Comparison

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 vs Spelltopia

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3

This app enhances English spelling and reading skills through phonics lessons, word patterns, and a unique reverse phonics approach. It scientifically helps students improve their spelling, covering over 750 high-frequency words and 52 instructional lists.

Highlights
  • Phonics lessons and word patterns
  • Reverse phonics approach
  • 750+ high-frequency words
  • 52 instructional lessons
  • Contextual spelling rule hints
  • Progress tracking for 40 users
  • Exportable progress reports
Features
Read full description

Simplex Spelling is one of the best ways to improve English spelling and reading skills. Using a powerful combination of phonics lessons, spelling/word patterns, syllabication, our unique “reverse phonics” (phonics encoding) approach and contextually relevant spelling rules. Scientifically validated as a highly effective approach to improving spelling skills, a published study revealed that students demonstrated an average spelling improvement of 1.9 grades among children in a classroom setting who regularly used Simplex Spelling over a 18 week period. The largest student improvement observed over the same time period was 4.4 grade levels as assessed by administering the Schonell Spelling Test. 

Teaching over a year of spelling curriculum with more than 750 high frequency words divided into 52 lists that are organized by spelling patterns and difficulty levels. Each of the 52 lists comes with a lesson that teaches one of the basic building blocks of spelling in the English language. Students learn a new concept for each lesson building on the skills learned from previous lessons and those covered in Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 & 2. Simplex Spelling Phonics Advanced Phonograms guides the student and acts as a personal spelling coach with every word, while teaching students "how to spell" English words. Every word is broken down into its syllables both visually and auditorily to help students build phonological awareness skills. Our “reverse phonics” hint feature breaks each word down further into individual phonemes to improve phonemic awareness, a critical skill in achieving literacy. Simplex Spelling Advanced Phonograms focuses on some of the more difficult phonograms in the English language in addition to lessons covering contractions and the capitalization of proper nouns. Recommended age 9+
 
Note: You can not create your own spelling lists.

 Features: 
 - Over 750 high frequency spelling words to help build literacy. - Words are spoken and used in a sentence to establish context and improve vocabulary. 
 - Introductory spelling list seamlessly leads a student through all of the application’s features.
 - 52 instructional lessons teach phonics, phonograms, spelling rules, contractions and the capitalization of proper nouns. 
- A full “reverse phonics” approach that builds phonemic awareness. - Contextually relevant spelling rule hints that help explain “how to spell” English words.
 - Letter by letter feedback system provides feedback while the student is in the process of spelling each word. 
 - Support for 40 user accounts. 
 - Remembers each user’s progress in every list.
 - User stats screen track progress with every word. - Export and email progress reports. - Ability to set the number of times a word must be spelled correctly to become mastered. 
 - Supports upper and lower case letters.
 - Supports alphabetic and QWERTY keyboard layouts. 
- Supports US, UK and Canadian English spelling of words.

 Please check the word lists provided on www.pyxwise.com to ensure that the word lists provided in Simplex Spelling meet your educational needs. - Advanced Phonograms has previously been featured by Apple as New & Noteworthy in 20 countries. - "Best Educational App of 2014" - Balefire Labs. -iTeach: Apps For The Classroom - "I was immediately in awe of the design and educational thought that has gone into this product." -Teachers With Apps - Certified Developer - Academics' Choice Award. Privacy Disclosure: 
- Does not contain 3rd party ads 
 - Does not share any data 
 - Does not contain In-App purchases 
 - Contains child protected links in app to developer's website for additional information, support and teaching tips. - Contains child protected link to developer email support. 

COPPA Compliant 
https://pyxwise.com/privacy-policy/

About

Spelltopia

Features
Read full description

Make spelling exciting and effective! Spelltopia is the AI-powered spelling and vocabulary app that turns practice into play for students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. SMART LEARNING THAT ADAPTS TO YOUR CHILD Our spaced-repetition system (SRS) tracks every word your child encounters. Words they struggle with appear more often; words they have mastered fade away. The result is faster learning with less frustration. 6 ENGAGING SPELLING GAMES • Spelling Bee - Type the correct spelling of spoken words • Speed Spell - Race against the clock to spell as many words as possible • Bee Keeper - Guess the word from its definition, letter by letter • Anagram Challenge - Unscramble letters to form the correct word • Fill in the Blank - Complete sentences with the missing word • Word Match - Match words to their definitions in a card-flip game VOICE-POWERED PRACTICE Hear every word spoken aloud by a natural-sounding voice. Kids can replay words as many times as they need. The app speaks words, definitions, and encouragement to reinforce correct pronunciation alongside correct spelling. BUILT FOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM Words are organized by grade level (K-8) and tied to common school curriculum word lists. Parents can also add custom word lists so the app matches exactly what their child is learning in class this week. TRACK PROGRESS AND CELEBRATE WINS • Daily streak tracker keeps kids coming back • XP and level-up system rewards consistent practice • Leaderboard for friendly competition • Word of the Day widget on the home screen • Detailed stats: words learned, accuracy, sessions completed PRO SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES • Unlimited practice sessions (free tier: 3 sessions/day) • Access to all grade levels and all games • Custom word list uploads • Ad-free experience • Family plan available for up to 6 family members SAFE FOR KIDS No ads on the free tier during gameplay. No social features or external links. Microphone access is used only to let children speak their spelling answers - audio is processed on-device and never stored. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Spelltopia Pro is available as a monthly or annual subscription, with a family plan option. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings.

Screenshots

Simplex Spelling Phonics 34 screens
Spelltopia3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Spelltopia at Free against Simplex Spelling Phonics 3's $4.99. Spelltopia also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 13 months). Simplex Spelling Phonics 3's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Spelltopia is free to download; Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 ships an update every 13 months, Spelltopia every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 versus Spelltopia: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplex Spelling Phonics 3Spelltopia
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size230 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPyxwise Software Inc.Teksart

In-app purchases

None

Simplex Spelling Phonics 3

No in-app purchases

None

Spelltopia

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 free?
Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spelltopia free?
Spelltopia is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 or Spelltopia have ads?
Neither Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 nor Spelltopia shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 or Spelltopia?
Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 ships an update every 13 months, and Spelltopia every 9 days. Most recently, Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 was updated on October 14, 2026 and Spelltopia on October 5, 2026.

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