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Best language learning apps for vocabulary

Apps built to get words into memory and keep them there.

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  • Free forever plan
  • No card needed
  • 77 languages

Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team

  1. 1

    Duolingo

    Best for: Building a daily habit and getting broad early exposure.

    Strengths

    • Playful, habit-forming daily lessons.
    • A real free tier.
    • Many languages and plenty of variety.

    Weaknesses

    • Mostly tapping and typing, with limited speaking.
    • Sentences can feel disconnected from real conversation.
    • Progress can slow at intermediate level.
  2. 2

    Anki

    Best for: Self-directed learners who want to retain vocabulary.

    Strengths

    • Powerful spaced repetition.
    • Fully customisable and free on most platforms.
    • Great for long-term vocabulary.

    Weaknesses

    • You build or find the decks yourself.
    • No built-in speaking or lessons.
    • A plain interface with a learning curve.
  3. 3

    Memrise

    Best for: Picking up everyday phrases in real voices.

    Strengths

    • Native-speaker video clips.
    • Quick, practical phrases.
    • Spaced repetition for vocabulary.

    Weaknesses

    • Focus is words and phrases, not deep grammar.
    • Less structure for a full path.
    • Speaking is mostly repeat-after-clip.
  4. 4

    Mondly

    Best for: Casual daily practice and travel basics.

    Strengths

    • Quick, easy-to-start lessons.
    • Many languages.
    • Chatbot practice.

    Weaknesses

    • Breadth over depth.
    • Gets repetitive for serious learners.
    • Full features need a subscription.
  5. 5

    Drops

    Best for: Quick daily vocabulary on the go.

    Strengths

    • Fast, visual, enjoyable vocabulary practice.
    • Many languages.
    • Very low friction.

    Weaknesses

    • Vocabulary only, no sentence building.
    • No real speaking practice.
    • Limited free time per day.
  6. 6

    Clozemaster

    Best for: Intermediate learners growing vocabulary.

    Strengths

    • Vocabulary in real sentence context.
    • Frequency-based ordering.
    • Free and paid options.

    Weaknesses

    • Not beginner-friendly on its own.
    • No speaking practice.
    • Little explanation.

How to choose

Vocabulary sticks with spaced review and context. Words alone fade; words in sentences last.

Order is not a ranking of quality. Product names are trademarks of their owners and are not affiliated with 4ToSpeak. Features and pricing change, so check each product’s own site.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Still stuck? support@4tospeak.com

What is the best app for vocabulary?

It depends on your goal. Good options for vocabulary include Duolingo, Anki, Memrise, Mondly and more. Vocabulary sticks with spaced review and context. Words alone fade; words in sentences last.

Is there a free option for vocabulary?

Yes. Duolingo, Anki, Drops have free options. Free plans differ in what they limit, so check before relying on one.

Should I use more than one app?

Often, yes. Apps tend to cover different skills. A common mix is one app for daily practice, audio for listening and a tutor or exchange partner for conversation.

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