Hooked on Phonics26 reviews
This score is based on 26 genuine reviews submitted via US-Reviews since 2023.
Featured Reviews
Reviews (26)
No reviews yet!
Find companies you have experience with and write reviews about them! Your reviews contribute to a more transparent market and improve the reliability of companies.Almost there, stuck on a signup glitch
So I was all set to get Hooked on Phonics for my preschooler — imagining our slow morning routine, little cards on the kitchen table, me sipping coffee while she sounds out words. It feels like the kind of program that would slot right into our days, you know? But my order got blocked because apparently I had an old account with a related brand years ago. I dug up an email from 2019 where they confirmed a cancellation, so that part confused me. I reached out to customer support for a fix and for clarification, since I really want to use it with my kiddo, and it's been over a month with crickets. Still, I like the look and simplicity of the product and I'm hopeful this is just a bureaucratic snag. Fingers crossed they reply and we can start our reading mornings — would be nice to actually try it.
Packet on time, help when needed
Right in the middle of a rainy week I realized the newest packet had arrived and she opened it before I was done with my coffee. At first she avoided books, wouldn't touch them, but after a few weeks with these small, structured packets she began reading aloud during breakfast, in the car, in line at the store — basically everywhere. Delivery was reliable; shipments arrived on schedule, and when one box went missing customer service got back to me within a day and sent a replacement without drama. The reps were straightforward and helpful, not sugarcoated, which I liked. We used the materials for quick daily sessions, homework warm-ups, and a calm bedtime routine; the short games reinforced stuff without being annoying. Ordering online was simple and the price felt fair for what we got. I'm glad we stuck with it — relieved, actually — and grateful the logistics and support were solid, since that made it easy to keep the routine going.
Little surprises in the mailbox
we somehow misplaced the Level 4 box (long story — moved, packed wrong, you know) and accidentally had a reorder sent to an old address. I emailed them and they simply reshipped to our current place at no cost and said we didn’t have to send the old box back. That was a nice surprise — honest, it made me like the company more. I’ve already told a few friends and even mentioned it at a playdate. Costs seemed fair; delivery was quick once sorted. Overall glad we tried it, and honestly a bit relieved my kid enjoys reading now.
Little wins, big surprise
he used to shut down on tricky words, but now he tries them, sounds them out, and sometimes even corrects himself mid-sentence. It’s such a small thing but it changed how he approaches reading. We stuck to the games and the e-books because I didn’t want it to feel like school at home, and that relaxed vibe seemed important. I’d say presentation matters — how you pitch it to your kid will make or break it. Also, surprise bonus: he started reading little signs and labels around the house, like it’s a game to spot words. So yeah, not perfect, but honestly way better than the other boring apps we tried.
Quiet wins after dinner
it made learning feel doable and even fun for her. I still sit beside her for a few pages most nights — mostly to keep the habit — and she’s actually using the skills on new words now. If I’m picky, the games could use more variety and I’d love a clearer progress dashboard to track small wins day-to-day, but that’s minor. I tell friends about it a lot and, honestly, I’m glad we gave it a fair shot. My advice: keep sessions short, be patient, and let the program do its ordering — you might be surprised, like we were.
The afternoon it finally clicked
the characters looked odd to both of us, some of the songs were cluttered and you couldn’t figure out what sound they were teaching, and the little paper workbooks we got felt skimpy and kind of bland. I kept thinking, who thought a ghost was a good example for G? My kid was like, “What’s that?” which is not great when you want clear letter associations. Loading was slow on older devices too, which didn’t help patience levels.
But then a sequence of short, focused activities landed just right. There was one simple phonics game — not flashy, just a few clear steps — that she repeated three times and started saying the target sound out loud. I was relieved, actually relieved, and a little surprised. Also, customer service replied to a question I had about the reading books and sent a printable with more beginner-friendly pages. That made the lessons feel salvageable for our routine. The reading books still aren’t picture-perfect and some art is a bit weird, but a couple of the stories worked once I previewed them and paired them with a quick craft we made up on the spot.
So yeah, initial impression was pretty negative, but that day I felt grateful it wasn’t a total waste. It’s not a perfect curriculum for everyone — there’s repetition and some design choices I don’t get — but for us, with extra hands-on tweaks and a little patience, it turned a disappointing start into something helpful. Would I recommend it outright? Maybe with a caveat: be ready to adapt and use the support materials.Misleading cancellation policy
I just bought the program for my nephew, but I had to cancel because of some unexpected issues. I was surprised to find out that the company doesn't make it easy to cancel. Instead, I had to deal with a confusing system of bots and articles before finally being told I would get an email when an agent is ready to chat. This lack of clear communication and slow process for canceling is really frustrating and a big warning sign for anyone thinking about becoming a customer.
Interactive learning material
The learning stuff I bought wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. It just kept going in circles, so my kids got pretty bored. And when I tried to cancel my subscription, I had trouble because the app said it wasn't active but still charged me. Dealing with that was annoying and not worth it. Basically, it was more trouble than it was helpful.
Phonics program for my 4-year-old
The program was definitely worth every penny! They only reached out when necessary and gave some really helpful tips on what my kiddo should focus on. The books are top-notch and the activities are super fun and imaginative. My little 4-year-old picked up all her letters and sounds in no time after using this program - now she's already starting to sound out words! The app is so interactive and clever, with just enough practice to keep it interesting. I would definitely recommend this subscription to others.
Phonics learning program
As a parent whose kiddo tried out that phonics learning program, gotta admit it fell short in keeping his attention. It just seemed to confuse him rather than help him out, especially when he had to match sounds to those random boxes that didn't even match the animals shown. It was tough seeing him get flustered with something that was meant to help him learn better. Definitely think there's some work to be done in making the program more kid-friendly and fun.
Subscription cancellation issue
I just had a really frustrating experience trying to cancel a subscription. So, I thought I canceled my account, but then they told me I had two accounts linked to my email, even though I only saw one. I tried to fix it, but they kept charging me for that extra account. And then, they wanted me to pay to send back stuff I never even wanted to begin with. It's just not cool how they're not being upfront and taking responsibility for their mistake. It's really not okay.
Phonics curriculum purchase
I got my 4-year-old son a new phonics curriculum and it's really helped him with his reading. We had a bit of a problem when we lost one of the levels, but the customer service was so great and they sent us a replacement for free.
Autism reading aid
I was having a tough time trying to teach my child with autism how to read, but then we gave this product a shot. My daughter was having difficulty stringing words into sentences, but there was something about this program that really worked for her. She's finally starting to understand what she's reading, and it's been a huge weight off our shoulders as parents. I definitely suggest this product to anyone dealing with similar struggles.
1st grade reading booster
I was so impressed with how well this product worked to boost my son's confidence with reading. I introduced it to him as a fun reading game that we could play together, and he was really into it. He now looks forward to our reading game time and gets upset if we have to skip it. The way you introduce something like this to your kid really makes a difference. This app has kept him excited and he's made amazing progress compared to other learning apps we've tried. We started with pre-reader and now we're halfway through the learn to read section, and he's really enjoying the experience without feeling like he's in school. Overall, we're big fans.
Phonics program
My daughter has been working with this phonics program for a few months now, but we haven't seen any progress. She's still having a tough time just like when we first began. I wouldn't suggest this program for kids who find phonics challenging.
Phonics learning material
I thought that the phonics learning material was really good for helping kids get better at reading. But I gotta say, some of the animations of the letters, like Q and g, were kind of hard to understand. Plus, the app had some glitches that made it repeat sections even after you finished them. Although the content is interesting, the animations and app could definitely use some work.
Phonics learning packets for my child
I gotta tell ya, those phonics learning packets really made a huge difference for my kiddo. They were simple to use, and my little one just lit up whenever he got those stars (like little awards) as he worked through each one. It wasn't just fun for him, but it also helped him focus better and get better at recognizing his letters and sounds. Ever since we started using this, I've seen a big improvement in his reading skills. I definitely suggest it to any parent trying to boost their kid's reading abilities.
Phonics reading program
I gotta tell ya, that phonics reading program has seriously made a huge difference for my kiddo. In no time at all, my daughter's reading skills improved by leaps and bounds. It's super easy to use and really keeps the kids interested. And when we hit a rough patch financially and had to take a break from the program, the customer service rep was a lifesaver, hooking us up with everything we needed to jump back in. All in all, I couldn't be more pleased with the progress my kid has made thanks to this program.
Phonics program purchase
As a parent using this phonics program, I've definitely noticed a big difference in my son's reading skills. The lessons are fun and really get him involved, which has made all the difference in helping him understand phonics basics. But, gotta be real, he still needs some more help and practice to really nail down his reading abilities. We're gonna keep using this program and whatever support he's getting at school to make sure he reaches his full potential. So far, I'm happy with how far he's come.
Phonics program for struggling reader
I wasn't sure about trying out this phonics program at first, but boy am I glad I did! My granddaughter was really having a hard time in school because her reading skills were lacking. Her school didn't really focus on phonics, so she was just supposed to memorize words without really knowing how to sound them out. I gave this program a shot and I was totally impressed by the results. We worked on it all summer and it was a breeze to use. The coolest part was that they made it fun for her, so she actually had a good time while learning. When school started up again, her reading had improved so much and now she's almost caught up with her classmates. I'd definitely recommend this program to anyone trying to help a struggling reader.
About Hooked on Phonics
Did you know kids prepare for their reading education years before reading their first book? Parents are their children’s first teachers. During this modern era of technology, parents can use a smart phone's application to help them teach their children how to read. Nowadays, there are a lot of similar products out there that claim can help parents assist their kids to learn how to read. If you're looking for an option, you can try visiting Hooked on Phonics first. Kindly read an honest review of Hooked on Phonics first here before visiting their website.
About
It all began with a boy who was struggling to read. In 1987, Hooked on Phonics' founder developed an in-home learning program using phonics to nature an understanding of reading. And as the world has become more digital, so is the Hooked on Phonics product. Hooked on Phonics is proud to offer an award-winning app for Apple and Android tablets and mobile phones called Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read.
Products and Services at Hooked on Phonics
Hooked on Phonics products target kids in the early learning age stage. Whether the kids are in Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, or 2nd Grade, Hooked on Phonics' products were made to help these kids learn how to read. The products are equipped with a progress tracking feature, reward system and also can be used by multiple users.
Compliments, Complains and Tips for Hooked on Phonics
Have you ever bought any of Hooked on Phonics products before? If yes, please kindly know that we would like you to leave your review here on US-Reviews. This will help future potential customers to know more about Hooked on Phonics before dealing with them.
Details
Contact Information
Categories Hooked on Phonics
Services | Online Surveys & Panels
Page Statistics
Last update: February 2026
Advertising notice: Some links are affiliate links. For purchases made through them, we may receive a commission – at no additional cost to you.
Review with most votes
Impressive Results with Hooked
I have been a client of Hooked on Phonics for several months now and I have been extremely impressed with their program. The online platform is easy to navigate and the lessons ... Read onBy: Jasen Beier