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Best ELA Apps for 2nd Grade (2026)

The top reading, spelling, and language arts apps for 2nd graders ages 7-8.

STSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: March 30, 2026
Second grade student reading and writing at a desk

Our top picks

Our pick
1

SpellingJoy ELA

Best guided ELA year

SpellingJoy ELA is a voiced, interactive English Language Arts curriculum for ages 5-10. The child plays a ~20-minute daily lesson alone — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words with tappable tiles, reads back (speech recognition), and writes with AI feedback. Phonics-first, standards-aware, a full 36-week year per grade. Parents review the week's work. It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program, and is not COPPA/FERPA certified — parental consent and supervision are the parent's responsibility.

Best for:A voiced, do-it-alone 2nd grade ELA year (ages 7-8)Price:$19/monthGrades:K-5Platforms:Web

Pros

  • A full 36-week guided ELA year per grade (K-5)
  • Phonics-first and mapped to Common Core standards
  • Fully voiced — a non-reader can run a lesson alone

Cons

  • Paid subscription ($19/mo, no free tier)
  • Web-only (no native mobile app yet)
  • AI tutor, not a state-accredited program
Our pick
2

SpellingJoy

Best free spelling

SpellingJoy is a 100% free spelling practice platform for K-6 students. Unlimited spelling games, unlimited tests, 134+ word lists, custom list creation, and progress tracking - all completely free with no subscriptions and no hidden costs.

Best for:Free unlimited spelling practice with 2nd grade word listsPrice:100% FreeGrades:K-6Platforms:Web

Pros

  • 100% free - unlimited games, tests, and lists
  • No subscription or hidden costs ever
  • K-6 curriculum with 134+ word lists

Cons

  • Web-only (no native mobile apps yet)
  • Classroom features coming soon
3

IXL

Best comprehensive ELA

IXL is a comprehensive adaptive learning platform covering all subjects from Pre-K through 12th grade.

Best for:Adaptive practice across reading, writing, and grammarPrice:$79-159/yrGrades:Pre-K-12Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Comprehensive K-12 coverage
  • Adaptive learning
  • Detailed analytics

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Spelling is small part of ELA
4

Reading Eggs

Best reading program

Reading Eggs provides a comprehensive reading program for children ages 2-13 with lessons, games, and books.

Best for:Structured reading and spelling progressionPrice:$70-100/yrGrades:Ages 2-13Platforms:All platforms

Pros

  • Wide age range
  • Comprehensive program
  • Includes spelling component

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Can be overwhelming
5

Epic!

Best reading library

Epic! provides access to a library of 40,000+ children's books, audiobooks, and educational videos. $84.99/year or $13.99/month.

Best for:Massive digital library for independent readingPrice:$84.99/yrGrades:Pre-K-6 (Ages 2-12)Platforms:iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV

Pros

  • 40,000+ books from quality publishers
  • Read-To-Me and audiobooks
  • Offline reading available

Cons

  • Free tier very limited (1 book/day)
  • Price increased recently
  • Not spelling-focused
6

ABCya

Best ELA games

ABCya offers educational games for Pre-K through 6th grade across all subjects. Free with ads, or pay for ad-free premium access.

Best for:Fun educational games covering spelling, grammar, and readingPrice:$70/yr (ad-free)Grades:Pre-K-6Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Large game library
  • Free tier with ads
  • Covers all subjects

Cons

  • Free version has ads
  • Games vary in educational value
  • Not a structured curriculum
7

Spelling Shed

Best gamified spelling

Spelling Shed is a UK-based spelling app with gamification features including competitive leagues and rewards. Home subscription $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr for up to 5 students.

Best for:Competitive spelling leagues and word masteryPrice:$29.99/yr (home)Grades:Ages 5-11Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Strong gamification features
  • Competitive leagues
  • Cross-platform

Cons

  • UK curriculum focus
  • British accent audio
  • Original app phased out for subscription model
8

Khan Academy Kids

Best free all-in-one

Khan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.

Best for:Free reading, phonics, and early writing for ages 2-8Price:FreeGrades:Ages 2-8Platforms:iOS, Android, Amazon

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Comprehensive curriculum
  • No ads

Cons

  • Only goes to age 8
  • Not specialized for spelling
  • No web version

Frequently asked questions

What ELA skills should 2nd graders master?

Second graders should develop fluent reading of grade-level text, expand their vocabulary, spell common words correctly, write complete sentences and short paragraphs, and understand basic grammar rules like capitalization and punctuation. The best ELA apps reinforce these skills through interactive practice.

Are free ELA apps good enough for 2nd grade?

Absolutely. SpellingJoy offers unlimited free spelling practice with 2nd-grade word lists, and Khan Academy Kids provides free reading and phonics instruction. These free options cover core ELA skills effectively and can be supplemented with a paid app like IXL or Reading Eggs for broader coverage.

How long should a 2nd grader use ELA apps each day?

Experts recommend 15-30 minutes per session of educational app time for 2nd graders. Short, focused sessions are more effective than long stretches. Many of these apps include built-in timers or session limits to help parents manage screen time.

Can ELA apps help struggling 2nd grade readers?

Yes. Apps like Reading Eggs and IXL use adaptive technology that adjusts difficulty based on each student's level. SpellingJoy includes a free placement test to match students with appropriate word lists. For students significantly behind, pairing an adaptive app with guided reading instruction produces the best results.

What is SpellingJoy ELA and how is it different from the free SpellingJoy app?

SpellingJoy ELA ($19/month) is a voiced, interactive homeschool ELA program that delivers a full 36-week, phonics-first year for each grade from K-5, including 2nd grade. It uses an AI tutor with audio so a child can work through lessons largely on their own, and its scope and sequence is Common Core-aware. It is not a state-accredited curriculum and is not a substitute for a certified school program -- it is a supplement or homeschool spine, distinct from the free SpellingJoy spelling-practice app.

Our Verdict

SpellingJoy ELA is our top pick for a guided 2nd grade ELA year: a voiced, phonics-first program ($19/month) with an AI tutor that delivers a full 36-week, Common Core-aware year so a 7-8 year old can do most of it on their own. Note it is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited curriculum. For free spelling practice, the SpellingJoy app offers 134+ word lists and unlimited games at no cost, and for comprehensive coverage across reading, writing, and grammar, IXL provides adaptive practice that meets each student where they are.

If your focus is building reading fluency, Reading Eggs delivers a structured program that pairs well with spelling practice. For independent reading, Epic! gives students access to 40,000+ books at their level.

The strongest 2nd grade ELA stack combines a spelling app like SpellingJoy with a reading program like Reading Eggs or a comprehensive platform like IXL for well-rounded language arts practice.

ST

About the Author

SpellingJoy Team

The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.

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