The top free reading, spelling, and phonics apps you can use in your classroom today, with no subscriptions and no hidden fees.
† Pricing note: Prices are checked against each vendor's official website or help center at the time of writing, but vendors change plans and prices at any time. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor's own site before purchasing. How we review and verify →
Khan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.
Starfall teaches reading through systematic phonics with engaging activities for Pre-K through 5th grade.
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.
Duolingo ABC teaches phonics and early reading skills through interactive lessons for children ages 3-8.
Teach Your Monster to Read uses a game-based approach to teach systematic phonics. Free on web, $4.99 mobile app. Covers first 2 years of learning to read.
CommonLit offers free, high-quality reading passages with comprehension questions for grades 3-12. A nonprofit making literacy accessible.
Storyline Online features famous actors reading children's books aloud. A free resource from SAG-AFTRA Foundation with activity guides for each book.
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform where teachers create live quizzes that students answer on their devices. Over 9 billion cumulative participants. Free basic plan, paid plans from $48/year.
Khan Academy Kids is the best all-round completely free ELA app for teachers, covering reading, phonics, and language arts at no cost. For spelling practice specifically, SpellingJoy offers unlimited games, tests, and 134+ word lists with no subscription required.
Yes, many free ELA apps match or exceed paid options. Khan Academy Kids, SpellingJoy, and CommonLit are all free and backed by research or curriculum standards. The key difference is often scope rather than quality.
For reading, CommonLit (grades 3-12) and Khan Academy Kids (ages 2-8) are excellent free options. For spelling specifically, SpellingJoy provides the most comprehensive free spelling practice with 134+ word lists, games, and tests.
Most well-known free ELA apps like Khan Academy Kids, SpellingJoy, and CommonLit are designed for educational use and follow COPPA guidelines. Always check each app's privacy policy and verify it meets your district's data requirements before classroom deployment.
Absolutely. Many teachers combine SpellingJoy for spelling practice, Khan Academy Kids or Starfall for phonics, and CommonLit for reading comprehension. Using specialized free tools together can cover more of the ELA curriculum than any single app.
Khan Academy Kids is the best free all-in-one ELA app for the classroom, offering a comprehensive, ad-free experience for ages 2-8 that covers reading, phonics, and language arts.
SpellingJoy is the best free ELA app for spelling practice, with unlimited games, tests, and 134+ word lists at zero cost. Teachers looking for reading comprehension resources for older students should try CommonLit, which provides free literary passages aligned to standards for grades 3-12.
The best approach is combining several free tools: SpellingJoy for spelling, Khan Academy Kids or Starfall for phonics, and CommonLit for reading. Together they give your students complete ELA coverage without spending a dime.
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.
SpellingJoy+
$2.99/month. All printable packs, teaching resources, premium packs. Cancel any time.
