# Hooked on Phonics Learning vs SplashLearn

Hooked on Phonics Learning and SplashLearn both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of SplashLearn's written reviews are positive against 42% of Hooked on Phonics Learning's. SplashLearn also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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 SplashLearn sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Hooked on Phonics Learning against 4.5 for SplashLearn. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 32K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 42% of Hooked on Phonics Learning's written reviews are positive against 75% of SplashLearn's.

Hooked on Phonics Learning ships an update monthly, SplashLearn every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hooked on Phonics Learning | SplashLearn |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hooked-on-phonics-learning/id588868907/reviews) | [4.5 (32K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashlearn-kids-learning-app/id672658828/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18K | **32K** |
| Positive reviews | 42.2% of reviews | **74.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#77** | #80 |
| Size | 635 MB | 493 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) | [StudyPad, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432105528) |

## What reviewers say

### Hooked on Phonics Learning

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

**Currently charting:** #77 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


### SplashLearn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashlearn-kids-learning-app/id672658828)

**Currently charting:** #80 Top Grossing · Education, #204 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app offers curriculum-aligned math and reading lessons for children aged 2-11 through interactive games, books, and activities. It adapts to each child's learning level, providing personalized support and challenges to build foundational skills and confidence.

**Highlights:** Curriculum-aligned math and reading lessons, Interactive learning games and activities, Personalized learning paths, Progress tracking for parents, 4000+ games, books, and challenges, Safe, ad-free environment

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Solo - Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| SplashLearn Membership 3-Month | $23.99 | per 3 months |
| SplashLearn Membership Yearly | $69.99 | per year |
| SplashLearn Solo - Yearly | $69.99 | per year |
| SplashLearn Membership Yearly | $89.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and engaging learning experience
- 💡 Effective for reinforcing math and reading skills
- 🚀 Constant updates and progress reports
- 👍 Motivating reward system with coins and achievements
- 💡 Personalized learning paths and curriculum

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Technical issues like crashes, freezing, and loading problems
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Difficulty canceling subscription
- 🤔 Limited free access, forces paid subscription
- 🤔 Repetitive content and lack of variety in some areas

**Reported bugs**

- Progress not saving properly
- Incorrect answers being marked as correct
- Profiles not working or logging out unexpectedly

**Requested features**

- More advanced content for higher grade levels
- Option to turn off answers and allow more time for students
- Improved sync between app and web versions
- Better customer support and responsiveness


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hooked on Phonics Learning free?

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

### Is SplashLearn free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Hooked on Phonics Learning or SplashLearn?

Hooked on Phonics Learning and SplashLearn are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 18K and 32K ratings respectively.

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

Neither Hooked on Phonics Learning nor SplashLearn shows ads.

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

Hooked on Phonics Learning ships an update monthly, and SplashLearn every 9 days. Most recently, Hooked on Phonics Learning was updated on September 26, 2026 and SplashLearn on September 26, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Hooked on Phonics Learning or SplashLearn?

Hooked on Phonics Learning currently peaks at #77 in the App Store charts, and SplashLearn at #80. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*