Branchlings

The best story app for your child depends on who they are

A toddler at bedtime, a seven-year-old who'd rather do anything than read, and a kid who never stops making up stories shouldn't all get the same app. So we wrote a guide for each. Yes, we make Branchlings, and it shows up in all of them. It doesn't win all of them.

Guides

  • Best bedtime story app for toddlers Honest picks for toddler bedtime stories: screen-free players, a picture book your toddler chooses, your own recorded voice and sleep audio, with what pediatricians say about screens before bed. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Best story app for preschoolers Honest picks for 3-to-5-year-olds: a story they shape about their own life, a free learning app, a library of real picture books, and a screen-free player they can work themselves. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when another app is better.
  • Best app for early readers Honest picks for 5-to-7-year-olds learning to read: free phonics, a phonics game, a full learn-to-read program, leveled books, and stories they'll want to practice with. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say plainly that ours doesn't teach phonics.
  • Best story app for reluctant readers Honest picks for kids who'd rather do anything than read: stories where they're the hero and decide what happens, a huge library to find their one topic, writing their own book, and the cheapest pick-your-path app. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Best apps for kids with dyslexia Honest picks for children with dyslexia: human-narrated audiobooks with highlighted text, a structured-literacy program built for dyslexic learners, stories to read for fun with a dyslexia-friendly font, and a narrated library. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say plainly what ours isn't.
  • Best story app for big feelings Honest picks for helping young children with big feelings: stories where your child is the one who's brave, Sesame's free calm-down app, free PBS KIDS games, and breathing and meditations. Plus what pediatricians say about screens and calming down. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Best story app for imaginative kids Honest picks for the child who never stops making things up: apps where they steer a story, write and illustrate their own book, code a story, or play one out. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when another app is better.
  • Best personalized story app Honest picks for personalized children's stories, from printed keepsakes with your child's name to apps where your child shapes the story. Prices, photos, platforms and what each does best. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Best AI story app for safety and privacy How the AI story apps for children compare on what matters most: who they're made for, AI chat, what happens to your child's words and photos, and outside certification. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say where another app does better.
  • Best app to help kids fall asleep Honest picks for helping children fall asleep: screen-free players with sleep timers, sleep-story and meditation apps, a read-aloud app that keeps your voice at the center, and where a story app fits. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who put screen-free first.

Comparisons and alternatives

  • Branchlings vs Gemini Storybook An honest comparison of Branchlings and Google's Gemini Storybook: price, who each is made for, branching stories, pictures, read-aloud, languages and privacy. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Branchlings vs Giant An honest comparison of Branchlings and Giant (Giant: Imagination Adventures): price, branching stories, AI voice chat, reading, ages, platforms and children's privacy. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Branchlings vs Oscar Stories An honest comparison of Branchlings and Oscar Stories: price, platforms, languages, branching, pictures, read-aloud and privacy. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say where Oscar is better.
  • Branchlings vs Wonderbly An honest comparison of Branchlings and Wonderbly personalized books: printed keepsakes vs new stories every night, price, personalization, interactivity, delivery and returns. Written by the makers of Branchlings.
  • Branchlings vs Epic An honest comparison of Branchlings and Epic, the kids' reading library: price, published books vs AI-made stories, choices, read-aloud, reading levels, languages and devices. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say where Epic is better.
  • Gemini Storybook alternatives Honest alternatives to Google's Gemini Storybook: apps children can use themselves, stories that branch, characters that stay the same, printed books and free options. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when Gemini is still the better pick.
  • Giant alternatives Honest alternatives to Giant (Giant: Imagination Adventures): story apps without AI chat, cheaper personalized stories, real books, free learning apps and open-ended play. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when Giant is still the better pick.
  • Oscar Stories alternatives Honest alternatives to Oscar Stories, the AI bedtime story app: stories with choices, free plans, long chapter stories, avatars and free one-off books. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when Oscar is still the better pick.
  • Wonderbly alternatives Honest alternatives to Wonderbly's personalized books: printed books starring the whole family, books your child writes, free storybooks, and apps for a new story every night. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when Wonderbly is still the better pick.
  • Epic alternatives Honest alternatives to Epic, the kids' reading library: free reading apps, structured learn-to-read programs, audiobooks for dyslexia, screen-free listening and stories starring your child. Written by the makers of Branchlings, who say when Epic is still the better pick.

Try Branchlings

Your child dreams up the story and picks what happens at every fork, and Branchlings writes and paints it. Free to download, with in-app purchases. You can read the sample stories before you choose a plan. Painting your character and new stories come with a plan. Plans start at $9.99 a month, and there's no free trial. For iPhone and iPad in the US.

Coming soon to the App Store Android coming soon