Starfall vs Grow the Code

Starfall8.6Visit GCGrow the Code7.3Visit

Higher score Starfall #2 in Phonics Apps 8.6/10 Free plan · paid from $5.99/mo Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Starfall

vs

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

• Starfall fits best

  Families and schools seeking affordable phonics practice

• Grow the Code fits best

  Schools seeking a sequenced phonics curriculum

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Side by side

Feature	Starfall 8.6/10 Visit ↗	GCGrow the Code 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	7.3
Ranking	#2 in Phonics Apps	#6 in Phonics Apps
Best for	Families and schools seeking affordable phonics practice	Schools seeking a sequenced phonics curriculum
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS
Support	Email, Phone	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Starfall 1/2 · Grow the Code 1/2
Progress tracking	Not published	✓ (best)
Offline access	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Age range	Pre-K through grade 5	Not published
Instruction focus	Not published	Blending
Supported platforms	Web, iOS, Android	web, ios
Learner profiles	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Sequential phonics includes a 15-book learn-to-read series Free plan plus annual memberships from $35 Web, iOS, and Android access with offline app content	More than 500 sequenced daily phonics lesson plans More than 250 fully decodable online books Assessment supports class, individual and targeted keep-up lessons
Cons	Main Starfall App requires internet access Mobile Device Management deployment is limited to School Membership Content focus ends at grade 5	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
Our verdict	Starfall is a children’s learning platform for families, teachers, classrooms, and schools with learners from Pre-K through grade 5. Its free Learn-to-Read sequence starts with alphabet activities that teach letter names and sounds, then… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Starfall — where it wins

  • Sequential phonics includes a 15-book learn-to-read series
  • Free plan plus annual memberships from $35
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with offline app content

  Where it doesn't

  • Main Starfall App requires internet access
  • Mobile Device Management deployment is limited to School Membership
  • Content focus ends at grade 5

• 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

• Starfall8.6/10 · Free plan · paid from $5.99/mo

  A low-cost phonics and reading library for families, teachers, and schools.

  Visit StarfallFull verdict →
• GCGrow the Code7.3/10 · 14-day trial

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

  Visit Grow the CodeFull verdict →