How we work

Spark & Whetstone is a free-forever, nonprofit commons. No ads. No tracking. No feed. No data sold, ever.

What is always free — for everyone

Everything that matters is free and always will be:

• Today's puzzle
• Every game and puzzle, and unlimited review of your own games
• Every course and every lesson
• Rooms to play with the people you know
• Your Shelf, and the ability to export it

Optional Patron membership

If you want to help keep the commons going, you can become a Patron. A Patron only ever unlocks things that are additional, never things that are withheld — print-guidebook credits at cost, club tools for organizers, a name in the annual report. The test for any Patron perk: would a non-patron lose a learning or play capability? If yes, it is not a perk. Patronage is web-first through our fiscal sponsor.

What we will not claim

We will never tell you a game makes you smarter, protects your memory, or lowers your "brain age." The research does not support those claims, and we will not sell you fear of getting older. We build good games and honest courses; the joy is the point.