Comparison

Hooked on Phonics Learning vs CTR Media Network

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

Head to head
About

Hooked on Phonics Learning

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
Read full description

Turn screen time into learning time! Hooked on Phonics has been trusted by parents for over 35 years to provide engaging, educational content for kids. Our app uses cutting-edge research and guidance from top educators to teach essential skills. Tailored to support preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade learners, our adaptive program targets where each child needs practice. This gives parents real-time progress insights! Learn across different subjects with Hooked on Math and Hooked on Spelling included within our Hooked on Phonics app. Kids can learn, gain rewards, and strengthen early skills that align with your family’s educational goals. Hooked on Phonics helps children (ages 3-8) learn across reading, math, and spelling with:: • 1000+ educational activities designed for preschool, kindergarten, and early grade levels • 100+ ebook library with stories to complement every reading lesson • Multi-device compatibility – keep learning consistent across devices • Three customizable learner profiles to track individual progress Children can: • Gain confidence through interactive learning activities * Earn virtual rewards like cosmetic items for your avatar • Practice reading in our extensive ebook library • Easily resume learning on any device, any time WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD: Hooked on Phonics offers a 7-day free trial of the entire program, including: reading, math, and spelling content. Experience your child’s excitement as they read their first book or solve their first math problem! Terms of use: - Hooked on Phonics provides a 7-day free trial, which upon completion, becomes a monthly subscription charged by the Apple App Store. - Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user by going to the “Subscriptions” section in the App store after purchase. https://hookedonphonics.com/terms-of-service/ Practice Packs Mailed Home: Catapult your child's progress by purchasing Practice Packs as an add-on to your App (available on our website). The workbooks, storybooks, and celebration stickers work in tandem with the App to help children develop a deeper understanding of literacy (and mathematics!) concepts. Built by educational experts and reinforced with feedback from our customers, the Practice Pack program includes 5 Pre-reader, and 15 Learn to Read packs that include workbooks, stickers, storybooks, and in the first Pre-reader pack, flashcards that are sent to the home, monthly. Subscribers can customize how often they receive these shipments through their account dashboard to tailor the pacing to each family’s needs. Created in conjunction with the App, the Practice Packs allow children to engage in different modalities of learning, review the skills they’ve gained in the App, and practice hands-on skills—like writing and tracing—that are best mastered in a non-digital environment. The result is an immersive program of learning experiences that keeps kids highly engaged in learning to read. Start your child on the path to becoming a confident lifelong learner, and download Hooked on Phonics now!

About

CTR Media Network

This platform offers a diverse range of edutainment podcasts and broadcasts from independent creators. It aims to fuel business growth, entertain, and enrich listeners' lives with inspiring and educational content.

Highlights
  • Edutainment podcasts and broadcasts
  • Content from independent creators
  • Focus on business growth
  • Inspiring and educational programs
  • Convenient streaming and downloads
  • Community connection features
Features
Read full description

CTR Media Network is a dynamic Edutainment podcast and broadcasting platform that provides a rich blend of engaging content created by independent content creators designed to fuel your business growth, entertain your mind, and enrich your life. Our network curates a diverse array of shows and programs that inspire, educate, and empower listeners, offering valuable insights and entertainment that resonate with a wide audience. Whether you're looking to enhance your business, enjoy thought-provoking discussions, or simply unwind with quality entertainment, CTR Media Network is your go-to source for compelling and impactful content that makes a difference. 10 Benefits of Downloading the CTR Media Network App: 1. Free Access: Download and watch for free as part of our commitment to giving back to our audience and communities. 2. Diverse Content: Access a rich blend of podcasts and broadcasts created by independent creators, offering varied perspectives and insights. 3. Business Growth: Discover shows designed to fuel your business success with actionable tips and strategies. 4. Engaging Entertainment: Enjoy high-quality entertainment that keeps you entertained and informed. 5. Inspiration & Education: Gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from a wide range of educational programs and thought-provoking discussions. 6. Personal Enrichment: Enhance your life with content that resonates and enriches your daily experience. 7. Convenient Access: Stream or download content anytime, anywhere, ensuring you never miss out on your favorite shows. 8. Empowering Voices: Hear from creators and their guests who inspire and empower, contributing to a well-rounded, engaging experience and conversations. 9. Curated Shows: Benefit from a carefully curated selection of content that meets your interests, wants, and needs. 10. Community Connection: Engage with a community of like-minded individuals, entrepreneurs, and creators, fostering connections and discussions that enrich your life, growth, and experience.

Screenshots

Hooked on Phonics Learning4 screens
CTR Media Network3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CTR Media Network at 100% against Hooked on Phonics Learning's 42%. CTR Media Network also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). Hooked on Phonics Learning's advantage is ratings volume (18K vs 3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Hooked on Phonics Learning sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. CTR Media Network asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CTR Media Network holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hooked on Phonics Learning has 18K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of Hooked on Phonics Learning's written reviews are positive against 100% of CTR Media Network's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hooked on Phonics Learning ships an update monthly, CTR Media Network every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Hooked on Phonics Learning versus CTR Media Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHooked on Phonics LearningCTR Media Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (18K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18K — better3
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#72 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size635 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHooked on PhonicsCTR Enterprises Network, LLC

Customer experience

Hooked on Phonics Learning

All ratings18,169 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral4.4%
Negative8.8%
Written reviews375 reviews
Positive42.4%
Neutral11.5%
Negative46.1%

CTR Media Network

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Hooked on Phonics Learning

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

4 requests
  • 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

CTR Media Network

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Hooked on Phonics Learning

Subscriptions9
  • Hooked on Phonics7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • 1 month 7.997 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Monthly $7.997 Days trial$7.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Hooked on Phonics7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Monthly $12.997 Days trial2 variants$12.991 Month
  • Monthly $14.997 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Semi-Annual $29.997 Days trial$29.996 Months
  • Annual $49.997 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Annual $79.997 Days trial$79.991 Year
None

CTR Media Network

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hooked on Phonics Learning free?
Hooked on Phonics Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CTR Media Network free?
CTR Media Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hooked on Phonics Learning or CTR Media Network?
CTR Media Network is rated higher. Hooked on Phonics Learning averages 4.5 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while CTR Media Network averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Hooked on Phonics Learning or CTR Media Network have ads?
Neither Hooked on Phonics Learning nor CTR Media Network shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hooked on Phonics Learning or CTR Media Network?
Hooked on Phonics Learning ships an update monthly, and CTR Media Network every 4 months. Most recently, Hooked on Phonics Learning was updated on November 7, 2026 and CTR Media Network on November 4, 2026.

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