Apple Books vs Hooked on Phonics:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hooked on Phonics had more branded searches than Apple Books among reading apps worldwide. Hooked on Phonics had about 90,500 branded searches, while Apple Books had 74,000. Hooked on Phonics made up 1.6% of all reading app searches we track, and Apple Books accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about reading apps, Apple Books appeared in three of the five answers and Hooked on Phonics in one. Apple Books was mentioned before Hooked on Phonics in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Hooked on Phonics, about 22% more searches than Apple Books
Who does AI mention more?
Apple Books, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Hooked on Phonics in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple Books, named ahead of Hooked on Phonics in 3 of 4 answers
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Top reading apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Books was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Hooked on Phonics was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple Books was listed before Hooked on Phonics in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Kindle3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Libby3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Apple Books3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Reading Eggs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Teach Your Monster to Read2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- The StoryGraph2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Hooked on Phonics1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Duolingo ABC1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Epic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Raz-Kids0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about reading apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which reading app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best reading apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best reading app for early literacy?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reading apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learn to read app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Apple Books or Hooked on Phonics more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Books and Hooked on Phonics by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten reading apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Hooked on Phonics, Apple Books. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kindle | Epic | Libby | Reading Eggs | Raz-Kids | Hooked on Phonics | Apple Books | Teach Your Monster to Read | Duolingo ABC | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.1% | 9% | 9% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.24% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.4% | 7% | 7% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.23% | 0.19% |
| Dec 2025 | 69.6% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.84% | 0.25% | 0.38% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.7% | 6.9% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 8.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.28% | 0.51% |
| Feb 2026 | 59.9% | 8.1% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 8.1% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.4% | 7.8% | 9.6% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 62.2% | 6.8% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.22% | 0.27% |
| May 2026 | 61.7% | 6.8% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.91% | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| Jun 2026 | 69% | 3.4% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.68% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 74.4% | 1.1% | 10% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.49% | 0.33% | 0.33% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.4% | 7.2% | 10.7% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.79% | 0.29% | 0.35% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.4% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.38% | 0.25% |
How has the Apple Books and Hooked on Phonics comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Hooked on Phonics took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Books’ share of searches among reading apps worldwide moved from 1.5% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hooked on Phonics’ share of searches among reading apps worldwide moved from 1.5% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 90.5K.
How did search popularity change for reading apps worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Books worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 90.5K to 74K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Books’ and Hooked on Phonics’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple Books
1 branded search term
- apple books
Hooked on Phonics
1 branded search term
- hooked on phonics
Other head-to-heads among reading apps
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