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Here’s a fun fact for you: Did you know that in Spanish there are so many similar-sounding words that it’s possible for you to accidentally call the Pope a potato (both words are pronounced papa in Spanish)?
Spanish vocabulary is truly one of the most beautiful things about the language. There are so many words and phrases that help you express yourself in Spanish that you can’t necessarily replicate in any other language. And the best way to learn these words? By using a Spanish vocabulary app, of course!
Why use a Spanish vocabulary app?
Just like learning any other language, expanding your vocabulary is a crucial step to mastering the Spanish language. This is especially true when you consider how expressive Spanish can be.
There are plenty of ways to learn and improve your Spanish vocabulary but in this day and age, nothing beats the effectiveness of a good Spanish vocabulary app. After all, these handy apps allow you to study Spanish anywhere and anytime. Plus, many of these apps to learn Spanish vocabulary offer bite-sized lessons, which makes learning on the go even more convenient!
More importantly, Spanish vocabulary apps often come with pronunciation guides and example sentences. So instead of just learning one word, you’ll also learn how to properly pronounce it and use it in a conversation.
Top picks
Amidst the multitude of Spanish learning apps, and Spanish vocabulary apps in particular, there are some that truly stand out. As a Spanish learner, I can confirm that some of these apps make learning Spanish fun, engaging, and worthwhile. Here are some of my top picks:
- Mondly, Ling, and uTalk are great apps to learn individual words while playing games
- Babbel, Rocket Languages, and Rosetta Stone on the other hand offer a comprehensive approach to learning Spanish
- Flashcard apps like Anki and Brainscape allow you to learn many new words in a short space of time
Best Spanish vocabulary apps for language learners
1. Mondly
A great app to learn Spanish vocabulary is Mondly, an award-winning app that focuses on holistic Spanish lessons.
By focusing on teaching you phrases rather than just individual words, Mondly prepares you to engage in proper conversations without sounding awkward. Apart from helping you pick up new words, you’ll also be able to work on conjugation and grammar at the same time.
Spanish vocabulary lessons on Mondly are broken up into various topics so you can pick out particular areas of focus if need be. The app also features audio guides narrated by native speakers too, so you’ll also be able to check your Spanish pronunciation as you progress in your Spanish learning journey.
What we like about Mondly:
- Offers holistic lessons in addition to just Spanish vocabulary
- Features different Spanish speakers so you can listen to different accents
- Comes with an easy-to-navigate interface to help you find relevant topics
Pricing: Premium plans for Mondly start at $12.90/month. You can also check out the latest promos for other plans.Â
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Babbel
Babbel is one of the best apps to pick up Spanish vocabulary.
What I really like about Babbel is how comprehensive it is. The lessons are practical as they feature words and phrases that you’ll need when talking to native speakers. And you don’t just learn what these words are but also how to say them.
Babbel has an accurate, almost merciless, speech recognition engine that trains you on how to properly pronounce Spanish expressions. By the end of each lesson, you’ll have amassed new Spanish terms and be confident in using them in real dialogues.
What we like about Babbel:
- Short, interactive lessons that teach vocabulary and strengthen different core skills
- Conversation-centric topics that focus on various real-life scenarios
- Speech recognition technology hones pronunciation
Pricing: A monthly plan on Babbel costs $12.95. Check out the latest promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Rocket Languages
Learn Spanish on Rocket Languages
If you’re looking for a holistic Spanish program, you won’t be disappointed with Rocket Languages.
Here, you’ll learn vocabulary and grammar in context through audio-based lessons and interactive exercises. But that’s not all — for a deeper appreciation and understanding of the language, Rocket Spanish provides lessons discussing Hispanic culture.
This means you’re getting immersive lessons that teach you how to read, write, listen, and speak in Spanish, all while getting the cultural context of the vocabulary and grammar you’re learning.
What we like about Rocket Languages:
- A variety of learning materials, from 30-minute audio clips to flashcards and more
- Teaches a wide range of Spanish words and phrases through conversations with cultural context
- Lots of listening and speaking practice
Pricing: The first module (all lessons) is free. A six-month subscription goes for $27/month. Check out the latest promos here.
Devices: iOS and Android
4. Ling App
If you like a gamified approach to learning Spanish vocabulary but also prefer learning proper phrases over individual words, then Ling App is the perfect combination between Drops and Mondly.
While Ling App does offer vocabulary games and flashcards, it focuses more on teaching users essential phrases that they can use in real life, supplemented with extensive grammar explanations to really help you grasp the essentials of Spanish.
You can then use the app’s chatbot to practice what you’ve learned and hone your conversational skills. Highly recommended for beginners who want to improve their fluency but aren’t as keen to engage with other Spanish speakers just yet.
What we like about Ling App:
- Short, engaging lessons with comprehensive topics
- Allows you to practice Spanish conversations
- Comes with interactive exercises that keep you hooked
Pricing: Ling App comes with limited free content. However, you can access all content with premium membership for as low as $14.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
5. uTalk
If you’re eager to build a practical Spanish vocabulary and master that authentic accent, uTalk is a fantastic, game-focused option!
This app cuts straight to the useful stuff, helping you learn over 2,500 essential words and phrases across more than 60 real-world topics, from ordering food to asking for directions. Every lesson feels more like a challenge than homework, using fun, easy games to drill the material.
Best of all, you get pitch-perfect audio from native Spanish speakers and can use the clever voice recording function to check your own pronunciation against theirs until you sound like a local.
What we like about uTalk:
- Contains 2,500+ essential Spanish words and phrases covering practical topics
- Native speaker pronunciation
- Uses five fun, challenging games to boost memorization.
Pricing: Monthly subscription starts at $8.99/month. Check out the latest uTalk promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Duolingo
When it comes to apps to learn Spanish vocabulary, Duolingo is probably one of the first resources most language learners turn to. After all, it is one of the most famous flashcard apps on the market!
What makes learning Spanish vocabulary on Duolingo enticing is how fun and engaging the lessons are. Thanks to its gamified approach to language learning whereby users can unlock new levels and earn badges by learning on a daily basis, Duolingo encourages users to check in daily for new lessons and vocabulary games.
What’s more, thanks to its audio recordings featuring native speakers, you can learn how to accurately pronounce new words as you commit them to memory! That said, I do find Duolingo is better suited for beginners as the lessons on the app do not tackle the more sophisticated aspects of the language.
What we like about Duolingo:
- Features a fun learning process centered on games and short quizzes
- Keeps users engaged thanks to its rewards system
- Offers short lessons that fit into most schedules
Pricing: Duolingo is free to use. However, you can subscribe to a premium membership at $6.99/month for an ad-free experience.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Memrise
Another Spanish vocabulary app that makes learning the language a fun process is Memrise, a popular app that uses flashcards to help language learners build up conversational fluency.
Each lesson on Memrise consists of a word list containing common words and phrases that are often used in real-life conversations. The key point though is that Memrise doesn’t just exhibit Spanish vocabulary on its own. The app showcases words as part of complete sentences, helping you to acquire new words whilst learning to speak in a more natural way.
Memrise also features audio and video clips of native speakers to help hone your pronunciation!
What we like about Memrise:
- Offers lessons covering a wide range of topics
- Teaches useful words and phrases that can be used in conversations
- Features a competitive interface where you can learn and compete with friends
Pricing: Free access to limited content. Pro Membership starts at $8.49/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
8. Rosetta Stone
Learn Spanish with Rosetta Stone
If at some point, you feel like you’ve hit a bit of a plateau in your Spanish learning journey, then perhaps it’s time to consider a more comprehensive app to learn Spanish vocabulary.
Enter Rosetta Stone, one of the time-tested online language resources beloved by many. Not only do Spanish courses on Rosetta Stone teach you new words, but it also helps improve your conversational skills and helps hone your grammar.
In addition, the app also spends plenty of time on sentence structure, ensuring that while you’re improving your vocabulary, you’re also mastering the many ways to use these new words accurately.
What we like about Rosetta Stone:
- Offers comprehensive lessons that tackle every aspect of Spanish
- Comes with audio recordings to help hone pronunciation skills
- Focused grammar lessons to help you master conjugation and sentence structure
Pricing: Prices start at $11.99/month. You can check out more promo plans here.
Devices: iOS and Android
9. Lingopie
What if I tell you that you can watch Casa de Papel and Narcos not just for leisure but to actually learn Spanish? With Lingopie, you can do just that.
Lingopie has thousands of hours of compelling and original TV shows, movies, music videos, and Netflix originals. These all come with dual subtitles that allow you to click on any word to get instant translation and pronunciation guide.
What’s great is that you can save the words to review them later, slow down or speed up audio, and even get pronunciation drills. Talk about language immersion!
What we like about Lingopie:
- Entertaining and immersive learning materials
- Great for learning authentic Spanish vocabulary
- Interactive language tools for reviewing
Pricing: The annual plan starts at $5.99/month. You can try it for free for 7 days!
Devices: iOS and Android
10. Drops
While Duolingo might be the most popular Spanish vocabulary app, I personally prefer Drops over the former. Like Duolingo, Drop adopts a gamified approach to learning Spanish vocabulary using flashcards.
However, what makes Drops stand out amidst a sea of Spanish vocabulary apps is how aesthetically pleasing and smooth its user interface is. The app relies on beautiful images to teach users new words in short five-minute lessons that keep you coming back for more.
What’s more, lessons on drops are neatly separated into different levels of Spanish proficiency, making it a good app for all Spanish students. If you’re a learner who finds visual aids a helpful tool for effective learning, I daresay Drop is one of the best Spanish vocabulary apps for you!
What we like about Drops:
- Lessons come with vivid visuals to help with memorization and word association
- Fun, exciting lessons that take only a few minutes each day
- Covers a wide variety of topics and essential vocabulary
Pricing: Daily five-minute lessons are free. However, you can unlock more content with a premium membership at $13/month. Check the latest offers here.
Devices: iOS and Android
11. Busuu
If you prefer a more conventional approach to learning Spanish vocabulary, then try Busuu. Just like most apps to learn Spanish vocabulary, Busuu uses flashcards to help language learners expand their word bank.
Busuu features extensive word lists that are divided into different topics and levels. However, the app isn’t a vocabulary game. Instead, it relies on spaced repetition to help language learners commit new words to memory.
Its best feature is being able to have your pronunciation and writing reviewed by a native speaker using the app’s social feature. The app can even develop a personalized study plan for you based on your language goals. How cool is that!
What we like about Busuu:
- Uses a simple method to teach new vocabulary
- Good for memorizing new words
- Allows you to check your progress and get advice from native speakers
Pricing: Basic content is available for free. A premium subscription starts at $5.95/month. Check out the latest promos here.
Devices: iOS and Android
12. Anki
Anki is another popular Spanish vocabulary app that uses a combination of spaced repetition and flashcards to help students rapidly expand their Spanish word bank.
However, Anki doesn’t just throw random Spanish words at you and ask you to memorize them. What makes this app unique is that it is open-source software that relies on Spanish speakers around the world to constantly improve and expand its content.
As of now, Anki has a wide selection of Spanish words, contributed by its avid community of native speakers and language learners. Rest assured that almost everything you learn on Anki can be used in daily life!
What we like about Anki:
- Offers lessons based on community feedback
- Allows users to create and customize word decks
- Features pretty flashcards that help with memorization
Pricing: Free on Android but iOS users will have to pay $24.99.
Devices: iOS and Android
13. MosaLingua
On the flip side, if you’re just starting out in Spanish, then one of the best apps for learning Spanish vocabulary is MosaLingua which specializes in Spanish and a handful of other European and Asian languages.
The app contains over 3,000 flashcards that you can use to learn vital new vocabulary in Spanish. Each of the lessons is also supplemented by audio recordings of native speakers to help you get the gist of the words’ pronunciation.
The topics are divided into various categories and levels, so you won’t feel like you’re stuck in a repetitive curriculum. While MosaLingua only focuses on more basic topics, it’s certainly an excellent resource for those who don’t speak the language at all.
What we like about MosaLingua:
- Extremely simple to use
- Focuses on the most basic and essential vocabulary
- Helps beginners rapidly expand their vocabulary
Pricing: MosaLingua comes with a free trial. After that, you can choose to subscribe for either $9.49/month or $59.90/year.
Devices: iOS and Android
14. Glossika
If you want to skip the flashcards and jump straight into real Spanish conversation, Glossika is your secret weapon.
This app’s unique method ditches individual words, training your ear and mouth with thousands of full sentences—just like how you learned your first language! This approach helps you absorb grammar and vocabulary naturally through context.
Every sentence also comes with high-quality audio from native speakers (in both European and Latin American Spanish!), ensuring you develop conversational fluency with an authentic accent. It’s a challenging but highly rewarding system that focuses on listening and speaking practice.
What we like about Glossika:
- Sentence- and context-based learning
- Authentic and high-quality native speaker audio
- Offers separate courses for European and Latin American Spanish
Pricing: Starts at $16.99/month after a free trial. Check out Glossika discounts here. If you’d like to support Learn Languages From Home, make sure to complete your purchase through the Glossika website (not the mobile app). You can sign up and use whatever platform you want, but if you make the purchase using the website, I make a small commission. Thanks!
Devices: iOS and Android
15. LingChat
If you’re always wishing you had a patient friend to practice Spanish with, LingChat is the next best thing!
This app tackles speaking anxiety head-on by letting you engage in dynamic, role-playing games with diverse AI characters who never judge. You can dive into countless simulations of real-life situations, like ordering at a restaurant or debating a topic, or even create your own custom scenarios for highly targeted vocabulary practice.
To lock in the new words you learn during your chats, the app uses flashcards and spaced repetition. Definitely a fun, low-pressure way to build confidence and conversational fluency around the clock.
What we like about LingChat:
- Save new words and phrases, reviewing them via flashcards and spaced repetition
- Practice Spanish conversation in diverse, simulated real-life scenarios
- Conversation topics tailored to your specific needs
Pricing: Monthly subscription starts at $20/month, but promo rates are available.
Devices: iOS and Android
16. Quizlet
Quizlet, as the name suggests, is a Spanish vocabulary app that is big on quizzes to test your skills.
If you find that you learn best by doing constant vocabulary exercises, then this little gem is for you. In this app, you get to customize and choose your study sets (such as the number of new words, the content type, and who created them) to fit your goals.
Once you’re done memorizing the words, Quizlet tests your comprehension with a number of vocabulary games such as fill-in-the-blank exercises and timed quizzes!
What we like about Quizlet:
- Offers regular exercises to check your progress
- Flexible lessons that can be customized in different ways
- Allows users to contribute their own flashcards
Pricing: Free with limited access. Full membership starts at $7.99/month
Devices: iOS and Android
17. Spanish Flashcards
Learn Spanish with Spanish Flashcards
Spanish Flashcards is exactly as its name suggests: It’s a no-nonsense Spanish vocabulary app that constantly delivers its users new words to memorize.
What makes this app unique is that it is one of the most specialized apps to learn Spanish vocabulary. This means that apart from your typical list of words, you’ll also receive random words that aren’t necessarily that common in other languages, making this an app that’s better suited for intermediate or advanced learners.
If at some point, you stumble upon a word that’s hard to understand, you can simply flip the flashcard over (metaphorically) to check out the English explanation.
What we like about Spanish Flashcards:
- Doesn’t just stick to typical word lists
- Allows users to translate the flashcards into English
- A good supplementary vocabulary resource for advanced learners
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases from $2.99/month
18. Cram
Looking to cram (pardon the pun) as much Spanish vocabulary into your head as possible, then this little-known app is your best friend.
Like Spanish Flashcards, Cram is a Spanish vocabulary app that focuses on getting you to learn as many new words as possible. It features a quick and easy-to-use interface with different modes of study which you can use to expand your word bank.
Best of all, this app takes up only 14MB of your phone space! Despite its minute size, you can rest assured that it offers quality lessons from reliable sources of information.
What we like about Cram:
- Super simple to use with a large archive of Spanish vocabulary
- Fast interface
- Takes up minimal space
Pricing: Free!
Devices: iOS and Android
19. Flashcard Machine
Learn Spanish with Flashcard Machine
Another Spanish vocabulary app that boasts an extensive archive of content is Flashcard Machine, designed specifically for adult learners.
What’s unique about this app is that it allows users to create their own flashcards and share them with their peers. Not only will you be able to practice your vocabulary, but you’ll also be clued into what others are learning too.
Better yet, you can even plan group study sessions on the app and learn with others with a similar passion for Spanish! Another similar app to check out is StudyBlue which is completely free to use!
What we like about Flashcard Machine:
- Offers community-based learning and content
- Customizable flashcards that can be shared across the platform
- Lets learners study in a group
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases.
Devices: iOS
20. Brainscape
Brainscape is one of the more underrated Spanish vocabulary apps on the market. Developed by academics from the universities of Yale and Columbia, this handy app contains a whopping 14,000 flashcards!
However, don’t be intimidated by that large number. Brainscape adopts a learning system called intelligent cumulative exposure. Basically, lessons progress at a slow and steady pace. Rather than have you memorize word after word, the app’s main focus is helping language learners understand the new Spanish words they see on the app.
The flashcards also include audio recordings and example sentences to help you figure out how to properly use the new words you learn.
What we like about Brainscape:
- Contains an extensive list of vocabulary flashcards
- Lessons progress at a gradual pace
- Ensures students fully understand what they learn
Pricing: Free with limited content. Additional flashcards are available starting at $3.99.
Devices: iOS and Android
Final thoughts
As someone who studied Spanish for over three years, I can tell you that Spanish vocabulary is one of the most important things to learn in the language. That’s especially because many words are spelled and sound similar, so unless you have a wide archive of words at your disposal, you won’t get very far in Spanish.
However, just learning Spanish vocabulary isn’t enough, bearing in mind the complexity that is Spanish conjugation. Instead, in addition to using these apps to learn Spanish vocabulary, I recommend also checking out Spanish vocabulary books, grammar books, tuning in to Spanish podcasts, and using Spanish speaking apps to improve your overall fluency.