Best Apps for Kids to Learn English in 2026: 9 Apps Compared

Khan Academy Kids is the free app we would try first for ages 2 to 8. It offers books, phonics games, language activities and early maths in one place, with animated guides and paths that adapt to the child. Because it is free with no ads or subscriptions in the core app, parents do not need to manage trial dates or in-app purchase prompts during lessons.

The breadth is both a strength and a limit. A child who needs focused English speaking practice will not get live conversation here, and older children may outgrow the content sooner than a paid English specialist. For a safe, free daily habit, though, it is hard to beat, and it pairs well with a speaking-focused app below.

Duolingo ABC focuses on the building blocks of reading: letter sounds, sight words, spelling and simple stories. Lessons are short, bright and game-like, with pronunciation and handwriting tasks that help children connect sounds to letters. The app is free, which makes it easy to try without a subscription decision.

It is narrower than a full English course. Children will build reading confidence, but they will still need listening, speaking and vocabulary work from school, conversation or another app. Duolingo ABC is best as a daily reading habit for ages 3 to 7, especially for children who are just starting to read in English.

Lingokids turns English into play, with games, songs, videos and stories built around everyday vocabulary. Children earn rewards as they play, and parents can follow progress through reports rather than watching every session. The free version allows a limited number of activities per day, which is enough to test whether your child enjoys the style.

Full access requires a subscription, listed at $13.49 per month or $161.88 per year on the vendor help pages checked in October 2026, with app store prices sometimes differing. Lingokids is best for ages 2 to 8 and for families who want a fun daily routine. If your child is already reading confidently, check the upper levels first before paying.

ABCmouse offers a structured learning path for ages 2 to 8, covering reading, maths, science, art and music through thousands of activities. Children follow a step-by-step route, earn tickets and customise avatars, which suits children who like clear progress. Premium access covers multiple children and removes activity limits.

The basic free tier allows up to 10 activities per day for one child, which is useful for testing, but full access costs $14.99 per month on monthly billing, with an annual plan listed at $79.99 per year on the vendor support site. ABCmouse fits families who want a school-like structure at home. If your child prefers open play, Lingokids or Khan Academy Kids may hold attention longer.

Studycat English, also listed as Learn English by Studycat, focuses on listening and speaking for ages 3 to 8. Children play games, sing songs and repeat words, with voice recognition giving feedback on pronunciation. That speaking focus helps children who understand words but are shy about saying them aloud.

A limited free version and a trial let you test the style, but continued access needs a subscription, so check the current price in the app store or on the vendor site before you commit. Studycat works best as a speaking supplement beside a reading app such as Duolingo ABC, rather than as the only English app for a complete beginner.

Buddy.ai gives children a voice-based tutor to talk with, which is different from tapping answers on screen. Children practise speaking in short activities, hear modelled pronunciation, and get responses that keep the conversation moving. For children who need more speaking time than a classroom can offer, that regular practice can build confidence.

Because it uses voice input and an AI tutor, parents should review the privacy policy, microphone permissions and parental controls before first use, and supervise early sessions. A free trial is available, with a subscription needed for continued access. Buddy.ai fits children who are ready to speak in simple sentences and who enjoy talking to a character, not children who are still learning first letters.

LearnEnglish Kids: Playtime comes from the British Council, which gives it a clear educational base. Animated stories, songs and listening games help children aged 6 to 11 hear natural English pronunciation and build comprehension, with activities that follow the stories rather than isolated drills. The free download lets families test the style before paying for extra content.

It is less of a full curriculum than ABCmouse, and it suits older primary children better than toddlers. Use it when your child already knows basic words and needs listening practice, songs and stories to stretch vocabulary. Parents should still check which features need a subscription in their app store, since offers vary.

Todo English aims to give beginners a complete route, combining phonics, vocabulary, grammar and speaking in ordered lessons. That structure helps parents who want a clear plan instead of picking games each day, and it suits children who are starting English from the beginning rather than topping up school lessons.

A seven-day trial is listed in several guides, with a subscription needed after that period, so confirm the current price and trial terms on the vendor site or store listing. Todo English fits families who will use it daily and who want one app to follow, not families looking for a free occasional game.

Monkey Junior offers structured courses that cover listening, speaking, reading and writing, which makes it useful for school-age learners who need more than vocabulary games. Lessons follow levels, so parents can see where a child sits and what comes next, and the free download lets you test the approach before buying course content.

Full courses need in-app purchases, so check the total cost for the level your child needs, not just the download price. Monkey Junior is best for children who can follow a lesson structure and who need balanced skill practice, while younger children may prefer the play-first style of Lingokids or Khan Academy Kids.