SpellCrush vs SpellingJoy (2026)

Free tier + premium features vs 100% free platform. Both offer zero-cost options—compare AI hints, gamification, and word coverage.

Last updated: February 11, 2026

Quick Comparison

Feature	SpellCrush	SpellingJoy
Base Price	Free (1 child)	100% Free
Premium Price	$4.99/month	N/A (no premium)
Children/Students	1 free, unlimited premium	Unlimited
Word Lists	2000+ + custom (Premium)	134+ + custom (free)
AI Hints	Yes (Premium)	No
Gamification	XP, levels, streaks, rewards	None
Progress Tracking	Detailed analytics	Basic test results
Age Range	Pre-K to 12th grade	K-6 (ages 6-11)
Login Method	4-digit PIN	Join code
Teacher Features	Parent dashboard	Unlimited classes
Mobile Support	Mobile-optimized	Web only
Trial Period	7 days premium (no CC)	N/A (always free)

Pricing Comparison

SpellCrush

Free Tier

• 1 child
• 2000+ words
• Basic gamification
• No AI hints
• No custom lists

$4.99/month

• Unlimited children
• AI-powered hints
• Custom word lists
• Full gamification
• 7-day free trial

SpellingJoy

$0 Forever

• Unlimited students
• 134+ word lists
• Custom lists (free)
• Teacher dashboard
• No subscriptions
• No credit card

No premium tier available

Bottom line: Both platforms offer legitimate free options. SpellCrush free tier (1 child, 2000+ words) vs SpellingJoy (completely free). Premium SpellCrush ($4.99/month) required for AI hints, unlimited children, custom lists.

AI & Technology Features

SpellCrush: AI-Powered Hints (Premium Only)

• Technology: Large language model for personalized spelling hints
• Age-appropriate: Mnemonics tailored to child's grade level
• Examples: "Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants = BECAUSE"
• Cached: Hints saved for instant retrieval
• Availability: Premium feature only ($4.99/month)

AI hints help struggling spellers with personalized memory tricks and pattern recognition

SpellingJoy: No AI Features

• No AI capabilities implemented
• No hint system available
• Focus on test-based practice
• Intentionally simple to remain free

Gamification & Motivation

SpellCrush

• XP & Levels: 10 levels (Beginner → Word Wizard)
• Streaks: Daily practice tracking with fire emoji
• Achievements: 15 badges across 5 categories
• Rewards: Virtual money/points + parent store
• Visual: Confetti animations, progress bars

SpellingJoy

• No gamification system
• No XP or levels
• No achievements
• No reward system
• Simple test-focused interface

Design choice: Zero distractions for focused practice

Word Lists & Content

SpellCrush

• Built-in: 2000+ curated words
• Grade levels: Pre-K through 12th
• Custom lists: Premium only
• Import: CSV/Excel (Premium)
• Adaptive: Difficulty auto-adjusts

SpellingJoy

• Built-in: 134+ pre-made lists
• Grade levels: K-6 (ages 6-11)
• Custom lists: Free for all users
• Teacher focus: Classroom word lists
• Unlimited: Create unlimited lists

Pros & Cons

SpellCrush

Pros

• Free tier available (1 child, 2000+ words)
• AI hints for struggling spellers (Premium)
• Extensive gamification motivates practice
• Unlimited children on Premium
• Pre-K to 12th grade coverage
• Mobile-optimized
• 7-day premium trial

Cons

• Premium costs $4.99/month
• Free tier limited to 1 child
• Custom lists require Premium
• AI hints require Premium

SpellingJoy

Pros

• 100% free forever
• Unlimited students
• Custom lists included free
• No subscriptions/credit card
• Teacher dashboard
• Simple, focused interface

Limitations

• No AI hints
• No gamification
• Limited to K-6
• Web only (no mobile app)
• Basic progress tracking

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose SpellCrush if you:

• Want free option (1 child) or can afford $4.99/month
• Have multiple children (Premium: unlimited)
• Need AI hints for struggling speller
• Want gamification to motivate practice
• Have Pre-K or 7th-12th grader
• Prefer mobile-optimized experience
• Want parent-controlled reward system

Choose SpellingJoy if you:

• Need 100% free (no budget for subscriptions)
• Are a teacher with multiple classes
• Have K-6 student (ages 6-11)
• Prefer simple, distraction-free interface
• Don't need AI or gamification
• Want custom lists without paying

Recommendation: Both offer valid free options. Try SpellingJoy first (always free). If you need AI hints, gamification, or unlimited children, try SpellCrush premium free for 7 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SpellingJoy really completely free?

Yes. SpellingJoy is 100% free with no subscriptions, credit card required, or premium tiers. All features (134+ lists, custom lists, teacher dashboard) available at no cost.

Does SpellCrush have a free option?

Yes. SpellCrush offers a free tier with 1 child and 2000+ words. Premium ($4.99/month) adds unlimited children, AI hints, and custom word lists.

Why pay for SpellCrush if SpellingJoy is free?

SpellCrush premium ($4.99/month) adds AI-powered hints, gamification (XP, levels, achievements), unlimited children, custom word lists, and parent reward store. SpellingJoy provides core practice at no cost.

Which has better word coverage?

SpellCrush: 2000+ built-in words (Pre-K to 12th). SpellingJoy: 134+ lists (K-6). SpellCrush has more words; SpellingJoy includes free custom lists.

Can I try both?

Yes. SpellingJoy is free forever. SpellCrush free tier available immediately. Premium trial: 7 days, no credit card required.

Try SpellCrush Free Today

✓ Start free: 1 child, 2000+ words, no credit card

✓ Premium: $4.99/month for AI hints, unlimited children

✓ 7-day premium trial available

Start Free →