Grow the Code vs Reading Horizons

GCGrow the Code7.3Visit Reading Horizons6.4Visit

Higher score GC Grow the Code #6 in Phonics Apps 7.3/10 14-day trial ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Grow the Code

vs

Reading Horizons #8 in Phonics Apps 6.4/10 From $50/yr ✓ 0 of 2 features Try Reading Horizons

• Grow the Code fits best

  Schools seeking a sequenced phonics curriculum

• Reading Horizons fits best

  Learners needing assessed phonics and decoding practice

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Side by side

Feature	GCGrow the Code 7.3/10 Visit ↗	Reading Horizons 6.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.3	6.4
Ranking	#6 in Phonics Apps	#8 in Phonics Apps
Best for	Schools seeking a sequenced phonics curriculum	Learners needing assessed phonics and decoding practice
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Money-back guarantee	7 days	60 days
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS	Web
Support	Email	Email, Phone, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Grow the Code 1/2 · Reading Horizons 0/2
Progress tracking	✓ (best)	Not published
Offline access	Not published	Not published
Specs
Age range	Not published	Not published
Instruction focus	Blending	Not published
Supported platforms	web, ios	Not published
Learner profiles	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	More than 500 sequenced daily phonics lesson plans More than 250 fully decodable online books Assessment supports class, individual and targeted keep-up lessons	Combines systematic phonics, decoding, spelling, and skill checks Includes connected-text reading, vocabulary, and pronunciation activities Progress monitoring and customizable reports support learning review
Cons	Available on web and iOS, not a broader range of platforms Paid product with no free plan School subscriptions are capped at 10 or 20 teachers per plan	At-home access is web-only New full-year subscriptions cost $199 annually School and intervention buyers must contact sales
Our verdict	Grow the Code is a systematic synthetic phonics programme from Smart Kids for schools, teachers and homeschool families. Its curriculum moves through oral blending, blending for reading and segmenting for spelling, with instruction in… Read the review →	Reading Horizons offers structured literacy programs for emerging readers, older struggling readers, multilingual learners, and adults. Discovery is designed for ages 4–9 and K–3 instruction; Elevate targets grade 4 and above. Its at-home… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Grow the Code — where it wins

  • More than 500 sequenced daily phonics lesson plans
  • More than 250 fully decodable online books
  • Assessment supports class, individual and targeted keep-up lessons

  Where it doesn't

  • Available on web and iOS, not a broader range of platforms
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • School subscriptions are capped at 10 or 20 teachers per plan

• Reading Horizons — where it wins

  • Combines systematic phonics, decoding, spelling, and skill checks
  • Includes connected-text reading, vocabulary, and pronunciation activities
  • Progress monitoring and customizable reports support learning review

  Where it doesn't

  • At-home access is web-only
  • New full-year subscriptions cost $199 annually
  • School and intervention buyers must contact sales

• GCGrow the Code7.3/10 · 14-day trial

  A sequenced phonics programme with lessons, books and learner progress tracking.

  Visit Grow the CodeFull verdict →
• Reading Horizons6.4/10 · From $50/yr

  Assessed phonics and decoding practice for learners from early reading through adulthood.

  Try Reading HorizonsFull verdict →