Nessy

Nessy

Recommended Ages

Ages 6-11 (Grades 1-6)

When a child struggles with reading or spelling, many parents aren’t sure where to turn beyond more worksheets or generic phonics apps. Nessy is a research-informed, game-based platform built specifically to support dyslexic and struggling readers with structured literacy programs in phonics, spelling, and writing. Created by the Nessy Learning team in collaboration with dyslexia specialists and advocates, it has received strong recognition in special education communities for its Orton-Gillingham-inspired approach and accessible design. We love that lessons are broken into small, visual chunks, with videos, activities, and printable materials that keep kids engaged without overwhelming them. Nessy is ideal for roughly ages 6–12 who need targeted, systematic practice and who respond well to humor and cartoon-style graphics. Some older students may find the art style young, but the underlying instruction is solid and customizable. Pro tip: complete the placement assessment, commit to several short sessions each week, and print select practice sheets so kids can connect screen work with handwriting.

Great match for early elementary and older struggling readers—especially those with suspected or diagnosed dyslexia—who like colorful, humorous games and benefit from lots of repetition and multi-sensory practice.

Pros

Online, game-based reading and spelling program explicitly designed for struggling readers and kids with dyslexia, based on Orton‑Gillingham principles; praised by many homeschooling families for making practice feel fun rather than babyish and for systematically covering phonics and related skills. 

Cons

Subscription cost can add up for multiple children; as with most apps, it works best alongside real books and explicit reading instruction rather than as a complete stand-alone curriculum; some kids tire of the game format or need close supervision to avoid guessing and clicking through. 

Nessy products are often approved as assistive or supplemental resources by dyslexia specialists, schools, and homeschool-friendly charters; many families use ESA or charter funds where policies allow purchase of third-party online literacy tools. Exact eligibility varies by program and state, so it is best to check with your funding provider.

$9.99-$15.99 per month

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Nessy
$10.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
View all collections
Reading
Reading
ELA
ELA
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension

Nessy Mission

The mission of Nessy is to change the way children are taught to read by putting research‑based, dyslexia‑friendly instruction into the hands of every teacher and family who needs it. Their online programs combine structured literacy, the Science of Reading, and game‑like practice so struggling readers can build phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension skills at their own pace. Although they are best known for supporting kids with dyslexia, Nessy is designed to be inclusive for whole classrooms, making high‑quality intervention and early reading instruction accessible and engaging worldwide.

Nessy Story

Nessy grew out of the Bristol Dyslexia Centre in the UK, where educator Pat Jones developed multisensory games and materials to help her son Mike learn to read and spell. In 1999 Mike Jones founded Nessy to bring those tools to more children, and in 2000 the team launched one of the first online learning programs specifically for dyslexic students. Over the years Nessy has expanded into a global platform used in thousands of schools and homes, winning multiple education awards for its evidence‑based programs. Today the company continues to collaborate with researchers while advocating for dyslexia awareness and better reading instruction worldwide.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Nessy

In a Nessy session, your child logs in, chooses a colorful island or activity, and is greeted by quirky characters and humorous animations. They might drag letters into place while hearing the sounds, repeat silly tongue-twisters into a microphone, or play short arcade-style games that reinforce phonics patterns, all while earning yetis, badges, and printable rewards.

Nessy offers online, game-based programs for reading, spelling, and writing, especially geared toward learners with dyslexia or other language-based challenges. Families subscribe to one or more Nessy programs, complete an initial placement or screening, and then children work through a structured, multisensory path of videos, games, and printable practice at their own pace.

Parent involvement is light to moderate during actual play—many kids can work independently once routines are established—but adults are important for setting up consistent short sessions, celebrating progress, and coordinating accommodations with therapists or schools if applicable. Some children benefit from a caregiver sitting nearby to provide emotional support and occasional clarification.

Children should be comfortable using a mouse or touchscreen and able to follow simple on-screen instructions; programs generally target roughly ages 6–12, with content that works well for both struggling readers and kids needing systematic phonics reinforcement. No prior Nessy experience is required, but an evaluation from a specialist can help families decide which program to start with.

Nessy is explicitly designed for dyslexic and struggling readers, using Orton‑Gillingham‑inspired, multisensory, gamified lessons that build decoding, spelling, and confidence. Its humorous, visual world often works well for ADHD, autistic, and 2e kids who need intensive reading support without feeling shamed or bored.

Most families know Nessy for its dyslexia-friendly reading and spelling programs, which are not directly aimed at dyscalculia. Nessy also has a separate “Nessy Numbers” product that uses visuals and step‑by‑step games to build number sense; if that is what you are using, it can be a gentle option for some dyscalculic learners. Either way, plan to add plenty of off‑screen manipulatives, real‑world counting, and extra time for consolidation.

Nessy’s reading and spelling programs are designed specifically for children with dyslexia, using Orton-Gillingham–inspired, Science-of-Reading–aligned instruction in a highly gamified format. Short, animated lessons and plenty of cumulative review help struggling readers master phonics and spelling patterns that they may have missed in traditional classrooms.

Nessy’s dyslexia-friendly reading and spelling games use short videos, humor, and interactive practice, which can be a good fit for many neurodivergent kids who need bite-sized, multisensory literacy work.

Nessy’s typing and literacy tools include Nessy Fingers, which is described as ideal for students with dyspraxia and visual‑stress–related difficulties, using multisensory practice plus adjustable fonts and colour schemes to reduce page glare and orientation confusion while building skills.

Designed with dyslexic learners in mind, so it’s usually a strong choice for 2e kids who are bright but struggle with decoding/spelling. Game‑like repetition and explicit phonics can help, though the style may feel young for older gifted learners.

Most families know Nessy for its dyslexia-friendly reading and spelling programs, which are not directly aimed at dyscalculia. Nessy also has a separate “Nessy Numbers” product that uses visuals and step‑by‑step games to build number sense; if that is what you are using, it can be a gentle option for some dyscalculic learners. Either way, plan to add plenty of off‑screen manipulatives, real‑world counting, and extra time for consolidation.

Nessy’s reading and spelling programs are designed specifically for children with dyslexia, using Orton-Gillingham–inspired, Science-of-Reading–aligned instruction in a highly gamified format. Short, animated lessons and plenty of cumulative review help struggling readers master phonics and spelling patterns that they may have missed in traditional classrooms.

Nessy offers a suite of reading, spelling, and typing programs developed with specialists at the Bristol Dyslexia Centre, and its Nessy Fingers touch-typing program is described as especially effective for students with dysgraphia, dyslexia, and ADHD. Because so much practice happens through game-based typing and structured, step-by-step lessons instead of long handwriting tasks, many kids with dysgraphia can build literacy skills without their writing challenges getting in the way.

Home subscriptions renew on a recurring basis but can usually be cancelled from the account dashboard to stop future charges. For refunds on recent purchases or accidental renewals, families typically contact Nessy customer support, who handle requests according to their current home-use terms and local consumer laws.

Not an ideal fit for kids who are already fluent, voracious readers, for families wanting a purely offline approach, or for learners who dislike cartoonish graphics and prefer more mature-looking materials.

Families seeking more comprehensive structured literacy alternatives often consider All About Reading, Barton, or Logic of English; Reading Eggs is another common app comparison, though it isn’t as dyslexia-focused.

Nessy periodically adds new games, refines placement tools, and expands reporting for parents and educators. The company also shares updated guidance and training materials on dyslexia-friendly teaching, so families can keep improving their support beyond the app itself.

Use Nessy in short, consistent daily sessions (10–20 minutes), then immediately read aloud or practice decodable books together so your child connects the on‑screen practice to real-world reading.

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Meet Mike

Mike Jones, the founder and managing director of Nessy, grew up struggling to read and write until he was diagnosed with dyslexia and began working with specialist teachers at the Bristol Dyslexia Centre. That experience shaped his belief that the right instruction can completely change a child’s trajectory. Drawing on his mother Pat’s teaching materials and his own background in educational software, Mike launched Nessy in 1999 to put structured, game‑based literacy support online. Under his leadership the company has grown into a widely used resource for dyslexic learners around the world. A fun fact: many of Nessy’s earliest digital games were inspired by hands‑on activities developed at the Bristol Dyslexia Centre.