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Best ELA Apps for 3rd Grade (2026)

Top reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary apps to help third graders master English Language Arts.

STSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: March 30, 2026
Third grade student reading a book in classroom

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 3rd grade ELA year (ages 8-9)Price:$19/monthGrades:K-5Platforms:Web

Pros

  • 7-day free trial — try the full course before you pay
  • A full 36-week guided ELA year per grade (K-5)
  • Phonics-first and mapped to Common Core standards

Cons

  • Card required up front; $19/mo after the 7-day free trial
  • Web-only (no native mobile app yet)
  • AI tutor, not a state-accredited program
Our pick
2

SpellingJoy

Best free ELA practice

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 spelling & vocabulary for 3rd gradePrice: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 ELA skills across reading, writing & 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

Prodigy

Best game-based

Prodigy uses game-based learning to teach math, with a newer English/ELA component.

Best for:Engaging ELA practice through RPG-style gameplayPrice:$59-180/yrGrades:Grades 1-8Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Engaging game format
  • Free basic version
  • Curriculum aligned

Cons

  • In-game purchase prompts
  • Premium expensive
  • Primarily math-focused
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:Building 3rd grade reading fluency with 40,000+ booksPrice:$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

Newsela

Best for nonfiction

Newsela adapts real news articles to 5 different reading levels, making current events accessible to students grades 2-12.

Best for:Real-world reading at adjustable levelsPrice:School pricingGrades:Grades 2-12Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Real news at 5 reading levels
  • Current events keep kids engaged
  • Built-in comprehension quizzes

Cons

  • Primarily for schools
  • Not for early readers
  • Subscription required
7

BrainPOP

Best for visual learners

BrainPOP uses animated videos to teach concepts across all subjects for K-8 students.

Best for:Animated ELA lessons with quizzesPrice:$119-159/yrGrades:K-8Platforms:Web

Pros

  • Engaging animated videos
  • Covers all subjects
  • Quiz assessments

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not spelling-specific
8

Vocabulary A-Z

Best vocabulary focus

Vocabulary A-Z (formerly VocabularySpellingCity) offers vocabulary and spelling games for K-5 students with classroom management features for teachers. $108/year covers up to 36 students.

Best for:Vocabulary & spelling games for classroomsPrice:$108/yr (classroom)Grades:K-5Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • 35+ learning games
  • Strong classroom integration
  • Teacher dashboard

Cons

  • Rebranded from VocabularySpellingCity
  • Requires annual subscription
  • Classroom-focused pricing

Frequently asked questions

What is SpellingJoy ELA and how does it work for 3rd grade?

SpellingJoy ELA is a voiced, interactive English Language Arts curriculum for ages 5-10 (K-5), which includes 3rd grade. The child runs a ~20-minute daily lesson alone — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words with tappable tiles, reads back, and writes with feedback — organized into a full 36-week year per grade and mapped to Common Core standards. It costs $19/month. Note that it is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.

What ELA skills should 3rd graders be working on?

Third graders focus on reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary building, spelling patterns, grammar basics, and writing short paragraphs. Apps that cover multiple ELA strands help reinforce these skills together.

Are free ELA apps effective for 3rd graders?

Yes. SpellingJoy offers unlimited free spelling and vocabulary practice with 134+ word lists covering 3rd grade standards. Khan Academy Kids and Epic (free for teachers) also provide strong free ELA content.

How much screen time should a 3rd grader spend on ELA apps?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends consistent limits on screen time. For educational apps, 20-30 minutes per session is a good target for 3rd graders, allowing focused practice without fatigue.

Can ELA apps replace classroom instruction for 3rd graders?

ELA apps are best used as supplements to classroom instruction, not replacements. They reinforce skills taught in school, provide extra practice, and offer personalized pacing that classrooms cannot always provide.

Our Verdict

SpellingJoy ELA is our top pick for a guided 3rd grade ELA year (ages 8-9). It is a voiced, interactive curriculum your child runs alone — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words, reads back, and writes with feedback — a full 36-week year per grade (K-5), mapped to Common Core, for $19/month. See the SpellingJoy ELA year. (It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.) If you want a free option, the original SpellingJoy spelling app is 100% free with unlimited games and 134+ word lists.

For comprehensive ELA coverage across reading, writing, and grammar, IXL offers the deepest adaptive practice, while Epic! is unbeatable for building a reading habit with its massive digital library.

Pair a free tool like SpellingJoy with a reading app like Epic or Newsela for well-rounded 3rd grade ELA support without breaking the budget.

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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