# Word vs Essential Words

The clearest difference is rating: Essential Words at 4.5 against Word's 3.0. Essential Words also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). Word's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Word sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Essential Words asks for nothing beyond the download.

Essential Words holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Essential Words has 75 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Word's written reviews are positive against 100% of Essential Words's.

Word ships an update every 2 months, Essential Words every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Word | Essential Words |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-learner/id1148492591/reviews) | **[4.5 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-words-4000/id6449967910/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **75** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 97 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [EFL Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/942981362) | [Son Le](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595071046) |

## What reviewers say

### Word

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-learner/id1148492591)

This app offers a science-based system for efficient vocabulary acquisition. Teachers can monitor student progress through an online learning management system, create custom wordlists from various recognized sources, and generate randomized tests. It supports multiple languages for definitions and interfaces.

**Highlights:** Spaced repetition learning, Student progress tracking, Teacher-created tests, Built-in dictionary, Customizable wordlists, Multiple language support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get Premium | $1.99 | one-time |
| Get Premium Version | $1.99 | one-time |


### Essential Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-words-4000/id6449967910)

Master 4000 essential English words through definitions, examples, and audio pronunciations. Learn vocabulary in context with engaging stories and bookmark words for review. Ideal for all English learners.

**Highlights:** 4000 essential English words, Detailed definitions and examples, Audio pronunciation, Engaging stories for context, Bookmark words for review

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Word free?

Word is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Essential Words free?

Essential Words is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Word or Essential Words?

Essential Words is rated higher. Word averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Essential Words averages 4.5 from 75 ratings.

### Do Word or Essential Words have ads?

Essential Words shows ads; Word does not.

### Which is updated more often, Word or Essential Words?

Word ships an update every 2 months, and Essential Words every 2 days. Most recently, Word was updated on October 6, 2026 and Essential Words on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*