Best Reading Apps in 2026
Updated
In short: Duolingo is ranked #1 of 47 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of ReadTheory and CommonLit. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ReadTheory. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Epic at $0.60/mo.
A reading app may support a learner through practice, books, or other reading content. Compared on age range, content format, comprehension practice, fluency practice, and phonics instruction, these entries offer different criteria for matching an app to a reader’s needs. Duolingo, ReadTheory, and CommonLit are among the options shown. Consider whether offline access matters for the learner’s routine, and check supported platforms for compatibility with the devices in use. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing can also help you compare access and cost.
47 reading apps ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
9 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DuolingoWeb · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 2 | ReadTheoryWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | $40/mo | 6.7 | |
| 3 | CommonLitWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $350/mo | 6.6 | |
| 4 | EpicWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $0.60/mo | 6.6 | |
| 5 | HeadwayWeb · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 6 | SkybraryWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $4.17/mo | 6.6 | |
| 7 | InstapaperAndroid · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $5/mo | 6.5 | |
| 8 | Teach Your Monster to ReadWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | Google Read AlongWeb · Android | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 10 | Lexia Core5 ReadingWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 11 | Renaissance myONWeb · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 12 | StarfallWeb · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $2.92/mo | 5.6 |
| 13 | JW LibraryWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 14 | AndBibleMac · Linux · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 15 | FBReaderWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 16 | Olive Tree Bible AppWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 17 | Reading EggsWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | $8.33/mo | 5.4 |
| 18 | YouScribeWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 19 | BookFusionWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 20 | InoreaderWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | Level One ReadingWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 22 | ListenWeb · Mac · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 23 | Nessy Reading & SpellingWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 24 | NewsBlurWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 25 | Read with PhonicsWeb · Android | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which reading app is ranked first on Freedom251?
Duolingo is ranked #1 of 47 with a score of 6.7. ReadTheory is second and CommonLit third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Epic has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.60/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.