Tricky Words vs SpellStar
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Tricky Words
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Tricky Words turns the UK government's official spelling lists into a science-backed practice routine that actually works - no fuss, no forgotten worksheets, no repeating yourself. This app replaces all your flashcards with a clever digital system on your phone. It asks the right words at the right time to ensure optimal learning and speed. OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT WORD LISTS, BUILT IN The National Curriculum specifies exactly which High Frequency Words (HFW) and Common Exception Words (CEW) every child must master from Reception through Year 6. We've built all of them in - over 650 words, organised by year and difficulty. When your child's school sends home a custom list, simply snap a photo, and the app automatically imports it alongside the built-in words. SMARTER PRACTICE WITH BUCKETS We use a proven spaced-repetition system to move words from short-term memory into long-term mastery - the exact same principle used in medical and language training worldwide. Words practised correctly move up through four levels. Mistakes reset a word to the beginning, ensuring it gets the extra attention it needs. The app handles all the scheduling, so you never have to think about which word to test next. REPEAT LIST When a word trips your child up, it goes on the Repeat List and comes back every few words - exactly when it needs reinforcing. Words stay on the list until they're answered correctly, and you can always see what's coming next. TAILORED TO YOUR CHILD Multi-child support means each child has their own library, progress tracker, and word selection. You choose exactly which school years and difficulty levels to include. Mark a word as "Mastered", and it disappears from practice for good. TWO-PHONE MODE If you'd rather not show your child the screen, pair two phones over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You control the session on your device while your child sees only a clean display, complete with a fanfare when they get it right.
SpellStar
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SpellStar turns weekly spelling practice into a magical wizard adventure for primary school children aged 4 to 11. Every list is matched to the UK National Curriculum, from Reception through to Year 6 โ so the words your child practises are exactly the ones they need for school, SATs and beyond. Choose a British or American accent for spoken words. THE FEATURE PARENTS LOVE Got this week's spelling list from school? Just snap a photo and SpellStar reads the words straight in โ no typing them out one by one. You can also add words by hand, or scan a QR code to share a list between phones. 13 SPELLING GAMES โ NEVER BORING The same words, thirteen different ways, so practice stays fresh: Spell Cast โ hear the word, then spell it Boss Battle โ defeat dragons by spelling correctly Star Rush โ a 60-second spelling dash Jinx Breaker โ unscramble the letters Hidden Spells โ find the words in the grid Spell Weave โ crossword enchantment Plus Wizard's Whisper, Letter Spell, Word Builder, Spell Match, Rune Hunt and more BUILT FOR THE UK CURRICULUM Statutory word lists for Reception to Year 6 Common exception words, phonics patterns and tricky spellings Smart practice that focuses on the words your child finds hardest WATCH THEM PROGRESS Earn XP, unlock levels, collect stars and build daily streaks. A PIN-protected parent area shows accuracy, mastery and the words that still need work. FOR TEACHERS AND CLASSROOMS Set a weekly list once and share it with the whole class, run spelling tests, and track class progress โ all in the same app. SAFE AND PRIVATE BY DESIGN No ads, ever No tracking, no analytics, nothing sold to anyone Your child's progress and word lists stay on your device Spelling practice works fully offline โ no internet needed Designed with GDPR and children's-privacy principles in mind Whether it's homework help at the kitchen table or spelling practice in the classroom, SpellStar makes spelling something children actually want to do. Download SpellStar and start the spelling adventure today. SpellStar Plus, Family and Classroom are auto-renewable subscriptions. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://lydexsolutions.co.uk/spellstar-privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tricky Words at none against SpellStar's 5. Tricky Words also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. SpellStar sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Tricky Words asks for nothing beyond the download.
Tricky Words ships an update every 4 days, SpellStar every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tricky Words | SpellStar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days โ better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No โ better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 251 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Moritz Schmittat | Lydex Solutions LTD. |
In-app purchases
Tricky Words
No in-app purchases
SpellStar
- SpellStar Plus$3.991 Month
- SpellStar Family$4.991 Month
- SpellStar Plus (Annual)14 Days trial$29.991 Year
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- SpellStar Family (Annual)14 Days trial$39.991 Year
- SpellStar Classroom1 Month trial$59.991 Year
Questions
Is Tricky Words free?
Is SpellStar free?
Do Tricky Words or SpellStar have ads?
Which is updated more often, Tricky Words or SpellStar?
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