# Hooked on Phonics Learning vs FaithSteps

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FaithSteps at 100% against Hooked on Phonics Learning's 42%. FaithSteps also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Hooked on Phonics Learning's advantage is chart position (#68 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hooked on Phonics Learning sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and FaithSteps sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Hooked on Phonics Learning ships an update monthly, FaithSteps weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hooked on Phonics Learning | FaithSteps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hooked-on-phonics-learning/id588868907/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 42.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#68** | — |
| Size | 635 MB | 201 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hooked on Phonics](https://appshunter.io/developer/588869030) | [Kathleen Herrington](https://appshunter.io/developer/1466197593) |

## What reviewers say

### Hooked on Phonics Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hooked-on-phonics-learning/id588868907)

**Currently charting:** #68 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

This app transforms screen time into educational fun for children aged 3-8. It offers interactive games and activities across reading, math, and spelling, tailored to individual learning needs. Parents receive real-time progress insights and can track their child's development through a comprehensive ebook library and reward system.

**Highlights:** Reading, Math & Spelling Games, 1000+ Educational Activities, 100+ Ebook Library, Adaptive Learning Program, Virtual Rewards System, Multi-device Compatibility, Customizable Learner Profiles

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hooked on Phonics | $6.99 | per month |
| 1 month 7.99 | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly $7.99 | $7.99 | per month |
| Hooked on Phonics | $7.99 | per month |
| 1 month - 8.99 | $8.99 | per month |
| Hooked on Phonics | $9.99 | per month |
| Hooked on Phonics | $12.99 | per month |
| Monthly $12.99 | $12.99 | per month |
| Monthly $14.99 | $14.99 | per month |
| Semi-Annual $29.99 | $29.99 | per 6 months |
| Hooked on Phonics | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual $49.99 | $49.99 | per year |
| 1 year 49.99 | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual $79.99 | $79.99 | per year |
| Can Man eBook | $0.99 | one-time |
| Zap eBook | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlocking of Step 2 including 3 eBooks | $6.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Complete 12 Step Set | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helped child learn to read quickly
- 👍 Fun and engaging for kids
- 🚀 Effective for teaching phonics
- 👍 Great customer service
- 👍 Workbooks and app work well together

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App freezes and crashes frequently
- 🐛 Progress not saved properly
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate and use
- 🔋 Slow loading times
- 🔒 Subscription issues and billing problems

**Reported bugs**

- Avatar creation feature broken
- Incorrect letter pronunciations
- Levels not loading properly
- Login issues after updates

**Requested features**

- More variety in activities and games
- Ability to skip or customize lessons
- Offline mode for using the app without internet
- Support for larger families with more user profiles


### FaithSteps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/faithsteps/id1466197594)

Interactive audiobooks designed to teach Bible concepts and vocabulary to children and adults. Features include drag-and-drop answer tiles, individual word and page read-aloud options, and sensory-friendly settings. Ideal for learning English and literacy.

**Highlights:** Interactive audiobook productions, Drag-and-drop answer tiles, Individual word read-aloud, Page read-aloud option, Sensory-friendly settings, Teaches English and literacy, Biblically accurate content

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What Jesus Did For Me | $2.99 | one-time |
| Who is Jesus | $2.99 | one-time |
| Jesus and the Storm | $2.99 | one-time |
| Paul was God's Man | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Centurion's Faith | $2.99 | one-time |
| Noah and God's Ark | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Boy and a Giant | $2.99 | one-time |
| Things to Know about God | $2.99 | one-time |
| Daniel in the Lion's Den | $2.99 | one-time |
| 10 Book Bundle | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hooked on Phonics Learning free?

Hooked on Phonics Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FaithSteps free?

FaithSteps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Hooked on Phonics Learning or FaithSteps have ads?

Neither Hooked on Phonics Learning nor FaithSteps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hooked on Phonics Learning or FaithSteps?

Hooked on Phonics Learning ships an update monthly, and FaithSteps weekly. Most recently, Hooked on Phonics Learning was updated on October 19, 2026 and FaithSteps on October 3, 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.*