“Free” means very different things in language apps: ads in every lesson, a limit on mistakes, 20 saved words, or a full app that only asks you to pay for extras. We checked what each popular app really gives you for free in October 2026. We make NewLexi, so it comes first, but every other app is described from its official information.
What to look for in a free vocabulary app
- Your own words. Can you learn the words you need, or only a fixed course?
- Spaced repetition. Does each word come back right before you would forget it?
- Context. Do you meet the words in real sentences?
- No ads and no limits. Can you study as long as you want?
All apps at a glance
| App | Free version | Ads |
|---|
| NewLexi | Spaced repetition of all your words, translator, import from photo, Anki and Quizlet | No |
|---|
| Anki | Free on computer, Android and web; iOS app is paid | No |
|---|
| Quizlet | Basic flashcards; many study modes in Quizlet Plus | Yes |
|---|
| Duolingo | Full course with a limit on mistakes or sessions | Yes |
|---|
| Memrise | Core lessons; speaking and offline in Pro | No |
|---|
| Busuu | Short lessons; reviews and offline in Premium | No |
|---|
| LingQ | 20 saved words and 5 imported lessons | No |
|---|
1. NewLexi
The most generous free version in this list for learning words: every word you add gets spaced repetition for free and without ads, whether it comes from a photo, a text, a file, the translator, an Anki deck or a Quizlet set. With NewLexi Pro, you get stories and dialogues from your words written just for you at your level, word sets on any topic, grammar lessons, a grammar trainer and a chat.
- Free: spaced repetition of all your words, translator, import, everything already generated, no ads.
- Best for: anyone who wants to learn their own words and remember them for good.
- Platforms: iPhone.
Free, no ads- Spaced repetition for all your words
- The translator
- Words from a photo, a text, a file, Anki and Quizlet
- Everything you have already generated
- Word sets your tutor shares with you
NewLexi Pro- Word sets generated automatically on any topic and level
- We write stories and dialogues from your words at your level (as many as you like)
- Grammar lessons and exercises
- AI chat and grammar trainer
- Daily plan tasks built on your words
The yearly plan comes with a free trial, so you can try every Pro feature before you pay.
2. Anki
Powerful flashcards with spaced repetition and add-ons. Free on computer, Android and the web, but everything is set up by hand and the iOS app is paid.
- Free: yes, except the iOS app.
- Best for: learners who want to build their own system.
→ NewLexi vs Anki in detail
3. Quizlet
Flashcard sets and a huge library of other people’s sets. The free version has ads, and many study modes are in Quizlet Plus.
- Free: basic flashcards with ads.
- Best for: cramming a ready-made set for a class.
→ NewLexi vs Quizlet in detail
4. Duolingo
A game-like course for everyone. Free, but with ads and a limit on mistakes or sessions, and you cannot add your own words.
- Free: the course with ads and limits.
- Best for: a daily habit for beginners.
→ NewLexi vs Duolingo in detail
5. Memrise
Ready-made courses with videos of native speakers. Core lessons are free; speaking practice and offline mode need Pro.
- Free: core lessons.
- Best for: learners who like video.
→ NewLexi vs Memrise in detail
6. Busuu
Courses by CEFR level with feedback from native speakers. Short lessons are free; vocabulary reviews and offline mode are in Premium.
- Free: short lessons.
- Best for: a course by level.
→ NewLexi vs Busuu in detail
7. LingQ
A reader for texts you import. The free plan lets you save only 20 words and import 5 lessons, so it works more as a trial.
- Free: 20 saved words, 5 imported lessons.
- Best for: advanced learners who read a lot.
→ NewLexi vs LingQ in detail
Which free app to choose
If you want to learn the words you need, keep them for months and never see an ad, start with NewLexi: the free version already covers the whole cycle of adding and reviewing words, and Pro adds stories and dialogues written just for you, word sets and grammar when you want to go faster. How many words you need for each level: vocabulary size for A1–B2.
Sources
- Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net
- Quizlet. quizlet.com
- Duolingo. www.duolingo.com
- Memrise. www.memrise.com
- Busuu. www.busuu.com
- LingQ. www.lingq.com
- Babbel. www.babbel.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
Start learning words in NewLexi for free
Free on the App Store for iPhone, no ads.
Download on the App Store
