Spelling Notebook

Spelling Notebook is a spelling practice app for students to build word lists, hear words, take spelling tests, and work on words they have not mastered. Its searchable dictionary contains more than 100,000 words, and students can add entries. The built-in voice speaks dictionary entries and added English words; students can also record their own word or phrase. Dictionary spelling can be set for US, UK, Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand English. Students can create, rename, edit, copy, paste, delete, and combine lists by importing words. After an initial test, practice can concentrate on missed words, with adjustable settings. Test and practice history lets students review previous results. Lists can move through iCloud Drive or be shared by AirDrop or email, and test results can be emailed. The maker recommends the app for all ages, including kids, and says students can use it independently. It is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The free app download includes a reported 10-word list limit; an optional $1.99, paid once in-app purchase removes that limit, according to an App Store user review.

Spelling Notebook combines custom lists, spoken words, tests, and focused review in a student-oriented spelling app. The free download has a reported 10-word list limit, with a one-time in-app purchase listed to remove it.

It suits students, including children, who want to practice spelling independently with personalized lists. The regional dictionary options may suit learners using US, UK, Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand English.

Spelling Notebook is a student-focused tool for building personal spelling lists, hearing prompts, taking dictation tests, and revisiting missed words. It suits independent learners and families on Apple devices, especially where regional English spelling and custom vocabulary matter. The central trade-off is straightforward: useful list-building and corrective practice are available at no upfront cost, but larger lists require a one-time purchase.

Overview

The app is designed around individual practice rather than classroom administration. Students can assemble lists from their own assignments or vocabulary, hear each entry, test themselves, and return to words that caused difficulty. That makes it a sensible fit for learners who need repeatable home study and for parents who want a record of earlier work without managing a full school platform.

Its emphasis on personal lists is also its limitation. The free version is constrained to 10 words per list, so the no-cost tier is best for short weekly sets or for evaluating the workflow rather than maintaining extensive vocabulary collections.

Key features

Custom lists and dictionary

Students can create, edit, rename, copy, and delete multiple lists, then import words from one list into another. A searchable dictionary of more than 100,000 words provides a substantial starting point, and users can add words that are not already present. The dictionary supports US, UK, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand English, selected by region; that is valuable when schoolwork follows a particular national convention.

Spoken prompts and testing

Built-in voice playback speaks dictionary entries and added English words. A student can also record a word or phrase in their own voice, which can help when a familiar pronunciation or a parent’s prompt is preferable. Dictation practice and spelling tests turn those lists into active recall rather than simple flashcard review.

Corrective practice and history

After an initial test, practice can concentrate on words that still need work, and practice settings are adjustable. In practice, that should make short sessions more efficient than repeatedly running every word at the same frequency. A history of tests and practice preserves earlier results, allowing students to see prior performance and revisit progress over time.

Sharing and support

Lists can be exported or imported with iCloud Drive and shared through AirDrop or email. Test results can be emailed as well, useful when a parent or teacher wants a record outside the app. In-app help is provided, with support available at [email protected].

Pricing

The free plan fits learners working with brief lists and families deciding whether the practice flow suits them. At $1.99 once, Premium is the practical choice for students who regularly need longer lists; it removes the stated list cap without introducing a subscription. There is no recurring renewal term described.

Platforms

Spelling Notebook is listed for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, with macOS also supported. It is therefore an Apple-device option rather than a cross-platform service for Android or web use.

Who it's for

The maker recommends the app for all ages, including kids, and says students can practise independently. It is strongest for one learner or a family sharing lists and results, particularly when regional spelling and spoken prompts are important. Privacy-conscious households should note that the policy allows collection of name, email address, cookies, and usage data; data from users outside New Zealand may be transferred to and processed there. Payment-card details are handled by third-party processors, including Apple Store In-App Payments, and the policy says commercially acceptable safeguards are used without guaranteeing absolute security.

Pros and cons

• Pros: More than 100,000 searchable words plus user-added entries support both assigned lists and personal vocabulary.
• Pros: Regional dictionaries cover US, UK, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand English.
• Pros: Dictation, own-voice recording, missed-word practice, and adjustable settings give students several ways to reinforce weak spellings.
• Pros: Test and practice history, list exchange, and emailed results make progress easier to review or share.
• Cons: The free version’s 10-word list limit is restrictive for longer school lists.
• Cons: Support and sharing are centered on Apple services, so Android and web users cannot use it as their primary platform.

Alternatives

Spelling Boost is the better pick for Android users who want core audio dictation tests, custom lists, handwriting input, and progress tracking in a free plan.

SpellMe suits households needing broad device coverage, including web, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and macOS; its free Basic plan includes five lists with 10 words each and more than 300 curated phonics lists.

PenPoints is a free Android-and-iOS option aimed at teacher-led homework and live class assessment.

Spelling Shed is preferable for web or mobile users seeking tests, games, challenges, leagues, and classroom rostering, with seven-day history on its free tier.

Spelling.Live uses expiring or purchased credit packs rather than an unlimited free workflow, making it a different fit for credit-based practice.

SpellingJoy is another freemium spelling service for Android, iOS, and web.

Spelvo is aimed at families wanting child profiles and snap-based limits across Android and web, with a free tier and paid monthly plans.

SpellSmart is a free iOS download with no other plan limits stated.

Verdict

Choose Spelling Notebook if one student needs private, self-directed spelling practice with custom lists, spoken prompts, regional dictionaries, and focused review on Apple hardware. The $1.99 one-time Premium upgrade makes the list system practical beyond short exercises. Look elsewhere if you need Android or web access, classroom-scale management, or a free plan that accommodates long lists without a cap.