Best Free Apps to Learn English Vocabulary Daily (2025 Guide)
Want to grow your English vocabulary every day without paying for expensive courses? This guide lists the best free apps for daily practice and shows a simple 15-minute study plan that actually works. All recommendations include official references so you can verify features and install safely.
1) How to choose a vocabulary app
- Spaced repetition (SRS): Ensures you review words just before you forget them.
- Context & examples: Real sentences and collocations are essential.
- Pronunciation: Audio from native speakers and phonetic support (IPA) help a lot.
- Customization: Ability to add your own words from school/work.
- Offline/Sync: Sync across devices; offline helps on commutes.
You don’t need to use every app. Pick one trainer (Anki/Quizlet/Memrise) + one course app (Duolingo/British Council) and stick to the routine.
2) Top FREE Apps for Daily English Vocabulary (2025)
1. Duolingo Beginner-friendly
- Why it’s good: Short lessons, game-like streaks, daily goals. Good for A1–B1 vocabulary and phrases.
- Extras: Listening/speaking prompts; review with “Practice”.
- Get it: duolingo.com
2. Memrise Real-life videos
- Why it’s good: SRS + short clips of native speakers (on many courses). Useful for everyday vocabulary and chunks.
- Extras: Community courses; recall speed games.
- Get it: memrise.com
3. Anki / AnkiDroid Power SRS
- Why it’s good: The most flexible spaced-repetition flashcard system. Add your own words, images, audio, example sentences.
- Notes: Free on Android (AnkiDroid), free desktop; iOS version is paid but the ecosystem still supports free daily practice if you use desktop + mobile sync alternatives.
- Get it: apps.ankiweb.net (desktop), AnkiDroid
4. Quizlet Class & self-study
- Why it’s good: Clean flashcards, tests, learn mode. Lots of teacher-made sets for exam vocab (IELTS/TOEFL).
- Notes: Some advanced modes are paid, but the free features are enough for daily word review.
- Get it: quizlet.com
5. WordUp Vocabulary Frequency-based
- Why it’s good: Prioritizes the most useful words first; includes definitions, examples from movies/news, and spaced review.
- Get it: wordupapp.co
6. Vocabulary.com Usage-driven
- Why it’s good: Clear, learner-friendly definitions and adaptive practice based on real usage.
- Get it: vocabulary.com
7. British Council: LearnEnglish Trusted content
- Why it’s good: Free lessons, vocabulary games, and graded content for different levels from a reputable source.
- Get it: learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/apps
8. BBC Learning English News & context
- Why it’s good: Daily vocabulary from news and real contexts; short videos with transcripts.
- Get it: bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
9. Google Translate + Phrasebook Quick capture
- Why it’s good: Save unknown words on the go. Use camera translation to capture labels, menus, or signs; add to Phrasebook and later move to Anki/Quizlet.
- Get it: translate.google.com
3) Quick Comparison
| App | Best For | Spaced Repetition | Add Your Words | Pronunciation/Audio | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo | Beginners; streak motivation | Implicit review | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Memrise | Everyday phrases, videos | Yes | Often (by course) | Yes | Some features |
| Anki/AnkiDroid | Power users; exam prep | Best-in-class | Full control | Yes (attach audio) | Yes |
| Quizlet | Classroom sets; quick tests | Yes (Learn mode) | Yes | Yes | Yes (app) |
| WordUp | High-frequency words | Yes | Limited | Yes (clips) | Some |
| Vocabulary.com | Advanced usage | Adaptive | Limited | Yes | Web-centric |
| British Council | Trusted lessons | Course-based | No (fixed) | Yes | Varies |
| BBC Learning English | Context via news | Topic-based | No (fixed) | Yes | Limited |
Availability of offline modes and some features can vary by platform/version. Check the official pages linked below.
4) A Proven 15-Minute Daily Routine
- 3 min – Warm up: Read a short BBC Learning English post; note 1–2 unknown words.
- 7 min – SRS review: Open Anki/Quizlet/Memrise and review your scheduled cards (no skipping!).
- 3 min – New words (5–10): Add useful words from work/school/life. Include: definition, IPA, example sentence, collocation (e.g., “heavy rain”, “make a decision”).
- 2 min – Speak it: Say each new word in a sentence out loud; record yourself for quick feedback.
Consistency beats intensity. Keep your streak going and increase minutes only after the routine feels easy.
5) Tips to Remember Words Longer
- Learn in chunks: “take a photo”, “commit a crime”, “apply for a job”.
- Use personal examples: Write a sentence about your life—this builds stronger memory.
- Multiple senses: Add audio, an image, and a short definition to each flashcard.
- Contrast similar words: affect vs effect; big vs large vs huge.
- Weekly recycle: On Sundays, export new words to one master deck and print a mini list for quick viewing.
6) Recommendations by Level
Beginner (A1–A2)
- Core app: Duolingo or British Council LearnEnglish.
- Flashcards: Quizlet ready-made sets.
- Goal: 5 new words/day + short phrases.
Intermediate (B1–B2)
- Core app: Memrise (video examples) or WordUp.
- Flashcards: Anki custom decks from your reading.
- Goal: 8–12 words/day with collocations.
Advanced (C1+)
- Core app: Vocabulary.com + authentic reading (news, papers).
- Flashcards: Anki (context-rich, synonyms/antonyms).
- Goal: 10–15 words/day with nuanced usage.
7) FAQs
How many words can I learn in a month?
At 10 words/day with proper review, expect ~200–250 retained words/month. The key is SRS + using the words in speech/writing.
Should I learn British or American English?
Pick the variety you encounter most (school/work/media). Record spellings and pronunciations accordingly (e.g., colour vs color).
How do I export words between apps?
Most flashcard apps support CSV/TSV export. Keep a master spreadsheet (columns: word, part of speech, definition, example, IPA, translation) then import to Anki/Quizlet.
8) References (Official Pages)
- Duolingo — Official Site
- Memrise — Official Site
- Anki — Official (desktop) • AnkiDroid (Android)
- Quizlet — Official Site
- WordUp — Official Site
- Vocabulary.com — Official Site
- British Council — LearnEnglish Apps
- BBC Learning English — Official
- Google Translate — Phrasebook
App features and free-tier limits may change. Check the official pages above for the latest details and pricing.