Starfall vs Reading Horizons

Starfall8.6Visit Reading Horizons6.4Visit

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

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

• Starfall fits best

  Families and schools seeking affordable phonics practice

• Reading Horizons fits best

  Learners needing assessed phonics and decoding practice

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Side by side

Feature	Starfall 8.6/10 Visit ↗	Reading Horizons 6.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	6.4
Ranking	#2 in Phonics Apps	#8 in Phonics Apps
Best for	Families and schools seeking affordable phonics practice	Learners needing assessed phonics and decoding practice
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email, Phone	Email, Phone, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Starfall 1/2 · Reading Horizons 0/2
Progress tracking	Not published	Not published
Offline access	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Age range	Pre-K through grade 5	Not published
Instruction focus	Not published	Not published
Supported platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Not published
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	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	Main Starfall App requires internet access Mobile Device Management deployment is limited to School Membership Content focus ends at grade 5	At-home access is web-only New full-year subscriptions cost $199 annually School and intervention buyers must contact sales
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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• 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 →
• Reading Horizons6.4/10 · From $50/yr

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

  Try Reading HorizonsFull verdict →