Comparison

Reading Train vs Phonics Audiocards

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

Head to head
About

Reading Train

This app offers a comprehensive reading program for young learners, featuring interactive ABC books, engaging games, and songs. It helps children develop foundational reading skills, build vocabulary, and boost their confidence through a fun, safe, and ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • 24 ABC books at 3 reading levels
  • Interactive train game for word learning
  • Built-in picture/audio dictionary
  • 18 song books
  • Professional narration
  • User recording of books
  • Student reporting tools
Features
Read full description

Listen, read, and record 24 fun ABC books at 3 easy reading levels: 72 books in all! Play the train game; win coins for the music store; collect and learn new words in the train yard. "Beautifully designed storybooks and related games that teach foundational reading": Appolicious.com Books, songs and games to build skills, self confidence and a love of reading. Real reading, for fun and information, right from the start. "A dynamic tool to augment any beginning readers program": Teachers With Apps Safe for Kids: The Learning Station is a Proud Member of Moms With Apps Kid tested and teacher approved. We are ad-free and take our users privacy seriously. View our Privacy Policy here: http://www.readingtrain.org * Listen, read and record books at 3 different beginning reading levels to grow as a reader. * Play the train game after every book to learn letters and words * Built-in picture/audio dictionary * 18 song books * Professional narration- American English. All books can be recorded by users. * Unlimited user accounts * Powerful student reporting tools Books Kids CAN Read. Written by Libby Curran, a People Magazine Teacher of the Year, these engaging little books are field tested in real classrooms to get kids started on the path to reading independence. Books Kids LOVE to Read and Re-read. Children are naturally curious, so encourage them to explore our ABC books to learn new vocabulary and build the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in school. After reading stories they can play the train quiz game, explore the picture/audio dictionary and listen to song books. Give Your Kids the Tools to Succeed. Stuck on a word? Tap and hold to hear every word and access the built in audio dictionary filled with hundreds of words. Play a unique quiz game at the end of every book to extend the learning. The Reading Train Alphabet is packed full of tools to help children succeed, all on their own. Read to Learn- Meet Common Core Standards Read beginning level books with purpose and understanding. Develop the concepts of print: reading left to right and matching written words with spoken words. Learn letter names and sounds, build background knowledge and improve reading comprehension and foundational skills. Quizzes Disguised as Games. Play the train game after finishing every book, but don't tell them it's a quiz! Check progress on the parent's page to see all the books children have read and recorded as well as detailed scores on the quizzes. The Right Team For the Job Created by award winning master teacher and early literacy expert, Libby Curran,The Reading Train Alphabet is the culmination of 20+ years of teaching experience. Backed by an all-star team of teachers turned iOS developers and a professional children's musician, The Reading Train Alphabet is serious about making learning fun. Keep in Touch We welcome your feedback, to keep up with all things Reading Train check out: readingtrain.org facebook.com/readingtrain email: support@readingtrain.org We welcome suggestions on future books and curriculum. Contact Libby with suggestions about new content at: libby@readingtrain.org

About

Phonics Audiocards

Features
Read full description

Make learning phonics simple, visual, and fun! Phonics AudioCards Lite helps young learners build early reading skills through interactive audio flashcards that combine words, pictures, and pronunciation. Children can see, listen, and learn at their own pace—making the app ideal for preschool, kindergarten, homeschool, and independent learning. LEARN PHONICS WITH AUDIO FLASHCARDS Phonics AudioCards introduces 70 phonics sounds through easy-to-use audio flashcards. Children can: • Learn phonics sounds through words and pictures • Listen to clear audio pronunciation • Practice early reading and word recognition • Learn independently at their own pace • Reinforce classroom or homeschool lessons FROM PHONICS SOUNDS TO READING The full version includes approximately 70 phonics sounds represented by about 270 words. Learning content is organized across 14 progressive levels, moving from easier sounds and words to more advanced ones. INTERACTIVE PRINTED FLASHCARDS Learning doesn't have to stay on the screen. KnowleKids also offers printed interactive phonics flashcards that work together with our apps. Each card includes a QR code. Simply scan the QR code with a compatible KnowleKids app to open the corresponding interactive audio flashcard. This combination of physical cards and digital audio helps children connect: See → Listen → Say → Learn GREAT FOR EARLY LEARNERS Phonics AudioCards is designed for: • Preschool learners • Kindergarten students • Beginning readers • Homeschool families • Parents practicing phonics at home • Children learning independently Give your child an engaging way to practice phonics, pronunciation, and early reading—one sound and one word at a time. Start learning with Phonics AudioCards Lite today!

Screenshots

Reading Train4 screens
Phonics Audiocards4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Reading Train at every 5 months against Phonics Audiocards's every 37 months. Reading Train also leads on price ($3.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Reading Train costs $3.99 and Phonics Audiocards $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading Train ships an update every 5 months, Phonics Audiocards every 37 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Reading Train versus Phonics Audiocards: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading TrainPhonics Audiocards
Price$3.99 — better$5.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 37 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size698 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Learning Station, LLCKnowleMedia

In-app purchases

None

Reading Train

No in-app purchases

None

Phonics Audiocards

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reading Train free?
Reading Train costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phonics Audiocards free?
Phonics Audiocards costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reading Train or Phonics Audiocards have ads?
Neither Reading Train nor Phonics Audiocards shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading Train or Phonics Audiocards?
Reading Train ships an update every 5 months, and Phonics Audiocards every 37 months. Most recently, Reading Train was updated on October 12, 2026 and Phonics Audiocards on October 6, 2026.

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