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If you’re reading this post, you already speak some English. Yet if you’re not a native speaker, there’s always room for improvement. That’s why I wanted to compile a list of the best English vocabulary apps on the whole web.
With these apps, you’ll have a much easier time understanding the lyrics to a song by your idol or reading a novel by your favorite author. On top of that, you’ll definitely open a bunch of doors in whatever career you’re building or planning to pursue.
Why use an English vocab app?
When you’re learning English, using English vocabulary apps is a pretty smart move, as they allow you to easily access a vast range of words, their definitions, and their usage.
One of the biggest advantages of using an app, in general, is the convenience it offers. You can practice your English vocabulary anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace.
In addition to that, these apps specifically often use engaging methods to make learning more pleasant, such as quizzes, games, and flashcards.
Another advantage of using apps to learn English vocabulary is that they can assist you in building a solid foundation of vocabulary.
Learning new words can increase your confidence when speaking and writing in English, and can also help you understand English language media like books, movies, and songs better. This is especially important if you plan to study or get a job in an English-speaking environment.
What’s more, you’ll get to track your progress and identify areas where you need to work on. These apps typically have features that let you set goals and measure your progress, which can be motivating and get you to stay on track.
Top picks
Unfortunately, not all apps are created equal. While each of the listings below will make fabulous aids throughout your learning journey, a few are better value for money or boast a more comprehensive word selection. Check out my favorite options:
- Mondly and Babbel offers tons of interactive features, such as speech recognition, that make learning exciting and effective. With daily lessons, you can learn new English words and phrases in a fun and straightforward way.
- MosaLingua relies on effective techniques like spaced repetition and personalized learning paths to help you learn and remember new words and phrases quickly and easily.
- Flashcard Machine and Cram allow you to create custom-made digital flashcards that can help you memorize new English words and definitions, as well as track your progress as you learn.
- Quizlet and Clozemaster feature interactive exercises and games that can help you learn and practice new English words and phrases in context.
Excellent English vocabulary apps
1. Mondly
Mondly focuses on conversational language, through daily lessons, interactive simulations, and quizzes designed to help you master new words and phrases quickly.
One of its standout features is its use of augmented reality, which has you dive into a simulated environment where you can practice your vocabulary in context.
Learn more about Mondly with this review.
Key features:
- Extensive English vocabulary
- Engaging content spanning daily lessons, chatbots, and interactive conversations
- Customizable learning that lets users set their pace, goals, and preferred learning style
Pricing: For $9.99 a month you’ll have access to the premium subscription. But you may find a fantastic promo here too.
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Babbel
For speakers of Spanish, German, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, and Ukrainian, Babbel is a handy vocabulary-building app.
You’ll tackle bite-sized, self-paced interactive lessons that blend core language skills with cultural context, using real-life dialogues and optimal review intervals to make words stick. For extra practice, you can even listen to Babbel’s English podcast, Talking on the Job.
Key features:
- Short, interactive lessons
- Practical dialogues to help you apply newly learned words
- Smart review intervals help vocab stick
Pricing: Starts from $15.25/month, but discounts are available with these subscription plans.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone uses an immersive approach to help users expand their English vocabulary. The app centers on teaching vocabulary and phrases in context, using pictures, audio, and written examples to help users learn the meaning of words and how to use them in sentences.
Its speech recognition technology, which allows users to practice their pronunciation and get feedback on their performance, is hard to beat in terms of efficacy.
Key features:
- Interactive lessons designed to boost vocabulary and enhance pronunciation.
- Innovative speech recognition technology for individual feedback and practice
- Content that features real-world scenarios and immersive experiences
Pricing: From $11.99 per month; don’t miss out on the best Rosetta Stone deals here.
Devices: iOS and Android
4. MosaLingua
With its one-of-a-kind approach to language learning, MosaLingua helps users memorize words and phrases through spaced repetition, interactive dialogues, and real-life situations.
The app boasts a vast database of relevant and practical vocabulary that covers an array of topics, from daily routines to specific professions.
Key features:
- Spaced repetition system helps you remember vocabulary more easily
- Custom-made learning paths suit your goals and level of knowledge
- A host of interactive exercises to make learning fun and engaging
Pricing: You can opt into a monthly or yearly plan for $9.49 and $59.90, respectively. Or try it for free first!
Devices: iOS and Android
5. uTalk
Here’s an app designed solely to expand your English vocabulary through engaging, progressive games. Whether you want to master British, American, Australian, Canadian, Cockney, Indian, or Scottish variants, the app has you covered!
uTalk teaches over 2,500 words and phrases across 60 practical, everyday topics. Plus, each item includes native speaker audio in both male and female voices to perfect your pronunciation.
Key features:
- Progressive game challenges for more engaging practice
- Massive topic library
- Real native audio
Pricing: Starts from $2.99/month. Find the latest uTalk sale here.
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Busuu
Busuu relies on advanced speech recognition technology that makes practicing your pronunciation and working on your language skills far easier.
What sets it apart is its community-based approach that allows you to connect with native speakers, get feedback on your progress, and learn from their experiences.
Plus, the app offers lessons that are tailored to your learning style and level, in a way that ensures that you stay engaged and motivated throughout your learning journey.
Key features:
- Personalized, bite-sized lessons
- Real-time feedback on pronunciation and writing exercises to improve your language skills
- Being able to connect with native speakers worldwide for language exchange
Pricing: Basic content is available for free. A premium subscription starts at $5.95 a month for the premium plan, or zero for the basic version. Find an amazing offer here.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Glossika
Master British English naturally with Glossika! By mimicking how you picked up language as a child, this app helps you acquire real conversational skills using full sentences rather than isolated words.
Instead of learning individual words, you’ll practice with thousands of native-speaker audio sentences—yes, complete sentences. This will help you learn useful vocabulary and keep your brain challenged!
Key features:
- Sentence-based framework, helping you grasp context and grammar naturally
- Conversational focus
- Engages you without being too difficult
Pricing: Starts from $16.58/month. Save more with Glossika’s Pro plan!
Devices: iOS and Android
8. Drops
With its visually appealing and interactive user interface, Drops makes it easy to learn new English words and phrases through the use of games and short, focused lessons.
The app’s audio recordings by native English speakers and its use of context-specific images help folks build strong associations between words and their meanings.
Key features:
- 5-minute sessions for busy students
- Visual learning method using illustrations and pictures
- Tailored lessons based on user level and progress
Pricing: For five daily minutes, Drops is free. Drops Premium lets you extend your access for $5 a month or less if you snatch a promo.
Devices: iOS and Android
9. Duolingo
Duolingo makes learning vocabulary and grammar fun and interactive thanks to its gamified approach to language learning.
Its bite-sized lessons and engaging activities are perfect for beginners and intermediate learners, and its interface makes it extremely intuitive to use.
Duolingo’s focus on practical language skills, such as conversational English, makes it a wonderful resource for people who want to hone their communication skills quickly.
Key features:
- Short lessons that are ideal for any downtime
- Gamified approach to learning makes it fun and engaging to build your vocabulary
- The AI-powered system adapts to your learning style and offers personalized feedback
Pricing: The ad-supported version is free. Alternatively, subscribe to ad-free Duolingo Super for $6.67.
Devices: iOS and Android
10. Quizlet
Quizlet is an incredibly versatile app that features a variety of study modes, including flashcards, games, and quizzes,
It lets you customize your learning journey to fit your individual needs and preferences. You can even create your own study sets or choose from millions of pre-made ones created by other users.
Key features:
- Flashcards, games, and quizzes to make learning vocabulary fun
- Being able to collaborate with others to create study sets and learn together
- Personalizing your study experience by choosing what to study and how
Pricing: Though the version with limited features is free, extra functionalities will be at your disposal for $35.99 a year through Quizlet Plus.
Devices: iOS and Android
11. Memrise
Memrise boasts an array of user-created content and official courses and offers learners an opportunity to acquire new words in context through real-life scenarios and native-speaker audio.
The app uses spaced repetition and various game-like techniques that make the learning process not only effective but enjoyable too.
Key features:
- The gamified interface will teach you English vocabulary effortlessly.
- A diverse range of courses created by experts
- Unique techniques such as mnemonics help you memorize words easily
Pricing: Some content is available for free. To access unlimited materials, upgrade to Memrise Pro for $8.49/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
12. Lingopie
Looking for a fun and effective way to learn English? Lingopie spices up the traditional language-learning approach with a dash of entertainment by immersing you in real-world TV shows and movies
The app offers a wide range of content in different languages, including English, Spanish, French, and more. You can choose your favorite TV show or movie, watch it with subtitles in your target language, and even practice speaking by repeating what you hear.
Lingopie’s unique approach not only helps you learn the language, but also exposes you to the local culture, slang, and expressions in a way that textbooks and language classes hardly can match.
Key features:
- A vast selection of TV shows and movies in multiple languages
- You can learn English in an entertaining way by watching popular content
- Interactive subtitles and quizzes that reinforce learning and improve comprehension
Pricing: $11.99 for a month or $71.99 for a year following a free trial. Check out the latest sale here.
Devices: iOS and Android
13. Anki
Anki is popular among language students due to its powerful spaced repetition algorithm that helps memorize vocabulary effectively.
With it, you can create your flashcards with text, images, or audio, and customize how often you review them based on your progress.
Anki also offers an assortment of pre-made decks created by other users that cover many topics, including English vocabulary.
Key features:
- Spaced repetition helps you remember English vocabulary for longer
- It lets you create and share decks of English flashcards with other users
- Its algorithm adapts to your learning style and performance to provide personalized vocabulary practice
Pricing: $24.99 on iOS and free for Android users
Devices: iOS and Android
14. Flashcard Machine
Learn English on Flashcard Machine
Flashcard Machine is a no-nonsense and effective app that allows users to create their own flashcards and study sets or choose from millions of pre-made ones.
It features an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to add, edit, and study flashcards on the go. One special functionality of Flashcard Machine is the ability to study flashcards using a variety of study modes like multiple-choice, matching, and true/false.
Key features:
- Creating customized flashcards for personalized learning
- Different study modes such as matching, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank
- Library of pre-made flashcard sets on several English vocabulary topics
Pricing: Free, though in-app purchases are available.
Devices: iOS and Android
15. Cram
Cram offers a handful of study modes that can cater to your learning style, from simple flashcards to games and practice tests.
One of the unique features of Cram is that you can create your own flashcards and share them with others, which makes it a marvelous tool for collaborative learning.
Key features:
- Access to over 166 million flashcards created by users around the globe
- Ability to create, share, and study custom-made flashcards and quizzes
- Study modes include games, practice tests, and flashcards
Pricing: Zero, for the win!
Devices: iOS and Android
16. Clozemaster
Instead of memorizing isolated words, on Clozemaster you can learn vocabulary in context by completing fill-in-the-blank sentences.
The app offers thousands of sentences and audio recordings from native English speakers, so you can hone your listening and reading skills as well. And you’ll be able to track your breakthroughs and compete with other learners from across the planet.
Key features:
- It teaches English vocabulary in context through real-world sentences
- Spaced repetition to practice listening, reading, and writing skills
- Fun and competitive gameplay to enhance motivation and retention
Pricing: Clozemaster Pro starts from $8 a month. But check out the free version before subscribing.
Devices: iOS and Android
17. Brainscape
This app stands out with its adaptive learning algorithm, which presents flashcards based on your performance and helps you focus on the areas you need to improve the most.
On top of that, Brainscape offers more than just basic flashcards — it has a host of study modes, including fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice questions.
Key features:
- State-of-the-art algorithm to personalize your learning experience based on your progress
- Over 1 million user-generated flashcards on numerous topics
- Spaced repetition technique helps you retain vocabulary words for the long term
Pricing: While you can view additional flashcards for $3.99, there’s a ton of free content.
Devices: iOS and Android
Final thoughts
English vocabulary apps can be powerful resources for anyone looking to hone their language skills. From personalized learning paths to fun and engaging games, these apps offer countless of features to help you expand your vocabulary in a way that suits you.
Whether you’re studying for an exam, preparing for travel, or simply seeking to work on your language skills, there’s an app out there that can help you achieve your goals.
Pair these apps with a good English vocabulary book and take your English vocabulary to the next level. I’m positive you’ll have a blast as you go!
English vocabulary apps to download – Pin it!
