# Essential Words vs Smart Roots learning

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Essential Words at none against Smart Roots learning's 10. Essential Words also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 months). Smart Roots learning's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Roots learning sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Essential Words asks for nothing beyond the download.

Essential Words ships an update every 2 days, Smart Roots learning every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential Words | Smart Roots learning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-words-4000/id6449967910/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **75** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 29 MB | 148 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Son Le](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595071046) | [Online Learning](https://appshunter.io/developer/1790866777) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Smart Roots learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-roots-learning/id6746326254)

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Package - AX | $39.99 | one-time |
| Package - BA | $39.99 | one-time |
| Package - BC | $39.99 | one-time |
| Package - BB | $39.99 | one-time |
| Package - AZ | $39.99 | one-time |
| Package - BD | $39.99 | one-time |
| Package - BE | $44.99 | one-time |
| Package - BG | $49.99 | one-time |
| Package - BF | $49.99 | one-time |
| Package - BH | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Essential Words free?

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

### Is Smart Roots learning free?

Smart Roots learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Essential Words or Smart Roots learning have ads?

Essential Words shows ads; Smart Roots learning does not.

### Which is updated more often, Essential Words or Smart Roots learning?

Essential Words ships an update every 2 days, and Smart Roots learning every 8 months. Most recently, Essential Words was updated on October 24, 2026 and Smart Roots learning on October 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.*