Snap Spell vs Retro Spelling Bee
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Snap Spell
This app helps children practice spelling by turning word lists into interactive dictation exercises. It reads words aloud, checks answers, and provides spaced review for missed words. Parents can import lists from various formats and track progress.
- Automatic dictation of word lists
- Import lists via scan, photo, text, or files
- Spaced review for missed words
- Solo and practice-together modes
- Support for British and American spellings
- Weekly progress reports
- AI voice options (Pro)
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Snap Spell is an iPhone spelling-practice app. It turns the weekly spelling list your child brings home (or any English word list) into automatic dictation: each word is read aloud, your child gets time to write it, then the answers are checked and missed words come back for more practice. No ads. Questions parents ask: • Can an app read my child's spelling words aloud so I don't have to? Yes. Auto Dictation (in Practice Together) reads each word aloud (1 to 3 times, your choice), pauses 3 to 15 seconds between words so your child can write on paper, and keeps going with the screen locked. Then Check Answers lets you mark each word right or wrong. • Can I use the list the teacher sent home? Yes. Scan the printed list, import a photo or screenshot, paste text, or type it in. You can also import PDF, Word, Excel, CSV and text files. Review the list and fix any mistakes before saving. • Can my child practice alone? Yes. In Solo Test the app reads each word, your child types the spelling, and it is scored automatically. Rounds are short, and you can retry just the missed words. • Do British and American spellings both count? In Solo Test, where your child types the answers, common British and American spellings both count (colour and color). Your school's spelling stays exactly as written. • What happens to the words my child gets wrong? They go into Tricky Words and come back on a spaced review schedule until your child gets them right four times in a row. Free users can practice the latest missed words; the full review schedule is part of Pro. Also included: • Apple voices with adjustable speed are free. With Pro: natural AI voices in American, British and Australian accents (iOS 26 or later, downloaded on demand) • A weekly report for parents: days practiced and words mastered (the hardest-words card is Pro) • With Pro: profiles for each child, printable PDF practice sheets and iCloud backup • Teachers can share a list as a Snap Spell file that families open in the app Made for weekly school spelling lists, spelling tests, spelling bee prep and ESL/EFL families, and for teachers and tutors who want to practice with real word lists. Free and Pro: The free version includes 2 word lists of up to 100 words each, enough for everyday practice. Snap Spell Pro unlocks unlimited word lists and list sizes, AI voices, the full Tricky Words review plan, detailed weekly reports, multiple family profiles, PDF practice sheets, and iCloud backup. Choose Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime. Monthly and Yearly subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and may include a free trial for eligible new subscribers. Manage or cancel any time in your Apple Account settings. Snap Spell is not an official spelling bee app, a complete English course, a translation tool, or a general document reader. It is a focused spelling practice tool for real word lists students need to learn. Privacy Policy: https://www.marcx.app/snap-spell/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Retro Spelling Bee
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Retro Spelling Bee is the handwriting-first spelling game. Instead of tapping letters, kids write real words by hand — building spelling, handwriting, and vocabulary in one practice session with instant, friendly feedback. WHY HANDWRITING? Research shows writing by hand creates richer brain-connectivity patterns than typing — patterns that support learning, memory, and recall. Retro Spelling Bee turns that science into a game kids actually want to play. HOW IT WORKS Retro the Bee announces a word — kids write it right on the screen Smart handwriting checking reads what they wrote and gives instant, encouraging feedback Correct spelling grows flowers, earns coins, and unlocks new worlds Handwriting neatness earns star ratings, gently building better letter formation MADE FOR EVERY SPELLER 10 worlds of words, from kindergarten sight words through championship-level challenges Grade levels K–12 plus a Pro level inspired by real spelling bee competition lists Letter tracers and letter pads help younger writers get started Print and cursive support BUILT FOR FAMILIES No ads. No chat. No accounts. Practice reminders parents control — set the days and time that fit your family Weekly practice goals kids commit to during setup Designed for kids' privacy: handwriting is never stored, never used to identify your child, and never used to train AI models (see our privacy policy) KEEP THE STREAK GOING Share cards celebrate finished levels Friendly nudges from Retro keep practice fun, never stressful SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Full access requires a subscription: $9.99/month or $59.99/year, each with a 3-day free trial. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends; manage or cancel anytime in your device Settings. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Privacy Policy: https://retrospellingbee.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: support@retrospellingbee.com · https://retrospellingbee.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: Retro Spelling Bee at 3 against Snap Spell's 1. Retro Spelling Bee also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Snap Spell sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Retro Spelling Bee sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Snap Spell | Retro Spelling Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 353 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zheng Xu | Manuel Varela |
In-app purchases
Snap Spell
- Snap Spell Pro Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Snap Spell Pro Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Snap Spell Pro Lifetime$29.99
Retro Spelling Bee
- Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Annual3 Days trial$59.991 Year
Questions
Is Snap Spell free?
Is Retro Spelling Bee free?
Do Snap Spell or Retro Spelling Bee have ads?
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