# The Phonics App vs I Can Read

The clearest difference is update cadence: I Can Read at weekly against The Phonics App's monthly. I Can Read also leads on iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Phonics App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and I Can Read sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

The Phonics App ships an update monthly, I Can Read weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Phonics App | I Can Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (233 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-phonics-app/id6742649576/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **233** | — |
| Positive reviews | 92.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 248 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Phonics Folk Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1799167050) | [Vaiva](https://appshunter.io/developer/1762762014) |

## What reviewers say

### The Phonics App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-phonics-app/id6742649576)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Access Everything Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Access Everything Quarterly | $12.99 | per 3 months |
| Access Everything Yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and to the point
- 👍 Great for teaching phonics sounds
- 👍 Helps children learn to read CVC words
- 👍 Effective for year 1 screening
- 👍 Builds reading confidence

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Pronunciation issues with vowels 'o' and 'u' (American English)
- 🐛 Schwa pronunciation for some letters (e.g., 'g')
- 🐛 Some sounds differ from school curriculum
- 💰 Subscription model is a disappointment for some

**Requested features**

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


### I Can Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/i-can-read-early-learning-app/id6743514518)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ICR Monthly Plan | $12.99 | per month |
| ICR Three-Monthly Plan | $29.99 | per 3 months |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Phonics App free?

The Phonics App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is I Can Read free?

I Can Read is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do The Phonics App or I Can Read have ads?

Neither The Phonics App nor I Can Read shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Phonics App or I Can Read?

The Phonics App ships an update monthly, and I Can Read weekly. Most recently, The Phonics App was updated on November 8, 2026 and I Can Read on November 4, 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.*