Spelling City Shut Down? Here’s What to Use Instead
SpellingCity isn't gone, but at $125/year it might as well be. We found free and affordable alternatives that offer the same core features.
SpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: February 8, 2026
If you've searched "is SpellingCity shut down," you're not alone. Thousands of teachers and parents have been confused by what happened to the spelling app they once relied on.
Here's the truth: SpellingCity is not shut down. It was rebranded to Vocabulary A-Z (formerly VocabularySpellingCity) after being acquired by Learning A-Z. The platform still exists, but the price has skyrocketed from about $35/year to $108-125/year for a classroom license.
That massive price jump is why so many schools dropped it, leading teachers to think it was discontinued. If your school cut SpellingCity from the budget, or you simply can't justify $125/year for spelling practice, you have excellent options.
Why People Think SpellingCity Shut Down
Rebranding confusion: The name changed from SpellingCity to VocabularySpellingCity to Vocabulary A-Z
Schools dropped it: Budget cuts and price increases led many districts to cancel subscriptions
Old links broken: The original spellingcity.com domain redirects, making it seem like the site is gone
Price shock: Teachers who paid $35/year were told it would now cost $108-125/year
What You Actually Need from a SpellingCity Replacement
SpellingCity was loved for its custom word lists, text-to-speech pronunciation, spelling games, and progress tracking. The good news is that free apps now offer these same core features. You don't need to pay $125/year to get quality spelling 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 unlimited spelling practice with word lists and progress tracking
Price - 100% Free
Grades - K-6
Platforms - 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
2
Spelling Shed
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.
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 - Phonics and early spelling for Pre-K to 2nd grade
Price - $35/yr
Grades - Pre-K-5
Platforms - Web, iOS, Android
Pros
✓ Affordable
✓ Good for early readers
✓ Systematic phonics approach
Cons
✗ Limited for older students
✗ Dated interface
6
Simplex Spelling
Simplex Spelling uses research-backed methods and is particularly effective for students with learning differences.
Best for - No subscription, research-backed method
Price - $5-15/app
Grades - K-5
Platforms - iOS
Pros
✓ Research-backed methodology
✓ Great for special needs students
✓ One-time purchase
Cons
✗ iOS only
✗ Multiple apps to purchase
✗ No web version
7
Spelling Test Buddy
Spelling Test Buddy automates spelling tests - teachers input words, system generates audio/sentences, auto-grades, and tracks progress. $39.99/year for up to 150 students.
Best for - Auto-generated spelling tests with grading
Price - $39.99/yr
Grades - K-5
Platforms - Web
Pros
✓ Auto-generates audio and sentences for tests
✓ Auto-grades tests instantly
✓ Google Classroom integration
Cons
✗ Web-only (requires internet)
✗ Subscription required after trial
✗ Teacher-focused (less for individual parents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, SpellingCity is still available, but it has been rebranded to Vocabulary A-Z (formerly VocabularySpellingCity) and is now part of the Learning A-Z family. The confusion about it shutting down comes from the rebranding and significant price increases that led many schools to drop it.
Our Verdict
SpellingCity isn't dead - it's just expensive now. If your school dropped it or you can't afford the new pricing, SpellingJoy is the best free replacement. It covers the features teachers actually used in SpellingCity: custom word lists, audio pronunciation, progress tracking, and engaging spelling practice.
If you want the exact same platform, Vocabulary A-Z (the rebranded SpellingCity) is still available at $108/year. For a paid alternative at a lower price, Spelling Shed ($29.99/year) offers solid gamification.
Our recommendation: Start with SpellingJoy (free) and see if it meets your needs before paying for anything. Most teachers find it covers everything they used SpellingCity for.
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.
