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Structured literacy programs

Online and app-based programs that teach sounds and spellings explicitly, in a fixed order, with no guessing: apps your child uses on their own, online lessons you lead, and live online tutoring.

Every listing says who it suits, what it costs, how far it goes and what it does not do. What gets listed

Checked October 2026 · 22 programs listed · Not sure? Try the app finder

Showing 22 of 22, our picks first

Ours Unleash Literacy runs this site

Unleash LiteracyApp · 2nd grade through adult · Web

At-home structured literacy for dyslexic and struggling readers, with speech recognition.

  • Free tier
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Listens to reading
  • Dictation spelling

Reading Horizons At-HomeApp · Ages 4–9 (Discovery) and 10 to adult (Elevate) · Web

Orton-Gillingham-based reading software for home, in a version for ages 4–9 and one for 10 to adult.

  • Paid
  • Up to multisyllable words
  • Dictation spelling

Reading.comApp · Ages 3–8 · iOS, Android

Scripted phonics lessons you do together, with pictures hidden to stop guessing.

  • Paid
  • Up to vowel patterns

Phonics HeroApp · Ages 4–7, plus catch-up · Web, iOS, Android

Synthetic phonics games covering all 44 sounds, with spelling at every level.

  • Paid
  • Up to multisyllable words

Lexercise Professional TherapyOnline tutoring · Pre-K to 11th grade · Online sessions, Web

One live 45-minute Orton-Gillingham therapy session a week online, plus daily practice games.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Tutor listens
  • Dictation spelling

Kids Up Reading TutorsOnline tutoring · 1st–12th grade · Online sessions

High-frequency 1:1 Orton-Gillingham tutoring on Zoom with a published sequence to Latin and Greek roots.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Tutor listens
  • Dictation spelling

Brainspring Virtual TutoringOnline tutoring · Kindergarten to adult · Online sessions

Live 1:1 online tutoring in Phonics First, an accredited Orton-Gillingham program, from K to adult.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Tutor listens
  • Dictation spelling

iReading TutorOnline tutoring · Pre-K to adult · Online sessions

Online dyslexia tutoring using Wilson, Barton and other structured programs, with published prices.

  • Paid
  • Up to prefixes, suffixes & spelling rules
  • Tutor listens
  • Dictation spelling

Hammond Bell (online Barton tutoring)Online tutoring · Ages 5–19 · Online sessions

Online-only Barton Reading & Spelling tutoring with Barton-certified tutors, at least twice a week.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Tutor listens
  • Dictation spelling

Lexercise Basic TherapyApp · School age · Web

Parent-led online structured literacy lessons with daily practice games and a therapist on call.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Dictation spelling

Nessy Reading & SpellingApp · Ages 6–11 · Web

Dyslexia-focused self-paced games from phonics through word parts.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots
  • Dictation spelling

Take Flight (online therapists)Online tutoring · Ages 7 and up · Online sessions

Scottish Rite's Orton-Gillingham dyslexia curriculum, delivered online by certified academic language therapists.

  • Paid
  • Up to prefixes, suffixes & spelling rules
  • Tutor listens
  • Dictation spelling

Funnix Beginning ReadingApp · Kindergarten to 2nd grade · Web

Scripted Direct Instruction reading lessons on the web that a parent runs, from first sounds to about 3rd grade.

  • Paid
  • Up to multisyllable words
  • Dictation spelling

Lexia Core5 ReadingApp · Pre-K to 5th grade · Web, iOS

The adaptive program many schools use, from letter sounds to Greek combining forms.

  • Paid
  • Up to Latin & Greek roots

ReadingDoctor OnlineApp · Kindergarten to 3rd grade, and older strugglers · Web, iOS

Speech-pathologist-designed synthetic phonics software with mastery-gated sets and spelling.

  • Paid
  • Up to vowel patterns

Dyslexia Hub Structured LiteracyApp · Primary school · Web

A free 32-level structured literacy video course from Ireland's national dyslexia charity.

  • Free
  • Up to prefixes, suffixes & spelling rules
  • Dictation spelling

Sweet PhonicsApp · Ages 3–8 · iOS

A K–2 phonics app with 101 lessons, decodable stories it listens to, and tile-to-typing spelling.

  • Paid
  • Up to prefixes, suffixes & spelling rules
  • Listens to reading
  • Dictation spelling

Jolly Phonics – Learn to ReadApp · Ages 3–7 · iOS, Android

The UK's well-known synthetic phonics program as a lesson app for parents and teachers.

  • Paid
  • Up to vowel patterns

Oz PhonicsApp · Ages 4–7 · iOS

A series of cheap iPad phonics apps, with an American accent option and spelling by dictation.

  • Paid
  • Up to vowel patterns
  • Dictation spelling

Initial Code (Sounds-Write)App · Ages 4–6 · iOS

Sounds-Write's iPad app for its first phonics units, with handwritten spelling.

  • Paid
  • Up to blends & digraphs
  • Dictation spelling

Sounds-Write parent courseApp · Ages 3–6 · Web

A free short video course showing parents how to teach first sounds and three-letter words.

  • Free
  • Up to short-vowel words
  • Dictation spelling

Waterford Early Learning: ReadingSchool software · Pre-K to 2nd grade · Web

Adaptive Pre-K–2 reading software used by schools, with decodable texts and spelling.

  • Schools only
  • Up to prefixes, suffixes & spelling rules