The 8 Best SpellingCity Alternatives in 2026 (Tested & Compared)

Last updated: June 2026 · Written by the Spelly team

Quick answer: VocabularySpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) raised its price from about $35/year to $108–125/year, sending many parents and teachers looking for alternatives. The best free option is SpellingJoy. The best curriculum-aligned paid app is Spelling Shed ($30/year). For AI-generated word lists and worksheet scanning aimed at kids ages 6–10, Spelly is free to start. The right pick depends on your child's age, your budget, and whether you need classroom tools.

A note on honesty: Spelly is our product. We've included it in this list alongside its competitors and treated every app by the same standard. Where other apps do something better than Spelly, we say so plainly — because a comparison that only flatters its author isn't worth reading. All prices and features below were verified from official sources in June 2026.

Why people are leaving SpellingCity

VocabularySpellingCity launched in 2008 and became a classroom staple, loved for its custom word lists, text-to-speech, and 35+ spelling activities. Then it was acquired by Learning A-Z (part of Cambium Learning Group) and rebranded as Vocabulary A-Z.

The change that pushed people away was price. Teachers who once paid around $35/year were quoted $108–125/year for the rebranded product — roughly triple the cost. Many school districts dropped it during budget cuts, and parents who used it at home went searching for something cheaper.

Three things people miss when they leave, and want in a replacement:

• Custom word lists — the ability to enter their child's actual weekly school list
• Audio pronunciation — every word read aloud, so a child can practice alone
• Progress tracking — knowing which words are mastered and which need work

The good news: in 2026, you don't need to pay $125/year to get those things. Several apps now offer them free or for a fraction of the price.

What to look for in a SpellingCity alternative

Before the list, here's what actually matters when choosing a spelling app for a child:

1. Custom lists. Can you enter your child's weekly school words, not just use pre-made lists?
2. Real spelling practice. Does it make kids type the word, or only pick from multiple choice? Typing is harder and builds real recall.
3. Audio. Is every word read aloud in a clear voice so a child can practice without an adult?
4. Age fit. An app built for a 7-year-old looks very different from one built for SAT prep.
5. Price model. Subscription, one-time purchase, or free? A one-time or free option avoids the recurring cost that drove people away from SpellingCity in the first place.
6. Engagement without distraction. Games keep kids coming back — but the learning shouldn't get buried under animation.

The 8 best SpellingCity alternatives in 2026

1. SpellingJoy — best free option

Price: 100% free · Ages: K–6 · Platform: Web

SpellingJoy is a free, no-catch spelling platform for K–6 students. It offers unlimited custom word lists, 130+ pre-made lists, text-to-speech, progress tracking, and teacher dashboards with class join codes — all with no subscription and no in-app purchases.

Best for: Families and teachers who want solid, no-frills spelling practice at zero cost. Where it falls short: No AI features, no worksheet scanning, and the gamification is light. The experience is functional rather than exciting.

2. Spelling Shed — best curriculum-aligned app

Price: ~$30/year (parent, up to 5 kids) or $4.99/month · Ages: 5–11 · Platform: Web, iOS, Android

Built by primary-school teachers, Spelling Shed aligns its word lists with both the UK National Curriculum and US Common Core. It has competitive "Shed Score" leagues, four difficulty levels, and a clean structured progression.

Best for: Parents who want word lists that mirror the school curriculum, and kids who enjoy a bit of competition. Where it falls short: Many of the strongest features assume your child's school has a subscription. The competitive leaderboards can stress some kids, and the visual design feels dated.

3. Squeebles Spelling Connect — best for younger kids who like characters

Price: $3.99/month (up to 4 kids), 7-day trial · Ages: 5–9 · Platform: iOS, Android

Squeebles wraps spelling practice in a story: kids rescue the "Squeeble" characters by passing tests. It includes 160+ pre-made lists, a "Tricky Words" mode that re-tests missed words, and an OpenDyslexic font option for kids with visual stress.

Best for: Younger children (5–8) who respond to characters and a reward narrative. Where it falls short: The character-driven style can feel young for older kids, and it's subscription-only with no free tier.

4. DoodleSpell — best personalized path

Price: $4.99/month (3-day trial) · Ages: 5–10 · Platform: iOS, Android, Web

DoodleSpell builds an adaptive learning path around each child, focusing on core phonics and spelling rules. It works offline, which is genuinely useful for travel or spotty wifi, and is well-regarded for supporting struggling spellers.

Best for: Kids who benefit from a structured, adaptive path, including some with dyslexia. Where it falls short: No custom worksheet scanning, and the monthly subscription adds up over a few years.

5. SpellCrush — best multi-dialect AI app

Price: Free tier + $4.99/month premium, 7-day trial · Ages: Pre-K–high school · Platform: Web

SpellCrush uses AI to generate spelling hints and visual memory aids, and sends parents weekly progress reports. Notably, it's the strongest pick for families outside the US — it supports American, British, Australian, and Canadian English with dialect-correct spellings.

Best for: Families needing non-US English dialects, and kids who like AI-generated hints. Where it falls short: No worksheet scanning, and the free tier is limited to one child and a smaller word bank.

6. Wordela — best for vocabulary and older students

Price: From $67 for a 5-year family license (up to 5 students) · Ages: Early elementary–college prep · Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome OS

Made by eReflect, Wordela is primarily a vocabulary builder that also handles spelling. It has a 150,000-word database, AI-driven "AutoLearn" spaced repetition, a "ZSpell" arcade game, and curated lists including SAT/GRE prep. Its 365-day money-back guarantee is unusually generous.

Best for: Older students (upper elementary through college) building vocabulary and prepping for tests. Where it falls short: It's vocabulary-first and skews older. For a 7-year-old practicing this week's spelling list of 20 words, it's more app than you need, and the interface isn't built around young kids.

7. Spell Parrot / Spelling Test Flashcards — best barebones scanners

Price: Free + in-app purchases · Ages: Primary · Platform: iOS

These two apps share one strong idea: snap a photo of your child's spelling list and the app turns it into practice instantly, with audio. They're deliberately minimal — "no games, no distractions."

Best for: Parents who want the fastest possible path from a paper worksheet to spoken practice, with zero frills. Where it falls short: Almost no gamification or progress depth, limited word-list variety, and iOS-only.

8. Spelly — best for AI lists, scanning, and game-loving kids ages 6–10

Price: Free to start · $5/month · $30/year · $99.95 lifetime · Ages: 6–10 · Platform: Web (phone, tablet, desktop — no app store needed)

(This is our app — here's the honest version.)

Spelly is built around three ideas other apps tend to do only one of. First, build a list any way you want: pick from 70+ topics, scan your child's school worksheet with the camera, generate a custom topic ("dragons," "my pet") with AI, or practice by spelling pattern — the 12 patterns schools actually teach week to week, like -ing words, silent letters, and the un-/re-/pre- prefixes. Second, practice across 5 game modes (typing, multiple choice, build-it, fill-the-gap, and picture spell), with autocomplete and voice-to-text blocked so it's real spelling. Third, a full game layer — XP, coins, streaks, quests, and a customizable avatar — that turns practice into a daily habit. It also reads every word aloud in 14 languages, with the option to practice in one language and read meanings in another. And while it's designed for ages 6–10, anyone can use Spelly to strengthen spelling and vocabulary — older kids and adults included — so the whole family can practice, and not only in English.

Best for: Kids ages 6–10 who'd rather play a game than do a worksheet, and parents who want to scan the actual school list or generate practice by pattern (though older kids and adults can use it too, in any of 14 languages). Where it falls short — honestly: Spelly is newer than SpellingCity or Spelling Shed, so it has a shorter track record. It's web-based with no native App Store / Play Store app yet, which some parents prefer. It's built for home use, not classroom management, so there's no dashboard for a teacher running 30 students. And the heavy gamification is a feature for some kids and a distraction for others — if your child does best with a plain, quiet interface, a minimalist app like Spell Parrot may suit them better.

Full comparison

Which alternative should you choose?

• You want completely free: SpellingJoy. No catch, K–6, custom lists and audio included.
• You want word lists that match school exactly: Spelling Shed (curriculum-aligned) or Spelly (scan the actual worksheet, or practice the same pattern).
• Your child is 5–8 and loves characters: Squeebles.
• Your child is a struggling speller or has dyslexia: DoodleSpell or Squeebles (OpenDyslexic font).
• You're outside the US and need British/Australian/Canadian spelling: SpellCrush.
• Your student is older and prepping for vocabulary tests: Wordela.
• You want the fastest paper-list-to-practice with no frills: Spell Parrot.
• Your child is 6–10 and would rather play a game, and you want AI lists + scanning: Spelly (free to start).

There's no single best app for every family. A teacher managing 30 students has different needs than a homeschool parent with three kids at three grade levels — and both differ from a parent just trying to get through Friday's spelling test.

Frequently asked questions

Is SpellingCity gone? No. SpellingCity still exists, but it was rebranded as Vocabulary A-Z under Learning A-Z. The main reason people think it shut down is the combination of the rebrand and a large price increase — from roughly $35/year to $108–125/year — which led many schools and families to drop it.

What is the best free SpellingCity alternative? SpellingJoy is the best fully free alternative. It offers unlimited custom word lists, 130+ pre-made lists, text-to-speech audio, and progress tracking for K–6 students, with no subscription and no in-app purchases. Spelly and SpellCrush also offer free tiers with additional features like AI and worksheet scanning.

Which alternative is cheapest if I want to pay once? Most spelling apps are subscriptions. Among paid options, Spelly offers a one-time lifetime purchase ($99.95) in addition to its free tier, and Wordela sells a 5-year family license from $67. A one-time purchase avoids the recurring cost that drove many people away from SpellingCity.

What's the best spelling app for a 7 or 8 year old? For ages 6–10, look for an app that makes kids type words (not just pick from choices), reads each word aloud, and stays engaging. Spelly, Squeebles, and DoodleSpell are all built for this age range. Spelly adds AI-generated lists, worksheet scanning, and practice by spelling pattern.

Can adults or older kids use Spelly, or is it only for young children? Spelly is designed for kids ages 6–10, but it isn't limited to them. Anyone wanting to strengthen their spelling and vocabulary can use it — older kids, teens, and adults included — and it supports 14 languages, so it works for the whole family and for learners practicing a language other than English. The four difficulty levels and five game modes adapt to different skill levels.

Can any of these scan my child's spelling list from a photo? Yes. Spelly, Spell Parrot, and Spelling Test Flashcards can all take a photo of a printed or handwritten spelling list and turn it into practice automatically. Spelly additionally reads each word aloud, generates a picture for it, and runs it through five game modes.

Are these apps aligned with Common Core or the UK National Curriculum? Spelling Shed is explicitly aligned with both US Common Core and the UK National Curriculum. Spelly's pattern-based lists (-ing words, silent letters, prefixes, and so on) mirror the spelling patterns taught in both curricula. Most other apps use general grade-level word lists rather than formal standards alignment.

How we made this list

We compared each app on price, age range, custom-list support, worksheet scanning, AI features, pattern practice, and whether a usable free tier exists. Prices and features were verified from each app's official website and app-store listing in June 2026. This article is published by Spelly, and Spelly is included among the apps reviewed; we applied the same evaluation criteria to it as to every competitor and noted its limitations as openly as its strengths.

Related

Try Spelly free · Spelly vs SpellingCity · Best free spelling apps

Last updated: June 2026.