SpellCrush vs Vocabulary A-Z (VocabularySpellingCity)
Side-by-side comparison of SpellCrush and Vocabulary A-Z (formerly VocabularySpellingCity). SpellCrush: $4.99/month, unlimited children, AI-powered hints, family-focused. Vocabulary A-Z: $108-125/year, 36-student classroom model, 35+ games, established platform.
Last updated: February 11, 2026
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SpellCrush | VocabularySpellingCity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $4.99/month or $49.99/year | $108-125/year |
| Students per subscription | Unlimited children | 36 students (classroom model) |
| Free trial | 7 days, no credit card | 7 days |
| AI-powered hints | Yes (Claude AI) | No |
| Number of games | Core spelling games + rewards | 35+ games |
| Gamification | XP, levels, streaks, achievements, customizable reward store | Stars (virtual currency), badges, avatars |
| Custom word lists | Yes (Premium) | Yes |
| Kid login | 4-digit PIN (no passwords) | Username/password |
| Age range | Pre-K through 12th grade | K-5 (some high school SAT content) |
| Platforms | Web, mobile-optimized | Web, iOS, Android apps |
| Printable materials | PDF word lists | 5-day lesson plans, worksheets, tests |
| Target audience | Families, homeschools | Schools, classrooms |
Pricing Comparison
SpellCrush
Vocabulary A-Z
AI-Powered Spelling Hints
SpellCrush: AI Hint Generation
- • Technology: Large language model (LLM) integration for on-demand hint generation
- • Personalization: Hints tailored to child's age and specific word difficulty
- • Output format: Mnemonics, memory tricks, and age-appropriate explanations
- • Caching: Generated hints stored in database to reduce API costs
- • Availability: Premium feature only
Example AI-Generated Hint
Vocabulary A-Z: Pre-Written Hints
- • Technology: Static database of pre-written hints
- • Personalization: None (same hint shown to all students)
- • Coverage: Not all words have hints available
- • AI features: None as of February 2026
Gamification & Motivation
SpellCrush
- Dual System: Permanent XP and levels (never reset) plus resettable rewards (money or points mode)
- Streaks: Track consecutive days of practice with fire emoji display
- Achievements: 15 permanent badges across word milestones, streaks, and special challenges
- Custom Reward Store: Parents create real-world rewards kids can redeem
- Confetti Animations: Celebration effects for correct answers
VocabularySpellingCity
- Stars: Virtual currency earned by completing games and activities
- Badges: Achievement badges for completing milestones
- Avatars: Customizable student avatars
- Game Variety: 35+ different spelling and vocabulary games
Verdict: SpellCrush offers deeper long-term motivation with its dual permanent/resettable system and parent-controlled reward store. VocabularySpellingCity compensates with significantly more game variety (35+ vs fewer focused games), which some kids prefer for the novelty factor.
Custom Word Lists
Both platforms support custom word lists, but with different approaches:
SpellCrush
- • Premium feature (unlimited lists)
- • Import via CSV/Excel
- • Add custom definitions and hints
- • Assign specific lists to specific children
- • AI hints work with custom words
VocabularySpellingCity
- • Included with subscription
- • Create custom lists manually
- • Share lists with other teachers
- • Auto-generates 5-day lesson plans from lists
- • Extensive pre-made library (1M+ lists)
Kid Login & Family Features
SpellCrush is designed specifically for families with multiple children. VocabularySpellingCity is designed for classroom environments where a teacher manages many students.
SpellCrush Family Features
- 4-Digit PIN Login: Kids log in with a simple 4-digit code — no passwords to remember or type
- Unique Family URL: Shareable link that works on any device — easy for kids to access from tablets, phones, or computers
- Unlimited Children: Add as many kids as you want to a single subscription
- Parent Dashboard: Track all children from one place, with individual progress metrics
VocabularySpellingCity Classroom Features
- Teacher Dashboard: Manage up to 36 students with assignment tracking and grading
- Username/Password Login: Traditional login system for students
- Assignment System: Assign specific lessons and track completion
- Progress Reports: Skills, activity, and assignment reports for each student
Pros & Cons
SpellCrush
Pros
- • AI-powered personalized hints
- • Unlimited children on one subscription
- • Simple 4-digit PIN login for kids
- • Dual gamification (permanent XP + resettable rewards)
- • Modern, fast interface built on Next.js
- • Parent-controlled custom reward store
- • Free spelling bee word generator (no account needed)
Cons
- • Fewer games than VocabularySpellingCity (focused vs variety)
- • Newer platform (less established in schools)
- • Custom word lists require Premium
- • No native mobile apps yet (mobile-optimized web only)
VocabularySpellingCity
Pros
- • 35+ different spelling and vocabulary games
- • Established in schools and districts
- • Large pre-made word list library (1M+ lists)
- • Auto-generated 5-day lesson plans
- • Printable worksheets and teaching materials
- • Native iOS and Android apps
- • Strong classroom management tools
Cons
- • No AI features
- • Price tripled after 2020 acquisition (was $35/year, now $108-125)
- • Classroom model limits families to 36 students per license
- • User complaints about games freezing on multiple devices
- • Key features removed post-acquisition
- • Platform harder to navigate than before
Who Should Choose Each Platform?
Choose SpellCrush if you...
- • Are a homeschool family with multiple children
- • Want AI-powered personalized learning
- • Prefer a simple, kid-friendly PIN login
- • Value long-term motivation (permanent XP/levels + resettable rewards)
- • Want to create a custom reward store with real-world prizes
- • Prefer modern, fast software with no freezing issues
- • Are looking for better value (unlimited kids vs 36-student limit)
Choose VocabularySpellingCity if you...
- • Are a classroom teacher managing many students
- • Already use Learning A-Z products (Reading A-Z, Science A-Z, etc.)
- • Want extensive game variety (35+ games)
- • Need auto-generated lesson plans and printable materials
- • Value an established platform with school district adoption
- • Want access to a massive library of pre-made word lists
- • Need robust classroom management and reporting tools
User Experience & Technical Issues
It's important to note that VocabularySpellingCity underwent significant changes after its 2020 acquisition by Vocabulary A-Z. Independent reviews and user complaints highlight several post-acquisition issues:
Common VocabularySpellingCity Complaints (Post-2020):
- • Games frequently freeze or fail to work on multiple devices and operating systems
- • Students cannot repeat activities once completed, limiting practice opportunities
- • Test reports became less informative, omitting critical data like missed words and averages
- • Platform navigation became more complex
- • Customer support quality declined
- • Price increased from $35/year to $108-125/year (3-4x increase)
Source: Common Sense Media reviews and independent education technology comparison sites
SpellCrush, being a newer platform built on modern web technology (Next.js 16), does not have these legacy technical issues. The trade-off is that it's less established in schools and has fewer total games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between SpellCrush and VocabularySpellingCity?
SpellCrush: $4.99/month, unlimited children, AI hint generation via LLM, family-focused architecture. Vocabulary A-Z (formerly VocabularySpellingCity): $108-125/year, 36-student classroom license, 35+ games, institutional focus. SpellCrush uses language models for personalized hints; Vocabulary A-Z uses static pre-written hints.
Is VocabularySpellingCity still available?
VocabularySpellingCity was acquired by Learning A-Z (LAZEL, Inc.) in 2020 and rebranded as Vocabulary A-Z. Games and core features remain operational. Price increased from $35/year pre-acquisition to $108-125/year post-acquisition (300-350% increase). User reviews report technical issues and feature removals following acquisition.
Which is better for homeschooling families?
SpellCrush offers better value proposition for homeschool families: $4.99/month for unlimited children vs $108-125/year for 36 students. SpellCrush includes AI hint generation and simplified 4-digit PIN authentication. Vocabulary A-Z designed for classroom management with teacher dashboard and assignment tracking.
Does either app have AI features?
SpellCrush: AI hint generation via large language model API integration. Generates personalized mnemonics based on age and word difficulty. Premium feature. Vocabulary A-Z: No AI capabilities as of February 2026. Uses pre-written static hint database.
Can I try both before deciding?
SpellCrush: 7-day free trial, no credit card required. Vocabulary A-Z: 7-day trial available. Recommendation: Test both platforms to evaluate interface compatibility and feature alignment with learning objectives.
Which has better value for large families?
SpellCrush provides superior value for families with 3+ children: $4.99/month ($59.88/year) for unlimited children vs Vocabulary A-Z $108-125/year for 36-student license. Cost per child decreases significantly with SpellCrush as family size increases. Vocabulary A-Z may be cost-competitive for 1-2 child households valuing game variety over AI features.
SpellCrush Free Trial: 7 Days
• No credit card required for trial activation
• Full access to AI hint generation, gamification system, unlimited children
• $4.99/month after trial ($49.99/year annual option)
Alternative to Vocabulary A-Z for family-focused spelling practice