Comparison

JOJO Math and Reading vs The Phonics App

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

Head to head
About

JOJO Math and Reading

This app helps children aged 4-10 improve math skills, focus, and build consistent practice habits through handwriting-based exercises. It offers engaging games and personalized levels to make learning enjoyable and effective.

Highlights
  • Handwriting-based math practice
  • Concentration games with timers and encouragement
  • Covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and word problems
  • Personalized learning levels
  • Built-in rewards and math games
  • Focus on building daily routines
Read full description

JOJO MATH AND READING — FOCUS & FUN IN 10 MINUTES A DAY JOJO is a handwriting-first learning app for ages 4–10. Two subjects, one calm daily habit: families practice both math and reading by writing — not just tapping — building real focus in 10 minutes a day. Whether you're looking for a lighter alternative to Kumon or IXL, a more engaging option than Coolmath Games, or a calmer way to learn phonics than Reading Eggs or Duolingo ABC, JOJO gives a calm, personalized and rewarding routine that keeps learners on track. WHY FAMILIES LOVE JOJO: - Handwriting-based: write numbers, letters and words by hand — the way that truly builds focus and memory - Math: addition, subtraction with regrouping, times tables, word problems and mental math - Reading & writing: phonics, sight words, reading comprehension and vocabulary - Personalized levels, like Kumon but more flexible and encouraging - Focus timers, streaks and built-in rewards that keep practice going JOJO IS RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY IF: - You want screen time that builds skills, not just entertainment - You care about handwriting and focus, not just tapping answers - You've tried worksheets or other apps but nothing sticks - You want one routine that covers both math and early reading WHAT JOJO PRACTICE COVERS: - Writing numbers, addition, subtraction and times tables - Phonics, sight words and word families - Word problems, mental math and speed games - Reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing FIND US Instagram: @jojomath_global Website: www.jojo-math.com

About

The Phonics App

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
Read full description

This multi-award-winning phonics app can help absolutely anyone learn to read. Join thousands of people around the world learning to read with The Phonics App! "We loved The Phonics App, as it has been specifically designed NOT to be addictive, and doesn't rely on dopamine hits for kids' rewards." - MadeForMums Tech Awards 2025 Editor's Choice. "A beautifully designed, calm, and research-led approach to early literacy that stands out in a market dominated by highly gamified products" - Digital Education Awards 2025 Highly Commended The Phonics App Features: * Learn the a-z sounds and how to blend 2 and 3 letter words completely free. * Subscribe to learn all the other sounds and practise with 400+ words. * ⁠⁠Video guidance from an expert phonics teacher every step of the way. * Beautifully simple - just tap the words to hear the sounds they're made of. * Learn how to pronounce all of the sounds of English (with an English accent). * ⁠Build up your knowledge of phonics, one sound at a time. * ⁠Learn how to read and understand common irregular (tricky) words. * ⁠Informal checks at the end of each section to reinforce your learning. * ⁠Learn both lower case and capital letters. * Learn to decode nearly every English word. * No collectibles, coins or dopamine rewards! Why did we make this app? Jonny is a father of two and started making this app to teach his kids to read. It worked really well, so he showed it to Miss Mabel (founder of Reading Roots, community of 750k parents and teachers learning phonics) to see if it would be useful to other people. She said yes, and had a lot of ideas how to make it better! So they spent AGES making 'The Phonics App', and now it's finally ready for you. We hope it helps you learn to read too! Miss Mabel & Jonny Subscriptions in this app follow standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA) which you can read here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

JOJO Math and Reading4 screens
The Phonics App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: JOJO Math and Reading at weekly against The Phonics App's monthly. JOJO Math and Reading also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7). The Phonics App's advantage is ratings volume (223 vs 46). 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. JOJO Math and Reading sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $40.00 per month and The Phonics App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JOJO Math and Reading holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 223 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 96% of JOJO Math and Reading's written reviews are positive against 93% of The Phonics App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JOJO Math and Reading ships an update weekly, The Phonics App monthly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
JOJO Math and Reading versus The Phonics App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJOJO Math and ReadingThe Phonics App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (46 ratings) — better4.7 (223 ratings)
Positive reviews96.4% of reviews — better92.5% of reviews
Number of ratings46223 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size213 MB248 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperSMART BEAN TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.Phonics Folk Ltd

Customer experience

JOJO Math and Reading

All ratings45 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive96.4%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.4%

The Phonics App

All ratings100 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive92.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.5%

Bugs and requests

JOJO Math and Reading

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

The Phonics App

Requested features

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

In-app purchases

10 purchases

JOJO Math and Reading

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly Subscription$40.001 Month
  • Monthly Plan$40.001 Month
  • Quarterly Plan$60.003 Months
Show 4 more
  • Quarterly Plan14 Days trial$60.003 Months
  • Quarterly Plan (2 Learners)$109.003 Months
  • Quarterly Plan (3 Learners)$161.993 Months
  • Annual Plan14 Days trial$189.991 Year
One-time3
  • 14-Day Learning Challenge$4.99
  • 21-Day Learning Challenge$5.99
  • 30-Day Learning Challenge$9.99
3 purchases

The Phonics App

Subscriptions3
  • Access Everything Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Access Everything Quarterly$12.993 Months
  • Access Everything Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is JOJO Math and Reading free?
JOJO Math and Reading is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Phonics App free?
The Phonics App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, JOJO Math and Reading or The Phonics App?
JOJO Math and Reading is rated higher. JOJO Math and Reading averages 4.9 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while The Phonics App averages 4.7 from 223 ratings.
Do JOJO Math and Reading or The Phonics App have ads?
Neither JOJO Math and Reading nor The Phonics App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JOJO Math and Reading or The Phonics App?
JOJO Math and Reading ships an update weekly, and The Phonics App monthly. Most recently, JOJO Math and Reading was updated on October 25, 2026 and The Phonics App on October 25, 2026.

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