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Best Vocabulary Learning Apps 2025: 15 Picks to Explore

When your child struggles with finding the right words, you feel it too. As a math tutor with years of teaching practice for kids, I’ve gathered 15 best vocabulary learning apps that help boost speaking confidence and grades at school.

Key points: 

• Customized, adaptive experience with spaced repetition is a must for the best free vocabulary learning app to really help kids improve.
• Most vocabulary learning apps have a freemium model, meaning you can try a basic plan for a certain period of time, then subscribe to unlock full functionality.
• Apps like Ultimate Vocabulary Builder and Magoosh are for vocabulary-based test preparation, while the best free vocabulary learning apps like VocabMagic and Quizlet are focused on helping you learn new words.
• Brighterly platform offers 1:1 reading tutoring services that provide complete support with the subject, something a vocabulary learning app cannot bring you.

Math & reading from 1st to 9th grade

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What is the best app to learn more vocabulary?

​​The best vocabulary app to learn more vocabulary is one that focuses on personalized, adaptive learning that matches the learner’s level. 

In more detail, the best vocabulary building app experience:

• Gradually adds new words in meaningful contexts
• Applies interactive forms like quizzes, flashcards, and games 
• Uses spaced repetition for long-term retention
• Offers multimedia content — images, sounds, and example sentences — to engage various learning comprehension styles
• Tracks progress
• Provides instant feedback
• Encourages active usage of new vocabulary through writing or speaking tasks to deepen mastery

Last but not least, all the vocabulary building apps work better with a qualified tutor. That’s because tutors prepare customized lessons, can immediately clarify any question, and motivate students, making vocabulary learning more effective and enjoyable.

How can Brighterly help improve kids’ vocabulary?

• Practice learning app exercises together with tutors
• Improve vocabulary in tutoring sessions
• Get extra exercises for vocabulary practice

Practice learning app exercises together with tutors

The Brighterly math and reading platform offers teaching support for learning app practice. In dialogue with reading tutors, kids can overcome struggles and cement the new knowledge in a comfortable environment.

Improve vocabulary in tutoring sessions

Kids can enlarge their vocabulary during 1-on-1 reading and ELA sessions with tutors, as the Brighterly reading program plan frequently includes gamified exercises and reading aloud.

Get extra exercises for vocabulary practice

Reading worksheets from Brighterly are great for extra practice on improving vocabulary. In contrast to the paid vocabulary learning app options, you can download, print, and use them for free.

Here are some examples for you:

• Rhyming words worksheet that helps with seeing the rhyming connections between words
• Synonyms and antonyms worksheets that are great for practicing vocabulary and the meanings of words

You can download reading worksheets, along with reading tests, for free from the Brighterly website.

Top 15 best vocabulary building apps 

• Vocabulary A-Z
• Quizlet
• Wordela 
• WordUp
• VocabMagic
• Magoosh Vocabulary App
• Ultimate Vocabulary Builder
• Vocabulary.com
• Anki
• Memrise
• Vocab Genius
• LingQ
• Drops
• Linked Words — A Reverse Dictionary
• Word of the Day

Paid best apps for learning vocabulary: Comparison

Name	Subscription cost	Features	Free plan
Vocabulary A-Z	$125/year	App for K-5 teachers and students with webinars	✅
Quizlet	From $7.99/month	AI-powered flashcards and study games	✅
Wordela	$47/lifetime	Unlimited custom word lists in a 520-million-word corpus	❌
WordUp	From $4.99/month	Knowledge Map for progress tracking	✅
Vocabulary.com	From $12.99/month	Vocabulary lists dedicated to various topics	✅ Website version is free
Anki	$24.99 for iOS app	Flashcard-learning approach with deck-sharing available	✅ Desktop & Android versions are free
Memrise	From $39.99/month	Goal-based learning with an AI coach available	✅
LingQ	From $14.99/month	Audio content with matching transcripts	✅
Drops	From $12.99/month	Gamified learning experience with over 5,000 real-life phrases	✅ for 5 min/day
Word of the Day	From $59.99/year	Milestone-based progress tracking	✅

Best free vocabulary building apps: Comparison

Name	Features	Paid extras
VocabMagic	Digital products for effective vocabulary development	Paid digital products start at $2.95
Magoosh Vocabulary App	Free vocabulary building app	$149-$219 for full GRE prep course
Ultimate Vocabulary Builder	Exam preparation app for GRE, SAT, etc.	$47.99/year
Vocab Genius	Flashcard-based app with a spaced repetition algorithm	$6.99 for the full app unlock
Linked Words – A Reverse Dictionary	Searching for similar, more advanced words or phrases	The paid version has more options

Best vocabulary learning app 2025: Vocabulary A-Z

Previously known as VocabularySpellingCity, Vocabulary A-Z is a game-based educational service with plenty of helpful materials for K-5 teachers and students. It offers in-depth materials and printable, auto-generated five-day lesson plans that contribute to the kids’ vocabulary development and enrichment.

Features:

• Multiple subjects and courses, including reading, foundation, science, writing, and vocabulary.
• Suitable for both teachers and kids
• Professional learning opportunities for teachers 

Pricing

A yearly subscription to Vocabulary A-Z costs $125. You can purchase it after passing a 90-day trial period. 

Vocabulary learning app A-Z: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Plenty of learning options (Foundations, Kids, Science, etc.)	Can be pricey as the service has only yearly subscription plans
Adaptable, research-based learning approach	Device compatibility issues take place from time to time

Quizlet vocabulary builder app

Quizlet is a freemium app that lets learners create flashcards to study new vocabulary. It lets both teachers and students improve their learning with fun and interactive tools.

Features:

• Free flashcard sets
• Different study modes 
• Quizlet Live in-class games

Pricing

A monthly subscription to Quizlet costs $7.99/month. But you can also purchase a yearly plan for $35.

Quizlet vocabulary builder app: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Quick and easy flashcard generating system	AI content can be inaccurate
User-friendly study sets for classes

Wordela vocabulary learning app

Wordella is a vocabulary-enhancing platform suitable for both regular and homeschooled students. Its multiple features help improve vocabulary extensively.

Features:

• Gamified learning with shareable profiles for knowledge exchange
• Custom word lists to collect and store words
• Helpful website blog

Pricing

Wordela offers unlimited lifetime access for $47.

Wordela pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Multiple learning opportunities and features	Potential inaccuracies in AI-generated content
Free sign app	Lifetime access subscription only

WordUp 

Being one of the best vocabulary apps for personalized learning, WordUp is known for its Knowledge Map. This feature helps you to track your progress and plan your learning process accordingly.

Features:

• “Built-in” web vocabulary with the opportunity to listen to the right pronunciation and see the transcription together with the word’s meaning
• An automated proficiency check to select the most suitable course tailored to your personal needs
• Multi-platform accessibility with various enterprise options for companies and schools

WordUp: Pricing

The monthly access starts from $4.99 per month, while Pro for a year is $59.99, and lifetime access is up at $189.99.

WordUp vocabulary learning app: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Multi-platform access	More suitable for advanced students
Knowledge Map to see where your English stands and how to advance	Tasks are primarily on repetition and recognition

VocabMagic free vocabulary learning app 

Founded by two renowned teachers with years of experience, VocabMagic is a reliable platform for those seeking extra help with academic vocabulary proficiency. It comes as a set of digital products and a VocabMagic Quiz app available on the Amazon Appstore.

Features:

• Offer physical and digital books and worksheets
• Variety of subjects: from first words to math and biology
• VocabMagic Quiz app

Pricing

VocabMagic Quiz is free, while online and offline learning materials go at different prices, starting from $2.95 (shipping costs not included) and reaching over $500.

VocabMagic: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Offers both digital and physical learning materials	The app is available on Amazon only
Accessible prices that meet any budget

Magoosh Vocabulary App (free version)

Magoosh is a GRE prep app that applies AI-powered tools like an essay checker and an AI tutor to enhance your vocabulary skills and quickly detect areas of improvement. 

Features (Premium version):

• Instant, GRE-style essay scoring and targeted feedback 
• Chat with an expert AI tutor
• Flashcard & Prep-on-the-go apps to facilitate learning
• 290+ curated lessons shaped by student feedback

Pricing

The Magoosh app is free. But for a deeper practice, you can purchase one of its Premium packages, which start at $149/month.

Magoosh vocabulary building app: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Focuses on exam preparation	Premium packages are pricey
A decent vocabulary learning app for free

Ultimate Vocabulary Building app

The Ultimate Vocabulary Builder is a free app that helps to learn over 1500 new words. It’s a nice, slick way to learn advanced vocabulary, their meanings, and pronunciations.

Features:

• In-game currency earned by completing stages
• Context-based word learning with real-life and fictitious examples
• Test prep

Pricing

Free.

Ultimate Vocabulary Builder: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Free and works offline	Limited number of words
Multiple features and learning opportunities

Vocabulary.com: Best vocab learning app

Vocabulary.com is an online learning resource with easily accessible free learning materials, an online vocabulary trainer, and pre-made word lists that can help you expand your vocabulary topic by topic.

Features:

• “Built-in” web vocabulary with the opportunity to listen to the right pronunciation and see the transcription together with the word’s meaning
• An automated proficiency check to select the most suitable course tailored to your personal needs
• Vocabulary Jam and Vocabulary Bowl activities to encourage competition and strive for academic success

Pricing

Vocabulary.com subscription goes in different packages:

• 1 month for $12.99 
• 6 months for $39.99 
• 12 months for $59.99

Vocabulary.com best vocab learning app: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Interactive events like Vocabulary Bowl to participate in global academic competitions and win rewards	Free trial available for 10 days only
Easily manageable VocabTrainer and word lists

Anki 

Anki is one of the best flashcard apps for vocabulary learning, serving as an open platform to create flashcards.

Features:

• Support for large card decks — even 100,000+ cards
• Search tool and custom categorization
• Instant sync

Pricing

You can get Anki on mobile app stores for $24.99. It’s an upfront payment you process as you download it, with no free trial available.

Anki: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Allows handling decks of over 100,000 cards	Updates left by users can be inaccurate
Supports video, audio, images, and scientific markup

Memrise vocabulary building app

Memrise is an AI-based vocabulary learning platform that lets you practice vocabulary with pronunciation, which is extremely useful for people who learn better with a multisensory approach.

Features:

• AI-powered tools
• Target wordlists
• Grammar lessons

Pricing

A Memrise monthly subscription costs $24.99, but you can also purchase a lifetime licence for $329.99.

Memrise pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Plenty of learning tools beyond vocabulary	Focus on language learning
Open-access phrasebooks	AI-powered tools may not be efficient

Vocab Genius

As a free vocabulary learning app, Vocab Genius lets you learn vocabulary with flashcards. The service’s algorithms will repeatedly show you the learned words so you actually memorize them.

Features:

• Flashcard-based learning
• Daily learning progression
• Tools for quick study sessions

Pricing 

Free.

Vocab Genius pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Free app	Most of the learning is based on repetition and recognition
Automatically adjustable learning algorithms and a convenient learning process

LingQ vocabulary building app

LingQ is a platform that lets you improve your vocabulary and language skills through multimedia learning. Precisely, the service allows you to discover new words via songs, books, podcasts, TV shows, and books.

Features:

• Learning through listening to audio content with transcripts
• Flashcard quizzes
• Playlists

Pricing

A monthly premium subscription to LingQ costs $14.99, and a yearly plan costs $215.76. To upgrade the service even more, you can get Premium Plus for $29.99/month and $269.99/year.

LingQ pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Affordable pricing options	Focus on learning languages
Multisensory learning approach	The free plan has very basic functionality

Drops

As one of the best apps for vocabulary building, Drops is a fun and easy-to-follow quiz game with a slick interface.

Features:

• Drops as a gift to others
• Multiplayer to study together with others
• Vocabulary practiced in real-life phrases

Pricing

A monthly subscription to Drops costs $13/month. A yearly subscription goes for $69.99, and the option for lifetime access will cost users $159.99.

Drops pros and cons

Pros	Cons
A Kahoot-associated app that has good quiz functionality	Includes ads and limited content in a free version
Gamified learning experience suitable for quick and easy daily practices

Linked Words — A Reverse Dictionary

Linked Words is a free vocabulary learning app that helps users locate words through definitions, phrases, or descriptions. In contrast to traditional dictionaries, this app offers synonyms, antonyms, rhymes, and words with similar meanings or sounds, and assists with word-pattern searches. 

Features:

• A simplified version of the app is titled Linked Words Lite
• Lets users search for a word by its definition or a descriptive phrase
• Includes filtering by definition and word (or both)

Pricing

Free. 

Linked Words — A Reverse Dictionary pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Free app	Contains ads
Wide range of connections between words (similar-sounding words, synonyms, word patterns, etc.)	UI/UX may feel outdated

Word of the Day vocabulary learning app

As its name suggests, the Word of the Day app automatically selects a word of the day and displays it for you to learn. It also offers various games for a more engaging learning experience, as well as the widgets you can set up on your phone to learn something on the go.

Features:

• Games and daily goals to keep track of your progress regularly
• In-app resources you can exchange for accessing specific features
• Automated proficiency test 

Pricing

As you download the app, you can access some of the Word of the Day tabs for free. Still, you can be asked to buy add-ons upon completing a 7-day trial.

Word of the Day: Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Multiple games, daily goals, and other interactive features	The app may quickly ask you to purchase in-app extras to unlock full functionality
Ability to learn new words on the go

Best vocabulary building apps 2025: Which one to choose?

The choice of the best vocab learning app among the 15 options mentioned here depends on your budget, study goals, and learning style. The more features an app has, the more likely it is to fit your needs, yet it may still ask you to subscribe.

For the final top 5 in this review, I recommend paying a closer look at Anki, WordUp, Ultimate Vocabulary Builder, Vocabulary.com, and Linked Words. Their functionality, customization options, pricing, and overall experience seem very balanced compared to the alternatives.

Nevertheless, neither vocabulary learning app can help your kid improve substantially. In this regard, online tutoring is extremely helpful to supplement the practice and make learning new words more interactive. With a reading teacher, your child can get support on their way to mastering English vocabulary, studying under a personalized plan that is tailored to their needs and matches their comprehension style.

If you consider supplementing vocab building app practice with 1:1 private tutoring system, book free reading lesson from Brigtherly! This won’t cost you a thing, yet it can potentially lead to developing a strong willingness to study and build vocabulary in your child.