Verdict
Reviewers repeatedly note it's free with no ads or subscriptions, which stands out among kids' learning apps, and parents describe it as well-designed and effective for teaching. A recurring minority report freezing or crashing mid-lesson, which is worth knowing before relying on it for a long flight or car ride.
Best for
A parent who wants a genuinely free kids' learning app with no subscription upsells, including for offline use on a plane or in the car.
Dealbreaker
Multiple reviewers report the app freezing or crashing mid-activity, including during setup, so it's not fully reliable for uninterrupted use.
The facts.
Pulled from the App Store, not written by hand. unverified
Price
Free
In-app purchases
Unknown
Ads
Unknown
Platforms
iPhone, iPad
Rating
4.8★ (130,401)
Version
9.0.1
Last updated
Jul 30, 2026
Released
Aug 6, 2018
Attributes
Native app
Category
Education, Family, Games, Adventure
What reviews consistently say.
Themes grouped from 200 App Store reviews. Source feed ›
Praised for
Subscription pricing and paywalls3 reviews
Ease of use and design3 reviews
Battery and performance2 reviews
Works offline2 reviews
Import and export2 reviews
Complained about
Crashes and stability3 reviews
Where this comes from
3 of 200 recent reviews raised: Subscription pricing and paywallsApp Store reviews ›
3 of 200 recent reviews raised: Crashes and stabilityApp Store reviews ›
3 of 200 recent reviews raised: Ease of use and designApp Store reviews ›
2 of 200 recent reviews raised: Works offlineApp Store reviews ›
Listed at Free on the App StoreApp Store listing ›
Where we recommend it
The best learning apps for children ›Learning apps for children that are well rated and still maintained, each with its catch.
Alternatives with the same rule.
Every app here is rated 4.2 or better, has been updated in the last eighteen months, and has no significant number of reviewers reporting it broken. Price is not the rule on this list — some are free, some are not. Also with a catch.
Free · 4.7★ (518,891) · Updated Sep 10, 2026
Verdict. Epic is a large kids' reading library, but most of that library sits behind a subscription, and access can be limited to school hours if you're not paying. Reviewers are frustrated that a free-sounding app keeps demanding payment to actually read books.
Best for. A teacher or school using the classroom/school version, where the subscription is already covered institutionally, rather than a parent hoping for free home reading.
Dealbreaker. You can't read most books without paying for a subscription, and some reviewers report access is restricted to school hours (8am-3pm) unless you subscribe, which defeats casual evening reading at home.
Free · 4.3★ (649,770) · Updated Sep 14, 2026
Verdict. Lingokids offers a broad mix of games and shows for kids, but most of the actual content sits behind a subscription that reviewers say isn't always clear upfront.
Best for. A parent who's already decided to pay for a recurring kids' learning subscription and wants games and shows bundled together rather than a single free app.
Dealbreaker. The free trial converts into a paid subscription, and multiple reviewers report being charged after cancelling or not realizing how much content was locked until they hit the paywall.
Free · 4.4★ (371,773) · Updated Sep 11, 2026
Verdict. PBS KIDS Games leans on its offline download feature as a headline selling point, but recent reviews show that same feature has been inconsistent, with several parents saying most games now require internet access they used to not need.
Best for. A parent whose kid watches PBS shows and plays on a device with reliable wifi, not one relying on offline play for car rides or trips.
Dealbreaker. Offline access has been rolled back and re-added inconsistently, and a handful of reviewers report crashes or freezing on specific games, so don't count on it working reliably without internet.