SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) Reviews (2026): What Parents Say, Pros & Cons
- Grades
- K–5
- Type
- App
Updated · By Edulist · 5 sources
SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) review summary
SpellingCity, later VocabularySpellingCity, was a popular site for spelling and vocabulary games built from custom word lists. Learning A-Z has replaced it with Vocabulary A-Z, a K–5 vocabulary and spelling program, and spellingcity.com now redirects there.
SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) pros and cons
Pros
- Keeps the game-based SpellingCity activities kids liked
- Premade lists tied to major reading series and Learning A-Z books
- Builds and grades spelling and vocabulary tests
- Printable lessons and progress reports
Cons
- Old SpellingCity family plans and free accounts are gone
- Higher price, sold as a classroom-style license
- Grade range narrowed to K–5
- Public reviews of the transition are mostly negative
Who SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- K–5 teachers and homeschoolers who want structured vocabulary lessons
- Families already using Learning A-Z products like Raz-Plus
- Kids who practice spelling best through games
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting the old free or $30-a-year SpellingCity
- Students above 5th grade
- Parents who want only a quick weekly spelling-test tool
What parents say about SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z)
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
SpellingCity's Trustpilot page scores 1.6 out of 5 from 158 reviews, with no new reviews in the past year. Most detailed complaints date from 2021–2024 and describe the forced move to Vocabulary A-Z. Praise is mostly nostalgia for the original, easy-to-use SpellingCity.
Common praise
- The original SpellingCity was simple and kids liked it
- Game-based practice made spelling lists more fun
Common complaints
- Vocabulary A-Z is confusing and harder to use
- Lost student data and word lists in the migration
- Slow support and higher cost with a 36-student cap
Sources: trustpilot.com · spellingcity.com
SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) family reviews
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Is SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) worth the price?
SpellingCity's old free and low-cost family memberships are gone. spellingcity.com now redirects to Learning A-Z's page about upgrading to Vocabulary A-Z, which is sold as an annual license.
Can a scholarship pay for SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z)?
Vocabulary A-Z is an educational software license, which some ESA programs allow; each program decides and many require purchases through an approved vendor or marketplace.
No program on Edulist lists SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) yet. Save it to your wishlist and we’ll tell you when one does. Many state ESAs let families buy products like this directly; each program decides.
SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) alternatives
A game-based spelling program from EdShed with a K–5 US curriculum, weekly word lists, an adaptive Mastery Zone and live multiplayer Hive Games.
A scripted, open-and-go spelling program from All About Learning Press that uses the Orton-Gillingham approach.
A visual spelling program from Demme Learning, the maker of Math-U-See.
Sources
Questions
What are good alternatives to Spelling City?
Spelling Shed is a game-based spelling program for classrooms and families. For homeschool spelling curriculum, look at All About Spelling, Spelling You See or Sequential Spelling. Vocabulary.com suits older students working on word meanings.
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