The best SpellingCity alternatives (2026)
VocabularySpellingCity became Vocabulary A-Z, and the price went from about $35 a year to over $100. If you only ever used it for weekly spelling, here’s where to go instead. I make one of these, Spelling Test Buddy, and I’ll tell you when another one is the better fit.
| Tool | Best for | Price | Grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spelling Test Buddy (mine) | weekly lists, tests with sentences, adaptive practice | $49.99/year, up to 150 students | K to 8; strongest in 3 to 8 |
| Spelling Shed | a structured program with games and leagues | Free plan; Premium by quote | K to 5 |
| SpellingJoy | free practice and tests | Free; optional $2.99/month extras | K to 6 |
| Power Spelling | a single small class on a budget | From $29/year for 35 students | K to 12 |
| Spelling Stars | Google Classroom schools | From $6.99/month, by class size | K to 9 |
| Vocabulary A-Z | staying put if vocabulary is the goal | $125/year for 36 students | K to 5 |
Why teachers are leaving SpellingCity
Learning A-Z bought SpellingCity in 2018 and folded it into Vocabulary A-Z in 2020. It became a different product: a K-5 vocabulary program with lesson plans and a word bank, with the SpellingCity games inside it. The classroom license runs $125 a year and covers 36 students.
That’s fine if you want a vocabulary program. But teachers who used SpellingCity for a weekly spelling test are now paying for a lot they don’t use, and upper elementary and middle school teachers with more than 36 students need several licenses. Teachers also report that features they relied on went away. Reviews on Common Sense Education describe practice tests being removed, printable reports dropping missed words and test averages, students being unable to repeat activities, and games freezing on some devices. I collected those reviews, with screenshots, in Spelling City vs Spelling Test Buddy.
1. Spelling Test Buddymine
I built this, so weigh that. It’s the closest thing to old SpellingCity for upper elementary and middle school: upload or photograph your list, and every word gets audio and a sentence. Students practice with seven games, take a test that grades itself, and you see each student’s result the moment they submit.
It also does things SpellingCity never did: per-student spaced repetition practice, Digital Sorts, and Worksheet Creator for printable worksheets from the same list.
What it won’t do: teach vocabulary, sync with Google Classroom or Clever, or work well for students who can’t type yet. If you teach K through 2, keep reading. Side-by-side comparison with SpellingCity, or the longer post with teacher reviews.
2. Spelling Shed
If what you actually want is a spelling curriculum, not just a place to put your lists, Spelling Shed is the strongest choice. It has a sequenced phonics and morphology scheme, competitive leagues, native apps, and Clever and ClassLink rostering.
The free plan covers the games, which is generous. Tests, assignments, and progress tracking need Premium. It’s aimed at elementary students, so middle schoolers may find it young. Spelling Test Buddy vs Spelling Shed.
3. SpellingJoy
SpellingJoy is free, with no credit card: custom lists, 134+ ready-made lists, audio, games, tests, and class progress tracking. If the budget is zero, start here.
It’s newer and smaller than the others on this list, and it’s built for K-6. As with any free tool you use with students, check its privacy policy against your district’s requirements.
4. Power Spelling
Power Spelling is the cheapest paid option for a single class, has publisher word lists, and its Plus plan adds vocabulary games and tests, which is the part of SpellingCity some teachers miss most. It also integrates with Google Classroom.
It doesn’t have adaptive practice or worksheet creation. Spelling Test Buddy vs Power Spelling.
5. Spelling Stars
Spelling Stars has done online spelling since 2006: lists, pretests, games, and auto-graded tests, with optional Google Classroom roster and grade sync and a parent login. If grades have to land in Google Classroom, it’s the easiest fit.
Monthly pricing by class size adds up for teachers with several sections. Spelling Test Buddy vs Spelling Stars.
6. Vocabulary A-Z (staying put)
To be fair to Vocabulary A-Z: if you wanted more vocabulary instruction than SpellingCity gave you, it’s an upgrade. Lesson plans, a big word bank, and the Kids A-Z portal your students may already use for Raz-Kids. If your school pays for it, there’s no reason to switch.
My pick
If you teach grades 3 through 8 and used SpellingCity for weekly spelling: try Spelling Test Buddy. It does what SpellingCity did, plus adaptive practice and worksheets, for less than half the price, and it covers 150 students.
If you teach K through 2: Spelling Shed if you want a program, SpellingJoy if you need free.
If you’re paying out of pocket for one small class: Power Spelling is the cheapest paid option, and SpellingJoy is free.
Questions
- Is there a free version of SpellingCity anymore?
- No. SpellingCity was folded into Vocabulary A-Z in 2020, and spellingcity.com now redirects there. It’s a paid Learning A-Z product with a 14-day trial. If you need free, SpellingJoy and Spelling Shed’s free plan are the closest options.
- What's the closest thing to the old SpellingCity?
- For grades 3 through 8, Spelling Test Buddy works most like the old SpellingCity: enter or upload your list, students play games and practice, and the test is read aloud and graded. For K through 2, look at Spelling Shed or SpellingJoy.
- Can I move my SpellingCity lists?
- There’s no direct import, but if you have your lists as a document, spreadsheet, or printed page, Spelling Test Buddy can read a PDF, a Word or Excel file, or a photo and build the tests for you.
- Is Vocabulary A-Z worth it?
- If you want vocabulary instruction with lesson plans, or your school already uses Learning A-Z, it can be. If you only need spelling tests and practice, you’re paying for a lot you won’t use.
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.