Today there are 127 different vocabulary builder apps. We spent 71 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to boost your vocabulary.
What is the Best Vocabulary Builder App?
1. FluentU
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: Starts at $29.99/month
FluentU is a language learning app that uses real-world videos for contextual vocabulary learning. We think it’s the best because of its bilingual subtitles, in-app flashcards, and top-notch video selection.
The Best Part:
Entertainment meets education. FluentU's use of real-world videos, such as movie trailers, sitcoms, and news, makes building new vocab a fun and engaging experience.
The Worst Part:
It’s all about videos. FluentU's focus on video lessons could be a letdown if you're looking for more variety for building your vocabulary.
Get it if you want a Netflix-like vocabulary learning app that you can use on your phone or desktop to work on your vocabulary while having fun.
I recommend you sign up for the 14-day free trial, then get the Yearly plan for $143.99/year.
(14-day free trial)
Best For
FluentU is best for language learners who want to improve their vocabulary through entertaining, real-world videos.
Top Features
Master words in their natural habitat. Uncover how words are used in sentences with FluentU's interactive captions, making it a breeze to learn and use them in your own conversations.
Learn at your own pace. Tailor your experience and the content you watch to suit your tastes, favorite topics, and vocabulary levels.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Monitor your achievements and witness your transformation with FluentU's hands-on progress visualization tools.
Sharpen your vocabulary with quizzes. Challenge yourself with interactive exercises that level up as you do.
Ditch old-school flashcards. Create in-app digital flashcards for a modern and convenient way to review and memorize new words.
Pricing
FluentU offers two pricing plans:
- Monthly: $29.99/month for language learners who want a flexible and immersive experience to build their vocabulary, with access to all supported languages and personalized quizzes.
- Yearly: $143.99/year for dedicated learners who want a full-year subscription to FluentU's extensive language learning resources, including video dictionaries, word lookups, and the ability to create custom flashcards.
Annual plans provide a 60% discount.
Try FluentU today with a free 14-day trial.
2. Magoosh
Our Verdict — Best For GRE, SAT, and Other Test Prep
Price: Starts at $149/month
Magoosh is a comprehensive test prep tool designed for students preparing for GRE, SAT, and other exams. We think it’s the best vocabulary builder for test prep because of its adaptive learning technology, progress insights, and fun digital flashcards.
The Best Part:
Adaptive learning technology. Magoosh zeroes in on the words you need to review the most, making sure you remember your new vocabulary.
The Worst Part:
No vocabulary-only plan. Magoosh doesn’t provide a separate plan focusing solely on vocabulary, so you'll need to invest in the full test prep package.
Get it if you want a comprehensive and easy-to-use app that covers not only vocabulary but all aspects of GRE, SAT, and other test prep.
I recommend you sign up for the 7-day free trial, then get the Premium — 6 Months plan for $179/semester.
(7-day free trial)
Best For
Magoosh is best for students who want a gamified app to give their vocabulary a boost while tackling all aspects of GRE, SAT, and other tests.
Top Features
Study anywhere, anytime. Magoosh's sleek design, optimized for web, iPhone, and Android, makes studying on-the-go a walk in the park.
Learn from the best. Dive into expert-curated vocab lists featuring the most common and toughest words, perfect for sharpening your vocabulary for each test.
Crush those tests with confidence. Take Magoosh's timed quizzes that mimic real test conditions, setting you up for success ahead of time.
Conquer words at every level. Magoosh's free GRE vocab flashcards span all difficulty levels, allowing you to zero in on words that matter most to you.
Go beyond vocabulary. Not only does Magoosh help you boost your vocabulary, but it also tackles all parts of GRE, SAT, and other tests.
Pricing
Magoosh offers three pricing plans:
- Premium — 1 month: $149/month for students with limited study time who want to level up their vocabulary and cover all aspects of the GRE, SAT, and other tests.
- Premium — 6 months: $44.75/month over four months, for students who want to dive deep into vocabulary building, with enough time to prepare for GRE, SAT, and other tests.
- Premium + Admissions: $57/month for four months, for students who want comprehensive test prep, including vocabulary building, along with graduate application support to get an edge in the admissions process.
6-month plans provide an 87% discount.
Try Magoosh today with a free 7-day trial.
3. Babbel
Our Verdict — Best For Language Learning
Price: Starts at $14.95/month
Babbel is a fun and easy-to-use language learning app for improving vocabulary and communication skills. We think it’s the best for language learning because of its engaging real-life scenarios, interactive quizzes and games, and expertly crafted lessons.
The Best Part:
Speech recognition technology. Babbel's voice recognition feature allows you to instantly nail your pronunciation in foreign languages.
The Worst Part:
Limited selection of languages. Babbel has 14 languages up for grabs, but if you're on the hunt for some less-common languages, you might need to explore other options.
Get it if you want a fun, interactive way to expand your vocabulary while practicing real-life conversations in foreign languages.
I recommend you get the 1 month plan for $14.95/month.
(20-day money-back guarantee)
Best For
Babbel is best for busy adults and language enthusiasts who want to expand their vocabulary while they practice speaking, listening, and reading skills with relevant real-life scenarios.
Top Features
Learn like a local. Get your convo skills on point and pick up vocab and phrases you'll actually use in real-life scenarios.
No more fumbling through dictionaries. Look up unfamiliar words with ease, with Babbel’s in-app dictionary feature.
Get that adrenaline boost. Set customized daily goals and keep yourself motivated with progress reports.
Have fun while learning. Have a blast with Babbel's interactive challenges, quizzes, and games that'll ensure your vocabulary stays sharp.
Stay on track with review sessions. Babbel's smart review system helps you retain what you've learned by reminding you to review your new vocabulary.
Pricing
Babbel offers five pricing plans:
- 1 month: $14.95/month for casual learners who want to take Babbel for a spin and get a quick vocab boost.
- 3 months: $37.95/three months for committed learners who want to build a solid vocabulary foundation with a short-term commitment.
- 6 months: $66.90/six months for dedicated learners who want to steadily grow their vocabulary over several months.
- 12 months: $89.50/year for long-term learners who want to develop a strong and diverse vocabulary foundation and take their communication skills to the next level.
- Lifetime: $349 one-time payment, for language enthusiasts and learners who want extensive vocabulary growth and lifetime access to all of Babbel’s resources and features.
Annual plans provide a 50% discount.
Try Babbel today with a 20-day money-back guarantee.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
- FluentU — best of the best
- Magoosh — best for GRE, SAT, and Other Test Prep
- Babbel — best for language learning
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
FluentU | 14-day free trial | Starts at $29.99/mo |
Magoosh | 7-day free trial | Starts at $149/mo |
Babbel | 20-day money-back guarantee | Starts at $14.95/mo |
Anki | Free plan | Free forever, or $24.99 for iOS |
Quizlet | 7-day free trial | Starts at $7.99/mo |
Memrise | Free plan | Starts at $8.49/mo |
Vocabulary.com | Free plan | Starts at $12.99/mo |
Here are the top 50 vocabulary builder apps we considered in this review:
- FluentU
- Magoosh
- Babbel
- Anki
- Quizlet
- Memrise
- Vocabulary.com
- Drops
- Rosetta Stone
- Duolingo
- 7 Little Words
- Aworded Crack
- WordBrain
- WordUp
- Words With Friends
- PowerVocab
- Knudge.me
- Word of the day
- Advanced English & Thesaurus
- English Vocabulary in Use
- WordBit English
- Ultimate Vocabulary Builder
- Wordly
- BBC Learning English
- Word Master
- Word Search
- Word Connect
- Word Cookies
- Word Toons
- Word Nut
- Word Collect
- Word Cross
- Word Link
- Word Swipe
- Word Crush
- English Vocabulary Test
- English Words - Learn English
- English Vocabulary Builder for GRE®, SAT® & more
- TOEFL Vocabulary Builder
- IELTS Vocabulary Builder
- Vocabulary Builder - Test Prep
- Vocabulary Builder Game
- GRE Vocabulary Builder
- SAT Vocabulary Builder
- GMAT Vocabulary Builder
- LSAT Vocabulary Builder
- PTE Vocabulary Builder
- ACT Vocabulary Builder
- MCAT Vocabulary Builder
- Vocabulary Flashcards: GRE® & TOEFL® Test Prep
What is the best app to improve my vocabulary?
Choosing the best app to improve your vocabulary hinges upon your learning style and goals. If you prefer a gaming approach, Vocabulary.com offers popular games, daily puzzles, and challenging vocabulary exercises. For those preparing for exams like GRE or SAT, Magoosh Vocabulary Builder is an excellent choice with its expert word lists and extensive definitions. FluentU, deemed as the best of the best, uses real-world videos for contextual vocabulary learning, providing a personalized learning experience.
For a more structured learning approach, Babbel offers step vocabulary courses and subject-related tests for different English language skills. Furthermore, it uses speech recognition technology for audio pronunciation practice with native English speakers. Quizlet and Anki are suitable for medical students and educators respectively, with their flashcard lesson capabilities. For memory-based learning, Memrise offers various learning modes and flashcard decks.
All these apps offer comprehensive vocabulary building experiences, but your choice will depend on your personal learning style, goals, and the specific context you need to improve your vocabulary for, such as general language learning, exam preparation, or professional communication.
Is the vocabulary builder app free?
While most vocabulary builder apps offer free versions, they usually come with limitations. To unlock advanced levels, unlimited tests, and additional features, you typically need to purchase a premium subscription. For instance, Magoosh offers a 7-day free trial before transitioning to a paid subscription. FluentU also provides a 14-day free trial. It's important to note that the pricing and availability of free trials can vary between different apps and may change over time.
What is the most effective vocabulary building technique?
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question as effective vocabulary building techniques can vary based on an individual's learning style. However, some proven methods include:
- Interactive Games: Vocabulary games can make learning new words fun and engaging. Apps like Vocabulary.com incorporate this gaming approach, making it easier to remember new words.
- Flashcards: This traditional method remains effective even in digital format. Anki and Quizlet, for instance, offer digital flashcards to help learners revise vocabulary.
- Real-world Context Learning: FluentU uses real-world videos to provide context for new words, making them easier to remember and use in conversations.
- Frequent Tests: Regular testing reinforces memory retention. Magoosh and Babbel provide frequent tests to help users revise and remember vocabulary.
- Personalized Learning: Apps that tailor content to the learner's level and interests can enhance vocabulary acquisition. FluentU and Babbel both offer this personalized learning experience.
What is the best source for improving vocabulary?
The best source for improving vocabulary is a combination of vocabulary building apps, regular reading, writing, and speaking practice. Vocabulary building apps like FluentU, Magoosh, Babbel, and Vocabulary.com are excellent tools for learning new words in a structured and engaging way.
Reading regularly, particularly books, articles, and content that is slightly above your current language level, can expose you to new words. Writing and speaking exercises, in turn, provide opportunities to use these new words, helping to solidify them in your memory.
How can I master my vocabulary?
Mastering your vocabulary requires consistent practice and usage. Use vocabulary building apps like FluentU, Babbel, Magoosh, and Vocabulary.com to learn new words. These apps provide a structured learning experience, complete with definitions, examples, and quizzes.
Try to use new words in your daily conversations and writing. This practice helps to reinforce your memory and makes you more comfortable with the vocabulary.
How can I revise my vocabulary?
Revising vocabulary can be accomplished through several methods:
- Flashcard Reviews: Tools like Anki and Quizlet offer flashcard decks, providing an effective learning tool to aid in revision. You can create custom lists or use ready-made word lists with new words and their definitions, then revisit them regularly.
- Vocabulary Apps: Comprehensive vocabulary apps like FluentU, Magoosh Vocabulary Builder, and Vocabulary.com have built-in review systems that prompt you to revisit words you've learned. These apps provide a structured learning experience, from beginner to advanced levels, catering to different learning levels and styles.
- Spelling and Definition Tests: Regular spelling tests and multiple-choice definitions help reinforce word recall and understanding. Many vocabulary apps incorporate these tests into their platforms, offering unlimited tests to practice challenging vocabulary. Magoosh, for instance, uses expert word lists to design their frequent tests.
- Interactive Games and Puzzles: Games can be an entertaining way to revise vocabulary. For instance, Vocabulary.com offers interactive games, crossword puzzles, and daily puzzles that challenge your word recall. This gaming approach to vocabulary revision keeps the learning process fun and engaging.
- Usage in Real-life Contexts: Try to use the new words in your daily conversations, emails, or social media posts. This practice not only helps to reinforce the words in your memory but also helps you understand their usage in different contexts. It's a sort of vocabulary game you can play in your everyday life.
- Reading and Listening: Regularly reading books, articles, listening to podcasts, and watching videos in the language you're learning can expose you to the words you've learned and show how they're used in different contexts. Apps like FluentU and Babbel offer these options as part of their English language skills courses.
- Personalized Learning Experience: Many apps for language learning offer a personalized learning experience based on your strengths, weaknesses, and progress. For instance, FluentU and Magoosh use learning activities adapted to your level, providing a happy learning environment.
Remember, the key to retaining vocabulary is regular and varied practice. Try to incorporate vocabulary revision into your daily routine, and use a mix of methods to keep the process interesting and effective. Whether you're using the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, playing vocab apps like Vocab Genius, or taking corporate learning courses, remember that consistency and practice are key to a strong vocabulary.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best vocabulary builder apps to try this year:
