Side by side
Epic vs Listen
Both stand on reading apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
Epic combines a broad children's reading library with family controls and classroom tools. Check device compatibility and regional book availability, and note that family access is paid.
Visit Epic Free plan ExtensioniPhoneMac+1
Pick Listen if you want spoken articles, summaries, and synchronized reading positions across iPhone and Mac. Look elsewhere if you need offline audio, access to paywalled content, or playback directly from a non-Safari iPhone browser.
Visit ListenThe facts
| Epic | Listen | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Web | Extension, iPhone, Mac, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Epic Family Annual: $7.25 a year | Listen Pro annual: A$194.99 a year |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | getepic.com | getlisten.co |
| On reading apps | #9 of 47 | #13 of 47 |
Epic: what it does well
- Library includes books, audiobooks and learning videos
- Parent controls guide each child's reading
- Teachers can assign titles and track reading
- Offline downloads available on iOS and Android
- Free school plan offers weekday classroom access
What to know first
- Kindle and Fire tablets are not compatible
- Offline downloads stay on the device used
- Some books may be unavailable outside the United States
Listen: what it does well
- Converts articles and selected text into audio
- Provides summaries, highlighting, bookmarks, and 13 voices
- Syncs saved articles and reading positions across devices
- Free plan includes 2,000 narrated words weekly
- Works through web, iPhone, Mac, and Safari extension
What to know first
- Narration and sync require an internet connection
- Bookmarks do not provide complete offline audio
- iPhone webpage playback is limited to Safari
- Free plan has a 2,000-word weekly quota