Funnix App Review: Is This Reading App Like Having Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons on the Computer?

Today, we’re exploring a surprisingly little-known reading app called Funnix.

Now, that might not ring a bell yet… but what if I told you that it was created by Siegfried Engelmann, one of the authors of the classic Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons?

Yes… that book! The one so many families have used to teach their kids to read for decades. If you’ve heard of it, you probably know how influential it’s been in the world of early reading.

Well, Funnix is essentially the digital version of the system used in Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

So if you’ve ever wished you could bring Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons to your computer, this is as close as it gets.

So, what exactly is Funnix? Let’s dig in!

*Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning that I could get a small commission at no additional cost to you should you decide to buy from them.

What Is the Funnix App?

Funnix is a literacy app to teach your child to read. Kids are ready to start once they know just a few letters. To be more precise, they should at least know four out of these five letters: e, f, m, o, r.

The name “Funnix” (FUN-NIX) is a little word game: a mix of “fun” and “phonics,” since this app uses phonics to teach reading.

A little caveat though: they call it a “web-based app” on their website, but I personally see it more like a software, since you won’t find it on the App Store or Google Play, and it is designed to be used on a computer.

Funnix also includes a math module with 100 lessons. Funnix Math is designed for preschool or kindergarten kids with little or no math instruction. It can also be suitable for first and second graders that still haven’t mastered beginning math skills. However, we’ll stay focused on their reading program in today’s article.

What system does Funnix Use?

As mentioned before, this web-based reading program was written by Siegfried (Zig) Engelmann, one of the authors of the classic Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and the creator of the DISTAR system for teaching reading and math.

It’s not surprising then that Funnix is built around the DISTAR (Direct Instruction System for Teaching Arithmetic and Reading) system.

Now, Direct Instruction has a very distinctive style. It’s structured, repetitive, and… well, very direct. That can sound intimidating at first, but… it works.

This method has decades of research behind it and has consistently proven effective in large scale studies, especially for struggling readers who benefit from clear, explicit teaching.

Other than that, Funnix uses explicit synthetic phonics to teach reading, with a strong focus on the development of phonemic and phonological awareness skills. This approach also goes in line with what research has found to bring superior results for learning to read.

So, the distinctive difference in Funnix is how it actually blends both methods (Direct Instruction and Explicit Phonics).

FUN FACT:

The roots of Funnix go back to the 1960s when Zig Engelmann first developed the Direct Instruction model at the University of Illinois. In the late 1990s, his son Owen adapted those ideas into a digital homeschool program — and that’s how Funnix was born.

If you like the classic Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, you’ll probably like Funnix too!

How Does Funnix Work?

Funnix is a very hands-off way to teach your child to read.

The program includes 220 scripted lessons (120 in Funnix Beginning Reading + 100 in Funnix 2), and it guides your child step by step.

You’ll need to be next to your child during lessons, mainly to support them with the mouse and confirm or correct answers. But beyond that, the program does most of the teaching for you.

There’s even a narrator that presents each task, so your child listens, responds, and interacts directly with the screen.

Each lesson:

• Introduces only about 10% new material
• Spends the rest of the time on review and practice

That repetition is intentional, and incredibly powerful for reinforcing skills.

At the end of each lesson, your child also completes a short printable worksheet, so there’s still a pen-and-paper element (which is great!). We shouldn’t forget about writing!

What the Lessons Feel like

Funnix lessons lasts approximately 25–30 minutes long, and ideally you want to do 4–5 sessions per week.

The lessons follow a consistent flow: phonics work, followed by word lists, and a story built entirely from those practiced words. This way, kids focus on reading fluently, instead of guessing or struggling with unfamiliar words.

While Funnix is definitely not a learn-through-games approach (lessons feel like lessons), that doesn’t mean they are dry! It is clearly designed them with kids in mind.

The pacing, voiceover, and interactions are playful enough to keep learners engaged.

The structure looks something like this:

1. The narrator introduces a sound or word.
2. The child repeats or identifies it.
3. The software gives feedback instantly.
4. The child practices again, in slightly different ways.

Each lesson includes cumulative review. This means that nothing is ever left behind, and skills are practiced again and again until they become automatic.

The Visual Cues in Funnix: What are They? What’s their Purpose?

Another hallmark of the Funnix program is its use of visual cues to help children blend sounds and understand how letters work together. You’ll see dots, arrows, and underlines beneath words. These show kids when to say sounds separately, when to blend them together, and which letters form a single sound (like sh or ai).

These prompts gradually disappear as the program progresses, so children move from “sounding out” words to reading them automatically and fluently.

If your child thrives on structure, predictability, and repetition, consider Funnix.

For struggling readers or kids who benefit from very clear steps, I also see how this method can truly work the wonders.

However, if your child prefers more open-ended, exploratory learning, it might feel a bit rigid.

I know… sometimes it’s just too hard to picture how all of this translates into practice. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Just scroll down to the “See Funnix App in Action” section to watch the recordings of two lessons!

A Bit of History (and Why It Looks Retro)

As explained before, Funnix is based on a series of DVDs that Siegfried Engelmann and his son Owen developed in the 1990s.

And honestly? It shows… in a charming way!

The design feels a bit retro, with old-school animations and visuals that seem lifted straight out of the original materials.

It’s nostalgic, simple, and distraction-free… and for reading instruction, that’s not a bad thing! I actually do like it, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea… See samples below.

Funnix was designed to make Siegfried Engelmann’s research-backed methods accessible to any parent.
So, even if you’re not a trained teacher, the program essentially lets you teach like one.

Price and What’s Included

At the time of writing, Funnix costs $24.99 per month for at-home use.

You can also get an annual plan, which saves you about 20%, bringing the cost to under $20/month (paid upfront).

Your subscription gives you:

• Access for up to 3 children
• Use on 2 active devices
• Both the reading and math programs

As always, pricing and packages can change, so check their website for current details

Besides, they also have special plans for schools and tutors, which could make it a useful reinforcement tool for small groups or intervention programs.

Pros and Cons of Funnix

Pros

• Based on a proven, research-backed system
• Explicit, systematic, phonics-based instruction
• Easy for parents to follow, requiring minimal prep
• Great for struggling readers or structured learners
• Strong focus on review and mastery
• Includes decodable stories and writing practice

Cons

• Requires a computer, not tablet-based
• Lessons can feel repetitive for kids who prefer variety
• Lessons may feel long for some students
• Some people may not appreciate the old-style animations, and graphics

Is this Funnix Reading Program for You?

Funnix could be a great fit if…

• You value structure, clarity, and research-backed instruction
• Your child benefits from routine, repetition, and explicit guidance
• You want to teach reading at home with a low-prep, step-by-step system
• Your child is struggling with decoding or fluency

It might not be the best match if…

• You’re looking for a game-based program
• Your child thrives on open-ended, creative learning environments

So… Is It Worth It?

If you’ve ever wished Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons came to life on your computer, then this is the closest to it.

Funnix offers a proven research-backed approach, with tons of review to build a strong reading foundation, requiring minimal preparation for parents.

It may not be flashy or gamified, but it’s clear, systematic, and effective.

And for many families (especially those with struggling readers) that’s exactly what matters most.

Want to See Funnix in Action?

See inside the Funnix app in this viceo, so you can see what the lessons actually look like, how the narrator works, and how the method feels in practice!

In the video below, you get to see inside Lesson #1 and Lesson #20!

Final Thoughts

Funnix might not be the app everyone’s talking about, but it quietly brings one of the most proven reading systems right to your computer, blending old-school effectiveness with a fresh, digital format.

If you’re exploring ways to support your child’s reading journey and want something clear, structured, and backed by decades of research, Funnix deserves a closer look.