A
Aditi
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
I've always looked for an avenue like this, wherein my children can learn from enthusiastic young students who love a subject and can instill that love in the kids ❤️❤️
9:18 AM
The Best Online Reading Programs for Kids (2026)
Apps, tutors and classes, picked by what your child needs. We run Bookstaken, so every price here has a source.
The short answer
It depends on what your child needs. For learning to read, a phonics app like Reading Eggs. For a child behind at school, short 1:1 lessons with Hoot Reading or Brighterly. For dyslexia, a structured literacy specialist. For a child aged 6–14 who already reads, keen or reluctant, and is ready to talk books through, form opinions and write their own stories: Bookstaken, which is us.
Pick by what your child needs
One pick for each, and what it costs.
Learning to read
Reading Eggs — official source, opens in a new tab
US$99.99 a year
Annual billing; up to 4 children.
Phonics games, ages 2–13. Also consider Hooked on Phonics, ages 3–8.
A free start
Khan Academy Kids — official source, opens in a new tab
Free
Reading and phonics games, ages 2–8
More books at home
Epic — official source, opens in a new tab
US$13.99 a month
Monthly family plan. A digital library for ages 12 and under.
Behind at school
Hoot Reading — official source, opens in a new tab
Confirm membership price
One lesson a week; monthly and annual plans are available.
25 minutes 1:1 with a qualified teacher. Brighterly is another 1:1 option.
Dyslexia support
A structured literacy specialist — official source, opens in a new tab
Set by the provider
Confirm specialist training, approach and fees before choosing.
Learning with other children
Outschool — official source, opens in a new tab
Set by each class
Live group classes; check each listing’s age range and length.
A daily routine
Kumon — official source, opens in a new tab
Ask your local centre
Worksheets every day, plus centre visits. Fees vary by location.
Speaking confidently, in India
PlanetSpark — official source, opens in a new tab
Quote required
Live 1:1 public speaking. Ask for a plan after the free trial.
Also consider Bambinos: ₹5,999 a month, All Access monthly group plan.
- This is us
Thinking and talking about books
Bookstaken
— a session
A real book, talked through 1:1 with a college mentor: their own opinions, their own stories. Ages 6–14.
Side by side
Provider information checked 24 October 2026. Program names link to the source.
| Program | Who it's for | Sessions | Price & conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | |||
| Reading Eggs — official source, opens in a new tab | Ages 2–13 | Own pace | US$99.99 a yearAnnual billing; up to 4 children. |
| Hooked on Phonics — official source, opens in a new tabApp and books | Ages 3–8 | Own pace | US$23.96 a monthComplete Phonics plan; physical materials shipped in the US. |
| Khan Academy Kids — official source, opens in a new tab | Ages 2–8 | Own pace | FreeFamily app; no subscription or ads. |
| Epic — official source, opens in a new tabA digital library | Ages 12 and under | Own pace | US$13.99 a monthMonthly family plan; an annual option is also available. |
| Live 1:1 lessons | |||
| Hoot Reading — official source, opens in a new tab | School-age readers | 25 minutes | Confirm membership priceOne lesson a week; monthly and annual plans are available. |
| Brighterly — official source, opens in a new tab | K–12 | 45 minutes | From US$17.70 a lesson12-month plan, 2 lessons a week; billed monthly. |
| PlanetSpark — official source, opens in a new tabPublic speaking | KG–grade 12 | Confirm with provider | Quote requiredFree trial; ask for the plan, session length and total fees. |
| Bookstaken This is usOn Google Meet | Ages 6–14 | 60 minutes | — a sessionSession packs with no expiry. First session free. |
| Tutors you choose | |||
| Varsity Tutors — official source, opens in a new tabIn the US | School and adult learners | Confirm with provider | Quote requiredAsk for the membership price and included tutoring time. |
| Tutorful — official source, opens in a new tabIn the UK | School and adult learners | You choose | Set by each tutorThe tutor’s profile shows the hourly rate in pounds. |
| A structured literacy specialist — official source, opens in a new tabOnline or in person | By learning need | Confirm with provider | Set by the providerCheck qualifications, session length and fees. |
| Classes and centres | |||
| Outschool — official source, opens in a new tabGroups and 1:1 options | Children and teens | Varies by class | Set by each classPay per class or use a membership; check the listing. |
| Bambinos — official source, opens in a new tabSmall live groups, in India | Ages 4–15 | 50 minutes | ₹5,999 a monthAll Access monthly plan; up to 25 group classes a month. |
| Kumon — official source, opens in a new tabLearning centres | Pre-K and up | Daily worksheets | Ask your local centreFees vary by centre, subject and country. |
Loved by Parents, Enjoyed by Kids 💛
across the world
H
Himani
(Nagpur)Mother of 7 years old
Thankyou so much for this report It is so thorough and well drafted Smahi is enjoying her reading session too
2:36 PM
K
Kavita
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
Thanks for such wonderful sessions and hope kids continue it 🤞 specially Oorjit....he get bore very quickly...so I always afraid to admit him for any classes 😄
6:47 PM
A
Aditi
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
I've always looked for an avenue like this, wherein my children can learn from enthusiastic young students who love a subject and can instill that love in the kids ❤️❤️
9:18 AM
H
Himani
(Nagpur)Mother of 7 years old
Thankyou so much for this report It is so thorough and well drafted Smahi is enjoying her reading session too
2:36 PM
K
Kavita
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
Thanks for such wonderful sessions and hope kids continue it 🤞 specially Oorjit....he get bore very quickly...so I always afraid to admit him for any classes 😄
6:47 PM
A
Aditi
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
I've always looked for an avenue like this, wherein my children can learn from enthusiastic young students who love a subject and can instill that love in the kids ❤️❤️
9:18 AM
H
Himani
(Nagpur)Mother of 7 years old
Thankyou so much for this report It is so thorough and well drafted Smahi is enjoying her reading session too
2:36 PM
K
Kavita
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
Thanks for such wonderful sessions and hope kids continue it 🤞 specially Oorjit....he get bore very quickly...so I always afraid to admit him for any classes 😄
6:47 PM
A
Aditi
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
I've always looked for an avenue like this, wherein my children can learn from enthusiastic young students who love a subject and can instill that love in the kids ❤️❤️
9:18 AM
H
Himani
(Nagpur)Mother of 7 years old
Thankyou so much for this report It is so thorough and well drafted Smahi is enjoying her reading session too
2:36 PM
K
Kavita
(Nagpur)Mother of 10 years old
Thanks for such wonderful sessions and hope kids continue it 🤞 specially Oorjit....he get bore very quickly...so I always afraid to admit him for any classes 😄
6:47 PM
Where Bookstaken fits
More than reading: a mentor to think out loud with.
Every session, your child reads a real book picked for their interests, talks it through, gives their own verdict and writes their own story.
A good fit if your child
- Loves reading and wants someone to talk books with
- Reads, but keeps their thoughts to themselves
- Can read, but avoids books
- Is between 6 and 14
Look elsewhere if your child
- Is still learning letter sounds: try Reading Eggs or Hoot Reading
- Has dyslexia: see a structured literacy specialist
- Needs exam practice: a subject tutor suits better
60 minutes 1:1 with a trained college mentor, at — a session. The first session is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best online reading program for kids?
It depends on what your child needs. For learning to read, a phonics app like Reading Eggs (US$99.99 a year, billed annually). For a child behind at school, 1:1 lessons with Hoot Reading or Brighterly. For dyslexia, a structured literacy specialist. For a child aged 6–14 to talk books through, form their own opinions and write their own stories, Bookstaken, which we run.
Q: What is the best online reading program for struggling readers?
First find out where the struggle is. If it's sounding out words, a phonics program or a 1:1 teacher like Hoot Reading. If it might be dyslexia, ask your child's school about an assessment and see a structured literacy specialist. If your child reads the words but doesn't understand or enjoy them, a 1:1 mentor who reads real books with them, like Bookstaken.
Q: What is the best free reading app for kids?
Khan Academy Kids is free, for ages 2–8, with reading and phonics games. Your local library may also lend e-books and audiobooks for free.
Q: What is the best online book club for kids?
A book club is a group: Outschool lists book clubs for kids, run by independent teachers. If your child would rather talk books through one to one, Bookstaken pairs them with a trained college mentor: a real book picked for their interests, 60 minutes a session, ages 6–14, with a report after each one.
Q: Is Outschool worth it for reading?
It can suit a child who enjoys learning with other children. Teachers set their own class prices; families can pay per class or use a membership. Check the listing's age range, class length, size, reviews and payment terms before choosing.
See all 8 questions
Q: Is Kumon good for reading?
Kumon uses daily worksheets and centre-based support, which suits some children. Ask your local centre about tuition, enrolment fees and the reading program available there; prices depend on the centre, subject and country.
Q: What are the best online English classes for kids in India?
Compare what your child needs. PlanetSpark offers live 1:1 public speaking; ask for a quote after the free trial. Bambinos' All Access monthly plan costs ₹5,999 a month for up to 25 small-group classes a month. Bookstaken offers 1:1 reading with real books, ages 6–14, with a report after every session.
Q: Is Bookstaken a reading app?
No. Each session is 60 minutes, live and 1:1 on Google Meet, with a trained college mentor. Your child reads a real book picked for their interests, talks it through and writes their own story. The first session is free.
Sources & how we compared
We compared the learning need, teaching format, age range, session length and published price. We run Bookstaken; this is a comparison of provider information, not a hands-on test or a ranking of learning results.
The linked provider pages were checked on . US offers are shown in US dollars, Indian offers in rupees, and Tutorful rates in pounds. Annual commitments and class bundles are stated beside the price. Quote-based services have no estimated price here.
Prices, taxes, offers and availability can vary by country. Check the provider's current plan before paying. For specialist support, confirm the provider's qualifications and whether their approach suits your child.
