Overview

Spelling Shed brings structured spelling practice and classroom coordination into one platform. Its whole-school curriculum covers ELA spelling standards, including statutory words and spelling rules, while custom lists let teachers tailor practice. Regional versions are adapted for the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Cambridge International curricula, so schools can choose a scheme aligned with their setting.

The platform also supports phonics instruction and corrective practice. That makes it relevant beyond memorising weekly lists, although the strongest case is for schools that want a shared system for instruction, assignments and class practice.

Key features

Teachers can create unlimited custom lists and search for lists within the platform. This gives them room to match practice to class needs without a stated cap on teacher-created lists. The teacher hub manages student records, teachers and classes, and supports homework assignments, making Spelling Shed more than a pupil-facing game.

Whole-class Hive Games let pupils practise together as an alternative to a weekly spelling test. The format offers a collaborative option for review, while the curriculum and teacher hub keep it connected to school practice rather than making it a standalone game collection.

Open Dyslexic font support and three difficulty levels provide practical ways to accommodate pupils with different abilities. The app supports full offline play, and QR-code scanning can import lists or sign in. Those capabilities suit classrooms where connectivity is inconsistent or teachers need a quick way to bring lists into the app.

ClassLink and Wonde rostering are included among the integrations, while Clever rostering is limited to Classroom. EdShed states that it complies with GDPR, COPPA and FERPA, has annual independent security testing, and stores data at a London data centre. Support is available by email at support@edshed.com and by phone at 888-254-3098 in the USA.

Pricing

The free plan is free and includes tests, Hive games, challenges and custom leagues, each with seven days of history. Clever rostering is available on this plan for Classroom only. It gives schools a way to use the core practice and class activities without an upfront charge, but the short history window limits how far back teachers can review activity.

The Spelling Shed iOS app costs 2.99 USD per once and is designed for iPad, iPhone and iPad. It is a modest one-time option for users who want the iOS app, but the price alone does not include the broader Premium features.

Premium has custom pricing. It adds printable parent reports for tests and includes Clever rostering for Classroom only. The pricing model is freemium, with paid plans from £4.23/yr, but the specific listed Premium price is custom.

Platforms

Spelling Shed is available on Android, iOS and the web. Offline play is supported in the app, which helps preserve access during connectivity interruptions. The iOS app has a stated one-time price, while the free plan is also available.

Who it's for

Spelling Shed is a strong fit for teachers and schools that want standards-based spelling work, homework management, custom lists and whole-class practice in one place. Its regional curriculum versions and roster integrations make it relevant to different school contexts. Parents and pupils can also use it, but families seeking only occasional individual practice may find the teacher hub and school-oriented structure unnecessary.

Pros and cons

Pros

Whole-school ELA spelling coverage, including statutory words and rules, gives teachers structured curriculum support.
Unlimited custom lists and list search allow class-specific practice without a stated creation cap.
Teacher records, classes, homework and Hive Games connect individual practice with classroom routines.
Offline play, QR-code list import and three difficulty levels support varied classroom conditions and pupil needs.

Cons

The free plan retains history for only seven days across tests, games, challenges and custom leagues, limiting longer-term review.
Premium requires custom pricing, so schools cannot compare its cost without requesting a quote.
Clever rostering is restricted to Classroom, which narrows that integration’s use.
The school-management focus may be excessive for families wanting only a simple personal spelling app.

Alternatives

For a broader directory, browse the Spelling Apps list. Consider SpellMe if a free basic plan with five lists capped at ten words each and 300+ curated phonics lists better matches the need, or if its wider platform support matters. Wordshark is another option to compare for readers considering a paid spelling product.

Better Speller may suit users who want a free trial with up to 35 words and all features included, followed by a one-time iCloud Sync and Sharing purchase. Choose Spelling Boost for an Android option with free audio dictation tests, custom lists, handwriting input and progress tracking. PenPoints is a free Android and iOS alternative to consider for its teacher homework and live-class assessment tools.

Spelling.Live may appeal to users who prefer a credit-based free sign-up, with 200 credits that expire after 90 days without a practice session. Spello is a paid family option for up to four children, with unlimited practice and a daily cap per child. Squeebles Spelling Connect is another paid option with a family monthly plan for up to four children and a seven-day free trial.

Verdict

Choose Spelling Shed if you need curriculum-based spelling practice tied to teacher management, homework and whole-class games. Its custom lists, accessibility options and offline app play make it a flexible school tool, while the free plan makes it possible to start without a subscription. Look elsewhere if seven-day history is too short for your reporting needs or if you want a simple family app without the classroom focus; Premium’s custom pricing also makes budgeting less direct.

	Spelling Shed	StarSpell
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial		Yes
Paid from	Free	£1/mo
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	No
Phonics instruction	Yes	Yes
Corrective practice	Yes
Teacher dashboard	Yes
Offline access	Yes	No
Word-list import	Yes

Spelling Shed vs StarSpell

Spelling Shed

StarSpell