Epic vs Starfall

Epic9.3Visit Starfall9.2Visit

Higher score Epic #2 in Reading Apps 9.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Epic

vs

Starfall #3 in Reading Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Starfall

• Epic fits best

  Families and schools building kids’ reading habits

• Starfall fits best

  Affordable early-literacy practice at home or school

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Side by side

Feature	Epic 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Starfall 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.2
Ranking	#2 in Reading Apps	#3 in Reading Apps
Best for	Families and schools building kids’ reading habits	Affordable early-literacy practice at home or school
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$35/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	3 integrations	2 integrations
Features Epic 4/4 · Starfall 4/4
Phonics instruction	✓	✓
Comprehension practice	✓	✓
Fluency practice	✓	✓
Offline access	✓	✓
Specs
Age range	12 and under	Pre-K through 5th grade
Content format	Mixed	Mixed
Supported platforms	web, iOS, Android	web, ios, android
Our review
Pros	40,000+ books, audiobooks, and educational videos Phonics, comprehension, fluency, and reading-progress tools Clever, ClassLink, Google Classroom, and SSO/auto rostering support	Systematic phonics covers CVC words, sight words, and vowel teams Reading practice includes fluency, comprehension, fiction, and nonfiction Offline standalone mobile apps and memberships for families and schools
Cons	Epic School access is limited to weekdays from 7am–4pm Epic School Plus pricing is quote-based Offline reading is available only on supported mobile apps	The main Starfall app requires internet access The lowest paid in-app plan is limited to app access Advanced school access costs more than home membership
Our verdict	Epic is a digital reading platform for children ages 12 and under, combining ebooks, audiobooks, educational videos, decodable books, leveled readers, graphic novels, and literacy activities. Families get full library access and unlimited… Read the review →	Starfall is a reading platform for children from Pre-K through fifth grade, combining alphabet activities, systematic phonics, sight words, books, games, songs, poetry, and reading practice. It is designed for families, teachers,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Epic — where it wins

  • 40,000+ books, audiobooks, and educational videos
  • Phonics, comprehension, fluency, and reading-progress tools
  • Clever, ClassLink, Google Classroom, and SSO/auto rostering support

  Where it doesn't

  • Epic School access is limited to weekdays from 7am–4pm
  • Epic School Plus pricing is quote-based
  • Offline reading is available only on supported mobile apps

• Starfall — where it wins

  • Systematic phonics covers CVC words, sight words, and vowel teams
  • Reading practice includes fluency, comprehension, fiction, and nonfiction
  • Offline standalone mobile apps and memberships for families and schools

  Where it doesn't

  • The main Starfall app requires internet access
  • The lowest paid in-app plan is limited to app access
  • Advanced school access costs more than home membership

• Epic9.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad kids’ reading library with strong literacy tools for home and school.

  Visit EpicFull verdict →
• Starfall9.2/10 · Free plan

  Affordable reading practice with phonics, fluency, and comprehension across mixed media.

  Visit StarfallFull verdict →