# Kumon Audio vs The Phonics App

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Phonics App at 93% against Kumon Audio's 0%. The Phonics App also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months). Kumon Audio's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Phonics App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Kumon Audio asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Phonics App holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Phonics App has 233 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Kumon Audio's written reviews are positive against 93% of The Phonics App's.

Kumon Audio ships an update every 7 months, The Phonics App monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kumon Audio | The Phonics App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kumon-audio/id1552885126/reviews) | **[4.6 (233 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-phonics-app/id6742649576/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **233** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **92.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 6 MB | 248 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kumon Europe & Africa Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1459274151) | [Phonics Folk Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1799167050) |

## What reviewers say

### Kumon Audio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kumon-audio/id1552885126)

This app provides audio content for students enrolled in Kumon English programs in Europe and Africa. It supports the development of vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension through listening exercises.

**Highlights:** Audio content for EFL students, Supports vocabulary development, Enhances grammar skills, Improves reading comprehension, Pronunciation practice, Word recognition support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Phonics App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-phonics-app/id6742649576)

This app teaches reading through phonics, focusing on sounds and blending words. It offers a research-led, non-addictive approach with expert guidance and informal checks to reinforce learning. Learn to decode nearly every English word with a focus on clear pronunciation.

**Highlights:** Learn a-z sounds and word blending, Expert video guidance, Simple tap-to-hear sound interface, Learn English sound pronunciation, Practice with 400+ words, Learn irregular (tricky) words, Informal learning checks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Access Everything Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Access Everything Quarterly | $12.99 | per 3 months |
| Access Everything Yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and to the point
- 👍 Great for teaching phonics sounds
- 👍 Helps children learn to read CVC words
- 👍 Effective for year 1 screening
- 👍 Builds reading confidence

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Pronunciation issues with vowels 'o' and 'u' (American English)
- 🐛 Schwa pronunciation for some letters (e.g., 'g')
- 🐛 Some sounds differ from school curriculum
- 💰 Subscription model is a disappointment for some

**Requested features**

- Option to open pictures for letter sounds
- Accent options for narration (e.g., American English)
- Offer app in Mandarin


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kumon Audio free?

Kumon Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Phonics App free?

The Phonics App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Kumon Audio or The Phonics App?

The Phonics App is rated higher. Kumon Audio averages 2.3 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while The Phonics App averages 4.6 from 233 ratings.

### Do Kumon Audio or The Phonics App have ads?

Neither Kumon Audio nor The Phonics App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kumon Audio or The Phonics App?

Kumon Audio ships an update every 7 months, and The Phonics App monthly. Most recently, Kumon Audio was updated on November 3, 2026 and The Phonics App on November 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*