# Developing for Listening vs Essential Words

The clearest difference is update cadence: Essential Words at every 2 days against Developing for Listening's every 16 months. Essential Words also leads on ratings volume (63 vs 8). Developing for Listening's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Developing for Listening against 4.5 for Essential Words. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Essential Words has 63 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Developing for Listening ships an update every 16 months, Essential Words every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Developing for Listening | Essential Words |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/developing-for-listening-3rd/id1506600223/reviews) | **[4.5 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-words-4000/id6449967910/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **63** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 132 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Le Bin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1259013611) | [Son Le](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595071046) |

## What reviewers say

### Developing for Listening

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/developing-for-listening-3rd/id1506600223)

This app offers an activity-rich course designed to build listening and conversation skills. It includes practice for testing and exam techniques, aiming to boost student confidence and exam success through short, practical activities.

**Highlights:** Listening skills development, Conversation practice, Exam techniques training, Activity-rich course, Short, practical activities, Progress tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 Developing for Listening free?

Developing for Listening is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Essential Words free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Developing for Listening or Essential Words?

Essential Words is rated higher. Developing for Listening averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Essential Words averages 4.5 from 63 ratings.

### Do Developing for Listening or Essential Words have ads?

Both Developing for Listening and Essential Words show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Developing for Listening or Essential Words?

Developing for Listening ships an update every 16 months, and Essential Words every 2 days. Most recently, Developing for Listening was updated on June 10, 2026 and Essential Words on August 14, 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.*