I probably don’t have to tell you that learning vocabulary is one of the fundamental aspects of mastering a new language. And we both know it can be hard. After all, one way or another, you have to memorize thousands of words!
The good news is there’s a science-backed method that can really help: Spaced repetition.
In this post, you’ll learn what this technique is all about and discover 7 of the best spaced repetition apps for vocabulary. This way, you’ll be able to use this method to learn and actually remember the words!
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The Struggles Of Learning Vocabulary Effectively
As I said, learning vocabulary can be hard. Especially if your target language is very different from your native tongue. It’s one thing to learn French if you speak English, as you’ll find several similar words, but learning Thai or Japanese? A bit more of a challenge.
Four things tend to get in the way:
- Retention. You can repeat words over and over, but that is no use if they do not stick. The goal is to keep the vocabulary long-term, not just for a couple of days.
- Boredom. Traditional methods mean repeating long lists, which is not much fun and costs you the motivation to keep going.
- Too much choice. There are a huge number of tools out there, and nobody wants to try ten apps before finding the one that works. Some of them are not cheap either.
- Too many methods. The same goes for the methods researchers have developed. If you have time to work through them, do it, but most people want something that works now.
That’s why in this post we’re listing the best spaced repetition apps for vocabulary learning, so you can get a quick overview, find the ones you think will work for you, and then try out two or three.
But first, what actually is spaced repetition?
The Science Behind Spaced Repetition
If you’re a language learner, you’ve probably seen the term “spaced repetition” a good number of times. You might already know what it is. That’s because several language learning apps (and even just learning apps in general) have seen the benefits of this technique and implemented it in their courses.
So, what is “spaced repetition”?
Spaced repetition is a learning technique that shows you words at different intervals. In short:
- New or difficult words come back more often.
- Words you already know come back less often.
- It is usually built on flashcards, and it works for far more than vocabulary.
We are here for vocabulary, so that is what this post focuses on.
The spaced repetition technique has been scientifically proven to help with learning. That’s because it exploits something called the “spacing effect,” the idea that when study sessions are spaced out, learning is more effective.
So, before you start cramming for your next test, maybe listen to science and give this method a try!
Seeing the benefits this can have for language learning, and vocabulary specifically, language apps have implemented algorithms that rely on spaced repetition. The main idea is to show you the word again just when you’re most likely to forget it.
Let’s see some apps that do just that.
The Best Spaced Repetition Apps For Vocabulary
So, want to give spaced repetition a try? Here are some of the best apps that put this method to good use.
1. Drops
Drops is an app designed specifically for vocabulary learning. Its short and interactive lessons teach you new words and phrases that you can use in real conversations, while relying on a spaced repetition algorithm and visuals to make sure they stick.
Main Features
- Gamified short lessons that are ideal for busy schedules.
- Around 5,000 practical words and phrases to learn.
- Words have an associated image to improve retention.
- User-friendly interface.
- Free version limited to 5 minutes per day.
2. Anki
Anki isn’t really a language-learning app; it’s a flashcard app that you can use to learn anything. Still, it’s one of the best spaced repetition apps for vocabulary precisely because it has a really powerful spaced repetition algorithm, and because learners truly love it.
Main Features
- Option to create flashcards yourself or download shared decks with user-generated content.
- Flashcards can include audio, images, and videos.
- Synchronization between multiple devices.
- Allows for flashcard decks with 100,000+ cards.
3. Quizlet
Similar to Anki, Quizlet is a flashcard app that improves retention by applying spaced repetition. You can create your own flashcards or download pre-made ones as well. Quizlet even has a feature that generates decks via AI based on your study materials.
Main Features
- Cards can be sorted into “know” and “still learning” categories.
- Flashcards can be turned into practice questions with different question types.
- Adapts to what you know and what needs more practice.
- Offline access to study anywhere.
4. Memrise
Memrise is another one of the best spaced repetition apps for vocabulary. It uses native speaker videos to teach you practical words and phrases, with the aim of allowing you to have basic conversations within 2 months. It’s also an app with speech recognition, so you can practice your pronunciation as well.
Main Features
- Native speaker videos that let you hear local accents.
- Fill-in-the-gaps exercises to improve understanding.
- AI conversation practice.
- “My words” memory bank to save words and review them later.
5. Lexilize Flashcards
Another flashcard app, Lexilize Flashcards also lets you make your own decks or download pre-made ones. The difference is that this one is actually designed with language-learning and vocabulary-building in mind, even when it lets you study multiple subjects. It actually covers more than 100 languages.
Main Features
- Auto-translation for added words.
- Lets you import word lists from Excel.
- Flashcards can be turned into 5 different games to study.
- Words can be shared with friends.
6. Clozemaster
Clozemaster is another great app that relies on the spaced repetition feature to master vocabulary in over 50 languages. Unlike several apps on this list, Clozemaster doesn’t rely on flashcards. Instead, it uses a fill-in-the-blanks method with thousands of different sentences.
Main Features
- Sentences tailored to the user’s skill level.
- Improves listening skills by letting you listen to the sentence before you see it.
- Targeted practice modes and difficulty levels.
- ChatGPT sentence explanations.
7. Fluent Forever
Finally, Fluent Forever is a language-learning app that can be a great vocabulary builder. You may have heard of it as a book by Gabriel Wyner, who founded the app based on his method for learning multiple languages quickly. The app teaches vocabulary through images rather than translations, and relies on a spaced repetition system to make it stick.
Main Features
- Personalized, automated flashcards with a spaced repetition system.
- Focuses on frequently used words.
- Pronunciation lessons.
- Teaches grammar with story-based learning.
Ling: The Best App To Use Alongside Spaced Repetition Apps
Ling is a language-learning app designed to make mastering a new language easy and fun. While it doesn’t use spaced repetition, its merit here is that it has what spaced repetition apps don’t have: dialogs that show conversations in context, native-speaker audio, points and leaderboards to keep you motivated, and much more.
Plus, it’s still an excellent tool for practicing vocabulary. It offers practical features like a personal vocabulary bank, flashcards, a section to review your mistakes, and speech recognition with instant feedback.
But it’s not only about vocabulary, the Ling app focuses on all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Main Features Of The Ling App
- Interactive lessons with native speaker audio.
- Personalized “My Vocabulary” bank that lets you review words you’ve already learned at your own pace.
- Flashcards to practice all the vocabulary you’ve seen so far, with audio pronunciations by native speakers.
- A section to review past mistakes.
- Statistics, streaks, and achievements that track your learning progress and keep you motivated.
- Short quizzes to test your skills and see how much you recall from previous lessons.
- Vocabulary in context, through example sentences and dialogs rather than bare word lists.
- A gamified approach that makes learning less stressful and much more fun.
- Grammar and culture notes for several languages.
Why Ling Is Built For Serious Learners
As we’ve said, the Ling app is an excellent learning tool when it comes to vocabulary and language learning in general. But don’t take my word for it, let’s see what learners have to say.
Here are some reviews taken directly from Google Play:
“Perfect for a quick lesson to stay on top of grammar and vocabulary. The ability to turn off Romanization really makes this app perfect for reading comprehension.”
★★★★★
Chaz
“I love this app from the start, it’s minimalistic design and simple yet effective lessons bring me with ease even after only 2 lessons to a sense of deep accomplishment, better understanding of the language and a confidence that even I could have a simple conversation with a native speaker, albeit about 2 simple subjects.
but hey, the journey has just begun and this app helps me feel confident and excited about what’s on the horizon! To the creators of the app – thanks guys! xoxo”
★★★★★
Dita Saule
What The First Week With Ling Covers
The best way to really know if a language app fits your learning style is to try it out for a while. The Ling app has a 7-day free trial you can use to get to know its features.
With that in mind, here is what the first week covers if you work through one unit a day.
| Day | What You Can Learn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Basic words and phrases |
| Day 2 | Basic sentences |
| Day 3 | Numbers and family |
| Day 4 | Counting |
| Day 5 | Activities |
| Day 6 | Food and tastes |
| Day 7 | Vegetables and fruits |
That is the pace for one unit a day. With more time in the app, you will get through more of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spaced Repetition Apps For Vocabulary
How Can You Learn Vocabulary With Spaced Repetition?
Spaced repetition helps you learn vocabulary by making you review words at optimal intervals. You’ll see new or difficult words more often, and easier words, or those you’ve already learned, less frequently.
Does Spaced Repetition Have An App?
Several apps make use of the spaced repetition technique. Some examples include Anki, Quizlet, and Memrise, and more.
What Is The Most Effective Way To Memorize Vocabulary?
The best way to effectively memorize vocabulary is to use multiple techniques. Spaced repetition can help you review words at optimal intervals and recall them better. Learning new vocabulary in context can also help with long-term retention by making sure you understand what you’re learning. Other tools, like keeping a journal and using mnemonic devices like word association or flashcards, can also help.
Start Your 7-Day Free Trial And Learn Vocabulary With Ling
We have gone through 7 of the best spaced repetition apps for learning vocabulary. The way to find the right fit is to try a couple of them and see which one you actually keep opening.
But if you’re looking for a fun way to learn a new language and practice its vocabulary, Ling is the best place to start. In it, you’ll find:
- Flashcards with images, translations, and native speaker audio
- Reviews that save the words you miss so you practice them again
- Dialog, for interactive conversation practice
- Mini-games that cover quizzes, matching, listening and sentence sorting
Plans start at $16.99, with $64.99 and $89.99 options, and you can see current pricing before you commit. There is a 7-day free trial if you want to look around first.
