Best English apps for 5-7 year olds: 7 apps compared

Quick answer: We compared seven apps: Small Universe (our own app, free), Duolingo, Lingokids, Studycat, Dinolingo, Khan Academy Kids and Duolingo ABC. Our picks by age: Lingokids for a child who has just turned 5, Small Universe at 6, when 16 of its 17 game types are open, and Duolingo at 7 for children who read on their own.

Your five-year-old has been tapping away at the same toddler app for months. The songs are too babyish and the games too easy. They've memorized every animal name the app has to offer. If that sounds familiar, your child may have hit what we call the novelty cliff. They're ready for more. But more of what, exactly?

The 5-7 age range is a very good window for language learning. Kids are starting to read, their attention spans are stretching, and they can handle real structure. But they're still kids, and they still want the fun and the reward. The wrong app bores them. The right one has them begging for "just five more minutes."

We compared seven English learning apps on the things that matter at this age: curriculum and CEFR progression, game variety, how reading is brought in, price, and ads. Here's how they stack up.

What 5-7 year olds actually need from a language app

Before the reviews, a word on how this age group differs from toddlers and from older kids. Those differences decide which app will work.

Reading is entering the picture

Most five-year-olds are beginning to recognize letters and simple words. By seven, many are reading short sentences independently. An English app for this age group has to cover that whole shift. Apps that rely only on pictures and audio will hold back a six-year-old who's ready to see written words. Apps that demand fluent reading will frustrate a five-year-old who isn't there yet.

The best apps for this range add reading a little at a time. They show the written word next to the audio and the picture, so kids pick up spelling patterns by seeing them over and over instead of being tested on them too early.

Longer attention, higher standards

A three-year-old will happily tap bubbles for ten minutes and call it learning. A six-year-old sees through that. Kids in the 5-7 bracket need real variety. They want games that feel different from one another and progress they can see. And they want challenges that make them feel clever, not talked down to.

The CEFR A1 level: what it actually means

You may have seen "CEFR" on language apps without knowing what it stands for. The Common European Framework of Reference is a standardized scale for language ability, used by schools and language programs worldwide. We explain each level in detail in our guide to CEFR levels for kids.

A1 is the first real level, sometimes called "beginner." At A1, a child can introduce themselves, understand simple questions about familiar topics, recognize everyday words, and use basic phrases in context. Something like "My name is Luca. I like cats. The ball is red." That is a long way from holding a conversation, but everything later builds on it.

For 5-7 year olds learning English as a second language, reaching a solid A1 is a realistic goal, and a worthwhile one. CEFR-aligned apps tell you more about where your child stands than apps that call a child "intermediate" and never say what that means.

How apps complement school

Parents often ask whether an app replaces English class. It doesn't. But the right app backs up what school teaches in ways a classroom can't. School gives structure, a teacher to talk to, and classmates to practice with. An app gives unlimited repetition and instant feedback, and your child sets the pace.

The best pairing is an app that practices the same vocabulary and grammar your child meets at school, without just putting worksheets on a screen.

The 7 best English apps for 5-7 year olds

1. Small Universe

Small Universe is a space-themed English learning app for children from about age 3, adult beginners and families. Players guide an alien companion through seven planets (Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto), and every vocabulary lesson along the way is played as a mini-game. The app follows CEFR progression from Pre-A1 through B1, with 102 lessons and 17 game types.

What makes it different for 5-7 year olds is that this is when the game library fills out. Picture Dictation opens at five. Word Builder and Sentence Scramble join at six, and by seven all 17 game types are in play. In these games kids write down what they hear, build words letter by letter, and put jumbled words back into sentences. That is hard enough to hold a sharp seven-year-old and still playful enough for a five-year-old who has only just started reading.

From age six, the Game Wheel spins to pick a random compatible game for each lesson (at five, the app picks one automatically, and still changes it from lesson to lesson), so kids meet the same vocabulary in different kinds of activity. One session they might match pictures to words. The next, they're popping bubbles. The one after that, they're fighting a boss alien with the same set of words. The words repeat, but the game around them doesn't, so it rarely feels like drilling.

Picture a six-year-old who won't believe he's studying. In his head he's saving planets, and he asks to play the way he asks for cartoons. That's the job the story is there to do.

Pros:

• 17 game types keep practice from going stale and bring the same words back in different forms
• Reading-integrated games (builder, scramble, dictation) suit kids who are just starting to read
• CEFR-aligned progression gives parents clear benchmarks
• The space story and an alien companion give kids a reason to keep coming back
• Up to 4 profiles, so siblings each get their own
• Boss battles are a real challenge

Cons:

• Web-first PWA, not yet a native App Store download
• Newer app with a smaller content library than established competitors
• No speech recognition yet

Best for: 5-7 year olds who want variety and a story, and who are ready for games with reading in them.

Price: Free. All 102 lessons, no subscription.

Try Small Universe free. Five-year-olds get 12 game types, six-year-olds get 16, and all 17 open at seven.

2. Duolingo

Duolingo is the most recognized language learning app in the world, and it earned that. Its structured lesson paths, streak system, and gamified progression have made it the default choice for millions. The app covers dozens of languages, and its English course is among the most polished.

For younger kids, Duolingo works best from around age 7. The interface assumes your child can already read a little, and the streaks reward showing up every day, which older kids respond to more reliably. Lessons are short and well paced, with a mix of translation, listening, and matching activities.

Duolingo falls short on variety for this age group. The core loop is basically the same in every lesson: translate, match, select. A patient seven-year-old is fine with that. A restless five-year-old may find it monotonous.

Pros:

• Excellent structured progression with clear skill trees
• Speech recognition for pronunciation practice
• Massive community and proven methodology
• Strong free tier with generous daily content

Cons:

• Limited game variety compared to kids-specific apps
• Interface isn't designed specifically for young children
• Streak pressure can create anxiety for sensitive kids
• Best suited for the older end of this age range (7+)

Best for: Seven-year-olds who can read independently and respond well to daily routine and visible progress tracking.

Price: Free version has ads and a daily practice limit (hearts or energy, depending on the account). US accounts registered as under 13 are ad-free. Super Duolingo: about $12.99/month or $83.99/year in the US at the time of writing (varies by country and platform). Family plan: about $119.99/year for up to 6 accounts.

3. Lingokids

Lingokids is a "playlearning" platform for ages 2-8 that includes English content from Oxford University Press. Besides English, it covers math, science, and social-emotional skills. The English part is solid, with over 650 learning objectives taught through games, songs, and videos.

For the 5-7 range, Lingokids is a mixed fit. It's excellent at the younger end, and a five-year-old will find plenty to do. By seven, though, some kids may find the activities a bit young. Covering many subjects is a strength if you want one app for all of them, but it spreads the English thinner than a dedicated language app would.

The Progress Center stands out. It gives parents a clear dashboard of what their child has worked on and how they're coming along. The Oxford University Press content also gives the English side a credible base.

Pros:

• Includes English content from Oxford University Press
• Covers other subjects as well as English
• Excellent for 5-year-olds and younger kids in the range
• Up to 4 child profiles per subscription
• 100% ad-free; the only purchase is the Plus subscription
• Good parent reporting tools

Cons:

• English content is part of a broader curriculum, not the sole focus
• Can feel too young for advanced 7-year-olds
• Upper age limit of 8 means limited growth runway
• Premium subscription required for full access

Best for: Five-year-olds whose parents want a broad learning platform that includes English alongside other skills.

Price: Lingokids Plus is about $15/month, or roughly $72-$90/year in the US depending on where you subscribe. 7-day free trial.

4. Studycat

Studycat (formerly Fun English) is a game-based language learning app for children aged 2-8. Studycat says more than 16 million families use it. It sticks to languages and covers English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese. It was "Highly Commended" at the Bett Awards 2026.

For 5-7 year olds, the thing to look at is VoicePlay, a speech recognition system that processes audio on the device. Kids speak into the microphone and get instant feedback on their pronunciation. Few kids' apps do this well, and it matters at an age when children are still finding the confidence to speak a second language.

The games are well designed and colorful, though there is less variety overall than in some competitors. Each lesson focuses on a specific vocabulary set with a handful of activity types to reinforce it.

Pros:

• VoicePlay speech recognition built for kids
• Focused specifically on language learning
• Multiple language options if your family is learning more than English
• kidSAFE Listed
• Clean, colorful design that appeals to the target age

Cons:

• Fewer game types than some competitors
• Upper age limit of 8 limits long-term use
• Full content requires paid subscription
• With fewer activity types, long sessions can start to feel repetitive

Best for: 5-7 year olds who need pronunciation practice and whose families value speech recognition features.

Price: About $14.99/month or $59.99/year in the US at the time of writing. 7-day free trial available.

5. Dinolingo

Dinolingo works differently from the game-heavy apps on this list. It's mostly video, with animated lessons, songs, and stories that teach vocabulary and phrases. Worksheets and flashcards sit alongside the videos. The app covers 50 languages and targets ages 2-14.

For the 5-7 range, Dinolingo works well as a passive extra. The videos are engaging and introduce words in context, inside stories. The worksheets make it feel more structured and school-like, which some parents prefer. What it lacks is the interactive play that keeps kids doing something in the other apps.

It pairs well with a more interactive app. The videos suit car rides and wind-down time, and when a six-year-old wants something to tap and play, the other app can take over.

Pros:

• Good video content with engaging animations
• Worksheets provide printable, school-style practice
• Covers 50 languages, which is exceptional
• One subscription covers up to 6 children
• Wide age range (2-14) means long-term value

Cons:

• Primarily passive (video-based) rather than interactive
• Less gamification than competitors
• Higher price point than most alternatives
• Interface feels dated compared to newer apps

Best for: Families who want video-based learning to supplement a more interactive app, or children who respond well to watching and listening.

Price: About $19/month or $199/year in the US at the time of writing. 7-day free trial.

6. Khan Academy Kids

Khan Academy Kids is completely free. No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases. It covers reading, math, social-emotional learning, and creative activities for ages 2-8. The English and reading content includes thousands of games, interactive books, and lessons aligned with educational standards.

For 5-7 year olds, it's a solid all-rounder. The reading and ELA content is strong, with phonics taught step by step and a library of interactive books. The app adapts to each child's level and suggests appropriate activities.

There is a catch for English language learners. Khan Academy Kids teaches English literacy, not English as a second language. It assumes the child is learning to read in English as their primary language. For ESL purposes, the vocabulary building is useful, but there's no CEFR alignment, no translation support, and no second-language scaffolding.

Pros:

• Completely free with no ads or paywalls
• Strong reading and phonics instruction
• Broad curriculum covering multiple subjects
• Adaptive learning path
• Used in schools, with teacher and classroom tools available

Cons:

• Designed for native English speakers, not ESL learners
• No CEFR alignment or second-language teaching methodology
• Upper age limit of 8 limits growth
• English content isn't the sole focus
• Can't track language-specific progress separately

Best for: Families on a budget who want a free, high-quality app for general English literacy development. Strongest for native or near-native speakers.

Price: Free. No ads. No in-app purchases.

7. Duolingo ABC

Duolingo ABC is a separate app from Duolingo, focused entirely on teaching children to read. It targets ages 3-6 (pre-K to 2nd grade) with over 700 bite-sized lessons covering the alphabet, phonics, sight words, and reading fluency. Like Khan Academy Kids, it's completely free with no ads.

For the 5-7 range, Duolingo ABC does one specific job: reading readiness. The phonics is taught in a sensible order, the interactive stories build fluency, and the short, bite-sized lessons fit into any routine. Letter tracing and drag-and-drop exercises give kids something to do with their hands as well as their eyes and ears.

Duolingo ABC is a reading app, though, not a language learning app. It teaches how reading English works (letter sounds, word formation, sentence flow) rather than vocabulary or grammar. ESL families will get the most from it next to a language-focused app.

Pros:

• Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
• Excellent phonics and reading instruction
• Designed by literacy experts
• Short lessons suit busy schedules and short attention spans
• Offline access available

Cons:

• Teaches reading, not language, so there's no vocabulary or grammar focus
• Upper age limit of 6 (pre-K to 2nd grade) means limited runway for older kids
• Not designed for ESL learners specifically
• iOS and Android only

Best for: Five and six-year-olds who need to build foundational reading skills in English to support their overall language learning.

Price: Free. No ads. No in-app purchases.

Feature comparison table

How these apps complement school English

If your child is in kindergarten or early primary school, they probably get some English at school already, whether that's full immersion, a few hours a week, or literacy-focused lessons. Here's where an app fits in.

A classroom teacher introduces "colors" once, maybe twice. An app can bring the same words back in ten different game types over several weeks, which is how they end up in long-term memory. That spaced repetition is one of the best reasons to add an app to what school does.

Confidence comes into it too. A shy five-year-old who walks into class already knowing the words joins in more. They put their hand up and volunteer answers. The teacher still did the teaching. The app just gave the child a head start, and that made the teacher's job easier.

Apps also fill gaps quietly. School moves at the pace of the class. If your child missed something or needs more time on a topic, they can practice on the app in private, without the embarrassment of falling behind their classmates.

Here's a simple routine to try. Use the app three or four times a week for 10-15 minutes, and loosely match the vocabulary themes to whatever your child is covering at school. Skip the strict schedule and don't force it. The app is simply there when your child wants it.

See how Small Universe's 102 lessons are spread across seven vocabulary planets.

Our pick by sub-age

The right app often comes down to where your child sits within the 5-7 range. A young five is very different from a confident seven-year-old.

Just turned 5

At this age, your child is likely pre-reading or just beginning to recognize letters. They still do best with plenty of audio and pictures, but they're ready for more structure than a toddler app gives them.

Our pick is Lingokids. A broad curriculum with Oxford University Press English content, pitched at the right age, makes it the strongest choice for younger fives. (We also have a dedicated guide to the best English apps for 3-4 year olds if your child is closer to the younger end.) Pair it with Duolingo ABC if you want to build reading readiness alongside language skills.

Also worth a look: Small Universe, where the space story grabs their imagination and reading-integrated games come in gradually as the child gets older (Picture Dictation at five, Word Builder and Sentence Scramble at six).

Age 6: where most apps fit best

Six-year-olds are the ideal audience for most apps on this list. They cope with lots of different game types, can follow a simple story, and are building the reading skills that word games need. At this age, what matters most is variety and whether the app holds their interest.

Our pick is Small Universe. Sixteen of its 17 game types are open at six (Conversation joins at seven), which holds off the boredom that sets in with simpler apps, and the CEFR-aligned progression gives you clear benchmarks. Six is also when the Game Wheel starts spinning, which keeps sessions unpredictable.

Also worth a look: Studycat, especially if pronunciation practice is a priority for your family.

Age 7: ready for structure

By seven, most children can read simple sentences, follow instructions on their own, and concentrate for longer. They're ready for apps that feel more like real learning tools and less like toddler entertainment.

Our pick is Duolingo. (For a closer look at how these three apps compare, see our Duolingo vs Lingokids vs Small Universe comparison.) The structured skill tree, streak motivation, and speech recognition suit a seven-year-old who is starting to learn on their own. There's so much content that they won't outgrow it.

Also worth a look: Small Universe for kids who still want narrative and variety, or Khan Academy Kids for families who want a free, broad-curriculum option.

The bottom line

No single English app is best for every child between five and seven. It depends on your child's reading level, how they pay attention, and how far along they already are with English. What matters most is consistency. Ten minutes a day with a good app beats an hour a week with a perfect one.

A child who craves variety and a story will probably take to Small Universe. One who likes structure and routine should try Duolingo. For a younger five, when you also want broader learning, go with Lingokids. And if budget decides it, Khan Academy Kids and Duolingo ABC are excellent and completely free.

Most of these apps offer free trials. Pick two or three, let your child try each for a few days, and watch which one they ask to open again. That's your answer. For a broader look at game-based options, see our guide to the best English games for kids.

Start your child's space adventure with Small Universe. It's free, with no subscription, and your child can play without an account.

Frequently asked questions

Which English app is best for a 6-year-old?

We pick Small Universe, our own app, for six-year-olds. Sixteen of its 17 game types are open at six, the Game Wheel starts spinning, and the CEFR-aligned progression gives you clear benchmarks. Studycat is also worth a look if pronunciation practice matters most, because its VoicePlay feature gives instant feedback on speech.

Are there free English apps for 5-7 year olds?

Yes. Small Universe is free, with all 102 lessons and no subscription. Khan Academy Kids and Duolingo ABC are also completely free with no ads, but both teach English literacy to native speakers rather than English as a second language. Duolingo's free version has ads and a daily practice limit.

Can an app replace English classes at school?

No. School gives structure, a teacher to talk to and classmates to practice with. An app adds unlimited repetition and instant feedback at your child's own pace. A simple routine is three or four sessions a week of 10-15 minutes, loosely matched to the vocabulary themes your child is covering at school.

What CEFR level should a 5-7 year old aim for?

For 5-7 year olds learning English as a second language, a solid A1 is a realistic and worthwhile goal. At A1 a child can introduce themselves, understand simple questions about familiar topics, recognize everyday words and use basic phrases, such as "My name is Luca. I like cats. The ball is red."

Sources

This guide draws on the following research and reference works. It is written by Paul B.

• Ehri, L. C. (2005). Learning to read words: Theory, findings, and issues. Scientific Studies of Reading, 9(2), 167-188.
• National Reading Panel (2000). Teaching Children to Read. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
• Hirsh-Pasek, K., et al. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(1), 3-34.
• Council of Europe (2020). CEFR Companion Volume (Pre-A1 to B1 descriptors).