Best Apps for Kids to Learn English in 2026: 7 Apps Compared

Duolingo ABC is our pick for children learning to read English. Short, game-like lessons teach letter sounds, blending, sight words and handwriting in a sequence that builds steadily, with microphone activities that let children say sounds back. There are no ads, no purchases and no social features, which makes it one of the safest kids apps available.

The limit is scope. Duolingo ABC covers early reading well but does not replace a full English curriculum, especially for older children or for grammar and writing. For preschool through first grade reading, though, it is the best free starting point, and it pairs well with a library app for reading volume.

Khan Academy Kids suits families who want English reading inside a broader early learning app. Books, phonics games, vocabulary activities and stories sit alongside math, science and social-emotional learning, all free and ad-free. Animated characters guide children through activities, and offline mode helps on trips.

Specialized reading apps go deeper on phonics alone, and older children will outgrow the app around age 8. For a single free app that covers reading plus everything else a young child needs, Khan Academy Kids is the most practical choice.

Lingokids takes a play-first approach to English, with games, songs, videos and stories that teach vocabulary, listening and speaking through play. Speech recognition prompts children to say words aloud, which helps pronunciation in a way passive watching cannot. The design is ad-free and kidSAFE certified, with up to four child profiles for siblings.

A subscription gives access to the full library, while the free tier offers a limited daily set of activities. For young children who learn best through play, especially those learning English as a second language, Lingokids is a cheerful and effective choice.

ABCmouse offers the most structured path on this list, with ten levels moving from letters and sounds to more complex reading. English sits inside a full early curriculum, so a child builds reading alongside math, science and art. Parents can track progress and see completed activities.

The subscription is the main drawback, and the gamified rewards can overwhelm some children. A free trial helps judge fit before paying. For families who want a guided curriculum rather than a loose set of games, ABCmouse is a strong option.

Studycat, formerly Fun English, is built for children learning English as a second language. Ad-free games, songs, phonics and speaking tasks teach everyday English vocabulary and pronunciation, with voice recognition giving instant feedback on spoken words. The design suits ages 3 to 8 and avoids the clutter of broader learning apps.

Subject range is narrower than general early learning apps, since Studycat focuses on English. For a child learning English from another first language, that focus is a strength, and the speaking practice sets it apart from reading-only apps.

Buddy.ai gives children regular speaking practice with an AI tutor that listens, responds and corrects. That conversation practice is hard to get from games alone, and it helps children learning English as a second language build confidence speaking aloud. Lessons are game-like and short, which suits young attention spans.

Reading and writing depth is thinner than Duolingo ABC, so Buddy.ai works best as a speaking companion alongside a reading app. For families whose main gap is spoken English practice, Buddy.ai fills a real need that most kids apps ignore.

Epic is the reading volume app. A large library of picture books, chapter books and audiobooks lets children read widely, with read-to-me options supporting early readers who are not yet independent. Up to four child profiles and a parent dashboard make it practical for families.

It is a library, not a phonics teacher, so children who cannot yet read need a phonics app alongside it. For children who can read at a basic level and need volume and choice to build fluency, Epic is the best library option here.