Spelly vs SpellCrush: Two AI Spelling Apps Compared (2026)
Last updated: June 2026 · Written by the Spelly team
Quick answer: Spelly and SpellCrush are both modern, AI-powered, gamified spelling apps — the two most similar options in the category. Spelly stands out for worksheet scanning, spelling-pattern practice, 5 game modes, 14 languages, and a one-time lifetime price. SpellCrush stands out for dialect-correct British/Australian/Canadian English, AI memory-aid images, weekly parent reports, and a wider age range (Pre-K through high school). For young kids practicing weekly lists with worksheet scanning, Spelly fits best; for non-US English or older kids, SpellCrush has the edge.
A note on fairness: Spelly is our app — but SpellCrush is a genuinely strong, close competitor, and this comparison is honest about where it wins. Details verified from official sources, June 2026.
At a glance
| Spelly | SpellCrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to start · $30/yr · $99.95 lifetime | Free tier · $4.99/month |
| AI features | List generation, scanning, pictures | AI hints, visual memory aids |
| Scan a worksheet | Yes | No |
| Spelling patterns | Yes (12 patterns) | Some |
| Game modes | 5 | Gamified practice |
| Ages | 6–10 | Pre-K–high school |
| Dialects | 14 languages | US/UK/AU/CA English |
| Pay-once option | Yes ($99.95 lifetime) | No (subscription) |
Where Spelly is the better choice
Worksheet scanning. Spelly can scan a photo of your child's school spelling list and turn it into practice instantly. SpellCrush doesn't offer scanning — you enter lists manually.
Practice by spelling pattern. Spelly lets you practice the 12 patterns schools teach week to week (-ing words, silent letters, prefixes like un-/re-/pre-). SpellCrush has some pattern support, but it's not built around the weekly-pattern model.
Five distinct game modes. Spelly runs each word through typing, multiple choice, build-it, fill-the-gap, and picture spell. SpellCrush is gamified but with a narrower set of practice formats.
A pay-once option. Spelly offers a one-time $99.95 lifetime plan alongside its free tier. SpellCrush is subscription-only at $4.99/month, which adds up over the years.
14 languages, including practicing in one language and reading meanings in another — strong for bilingual learners beyond English dialects.
Picture generation. Spelly creates a fresh AI image for each word to power its Picture Spell mode and aid recall.
Where SpellCrush still wins (honestly)
Dialect-correct non-US English. This is SpellCrush's standout strength: it supports American, British, Australian, and Canadian English with the correct regional spellings and pronunciation. If your family needs British or Australian spelling specifically, SpellCrush handles that directly.
Wider age range. SpellCrush spans Pre-K through high school. Spelly is built for ages 6–10 — so for a preschooler or a teenager, SpellCrush covers ages Spelly doesn't.
AI visual memory aids. SpellCrush generates AI memory-aid images designed to help kids remember tricky spellings, which can be especially helpful for struggling spellers. It also sends parents weekly narrative progress reports.
Adaptive difficulty. SpellCrush's free tier includes adaptive difficulty that adjusts to the child automatically.
Which should you choose?
- You want to scan your child's school worksheet: Spelly (SpellCrush doesn't scan).
- You want practice built around weekly school patterns: Spelly.
- You need British, Australian, or Canadian English spelling: SpellCrush.
- Your child is a preschooler or a teenager: SpellCrush (wider age range).
- You want AI memory-aid images for a struggling speller: SpellCrush.
- You'd rather pay once than subscribe: Spelly ($99.95 lifetime, or free to start).
- Your child is 6–10 and you want scanning, patterns, and game variety: Spelly.
These are the two most similar apps in the category, so the decision comes down to specifics: Spelly for worksheet scanning, pattern practice, game variety, and pay-once pricing; SpellCrush for non-US dialects, a wider age range, and memory-aid visuals.
Frequently asked questions
Are Spelly and SpellCrush both AI-powered? Yes. Both use AI: Spelly generates word lists, scans worksheets, and creates pictures for words; SpellCrush generates spelling hints and visual memory aids. They're the two most AI-forward, modern spelling apps in the category, which is why they're often compared.
What can Spelly do that SpellCrush can't? Spelly can scan a photo of your child's spelling worksheet into practice, offers practice by the 12 spelling patterns schools teach, runs words through 5 game modes, works in 14 languages, and offers a one-time lifetime price. SpellCrush doesn't offer worksheet scanning.
What does SpellCrush do better than Spelly? SpellCrush supports dialect-correct British, Australian, and Canadian English, covers a wider age range (Pre-K through high school), and generates AI visual memory aids plus weekly parent progress reports. Spelly is focused on ages 6–10 and doesn't offer regional-dialect spelling variants.
Which is cheaper? Both have free tiers. For paid use, Spelly offers a one-time $99.95 lifetime option (or $30/year), while SpellCrush is $4.99/month. Over more than about two years, Spelly's lifetime plan costs less than SpellCrush's subscription.
Which is better for a struggling speller? SpellCrush's AI visual memory aids are designed specifically to help with tricky words, which can benefit struggling spellers. Spelly helps through repetition across 5 game modes, pictures, and audio. For a child who needs strong visual memory support, SpellCrush has a targeted feature; for engagement and worksheet scanning, Spelly is strong.
How we compared them
We evaluated both apps on price, AI features, worksheet scanning, pattern practice, game modes, age range, dialect/language support, and pricing model, using official sources verified in June 2026. Spelly is our product; we've stated where SpellCrush is the better choice as openly as where Spelly is.
Related
Try Spelly free · Best free spelling apps · Apps that scan word lists
Last updated: June 2026.