Comparison

Alpha Words 2024 vs firstSounds

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

Head to head
About

Alpha Words 2024

Expand your vocabulary across seven languages with this comprehensive app. It offers thousands of the most frequently used words, including specialized lists for English spelling bees and Mandarin proficiency tests. Deepen your understanding of word origins, structure, and meaning.

Highlights
  • Thousands of vocabulary words
  • Seven supported languages
  • English spelling bee lists
  • Mandarin HSK vocabulary
  • Latin vocabulary mapping
  • Detailed word analysis
Features
Read full description

Alpha Words iOS App is the most comprehensive multi-language vocabulary app, providing thousands of the most used vocabularies in seven different languages, English, Mandarin, Latin, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian. English is the most spoken language in the world with close to 1.5 billion speakers. English vocabularies section covers the 2024 USA National Spelling Bee vocabularies list and goes deeper into each word with up to 20 different fields for deeper understanding of word origin, structure and meaning. Mandarin is the most spoken native language in the world with over 1.1 billion speakers and Alpha Words Mandarin section covers all USA Spelling Bee's level 1 vocabularies in Mandarin along with its Pinyin to speed up Mandarin pronunciation for none native speakers. Alpha Words app also covers the most used 1,200 Mandarin characters from HSK, the Chinese Proficiency Test that covers understanding about 94% of the most used Chinese characters in China. Latin is an ancient great language that is currently embedded into more than 40% of the English Language, and more than 90% of the Medical, Technology, and Judicial English terminologies. Latin also evolved into Romance Languages that are currently spoken by over 1.2 billion speakers. Alpha Words App covers the most used Latin vocabularies and mapping them with English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Mandarin.

About

firstSounds

Introduce your baby to the sounds of 8 languages and world music with this audio-only app. Designed by experts, it uses native speakers and acoustic instruments to support cognitive growth, creativity, and social skills in just 15 minutes a day.

Highlights
  • Audio-only language learning
  • 8 languages available
  • World music and lullabies
  • Native speaker "motherese"
  • Authentic acoustic instruments
  • Downloadable translation guide
  • Expert-designed and research-backed
Features
Read full description

World Languages & Music for Babies Give Your Baby the Gift of Languages & Music firstSounds is an audio-only language learning app that makes it simple and enjoyable to introduce your baby to the sounds of 8 languages and soothing world music. With just 15 minutes a day, you can help support your baby’s cognitive growth, creativity, and social skills—laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Designed for Your Little One Research shows that early exposure to the sounds of multiple languages can enhance language acquisition later in life. Drawing on these insights, firstSounds was created by linguistic and music experts to make early language learning engaging and accessible. Native Speakers Using “Motherese” — Spoken words are introduced in natural, melodic tones that babies naturally respond to. Traditional Acoustic Instruments — Lullabies and melodies are played on authentic acoustic instruments unique to each culture. Why Parents Love the firstSounds App: • Instant access to 8 languages — Spanish, French, English, German, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Hebrew, and Japanese. • Bonus world lullabies — Relaxing music for soothing routines and bonding. • Downloadable Translation Guide — Includes translations and tips for engaging your baby. • Play anytime, anywhere — Hands-free learning at home or on the go. • Expert-Designed & Research-Backed — Built on studies in early language learning and music cognition. • Trusted by 1 million+ families — A proven approach for more than 30 years. The Power of Early Language Exposure: • Supports brain development by enhancing listening skills. • Engages babies with diverse rhythms and melodies. • Lays the foundation for future language learning. Join thousands of families who trust firstSounds to nurture their baby’s natural ability to learn and connect. Download firstSounds now and start your baby’s language journey today! If you subscribe via iTunes: - Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account upon confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, and you will be notified of the renewal cost. - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Subscription Plans: 1-Year Plan: $14.95 per year, providing instant access to all music in the app. - Unlimited access to all sounds in the app - Enjoy lullabies and language sounds to support your child’s growth - Fun, interactive learning experiences for kids - Early language development through engaging activities For more information, please visit: Terms of Use: https://firstsounds.com/api/terms_and_condition Privacy Policy: https://firstsounds.com/api/privacy/policy

Screenshots

Alpha Words 20244 screens
firstSounds3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: firstSounds at 5.0 against Alpha Words 2024's 4.4. firstSounds also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Alpha Words 2024's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (7 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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. firstSounds sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $14.95 per year. Alpha Words 2024 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

firstSounds holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alpha Words 2024 ships an update every 2 days, firstSounds daily. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Alpha Words 2024 versus firstSounds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlpha Words 2024firstSounds
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (7 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings7 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOnline Knowledge LLCElizabeth Huddleston

Customer experience

Alpha Words 2024

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

firstSounds

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Alpha Words 2024

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

firstSounds

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Plan$14.951 Year

Questions

Is Alpha Words 2024 free?
Alpha Words 2024 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is firstSounds free?
firstSounds is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Alpha Words 2024 or firstSounds?
firstSounds is rated higher. Alpha Words 2024 averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while firstSounds averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Alpha Words 2024 or firstSounds have ads?
Neither Alpha Words 2024 nor firstSounds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alpha Words 2024 or firstSounds?
Alpha Words 2024 ships an update every 2 days, and firstSounds daily. Most recently, Alpha Words 2024 was updated on October 16, 2026 and firstSounds on October 5, 2026.

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