Comparison

SpellJam vs Spelling Stream

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

Head to head
About

SpellJam

Features
Currently charting
Read full description

What if your kid ASKED to do spelling homework? SpellJam was built by Graham and his 10-year-old daughter Lily because spelling homework was boring. Together, they made the app Lily actually wanted to use — and now it's helping families everywhere turn dread into a highlight of the day. HOW IT WORKS Add your child's weekly spelling words — type them in, snap a photo of the homework sheet, or speak them aloud. SpellJam then guides kids through a proven cycle: Study Mode — Hear each word, study it with 3D animated flashcards Practice Games — Spell words letter by letter with real-time audio feedback Weekly Test — Simulate the classroom test in a calm, encouraging environment Progress Tracking — Watch mastery grow from Learning → Practicing → Mastered → Retained The app focuses extra practice on words kids struggle with and eases off on ones they've nailed. It actually adapts. FOR PARENTS • Works with your child's real weekly spelling list — not a generic word bank • Set up in under 2 minutes • Works completely offline — no wi-fi needed during practice • No ads, no tracking, no data sharing — COPPA compliant • See exactly which words need more work before the test FOR TEACHERS • Share word lists directly with students • Students practise the exact words you're teaching • Works alongside any spelling curriculum FEATURES • Sparky the Dragon — a virtual companion who grows with your child • Voice input using Apple's Speech framework (processed on-device) • Camera word capture — point at a homework sheet, words are added instantly • XP points, streaks, and achievements to keep kids motivated • 90+ built-in curriculum words across grades K-5 • Multiple game modes: Weekly Practice, Speed Challenge, Boss Battle OUR STORY In 2024, Graham's daughter Lily told him spelling homework was the most boring part of her week. Graham is a developer. Two months later, SpellJam existed. Lily was its first (and most demanding) tester. If something wasn't fun enough for a 10-year-old, it didn't ship. That's still the standard today. Download SpellJam and turn this week's spelling list into tonight's favourite game.

About

Spelling Stream

Transform school spelling lists into engaging games and practice tests for children aged 5-12. Easily create custom word lists by snapping photos, typing, or pasting, and enjoy a variety of fun challenges. Track progress, earn rewards, and practice offline with kid-safe features.

Highlights
  • Create custom spelling lists from photos
  • Variety of arcade-style spelling games
  • Record words in your own voice
  • Practice and final test modes
  • Progress tracking and rewards system
  • Offline play
  • Kid-safe and COPPA compliant
Features
Read full description

Spelling games for kids, built from your child's own school words instead of a premade list. Enter this week's list from the teacher (photo, voice, or typing) and Spelling Stream turns those exact words into nine games and a practice test. No ads. No premade lists. No account needed. Games and tests work offline. SNAP, TYPE, OR SPEAK Take a photo of the printed list and on-device AI reads the words for you. Type them. Or say them out loud. Any of the three takes seconds. NINE SPELLING GAMES Every game uses your child's exact words. Letter Catch: catch the right letter fish to build each word Snake: steer the snake to eat letters in the right order Scramble: unscramble jumbled letters to spell each word Missing Letter: fill in the blank to finish the word Word Search: find every spelling word hidden in the grid Flashcards: self-study with a quick self-check Connect: drag a line through the letters in order Tic-Tac-Toe: spell a word to claim a square and beat the computer Space Pulse: each correct letter fires a beam and plays the next note of a tune your child knows HEAR YOUR OWN VOICE Record yourself saying each word. During practice and tests your child hears you, not a robot. Recordings stay on your device and are never uploaded. PRACTICE AND TEST MODES Practice Mode gives feedback after every word. Test Mode works like the real classroom test. Progress tracking shows which words still need work. EARN STARS, UNLOCK REWARDS Kids earn stars and spend them on collectible character stickers across several rarity tiers. No loot boxes. Kids see exactly what they're saving for. PARENTS STAY IN CONTROL Smart Keyboard: vowels highlighted, no autocomplete, no distracting symbols No ads, no tracking: COPPA compliant and built for kids from the start Fully offline: games, tests, and recordings all work without internet Locked settings: a PIN, Face ID, or a math problem keeps kids out FREE TO START, UPGRADE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY The free version includes every game, one word list, voice recording, and collectible stickers. No account needed. Spelling Stream Pro adds: More lists and words: room for the whole school year Cloud Sync: lists stay in step on every device in the house Multiple profiles: each child gets their own words, progress, and stickers Focus Words: missed words come up first in practice, tests, and games until spelled right three times in a row. Off until you turn it on. Letter Distractors: wrong-letter choices in games come from real mistakes kids make, not random picks Enhanced Voice: a clear recorded voice for thousands of school words in your region's accent. Plays offline once downloaded. Your own recordings always play first. Real-World Parent Rewards: tie spelling progress to screen time, outings, or any goal you set Exclusive Stickers: Uncommon and Rare characters Exclusive Themes: new looks for the whole app Try it free today. Spelling Stream Pro is an auto-renewing subscription. • Spelling Stream Pro (Yearly) — $19.99 per year, with a 7-day free trial for first-time subscribers • Spelling Stream Pro (Monthly) — $1.99 per month Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://spellingstream.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://spellingstream.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

SpellJam4 screens
Spelling Stream4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Spelling Stream at Free against SpellJam's $3.99. Spelling Stream also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). SpellJam's advantage is chart position (#187 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Spelling Stream is free to download; SpellJam costs $3.99 up front. SpellJam sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Spelling Stream sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SpellJam ships an update every 2 months, Spelling Stream every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
SpellJam versus Spelling Stream: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpellJamSpelling Stream
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating—4.6 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—11 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
Best chart rank#187 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGraham KinsellaMonthly Balance Capital LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SpellJam

One-time1
  • Premium Access$39.99
2 purchases

Spelling Stream

Subscriptions2
  • Spelling Stream Pro$1.991 Month
  • Spelling Stream Pro7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is SpellJam free?
SpellJam costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Spelling Stream free?
Spelling Stream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SpellJam or Spelling Stream have ads?
Neither SpellJam nor Spelling Stream shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SpellJam or Spelling Stream?
SpellJam ships an update every 2 months, and Spelling Stream every 4 days. Most recently, SpellJam was updated on October 9, 2026 and Spelling Stream on October 2, 2026.

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