The best Power Spelling alternatives (2026)
Power Spelling is a good, inexpensive spelling tool, and for a single small class it’s one of the best deals around. People look for alternatives when they want more done with each list, or they’ve outgrown the student cap. I make Spelling Test Buddy, which is on this list, and I’ll be clear about where it doesn’t win.
| Tool | Best for | Price | Grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spelling Test Buddy (mine) | adaptive practice, sentences, worksheets | $49.99/year, up to 150 students | 3 to 8 |
| Spelling Shed | a curriculum with leagues and apps | Free plan; Premium by quote | K to 5 |
| SpellingJoy | free practice and tests | Free; optional $2.99/month extras | K to 6 |
| Spelling Stars | parent login, Google Classroom sync | From $6.99/month, by class size | K to 9 |
| Quizlet | spelling plus every other subject | Free; Plus for teachers $35.99/year | Any |
Why people look past Power Spelling
They want practice that adapts. Power Spelling doesn’t build practice around each student’s misses. Some teachers want each student’s practice to focus on the words that student keeps getting wrong.
They want more than games and tests. Sentences read aloud for context, sorts, or printable worksheets from the same list.
Their lists don’t come from a publisher. Typing in custom lists every week is where the time goes.
If your class is 35 students or fewer and you use publisher lists, Power Spelling may already be your best option.
1. Spelling Test Buddymine
Mine. It does what Power Spelling does (lists, games, automated tests, groups, reports), plus a K-8 spelling curriculum, spaced-repetition practice for each student, a generated sentence for every word, Digital Sorts, Teach Me, and Worksheet Creator. You can upload a PDF or a photo of your list instead of typing it.
Where Power Spelling wins: it’s $21 cheaper for 35 students, it has publisher lists and vocabulary, and it integrates with Google Classroom. Full comparison with Power Spelling.
2. Spelling Shed
If you’d like a sequenced program rather than publisher lists, Spelling Shed has the most complete one, along with leagues, native apps, and Clever and ClassLink rostering. Spelling Test Buddy vs Spelling Shed.
3. SpellingJoy
Free custom lists, games, tests, and progress tracking. It’s the obvious pick if even $29 is too much. Check its privacy policy against your district’s requirements.
4. Spelling Stars
Similar weekly routine, with a parent login, the option to record your own voice, and Google Classroom grade sync. It’s billed monthly by class size, so it usually costs more than Power Spelling. Spelling Test Buddy vs Spelling Stars.
5. Quizlet
If you’re tempted to use Power Spelling Plus for vocabulary, Quizlet’s flashcards with definitions are a strong, free alternative for the vocabulary part. It’s weaker as a spelling test. Spelling Test Buddy vs Quizlet.
My pick
One class, publisher lists, tight budget: stay with Power Spelling.
You want each student’s practice to adapt, or worksheets from the same list: Spelling Test Buddy.
You want a full curriculum: Spelling Test Buddy for K-8, or Spelling Shed for a game-centered K-5 program.
Questions
- Is anything cheaper than Power Spelling?
- SpellingJoy is free, and Spelling Shed’s free plan includes its games. Among paid teacher plans, Power Spelling’s $29 a year for 35 students is about as low as it gets.
- Which alternative has spaced repetition?
- Spelling Test Buddy’s Adaptive Learning Programs use spaced repetition to build each student’s daily practice from the words they miss. Power Spelling doesn’t have this.
- Which alternative has vocabulary practice like Power Spelling Plus?
- Vocabulary A-Z and Vocabulary.com are vocabulary-first. Spelling Test Buddy focuses on spelling; it generates sentences for context but isn’t a vocabulary program.
Try Spelling Test Buddy
$49.99 a year for up to 150 students, with every game, tool, and report included. Start with a 14-day free trial, and if 14 days isn’t enough, email me and I’ll extend it.
Start your free trialI checked prices and features for every product on this page in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm on each company’s site before you buy.