Comparison

Decoding Chart vs Spotlight on Phonics

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

Head to head
About

Decoding Chart

This app is part of a reading and writing curriculum designed for beginning readers or those who have struggled with literacy. It helps children transition from understanding sounds to recognizing letters and their spellings, aiding in reading and creative writing.

Highlights
  • Sound-to-letter conversion
  • Color-coded spellings
  • Multiple learning levels
  • Supports beginning readers
  • Aids creative writing
Features
Read full description

Center for Innovation in Education Decoding Chart - Levels Dekodiphukan Description The ninth of the fourteen apps that comprise the Baratta-Lorton Reading Program. The Reading Program is a reading and writing curriculum for beginning readers and any child who has already experienced difficulty in learning to read. 99% unique – 100% effective - 100% free Background for the fourteen apps The Baratta-Lorton Reading Program also known as Dekodiphukan (pronounced decode if you can) was developed by the Center for Innovation in Education whose many other offerings include Mathematics Their Way, the first non-traditional math curriculum adopted in by the State of California. Dekodiphukan has been in use in classrooms across the United States and Canada since 1985. The Program has been used to teach thousands of children to read and to write regardless of background or supposed lack of reading readiness. To date, no child using the program in a classroom setting has ever failed to learn to read or to write. This Dekodiphukan reading and writing curriculum is now a series of fourteen apps plus a parent-guide for the iPad that, within a period of six months to a year (or occasionally a bit longer for some special needs children), will enable every child using it to read and to write. Reading with enjoyment. Writing creatively. Decoding Chart - LEVELS The ninth of the Fourteen Apps The Decoding Chart converts words written in sounds to words written in letters.  It is the vehicle for transitioning the child from sounds to letters.  Its use is introduced once the child can comfortably read and write phrases. The Chart contains the pictures of all forty-four sounds arranged in the same rows and in the same order within each row as they are in the Stamping app.  Beneath each sound picture are various ways that sound may be spelled.  The spellings listed beneath each sound appear in order of frequency of occurrence in the words which beginning readers are most likely to encounter. Each of the spellings that appear beneath the sound pictures are color coded.  The first spelling of each sound is coded white.  If a second spelling is listed, it is coded yellow.  Third spellings are red, fourth spellings are blue, fifth are green, sixth are brown, and seventh are purple.  The color codings indicate to the child which spelling is to be used to write the letters for a word. The Decoding Chart does not contain all possible spellings for each sound.  It does, however, contain the spellings that appear in ninety-five to ninety-eight percent of the words the child will encounter while learning to read and write. A parent guide to how to use the Decoding Chart is included in The Guide instructions for the Writing Worksheets. Two Apps and the Decoding Chart Download Chart – Levels The Decoding Chart-Levels app displays the chart in five different levels, each level matching one of the five levels of the Reading Program. Chart - Flip The Decoding Chart-Flip app displays half the chart on one side and half on the other side of a flip view. Download While the Decoding Chart is available in two app formats and moving between apps is possible with a double-click of the Home button on the iPad, the double-clicking process may not be easily managed by the child. A more child-accessible version of the Decoding Chart can be downloaded from the Center’s website and printed out. Decoding Chart Converts words in sounds to words in letters Introduced once the child can comfortably read phrases Available in two different app forms Also downloadable from the Center’s website Instructions for its use are included in The Guide’s Writing Worksheet instructions

About

Spotlight on Phonics

This app helps young learners master English phonics through interactive lessons, songs, chants, and stories. It offers a multi-level program designed to cater to various learning styles with engaging animations and activities.

Highlights
  • Alphabet songs and chants
  • Phonics flashcards
  • Interactive activities
  • Storybooks for reading practice
  • Multi-level program (1-3)
Features
Read full description

*Spotlight on Phonics* ■ Overview Bricks Spotlight on Phonics, a 3-level program designed for elementary students studying English for the first time, has a mobile app. With animations, chants, activities, storybooks, and a variety of other components, children can study phonics in ways which cater to a multitude of learning styles. *Visit the Bricks website below for further information. https://www.hibricks.com ■ Features Student Book: Level 1 to Level 3 From learning the alphabet letters to reading stories! - Alphabet Song: Reinforcing their sounds of the alphabet through singing a song - Sound: Practicing letter-sound recognition skills through singing chants - Flashcard: Learning phonics words through sounds and images - Activity: Building phonics skills through various activities - Storybook: Reading and chanting stories with phonics words. ■ How to use 1. Install the app and download the appropriate level. 2. Click on the level, and children can learn phonics with the multi-content provided.

Screenshots

Spotlight on Phonics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Spotlight on Phonics at every 10 months against Decoding Chart's every 36 months. Spotlight on Phonics also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Decoding Chart ships an update every 36 months, Spotlight on Phonics every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Decoding Chart versus Spotlight on Phonics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDecoding ChartSpotlight on Phonics
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 36 monthsEvery 10 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB505 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBob Baratta-LortonBricks Education

Customer experience

Decoding Chart

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Spotlight on Phonics

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Decoding Chart

No in-app purchases

None

Spotlight on Phonics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Decoding Chart free?
Decoding Chart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spotlight on Phonics free?
Spotlight on Phonics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Decoding Chart or Spotlight on Phonics have ads?
Neither Decoding Chart nor Spotlight on Phonics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Decoding Chart or Spotlight on Phonics?
Decoding Chart ships an update every 36 months, and Spotlight on Phonics every 10 months. Most recently, Decoding Chart was updated on October 18, 2026 and Spotlight on Phonics on September 24, 2026.

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