EtymologyExplorer vs RootWords
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EtymologyExplorer
Discover the fascinating origins and connections of words. This app provides visual maps of word roots, detailed etymologies, definitions, and audio pronunciations. Explore how seemingly unrelated words can share common ancestry.
- Visual map of word origins
- Connections between related words
- Full written etymology
- Definitions
- Transliterations
- Audio pronunciations
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Etymology Explorer is the word origin app you've been waiting your whole life for! Features include: • Visual map of word origins • Connections between related words (e.g. acrobat and acronym) • Etymology in full written form • Definition, transliterations, and audio pronunciations I would love to hear your feedback on how to improve the app, so please let me know if there are any issues or what features you want next! Ever wonder if the words album and albino are related? They are! Download the app and you'll find out how. For more information on our Terms of Use and Terms and Conditions please visit https://etymologyexplorer.com/terms_and_conditions.html
RootWords
This word game helps users expand their vocabulary by building words from root components. It offers a fun way to learn word meanings and improve reading skills, beneficial for standardized tests and general language learning.
- Build words from root components
- Learn word meanings
- Improve vocabulary
- Enhance reading skills
- Test preparation aid
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RootWords is a fast word game based on root words. Choose a root, spin as many words as you can and show you know their meaning. Don’t know the word? Tap the parts, they each have meaning and will help you learn the word. The more you play, the fewer times you will need to tap the parts. Good for SSAT, PSAT, SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, IELTS tests and ELL in general. RootWords is good for all learners really. Your score will soar! Improve your vocabulary, your reading skills, your job prospects!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: EtymologyExplorer at 4.8 against RootWords's 4.0. EtymologyExplorer also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). RootWords's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. EtymologyExplorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. RootWords asks for nothing beyond the download.
EtymologyExplorer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EtymologyExplorer has 1.5K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 96% of EtymologyExplorer's written reviews are positive against 100% of RootWords's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
EtymologyExplorer ships an update fortnightly, RootWords monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EtymologyExplorer | RootWords |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 95.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Might Could Studios LLC | Charlotte OConnell |
Customer experience
EtymologyExplorer
RootWords
Bugs and requests
EtymologyExplorer
Reported bugs
2 issues- Word of the day feature not working consistently
- Occasional freezing or unresponsiveness of the app
Requested features
4 requests- Add more words and languages to the database
- Implement a dark mode option
- Improve search functionality to allow cross-language searches
- Provide more advanced features for power users (e.g., flashcards, quizzes)
RootWords
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
EtymologyExplorer
- Supporter$1.491 Month
- Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Premium Annual Special7 Days trial$9.991 Year
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- Premium Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime Special Premium$29.99
- Premium Lifetime Special$29.99
- Lifetime Premium2 variants$59.99
RootWords
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EtymologyExplorer free?
Is RootWords free?
Which has better reviews, EtymologyExplorer or RootWords?
Do EtymologyExplorer or RootWords have ads?
Which is updated more often, EtymologyExplorer or RootWords?
Other comparisons
