Spelling.Live

Overview

Spelling.Live is a spelling-practice service for KS1 and KS2 children, with tools for both family routines and classroom list management. It is a strong fit for households following school spelling lists and teachers who also need to mark paper tests; its credit-based access means the free allocation is not an unlimited practice plan.

Families can turn a photographed school list, pasted text or manually entered words into practice. Children can respond by handwriting, typing, speaking, choosing answers, tracing or working on paper, giving the service more than one way to approach the same spelling work.

Key features

Practice and review

The weekly Learning plan schedules activities and can be edited or set to weekly, fluid or classic rhythms. That flexibility can help families fit practice to their routines, while spaced repetition revisits weaker words and difficulty adjusts to the child's stage. Phonics instruction, dictation and corrective practice add useful structure beyond simple word recall.

AI, accessibility and classrooms

AI features provide personalised spelling tips, picture hints, sentence generation and handwriting marking. Per-child options such as OpenDyslexic or Lexend fonts, colour overlays, adjustable spacing and slower speech let families adapt presentation and pace.

For teachers and tutors, classes, assigned lists, group reports and batch scanning of paper tests bring classroom management and marking into the same service. Google Classroom roster imports can reduce the need to enter pupils individually.

The maker says the service is built for UK GDPR and the Children's Code; handwriting photos and voice recordings are processed and then discarded. It also says account and practice data are stored in Ireland, hosting is set to Frankfurt, and inputs sent to AI providers are not used to train their models. Data processing agreements are maintained with those providers.

Pricing

Spelling.Live is freemium, with no free trial and no subscription or automatic renewal for its website credit packs. Practice consumes credits, so the free allocation is best treated as a way to try a limited amount of practice rather than a permanent unlimited option.

The smaller pack costs less upfront but supplies fewer credits; the larger pack makes more sense for sustained use if its one-year validity suits the expected pace. No subscription renewal means buyers do not have to cancel a recurring plan, but they must still manage credit consumption and expiry.

Platforms

Spelling.Live is available on Android, iOS and the web. The combination allows families to choose a mobile app or browser access, while the listed platform range does not include desktop-native Windows or macOS apps.

Who it's for

It is aimed at KS1 and KS2 families who want to turn school lists into regular, varied practice, especially when accessibility settings or adaptive review are useful. Teachers and tutors may value class assignments, group reports, Google Classroom roster import and paper-test marking. It is less suitable for users seeking unlimited free practice or a subscription with a predictable flat fee.

Pros and cons

• Multiple practice modes: handwriting, speech, typing, tracing, answer selection and paper work offer varied ways to practise the same lists.
• Useful learning structure: editable scheduling, spaced repetition and stage-adjusted difficulty support continued review rather than one-off testing.
• Classroom reach: roster import, group reports and batch paper-test scanning extend it beyond a family-only spelling app.
• Tailoring and privacy measures: child-specific display and speech settings address different needs, while the maker says photos and recordings are discarded after processing.
• Credit-based limits: practice draws from a finite allocation, and free credits expire after 90 days without a session.
• Pack validity: one-time purchases avoid automatic renewal, but paid credits remain valid for only 12 months.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Spelling Apps.

• SpellMe is a better fit for someone who wants a free plan with five lists, up to ten words per list and 300+ curated phonics lists, or wants its broader platform coverage including Linux, macOS and Windows.
• Spelling Shed may suit classroom users who want a free tier with tests, Hive games, challenges, custom leagues and clever rostering, though its free history is limited to seven days.
• PenPoints is an option for users seeking a free Android or iOS app with teacher homework, SpellStation credits and live class assessments on its free plan.
• Spelling Boost is a free Android alternative centered on audio dictation tests, custom lists, handwriting input and progress tracking.
• Spell Up is another freemium spelling option for Android, iOS and web.
• Better Speller may appeal to Apple-device users who want a free trial covering up to 35 words and all features, with a one-time iCloud sync and sharing option.
• Wordshark is a paid alternative with a free trial and support for Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows.
• MySpellings is an Android freemium alternative with a one-off premium unlock.

Verdict

Spelling.Live is a good choice for KS1 and KS2 families who want flexible, adaptive practice tied to school lists, and for teachers who need list, roster and marking tools alongside it. Its varied practice modes and classroom features make it more versatile than a basic spelling drill. Choose another service if you need unlimited free use or prefer a flat recurring plan: Spelling.Live’s credits constrain practice, and the paid packs expire after 12 months.