Starfall review

Starfall is a long-running nonprofit site and app that covers reading and math from pre-K to grade 5. Its reading section spans ABCs, Learn to Read, I'm Reading, punctuation and parts of speech, and recent updates added seasonal word lists aimed at spelling. The basics for learning to read are free, and there are no ads for anyone; a subscription adds hundreds of extra activities for $5.99 a month on the US App Store. Starfall also offers an Enhanced Accessible Index for children with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. It ranks last here because spelling is a small slice of a broad early learning program, the app needs an internet connection, and it does not describe custom word lists or spelling tests. Families who mainly want spelling practice will get more from the list-based games above. We compared documented features and published prices only.

Who it is for

Pre-K to grade 5 families who want an ad-free nonprofit option

Price

Free basics; subscription $5.99 a month on the US App Store.

a $5.99 (USD) payment will be applied to your Apple ID account
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Reading content covering phonics, fluency, grammar, punctuation and parts of speech
• Covers pre-K to grade 5
• Free basics for learning to read, with hundreds of extra activities for subscribers
• No advertisements for free users or subscribers
• Enhanced Accessible Index for children with visual, hearing or mobility impairments

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Run by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• Strength: No ads on the free or paid tiers
• Strength: Low monthly price
• Weakness: Spelling is a small part of the content
• Weakness: Requires an internet connection
• Weakness: No custom spelling lists described

Key facts

• Grades: Pre-K to grade 5
• Price: Free basics; $5.99 a month subscription
• Ads: None
• Operator: Starfall Education Foundation, a nonprofit

Where it ranks

Starfall is No. 9 in our Best Games to Help With Spelling verdict.