Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Spelling Apps

Spello vs PenPoints

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Spello #6 in Spelling Apps 7.3/10 From £20/yr · 7-day trial ✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Spello
PenPoints #7 in Spelling Apps 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit PenPoints

Spello leads on 0 checks, PenPoints on 2, and 5 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 scoreSpello · 7.3/10
  • Free planonly PenPoints
  • Most featuresPenPoints · 5 of 6

Spello scores higher on our rubric for spelling apps: 7.3 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

PenPoints offers free plan; Spello doesn't. PenPoints offers phonics instruction; Spello doesn't publish it.

Spello is the better fit for families and schools needing dashboards. PenPoints is the better fit for free family and classroom spelling practice.

  • Spello fits best

    Families and schools needing dashboards

  • PenPoints fits best

    Free family and classroom spelling practice

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

Side by side

Feature Spello 7.3/10 Visit ↗ PenPoints 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 7.1
Ranking #6 in Spelling Apps #7 in Spelling Apps
Best for Families and schools needing dashboards Free family and classroom spelling practice
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email
Compliance GDPR GDPR
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Spello 4/6 · PenPoints 5/6
Phonics instruction Not published ✓ (best)
Dictation practice ✓ ✓
Corrective practice ✓ ✓
Teacher dashboard ✓ ✓
Offline access Not published —
Word-list import ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • Photographed handwriting is assessed with OCR after dictation.
  • Retry exercises turn spelling mistakes into corrective practice.
  • Parents and teachers can review results and track progress.
Cons
  • 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.
  • Available on iOS and Android rather than broader platforms.
  • Offline access is not available.
  • Its focus is spelling and handwriting, not a wider learning suite.
Our verdict

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 →

PenPoints is a free mobile spelling and handwriting app for primary and elementary-school children, roughly ages 6–12. It suits families, teachers, and learners who benefit from writing dictated words on paper rather than completing every…

Read the review →
  1. SpelloSpelling Apps 7.3From £20/yr · 7-day trial
  2. PenPointsSpelling Apps 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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.

  • PenPoints — where it wins

    • Photographed handwriting is assessed with OCR after dictation.
    • Retry exercises turn spelling mistakes into corrective practice.
    • Parents and teachers can review results and track progress.

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on iOS and Android rather than broader platforms.
    • Offline access is not available.
    • Its focus is spelling and handwriting, not a wider learning suite.

More comparisons

All spelling apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update