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Quick comparison
| NYT Spelling Bee | Spelling Bee Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|
| New puzzles | One per day | As many as you want |
| Cost | Games subscription for full access and archive | Free |
| Account | Needed to save progress | Not needed |
| Rules | 4+ letters, center letter, pangram bonus | Same rules |
| Ranks | Beginner to Genius and Queen Bee | Similar ladder, Genius at about 70% |
| Multiple games | One active puzzle | Up to 50 active games |
What stays the same
Both versions use a hive of seven letters with one required center letter. Words must have at least four letters, letters can be reused, and a pangram uses every letter at least once. Scoring and ranks follow the same pattern, so practice on one transfers to the other.
What is different
- ➥Volume. The daily puzzle is a once-a-day ritual. Unlimited is for when you want to keep playing.
- ➥Word list. The NYT list is hand-picked by its editor. Independent games use their own lists, so a few words may differ.
- ➥Sharing. On Spell Bee Online every puzzle has its own link you can send to a friend or class.
Who should play which?
Play the NYT puzzle if you enjoy the shared daily challenge. Play Spelling Bee Unlimited when you have finished the daily puzzle, want to practice for Genius, or are a teacher or student who needs many rounds. New to the game? Start with how to play Spelling Bee.
Spell Bee Online is not affiliated with The New York Times. "Spelling Bee" is used here to describe the puzzle format.