makes learning to read simple and fun. With Read Not Guess, your child will master the basics of reading through engaging, phonics-based lessons designed to build confidence and fluency. The app features carefully crafted decodable stories, perfect for early readers, allowing your child to sound out words and develop strong reading skills. ## Key features: - Phonics-based lessons to support your child’s reading journey - Decodable stories that build fluency and confidence - Simple and intuitive design, easy for both parents and kids - Progress tracking to celebrate your child's reading success - A supportive and engaging learning environment Join thousands of parents who trust Read Not Guess to guide their child through the joy of reading. Start today and make reading easy, effective, and fun! Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Funetix4 screens
Read Not Guess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Read Not Guess at 5.0 against Funetix's 4.4. Read Not Guess also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). Funetix's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Read Not Guess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Funetix asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Read Not Guess holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Funetix's written reviews are positive against 100% of Read Not Guess's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Funetix ships an update every 7 months, Read Not Guess weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Funetix versus Read Not Guess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFunetixRead Not Guess
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (18 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB113 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAmerican Youth Literacy Foundation, Inc.Aldeman Education LLC

Customer experience

Funetix

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Read Not Guess

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Funetix

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Read Not Guess

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$3.991 Month
  • Read Not Guess Pro$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Funetix free?
Funetix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Read Not Guess free?
Read Not Guess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Funetix or Read Not Guess?
Read Not Guess is rated higher. Funetix averages 4.4 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Read Not Guess averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do Funetix or Read Not Guess have ads?
Read Not Guess shows ads; Funetix does not.
Which is updated more often, Funetix or Read Not Guess?
Funetix ships an update every 7 months, and Read Not Guess weekly. Most recently, Funetix was updated on September 16, 2026 and Read Not Guess on September 19, 2026.

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