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Head-to-head · Spelling Apps

Spelling Shed vs Spello

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Spelling Shed #3 in Spelling Apps 8.4/10 Free plan · paid from £4.23/yr Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Spelling Shed
Spello #6 in Spelling Apps 7.3/10 From £20/yr · 7-day trial ✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Spello

Spelling Shed leads on 3 checks, Spello on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSpelling Shed · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Spelling Shed
  • Most featuresSpelling Shed · 5 of 6

Spelling Shed scores higher on our rubric for spelling apps: 8.4 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Spelling Shed offers free plan; Spello doesn't. Spelling Shed offers phonics instruction; Spello doesn't publish it. Spello offers dictation practice; Spelling Shed doesn't publish it. Spelling Shed offers offline access; Spello doesn't publish it.

Spelling Shed is the better fit for schools wanting curriculum depth and offline use. Spello is the better fit for families and schools needing dashboards.

  • Spelling Shed fits best

    Schools wanting curriculum depth and offline use

  • Spello fits best

    Families and schools needing dashboards

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Spelling Shed 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Spello 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.3
Ranking #3 in Spelling Apps #6 in Spelling Apps
Best for Schools wanting curriculum depth and offline use Families and schools needing dashboards
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Spelling Shed 5/6 · Spello 4/6
Phonics instruction ✓ (best) Not published
Dictation practice Not published ✓ (best)
Corrective practice ✓ ✓
Teacher dashboard ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ (best) Not published
Word-list import ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Structured phonics, morphology, and etymology curriculum
  • Mastery Zone diagnostics with targeted practice
  • Offline play across web, iOS, and Android
  • Adaptive practice uses five exercise formats and audio prompts.
  • School plan includes class management, analytics and CSV pupil import.
  • Available on web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Cons
  • School pricing varies across annual per-pupil tiers
  • Parent and teacher plans cap child or pupil licences
  • Focused on spelling rather than broader primary learning
  • There is no free plan after the seven-day family trial.
  • Family access is limited to up to four children.
  • The curriculum focus is UK primary spelling for Years 1–6.
Our verdict

Spelling Shed is a spelling platform for primary-school learners, teachers, parents, and schools. It combines a structured curriculum with phonics, morphology, and etymology elements, while also supporting custom word lists, spelling…

Read the review →

Spello is a browser-based spelling and typing practice platform for UK primary-school children in Years 1–6. It combines adaptive spaced repetition with DfE statutory common exception word lists, audio prompts and five practice formats:…

Read the review →
  1. Spelling ShedSpelling Apps 8.4Free plan · paid from £4.23/yr
  2. SpelloSpelling Apps 7.3From £20/yr · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Spelling Shed — where it wins

    • Structured phonics, morphology, and etymology curriculum
    • Mastery Zone diagnostics with targeted practice
    • Offline play across web, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • School pricing varies across annual per-pupil tiers
    • Parent and teacher plans cap child or pupil licences
    • Focused on spelling rather than broader primary learning

  • Spello — where it wins

    • Adaptive practice uses five exercise formats and audio prompts.
    • School plan includes class management, analytics and CSV pupil import.
    • Available on web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan after the seven-day family trial.
    • Family access is limited to up to four children.
    • The curriculum focus is UK primary spelling for Years 1–6.
  • Spelling Shed8.4/10 · Free plan · paid from £4.23/yr

    A curriculum-led spelling platform with strong diagnostics, reporting, and offline learning.

    Visit Spelling ShedFull verdict →
  • Spello7.3/10 · From £20/yr · 7-day trial

    Adaptive spelling practice with strong family and school dashboards.

    Visit SpelloFull verdict →

More comparisons

All spelling apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update