A strong vocabulary is essential for English learners because it enhances communication, reading comprehension, and overall fluency. The more words a learner knows, the easier it becomes to express thoughts clearly, understand native speakers, and engage in real-world conversations. However, memorising new words can be challenging without the right tools. This is where language-learning apps can help. Apps like Anki, Quizlet, Voxy, Duolingo, and Memrise provide interactive and effective ways to build vocabulary through spaced repetition, gamification, and real-world content. By making learning engaging and accessible, these apps help learners expand their vocabulary consistently and efficiently.

Comparison of English Learning Apps for Vocabulary Building

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Anki, Quizlet, Duolingo and Memrise to help you choose the best one for your learning needs.

Feature	Anki 🧠	Quizlet 📚	Duolingo 🦉	Memrise 🎥
Best for	Serious learners who want spaced repetition and customization	Students & teachers looking for interactive flashcards	Beginners who enjoy gamified learning	Learners who want native speaker videos & real-world context
Spaced Repetition (SRS)	✅ Yes	❌ No (Basic recall practice only)	✅ Yes (Basic)	✅ Yes
Pre-Made Decks/Courses	✅ Yes, but user-made	✅ Yes, extensive	✅ Yes, structured	✅ Yes, structured
Custom Flashcards	✅ Yes (Fully customizable)	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Pronunciation & Listening	✅ Yes (If you add audio)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Robot voices)	✅ Yes (Native speaker videos)
Writing & Speaking Practice	❌ No (Only recall-based)	❌ No	✅ Yes (Basic speaking exercises)	❌ No
Gamification	❌ No	✅ Yes (Matching games, quizzes)	✅ Yes (Streaks, leaderboards, rewards)	✅ Yes (Points, streaks, levels)
Real-World Context	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes (Native speaker videos)
Free Version Available?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Ads & limited features)	✅ Yes (Ads & limited features)	✅ Yes (Limited features)
Premium Version	✅ One-time payment + updates for life	✅ Monthly/Annual Subscription	✅ Monthly/Annual Subscription	✅ Monthly/Annual Subscription
Offline Mode	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Premium only)	✅ Yes (Premium only)	✅ Yes (Premium only)

Which One Should You Choose?

• 💪 Best for serious vocabulary retention: Anki (if you don’t mind a steep learning curve).
• 🎮 Best for interactive and gamified learning: Duolingo or Quizlet.
• 🗣️ Best for pronunciation and real-world context: Memrise (native speaker videos).
• 🔥 Best all-around mix of fun & effectiveness: Memrise (especially for listening skills).

Review of Anki for Learning English Vocabulary

Overview

Anki is a powerful flashcard-based app designed to help learners memorise and retain information effectively. It uses spaced repetition, a technique that schedules reviews at optimal intervals to improve long-term memory. For English learners, Anki is an excellent tool for building and reinforcing vocabulary.

Effectiveness for Learning English Vocabulary

Anki is highly effective for expanding English vocabulary because it allows learners to create custom flashcards with words, example sentences, images, and audio. The spaced repetition system (SRS) ensures that difficult words appear more often, while easier words are reviewed less frequently, making learning efficient.

Moreover, users can download pre-made decks designed for English learners, such as frequency-based word lists, phrasal verbs, or idioms. This flexibility makes Anki suitable for learners at different proficiency levels.

Pros ✅

Spaced Repetition for Long-Term Retention – Helps learners remember words more effectively.
Highly Customisable – Users can add pictures, audio, example sentences, and even pronunciation guides.
Sync Across Devices – Anki works on desktop and mobile, allowing convenient study anywhere.
Pre-Made Decks Available – Saves time by using shared decks created by other learners.
Effective for Active Recall – Encourages learners to actively retrieve information, strengthening memory.
Multi-Platform – Available for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Cons ❌

Steep Learning Curve – The interface is not user-friendly, and beginners may struggle to set up their own decks.
Repetitive Nature – Some learners may find reviewing flashcards monotonous over time.
Limited Context – While Anki helps with vocabulary, it doesn’t provide much context for how words are used in natural conversation.
Requires Self-Discipline – Since there are no structured lessons, learners must stay consistent and self-motivated.

Final Verdict

Anki is an excellent tool for learners who want to build and retain English vocabulary efficiently. However, it works best when combined with other language-learning methods, such as reading, speaking practice, and grammar exercises. If you’re a motivated learner willing to use a structured flashcard system, Anki is one of the most effective vocabulary-building apps available.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Available on: iOS | Android | Windows | MacOS | Linux

Review of Quizlet for Learning English Vocabulary

Overview

Quizlet is a popular flashcard-based learning app that helps students memorise vocabulary, definitions, and concepts. It offers various study modes, including flashcards, matching games, and practice tests. For English learners, Quizlet provides an engaging way to build vocabulary and reinforce word meanings.

Effectiveness for Learning English Vocabulary

Quizlet is effective for learning vocabulary because it allows users to create custom study sets or choose from millions of pre-made decks. Unlike traditional flashcards, Quizlet incorporates interactive games and audio support, which makes vocabulary practice more engaging.

One of its standout features is Quizlet Learn, which adapts to the user’s progress and creates personalised study sessions. This helps learners focus on difficult words while reviewing familiar ones less frequently.

Pros ✅

User-Friendly Interface – Simple and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to use.
Variety of Study Modes – Offers flashcards, multiple-choice quizzes, matching games, and spelling tests.
Audio Pronunciation Support – Helps with listening and pronunciation skills.
Pre-Made Study Sets – Saves time by using decks created by other learners and teachers.
Gamification Elements – Features like “Match” and “Gravity” make learning more interactive and fun.
Collaboration Options – Allows students and teachers to share study sets and work together.

Cons ❌ 

No True Spaced Repetition – Unlike Anki, Quizlet does not have a built-in spaced repetition algorithm.
Limited Free Version – Some advanced features, such as Quizlet Learn and offline access, require a paid subscription.
Not Focused on Contextual Learning – Flashcards provide definitions but don’t always show words in real-world contexts.
Can Feel Like Rote Memorisation – While interactive, it still relies on repeated exposure rather than deep learning strategies.

Final Verdict

Quizlet is a great tool for English learners who prefer an engaging, visually appealing way to study vocabulary. Its interactive features make it more enjoyable than traditional flashcards. However, it lacks spaced repetition, which limits its effectiveness for long-term retention compared to apps like Anki. For best results, Quizlet should be combined with real-world reading, listening, and speaking practice.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Available on : iOS | Android

Review of Duolingo for Learning English Vocabulary

Overview

Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps, offering a gamified experience to help users build vocabulary and grammar skills. It uses bite-sized lessons, interactive exercises, and rewards like streaks and achievements to keep learners engaged. The app is free to use, with a premium version (Duolingo Super) that removes ads and adds extra features.

Effectiveness for Learning English Vocabulary

Duolingo is effective for beginners who want to build basic English vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. It introduces words through picture associations, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and listening tasks. However, it relies on translation-based learning, which may not be the most efficient way to acquire vocabulary for real-world use.

The spaced repetition system ensures that words appear repeatedly until they are memorized, but the lack of deep context and conversation practice limits its usefulness for advanced learners.

Pros ✅ 

Fun and Engaging – Gamification elements (streaks, badges, leaderboards) make learning enjoyable.
Free to Use – The core lessons are available without a subscription.
Spaced Repetition – Helps reinforce vocabulary over time.
Bite-Sized Lessons – Great for busy learners who want to study in short sessions.
Audio and Pronunciation Practice – Includes listening and speaking exercises.

Cons ❌

Limited Contextual Learning – Words are often taught in isolated sentences rather than real conversations.
Over-Reliance on Translation – Focuses heavily on translating words rather than thinking in English.
Repetitive and Predictable – Some learners find the exercises too formulaic.
Not Ideal for Advanced Learners – Lacks complex vocabulary, idioms, and natural phrasing.
Ads in Free Version – Frequent ads can disrupt the learning experience.

Final Verdict

Duolingo is a great starting point for beginners who want to build basic vocabulary in an engaging way. However, it is not enough on its own—learners should complement it with reading, speaking, and listening practice for better fluency. If you enjoy gamified learning and want a free, structured way to expand your vocabulary, Duolingo is a solid choice.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Available on iOS | Android

Review of Memrise for Learning English Vocabulary

Overview

Memrise is a flashcard-based language-learning app that focuses on real-world vocabulary acquisition through spaced repetition and video-based learning. Unlike traditional flashcard apps, Memrise incorporates native speaker videos to help learners understand pronunciation, tone, and natural speech patterns.

Effectiveness for Learning English Vocabulary

Memrise is highly effective for building English vocabulary, as it combines mnemonics, spaced repetition, and immersive content. Words are introduced with audio, example sentences, and video clips featuring native speakers, making it more engaging than text-based flashcards.

The app is particularly useful for beginners and intermediate learners, as it helps them associate words with real-life pronunciation and context. However, it lacks advanced content for learners aiming for fluency.

Pros ✅ 

Spaced Repetition System (SRS) – Reinforces vocabulary retention over time.
Native Speaker Videos – Improves pronunciation and listening comprehension.
Pre-Made Courses – Offers structured vocabulary courses for different proficiency levels.
Gamified Learning – Uses points, streaks, and levels to keep learners motivated.
Offline Mode – Allows learners to study without an internet connection (in the premium version).

Cons

Limited Grammar and Context – Focuses mainly on vocabulary, with little emphasis on sentence structure.
Not Ideal for Advanced Learners – Lacks in-depth content for those aiming for high-level fluency.
Free Version Is Limited – Some key features, like offline mode and advanced learning tools, require a paid subscription.
Can Feel Repetitive – The learning process might become monotonous for some users.

Final Verdict

Memrise is an excellent app for learning and retaining English vocabulary, especially for visual and auditory learners who benefit from native speaker videos. It is more immersive than traditional flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet, but it lacks advanced grammar instruction. If you want a fun, engaging way to expand your vocabulary, Memrise is a great choice.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)

Available on iOS | Android

Final Recommendation

• Beginners → Duolingo (fun & easy introduction).
• Intermediate Learners → Memrise or Quizlet (good balance of vocabulary and pronunciation).
• Advanced Learners → Anki (custom learning).
• Self-Motivated Learners → Anki (best long-term retention).