The Best Apps for Kids of 2024
Written by: BestApp.com App Testing Team - Updated: Mar 18, 2022
If you’re looking for a kids’ app that’s fun and educational, we suggest ABCmouse because it offers age-appropriate learning activities for kids ages 2 to 8. But if your child is in a different age group or interested in a particular subject, you may want to try one of our ten other app recommendations instead. Here are the top 11 kids’ apps on iOS and Android.
Top 11 Apps for Kids to Try
- ABCmouse.com — Top Pick
- PBS KIDS Games — Best Free App
- Sago Mini First Words — Best for Speech Therapy
- Epic! — Best Reading App
- DoodleMaths — Best Curriculum
- LetterSchool — Best Spelling App
- Lightbot: Code Hour — Best Coding App
- Mussila Music — Best Music App
- Duolingo — Best for Learning Languages
- Toca Hair Salon 3 — Most Fun App
- BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week — Best Educational Videos
How We Chose the Best Apps for Kids
There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right app for your kid, from making sure that it’s for the right age group to ensuring it’s compatible with your child’s devices. All the apps on our list have a learning component, but we also looked for apps with interactive content like music and games to keep your child engaged.
Choose the kids’ app that’s right for your child
Younger children may need help with their math or reading skills, while older kids might be ready to learn how to code or speak another language. Look for apps that align with your child’s school curriculum or real-world interests so they get the most out of it. Also, be sure to compare subscription prices. Several of the apps on our list are free, but others charge a monthly fee to unlock all their features.
Encourage healthy habits
By choosing an app that’s kidSAFE-certified, you won’t have to worry so much about what your child is doing online. Still, it’s important to keep an eye on their screen time: The Mayo Clinic recommends no more than an hour a day for kids ages 2 to 5, and a more individualized approach for older children.
Our Apps for Kids Reviews
ABCmouse.com — Top Pick
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
ABCmouse is our top pick because it offers more than 10,000 learning activities, with progress tracking so you can see how well your child is doing in specific areas. The app has a kidSAFE seal of approval and is designed for kids ages 2-8, with a focus on reading, math, and science. Your child can choose their own avatar and earn rewards along the way to incentivize learning. The main downside to this app is that it’s best for very young children, but once they age out of it they can progress to Adventure Academy, made by the same company. ABCMouse has a 30-day free trial, after which you’ll pay $24.99 per month.
Notable features:
- Free trial available
- Subscription plans: $24.99/month or $99/year
- Support available: Email, Chat, Help Center/FAQs
| ABCmouse.com Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| 10,000+ learning activities | High monthly cost |
| Progress tracking | |
| kidSAFE-certified | |
PBS KIDS Games — Best Free App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
PBS KIDS Games is produced by the Public Broadcasting Service, the same channel that airs popular TV shows like “Arthur,” “Clifford,” and “Sesame Street.” Not only will your kids see some of these familiar characters in the app, but they’ll also be introduced to STEM skills through interactive games and puzzles. It’s also great for bilingual kids, who can play games in either Spanish or English. PBS KIDS Games is entirely free, making it the best free app on our list: There are no subscriptions or in-app purchases to worry about. You can also use the app to view your local PBS schedule and download games in advance for offline access.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: None
- Support available: Email, Help & FAQ
| PBS KIDS Games Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Features popular TV characters | Video app is separate |
| Teaches STEM skills | Available in U.S. only |
| Multilingual options | |
Sago Mini First Words — Best for Speech Therapy
Download: iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Otsimo, a developer of game-based learning apps for children with special needs, has partnered with Sago Mini to create this app for early speech development. Sago Mini First Words was designed with the help of speech pathologists, child psychologists, and early child development experts, and it uses fun mini-games and interactive videos to teach kids critical language skills.
Notable features:
- Free trial available
- Subscription plans: $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year
- Support available: Ticket, FAQ
| Sago Mini First Words Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Designed by child development experts | No free version available |
| Engaging content makes it fun to learn | |
Epic! — Best Reading App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Epic! is all about reading, with over 40,000 books available for children ages 12 and under. You can browse categories such as “Award Winners,” or get personalized recommendations based on your age and reading level. In addition to well-known books like “Curious George,” you’ll find nonfiction books on topics like asteroids and dinosaurs to hold your kid’s interest. The app also has audiobooks and “read-to-me” books, making it suitable for new readers and experienced readers alike. Free users can read up to one book per day, while subscribers get unlimited access and separate profiles for up to four children.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Unlimited: $9.99/month or $79.99/year
- Support available: Email, Help Center, Ticket
| Epic! Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| More than 40,000 books | No games, movies, or music |
| Free version available | |
| Multiple languages | |
DoodleMaths — Best Curriculum
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
DoodleMaths is the most structured learning app on our list, with a comprehensive curriculum covering 10 years of education. Your kid will start by taking a baseline assessment to see where they’re at, followed by 10 minutes of learning every day. Parents can track their child’s progress using the online dashboard, while teachers can use the app as part of their in-class instruction. You can try DoodleMaths free for 7 days, after which you’ll pay $10.99 per month for a single subscription or $18.99 per month for a family plan. Doodle also offers online coaching if your child needs some extra help.
Notable features:
- Free trial available
- Subscription plans: Single Child: $10.99/month; Family: $18.99/month
- Support available: Email, Chat, Help Center
| DoodleMaths Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Family subscription available | High monthly cost |
| Online coaching options | Based on UK curriculum |
LetterSchool — Best Spelling App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
If your child isn’t ready for a more advanced curriculum, LetterSchool may be the right app for them. This app is specifically focused on learning the alphabet, making it the best spelling app on our list. Not only will your child learn their letters, but they’ll also get to practice writing them by tracing letters with their finger on the screen of their device. The app teaches block and cursive letters, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, geometric shapes, and more. Bilingual children can learn the alphabet in up to 12 languages, as well as Japanese characters. With a monthly subscription price of $4.99, this is also one of the most affordable learning apps for kids on our list.
Notable features:
- Free trial available
- Subscription plans: $4.99/month
- Support available: Email, Help Center/FAQs
| LetterSchool Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Low monthly price | Limited curriculum |
| 12 languages available | No music or videos |
Lightbot: Code Hour — Best Coding App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Lightbot: Code Hour is all about coding and computer programming, making it a great choice for kids with an interest in computer science. Your child will get more than 50 levels of programming puzzles to choose from, helping them learn the principles of coding in a hands-on way. You can also access it in dozens of languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Although it’s suitable for kids of all ages, it may be too advanced for kids under 8 because it teaches complex topics like loops and conditionals.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription options: None
- Support available: Email
| Lightbot: Code Hour Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| 50 learning levels | No music or movies |
| Available in multiple languages | Too advanced for some users |
Mussila Music — Best Music App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
If your child is interested in music, then Mussila Music is the best app to introduce them to the principles of music theory. It offers four learning paths, suitable for children of all ages and experience levels. The Learning Path focuses on theory basics, such as reading sheet music, while the Play Path can teach kids to play a real piano or virtual keyboard on their tablet. The Create Path is all about having fun DJing, remixing music, and creating songs. Finally, the Practice Path is great for kids who are already taking lessons on a particular instrument. All these paths are available for $5.99 per month (this subscription also includes access to their brand-new app, Mussila WordPlay).
Notable features:
- Free trial available
- Subscription options: $5.99/month for Mussila Music and Mussila WordPlay, or one-time lifetime purchase of Mussila Music for $19.99
- Support available: Email, Chat, FAQs
| Mussila Music Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Multiple learning paths | No advanced lessons |
| Teaches sheet music | Primary focus on keyboard |
Duolingo — Best for Learning Languages
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Duolingo isn’t specifically designed for kids, but it’s a great choice for learning a new language outside of school. It claims to improve your listening and reading proficiency as much as a full semester of study, and it adheres to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) curriculum so you can be prepared for real-world exams. You can use it to practice French or Spanish, learn Korean or Japanese characters, or study more than 35 languages. Duolingo is entirely free, but you’ll have to subscribe to remove ads and unlock additional features.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription options: Plus: $6.99/month
- Support available: Email, Help Center/FAQ
| Duolingo Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Over 35 languages | Not specifically for kids |
| Adheres to CEFR curriculum | |
Toca Hair Salon 3 — Most Fun App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Toca Hair Salon 3 is all about being fun and creative and learning how different people express themselves through clothing and hairstyles. Kids can choose from dozens of characters and see how they look with different hair types and colors, beards or braids, or accessories like hats and glasses. The app is specifically designed with a gender-neutral appearance, so anyone can play. Plus, there are no ads or in-app purchases — just a one-time cost of $3.99 — so you don’t have to worry about your child making purchases. Users can easily take a photo of their favorite characters to share with friends.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- Subscription plans: $3.99/one-time purchase
- Support available: Email, Help & FAQs
| Toca Hair Salon 3 Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No ads or in-app purchases | No structured lessons |
| Suitable for any gender | No music or video |
BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week — Best Educational Videos
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week offers fun and educational videos for students in elementary and middle school. Free users get access to the Movie of the Week, while paying subscribers get full access to the entire collection. Kids can browse categories like social studies, science, arts and technology, and more to find videos on everything from musical instruments to the rainforest. In addition to videos, the app contains quizzes so users can put their knowledge to the test.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: $14.95/month
- Support available: Email, Phone, Help Center
| BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Covers multiple subject areas | Only one free video per week |
| Follow-up quizzes | |
Apps for Kids: Features Summary Table
| Apps for Kids Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | Features |
| ABCmouse.com — Top Pick | $24.99/month or $99/year | ✓ Games ✓ Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| PBS KIDS Games — Best Free App | None | ✓ Games X Music ✓ TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| Sago Mini First Words — Best for Speech Therapy | $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year | ✓ Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| Epic! — Best Reading App | Unlimited: $9.99/month or $79.99/year | X Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| DoodleMaths — Best Curriculum | Single Child: $10.99/month Family: $18.99/month |
✓ Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| LetterSchool — Best Spelling App | $4.99/month | ✓ Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| Lightbot: Code Hour — Best Coding App | None | ✓ Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| Mussila Music — Best Music App | $5.99/month for Mussila Music and Mussila WordPlay, or one-time lifetime purchase of Mussila Music for $19.99 | ✓ Games ✓ Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| Duolingo — Best for Learning Languages | Plus: $6.99/month | X Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| Toca Hair Salon 3 — Most Fun App | $3.99/one-time purchase | ✓ Games X Music X TV/Movies ✓ Educational |
| BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week — Best Educational Videos | $14.95/month | ✓ Games X Music ✓ TV/Movies ✓ Educational |