Epic! - Kids' Books and Videos

Epic! - Kids' Books and Videos

app

Everyone, 2015, Education

WISE
76%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

A massive digital library that's genuinely great for building reading skills—just watch out for the subscription trap.

Where to Find

App Store
App Store
Google Play
Google Play
Screenwise Verdict

Epic is genuinely good at what it does: getting kids to read more. The library is massive, the tools are solid, and the educational value is real—teachers and parents alike report measurable improvements in reading skills.

But here's the thing: the subscription practices are sketchy. Too many parents report getting trapped in subscriptions they can't cancel, which is a manipulative dark pattern that sours an otherwise excellent product. If you go this route, screenshot your cancellation confirmation and set multiple reminders.

The best deal? If your kid's teacher uses Epic School, you get free access during school hours. That's the sweet spot—all the literacy benefits, none of the subscription headaches. For families paying out of pocket, it's a solid investment if your kid actually uses it, but don't let it become another forgotten subscription draining your account.

Age Fit

Best for ages 3-12, covering early readers through middle grade. Younger kids will love the read-to-me features, while older elementary kids can explore independently. Teens will likely find the selection too young, though some middle schoolers might still use it for quick reads or research.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
82

Curated library of children's books and educational videos provides age-appropriate content that encourages reading and learning. The app promotes positive habits through reading buddies and achievement badges. However, the platform's content is only as wholesome as the books selected, and with 40,000+ titles, some curation variance is inevitable.

Imaginative
78

Access to 40,000+ books, audiobooks, and learning videos across diverse genres fuels curiosity and exploration. Kids can freely browse topics that interest them, from fiction to nonfiction, which encourages self-directed learning. The variety of formats (read-to-me, audiobooks, videos) offers different ways to engage with stories. However, it's fundamentally a consumption platform rather than a creation tool—kids read and watch but don't build or make.

Safe
71

Kid-safe curated content with up to 4 child profiles and parental controls. No ads in the paid family version. However, web search results reveal significant concerns about subscription practices, with parents reporting difficulties canceling subscriptions and poor customer service—a manipulative dark pattern that lowers the safety score. The free educator version is safer in this regard. Content itself appears well-moderated, but the business practices are problematic.

Enriching
85

Strong educational value with tools like AR/DRA/F&P leveling for educators, quizzes, dictionary lookup, and spotlight words for vocabulary building. Multilingual options (Spanish, French, Chinese) support diverse learners. 95% of parents report improved reading skills, and 9 out of 10 educators would recommend it. The platform genuinely builds literacy skills and reading confidence through accessible, leveled content. Reading tracking helps parents and teachers monitor progress.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • 40,000+ books and audiobooks means your kid can actually find stuff they want to read, which is half the battle
  • Read-to-me books with voice actors and sound effects make reading accessible for early or reluctant readers
  • Teachers love it (9 out of 10 recommend) and it's free for classroom use, which says something
  • Real literacy tools like leveled reading, vocabulary spotlights, and progress tracking that actually help kids improve
  • 95% of parents report it helped their kid's reading skills—that's a pretty solid stat
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What to Watch For

  • The subscription is notoriously difficult to cancel—multiple parents report fighting with customer service, so set a calendar reminder before your free trial ends
  • At $7.99/month (or more), it adds up fast, especially if you forget about it
  • If your kid's school uses Epic, you might get free access during school hours—check before paying
  • It's a reading app, not screen-free reading—some kids will engage better with physical books

Conversation Starters

  • "What's the weirdest book you found on Epic today?"
  • "Do you like it better when the book reads to you, or when you read it yourself?"
  • "Show me your reading buddy—how many books until your next badge?"
  • "If you could only keep five books from Epic on a desert island, which ones?"

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