An app for learning words should do two things: bring each word back before you forget it (spaced repetition) and show it to you in context, so you can understand it in a text and use it when you speak. Below are eight popular apps, what each one does best and who it suits. We make NewLexi, so it comes first, but we describe every other app based on its official information as of October 2026.
How we compared
We looked at what matters for vocabulary: can you learn your own words, is there spaced repetition, do you meet words in context, what the free version includes and which platforms the app runs on. Prices differ by country, so we do not quote them.
All apps at a glance
Apps for learning vocabulary (October 2026)| App | In short | Your own words | Platforms |
|---|
| NewLexi | Words in context, many ways to memorise, spaced repetition that adapts to your answers, grammar lessons A1–C2 | Yes, from any source, plus generation on any topic | iPhone |
|---|
| Anki | Flashcards with a flexible algorithm | Yes, you make the cards | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS (paid), web |
|---|
| Quizlet | Flashcard sets and study modes | Yes, you make the sets | iOS, Android, web |
|---|
| Memrise | Courses with native-speaker videos | The app centres on its courses | iOS, Android, web |
|---|
| Duolingo | A game-like course for everyone | No | iOS, Android, web |
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| LingQ | Reading imported texts | Words saved while reading | iOS, Android, web |
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| Babbel | Structured lessons by experts | No, words come from lessons | iOS, Android, web |
|---|
| Busuu | Courses by CEFR level + community | No, words come from the course | iOS, Android, web |
|---|
1. NewLexi
An iPhone app where you learn words in context. Add words from anywhere: generate word sets on any topic or straight for an exam, or take words from a photo, a text, a file, the translator, Anki decks or Quizlet sets. Stories and dialogues from your words are written just for you, at your level from A1 to C2, and you can read and listen to them. On top of that: many ways to memorise words (flashcards, matching, building sentences, mini-games), smart review algorithms that adapt the intervals to your answers, grammar exercises, writing practice with AI correction, game mechanics and Lock Screen cards.
- Best for: everyone learning a language: school and university students, people preparing for an exam (IELTS, TOEFL, DELE, Goethe-Zertifikat and others), taking a course, working with a tutor or with a textbook. Studying grammar? Practise it in exercises until it becomes automatic, build your writing skills and learn words in one app.
- Free version: core features, no ads; generating word sets, stories and dialogues with a subscription.
- Platforms: iPhone
Why tutors love NewLexi. After a lesson the student adds the new words in a minute from a photo of the textbook or the board, and between lessons the words come back on their own in reviews and in stories at the student’s level. The grammar from the lesson is practised in exercises, and texts are written with instant AI feedback. The student comes to class with the vocabulary already in place, so lesson time goes to speaking, not to drilling words.
Tutors can also build a word set themselves or generate it on the topic of the lesson and send it to students as a link. Students get the words and learn them for free, and the tutor shapes the vocabulary around the course and makes every lesson stronger.
→ NewLexi for tutors
2. Anki
A classic flashcard app with spaced repetition and huge flexibility: your own card templates, add-ons and shared decks. Everything is set up by hand, so it takes time to get started.
- Best for: learners who are ready to build and tune their own system.
- Free version: on computer, Android and the web; the iOS app is paid.
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS (paid), web
→ NewLexi vs Anki in detail
3. Quizlet
Flashcard sets with learning and test modes, plus a huge library of sets made by other users. Popular in schools and universities.
- Best for: students who learn words for a class or an exam.
- Free version: basic flashcards with ads; many study modes in Quizlet Plus.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
→ NewLexi vs Quizlet in detail
4. Memrise
Ready-made courses with video clips of native speakers and AI conversations. Good for hearing how people really speak.
- Best for: learners who like video and ready-made courses.
- Free version: core lessons; speaking practice, offline and most tools in Pro.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
→ NewLexi vs Memrise in detail
5. Duolingo
The most popular language app: short lessons along one path, streaks and leagues. Words come in the order of the course.
- Best for: beginners who want a daily habit and a game.
- Free version: with ads and a limit on mistakes or sessions.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
→ NewLexi vs Duolingo in detail
6. LingQ
A reader for articles, YouTube videos, podcasts and books: you save unknown words while reading and review them later. Works best when you already know the basics.
- Best for: learners who already read and listen a lot.
- Free version: 20 saved words and 5 imported lessons.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
→ NewLexi vs LingQ in detail
7. Babbel
A course of short lessons designed by language experts, with dialogues, grammar and AI speaking practice.
- Best for: learners who want a clear structured course.
- Free version: the first lesson of each course, then a subscription.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
→ NewLexi vs Babbel in detail
8. Busuu
Lessons by CEFR level, and native speakers from the community correct your exercises.
- Best for: learners who want a course by level and feedback from people.
- Free version: short lessons; review tools and offline mode in Premium.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
→ NewLexi vs Busuu in detail
How to choose
- You want to learn the words you need, in context: NewLexi.
- You want spaced repetition without manual setup: NewLexi. The same SM-2 algorithm, word sets generated on any topic or added from a photo, and Anki decks move over in seconds. If you love tuning card templates and add-ons yourself, that is Anki.
- You learn words for a class or an exam: NewLexi. A set on the topic of your lesson or exam is ready in seconds, you can add words from a photo of your textbook, and Quizlet sets move over in a couple of minutes. After that the words come back on their own in reviews and stories at your level. If you want ready-made sets made by other people from a big library, Quizlet has them.
- You want a game and a daily habit: NewLexi. A streak, the weekly trail to a trophy, mini-games and a short plan for every day, with no ads and no limit on mistakes, and you learn the words you need. If you want a game-like course along one path, there is Duolingo.
- You want to read and listen more: NewLexi. Stories and dialogues are written just for you, at your level, from your words, you can read them and listen with audio, and tapping a word shows its translation right away. A text is never too hard, and new words go straight into your reviews. If you already read real articles and books with ease and want to import them yourself, have a look at LingQ.
- You want a clear study plan: NewLexi. A ready plan every day: new words, reviews, stories, plus grammar lessons from A1 to C2 and writing practice. If you want a classic course of lessons designed by experts, have a look at Babbel or Busuu.
Whatever you choose, two things matter most: review a little every day and meet your words in real sentences. How many words you need for each level: vocabulary size for A1–B2.
Sources
- Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net
- Quizlet. Plans. quizlet.com/upgrade
- Memrise. www.memrise.com
- Duolingo. www.duolingo.com
- LingQ. www.lingq.com
- Babbel. www.babbel.com
- Busuu. www.busuu.com
- Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380. doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354
Try NewLexi with your own words
Free on the App Store for iPhone.
Download on the App Store
