Comparison

Monster Phonics 2 vs Phonics Friends

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

Head to head
About

Monster Phonics 2

This app uses a multi-sensory approach with character phoneme cues and color coding to teach reading and spelling. It focuses on the first 100 high-frequency words, making them more accessible and reducing the number of "tricky" words.

Highlights
  • Multi-sensory phonics learning
  • Character phoneme cues
  • Color coding for sounds
  • Teaches first 100 high-frequency words
  • Supports reading and spelling
  • Handwriting and letter formation
Features
Read full description

Monster Phonics products are already listed as highly effective multi-sensory phonics resources by the Department for Education, UK (2014). Monster Phonics has also been selected by BETT futures as one of the top 20 most inspiring new ed-tech ideas in the UK. This app supports the reading and spelling of the first 100 high frequency words and is part of a wider phonics scheme that supports the New Curriculum for Spelling (KS1) and phonics in Reception. Monster Phonics is a synthetic phonics scheme. It is unique in that it uses character (monster) phoneme cues and colour coding to represent the sounds A, E, I, O, U, oo, ow, silent letters and tricky letters. Each monster and its corresponding colour is linked to a specific set of graphemes that makes the particular phoneme. Monster Phonics Apps have been developed specifically to make phonics more accessible for all learners. The revolutionary use of colour coding and characterisation has been proven to dramatically accelerate progress in reading. Monster Phonics also teaches handwriting and the correct letter formation for the first 100 words. This Monster Phonics APP show how the first 100 words are more accessible to children because of the use of colour. The number of “tricky” words is reduced considerably with the colour coding system. There will be 2 Monster Phonics APPs covering the first 300 words. Once learned these words stay with children forever. The first 300 words make up 65% of all reading texts. Learning these words quickly is incredibly important for all children. Selected to be in the BETT Futures Cohort - January 2015!

About

Phonics Friends

Currently charting
Read full description

Welcome to the enchanting world of Phonics Friends! Our mission is to make phonics practice not just educational but irresistibly fun for young learners. Targeted towards students in grades K-2, this app offers a unique blend of entertainment and learning, ideal for both classroom and home environments. Meet Your Phonics Friends! Join Hammy the Hamstronaut in outer space, splash around the pond with Freddie the Frog, build word foundations with Hard Hat Harry at the construction site, and whip up delicious syllable recipes with Chef Cherie in the kitchen. Each character brings a unique flavor to the learning experience, making phonics practice a joyous adventure. Interactive and Engaging Game Play Phonics Friends isn’t just another educational app – it's a journey into a world of interactive learning. With four immersive game settings, children practice letter sounds, word segmentation, and blending in a dynamic environment. The app’s intuitive design ensures that students can dive right into the action without any hurdles. Earn Badges and Rewards! As your child progresses through the game, they earn badges and prizes, celebrating each level achievement. This gamification element keeps students motivated and eager to learn more. Family-Friendly and Teacher-Approved Phonics Friends is perfect for the at-home parent market, homeschoolers, and teachers alike. With the option to create multiple user accounts on a single device, it’s ideal for shared device scenarios. The app ensures privacy, storing only minimal student data. Aligned with the Science of Reading Developed in line with research-based reading principles, Phonics Friends aligns with the Science of Reading, offering a robust foundation in phonics. It supports in-class and at-home practice, making it a versatile tool for literacy development. Learn Anywhere, Anytime! Whether it's in the classroom, at home, or on the go, Phonics Friends is designed for flexibility. Its simple user interface and captivating characters keep students engaged and interested, transforming phonics practice into an enjoyable experience. Monitor Progress and Achievements Parents and teachers can easily track student progress within the app. This feature helps in assessing the effectiveness of the learning process and encourages continued engagement. Join the Phonics Friends Family Today! Embark on this phonics adventure and watch as your child flourishes in their reading journey. Phonics Friends is more than just an app; it’s a companion in your child’s educational journey, making learning to read an exciting and rewarding experience. Download now and let the phonics fun begin!

Screenshots

Monster Phonics 24 screens
Phonics Friends4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phonics Friends at monthly against Monster Phonics 2's every 14 months. Phonics Friends also leads on chart position (#193 vs unranked). Monster Phonics 2's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, 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

Monster Phonics 2 costs $2.99 and Phonics Friends $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monster Phonics 2 ships an update every 14 months, Phonics Friends monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Monster Phonics 2 versus Phonics Friends: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonster Phonics 2Phonics Friends
Price$2.99$2.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank—#193 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size792 MB631 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperIngrid ConnorsTeacher Created Materials

In-app purchases

None

Monster Phonics 2

No in-app purchases

None

Phonics Friends

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Monster Phonics 2 free?
Monster Phonics 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phonics Friends free?
Phonics Friends costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Monster Phonics 2 or Phonics Friends have ads?
Neither Monster Phonics 2 nor Phonics Friends shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Monster Phonics 2 or Phonics Friends?
Monster Phonics 2 ships an update every 14 months, and Phonics Friends monthly. Most recently, Monster Phonics 2 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Phonics Friends on October 30, 2026.

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