Grow the Code
Grow the Code: A sequenced phonics programme with lessons, books and learner progress tracking. Ranked #6 of 48 in Phonics Apps by our editors (7.3/10); pricing: 14-day trial; best for schools seeking a sequenced phonics curriculum.
At a glance
- Editor score7.3 / 10
- Pricing14-day trial
- Best forSchools seeking a sequenced phonics curriculum
- Free planNo
- Instruction focusBlending
- Facts checked29 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Grow the Code
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 alternative spellings, suffixes and morphology. Teacher guidance, animated letter formation and dictation activities accompany the lessons. The breadth and sequencing make it a fit for educators seeking a structured phonics programme, rather than a narrow app focused on one practice activity.
Its teaching materials combine more than 500 sequenced daily lesson plans with more than 250 fully decodable online books. Activities cover upper- and lower-case letter formation, caption and sentence dictation, and blending and spelling. Online assessment records learner results for class and individual monitoring, and identifies children for targeted keep-up lessons. This mix may suit schools that want instructional content and progress information together; families looking only for standalone reading books may not need the full curriculum.
Grow the Code is paid, with Home access to lessons and decodable books and two School subscription options, for up to 10 or up to 20 teachers. A 14-day free trial is advertised, while trial and pricing terms vary by regional Smart Kids store. The UK product page lists annual pricing and a 7-day cancellation refund, so buyers should check the terms for their region before choosing a plan. The programme is available on web and iOS, with email support. Schools that need a sequenced phonics curriculum and monitoring tools may find its scope relevant; those needing other platforms or a free plan should consider alternatives.
Grow the Code pricing
All 3 Grow the Code plans and prices →
Grow the Code fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Age range | Not verified |
| Instruction focus | Blending |
| Progress tracking | Yes |
| Offline access | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | web, ios |
| Learner profiles | Not verified |
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Money-back guarantee | 7 days |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, iOS |
| Support | |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | growthecode.org |
| Facts checked | 29 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Grow the Code
- Reading EggsA structured phonics-to-comprehension program with extensive books and family reporting.9.0
- StarfallA low-cost phonics and reading library for families, teachers, and schools.8.6
- Lexia Core5 ReadingA school-focused reading program pairing adaptive practice with educator-guided intervention.7.7
See all Grow the Code alternatives →
Grow the Code vs the competition
- Grow the Code vs Reading Eggs
- Grow the Code vs Starfall
- Grow the Code vs Lexia Core5 Reading
- Grow the Code vs Hooked on Phonics
- Grow the Code vs Phonics Hero
- Grow the Code vs Teach Your Monster to Read
Compare Grow the Code with any tool side by side →
Used Grow the Code? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Grow the Code for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Grow the Code is listed in our Phonics Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/grow-the-code/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/grow-the-code.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update