Comparison

Frequency Wordbook vs Common Words

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Frequency Wordbook

Organize and learn new vocabulary with this personal wordbook app. Create custom lists, practice recall with dynamic testing, and import/export your word sets. Supports iCloud backup and multiple languages.

Highlights
  • Create and organize custom word lists
  • Dynamic review modes for memory recall
  • Import/export word lists via CSV
  • Customizable testing with time limits
  • iCloud backup for cross-device sync
  • Multi-language user interface
Features
Read full description

Your personal wordbook app on your phone. No ads! No sign-up required. Just download and start using! Revisit the words in your life and become fluent. Frequency Wordbook was made for personal development with features that facilitate flexibility in learning new words in your life. FEATURES Make Lists Capture and organize the words in your life into lists such as work-related (Work), class-related (Biology/Economics/etc.), or travel-related (Thai Phrases). Make lists active for testing, or archive them for later. Dynamic Lists Hide the definition text for memory recall during review (force-press the word to reveal the hidden definition text), Flip the word entry to show the definition text as the primary word to do reverse definition-word recollection, Shuffle the list to learn the words in randomized order, Archive word entries to remove memorized words from Active Lists, or Move word entries to another/new list for focused learning. Import/Export Lists Create your Words list in Excel, Numbers, or Sheets and Import the list CSV file into your app from the iOS Files App - great way to quickly create lists for upcoming quizzes or tests. Export any lists to the Files App and share the list CSV file with friends. Dynamic Testing Test with varying time limits, number of questions per session, reverse questioning, and hiding or displaying supplemental subtexts for additional review. Each test delivers randomized word entry questions. Apply your own spaced repetition learning by revisiting tests at later intervals. This version does not automate spaced repetition techniques - left up to the user to apply their own comfort learning schedules. The main Drill tab page will test you on the selected list in the Words tab - allowing quick testing of the list under review. iCloud Backup Option to store your lists into your iCloud account to maintain your created lists across multiple devices. Language Options App usability and user interface offered in multiple languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (simplified), French, German, Italian, and Spanish. In-App Upgrades Expand Word Entry Limit - free version allows up to 100 word entries. Upgrading removes the limit for unlimited word entries. Also, unlocks some pre-built lists for avid learners. Unlock Test Settings - free version provides default 10 questions - 1 minute testing. Unlocking the Test Settings allows the user to adjust the test time limit, changing the number of questions per test session, reversing the question word as the definition word, and displaying/hiding supplemental or subtext keywords. Remove Ads - this app previously served ads (no more!), but since the required framework has morphed into 100+ MB in size, and this extra bulk came with compromising user privacy via Google AdMob, this upgrade will simply deliver the word limit expansion and test settings functionality as a grouping, or allow you to pay for the app retroactively. Any upgrades are greatly appreciated, as is any feedback. Thank you.

About

Common Words

Features
Read full description

The 1,000 most common words cover about 82% of everyday speech — so learn those first. Common Words teaches the highest-frequency words in Italian, Spanish, French, and German in the order they actually appear, each with pronunciation and a real example. Five focused minutes a day. Suject to Terms & Conditions https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Frequency Wordbook4 screens
Common Words4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Frequency Wordbook at none against Common Words's 2. Frequency Wordbook also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Common Words sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Frequency Wordbook asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Frequency Wordbook ships an update every 9 days, Common Words every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Frequency Wordbook versus Common Words: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFrequency WordbookCommon Words
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSagen JohnsonFiume Systems Pty Limited

In-app purchases

None

Frequency Wordbook

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Common Words

Subscriptions2
  • US3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • US3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Frequency Wordbook free?
Frequency Wordbook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Common Words free?
Common Words is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Frequency Wordbook or Common Words have ads?
Neither Frequency Wordbook nor Common Words shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Frequency Wordbook or Common Words?
Frequency Wordbook ships an update every 9 days, and Common Words every 4 months. Most recently, Frequency Wordbook was updated on October 24, 2026 and Common Words on October 25, 2026.

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