StarSpell review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

StarSpell is a spelling and literacy learning program for schools, tutors, students and home users. It is designed for learners of all ages and abilities, including students with dyslexia and other specific learning needs. Its content combines graded spelling lists, phonics activities, spoken words, contextual sentences, images, custom lists and the Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check routine. Teacher mode, assignments and printable worksheets support both classroom and one-to-one instruction.

The published plans are annual cloud-based licences. Student costs £12 per student per 12 months for home or school use. Classroom costs £30 per class per 12 months, while Additional Classroom costs £25 per additional class per 12 months. School costs £150 per school per 12 months and provides a whole-school cloud-based licence. The product also includes network and standalone options with either download or CD-ROM formats, covering network use on unlimited PCs in one location or use on a single PC.

Platform coverage is a major strength: StarSpell supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Its assignment workflow connects with Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Show My Homework and Satchel One, and single sign-on is supported. The result is a practical fit for schools and tutors that need spelling instruction across devices and existing classroom systems. It is less suitable for buyers prioritising extensive progress reporting, and the classic version is limited to Windows PCs. Choose StarSpell for broad spelling and phonics coverage with teacher-led tools; consider an alternative if detailed learner reporting is central to the purchase.

StarSpell pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • More than 5,000 graded words plus phonics activities
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
  • Supports Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams and Satchel One
• Where it doesn't
  • No free plan is available
  • Progress-reporting features are limited
  • The classic version runs on Windows PCs

StarSpell fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update