# Learn to Read vs Sona

The clearest difference is rating: Sona at 5.0 against Learn to Read's 4.2. Sona also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). Learn to Read's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Learn to Read sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and Sona sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Sona holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Learn to Read's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sona's.

Learn to Read ships an update weekly, Sona every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Learn to Read | Sona |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-to-read-sweet-phonics/id6761421229/reviews) | **[5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sona-speech-practice/id6785755867/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 435 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [M75 LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1889519142) | [Travis Wardrop](https://appshunter.io/developer/6785755869) |

## What reviewers say

### Learn to Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-to-read-sweet-phonics/id6761421229)

This app teaches children aged 3-7 to read using a research-based phonics curriculum. It focuses on sounding out words and building fluency through structured lessons and decodable stories. Features include AI listening support for reading aloud and a parent dashboard for progress tracking.

**Highlights:** Structured phonics curriculum, Sounding out words, Building reading fluency, Decodable storybooks, AI listening support, Parent progress dashboard, Multiple child profiles

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sweet Phonics Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| Sweet Phonics Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Sweet Phonics Annual | $69.99 | per year |


### Sona

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sona-speech-practice/id6785755867)

This app transforms at-home speech practice into engaging games for children, guided by a pediatric speech-language pathologist. It offers various playful activities designed to help children practice specific speech sounds, with a parent-controlled section for progress tracking and customization.

**Highlights:** Playful speech practice games, Child-friendly bird character, Targeted speech sound practice, Age-appropriate game modes, Parental control and progress tracking, Developed with speech-language pathologist

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sona Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Sona Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Sona Premium, One Payment | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Learn to Read free?

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

### Is Sona free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Learn to Read or Sona?

Sona is rated higher. Learn to Read averages 4.2 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Sona averages 5.0 from 9 ratings.

### Do Learn to Read or Sona have ads?

Sona shows ads; Learn to Read does not.

### Which is updated more often, Learn to Read or Sona?

Learn to Read ships an update weekly, and Sona every 3 days. Most recently, Learn to Read was updated on November 5, 2026 and Sona on October 31, 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.*