Comparison

Bulb vs Brainwrote

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

Head to head
About

Bulb

Read full description

Learn languages by reading real books and browsing websites. Tap any word for instant translation, build vocabulary from what you read, and improve your writing with AI feedback. Bulb is for people who want to learn through authentic content instead of gamified drills. Import EPUB books, browse foreign-language websites with built-in translation, and use AI feedback to improve your writing. === HOW IT WORKS === READ REAL BOOKS Import EPUB books in your target language. Tap any word for instant translation and pronunciation. Save words to your vocabulary as you read. Double-tap sentences for full context. Create bookmarks and highlights. BROWSE AND TRANSLATE WEBSITES Read news, articles, and blogs in your target language with built-in translation. Tap unfamiliar words for definitions. Save vocabulary while browsing. Practice with real-world content that interests you. BUILD VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT Every word you look up is saved with its original sentence. Review with spaced repetition flashcards generated from your reading. Practice translating sentences back and forth. Learn words as they are actually used. GET AI WRITING FEEDBACK Write essays, emails, or journal entries and receive detailed analysis of grammar, style, and vocabulary. See specific error patterns with visual charts. Get suggestions tailored to your level. Track your improvement over time. === WHO IT IS FOR === - Professionals improving business English or foreign-language writing for work - Students preparing for language exams with real reading and writing practice - Book lovers who want to read novels and nonfiction in other languages - Learners who prefer authentic content over artificial lessons and gamified drills === SUPPORTED LANGUAGES === English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Arabic, Serbian === KEY FEATURES === - EPUB reader with tap-to-translate - Built-in web browser with instant translation - Automatic vocabulary capture with context - Spaced repetition flashcards - AI essay analysis with grammar, style, and vocabulary feedback - Writing progress tracking with visual charts - iCloud sync across all your iOS devices Built for focused reading, vocabulary, and writing practice without gamified drills. Requires internet connection for AI features and translation. Privacy Policy: https://thebulb.app/privacy Terms of Service: https://thebulb.app/terms

About

Brainwrote

This app uses spaced repetition to help language learners memorize vocabulary effectively. It allows users to add words from various sources and provides automatic review scheduling. Features include offline access, CEFR assessment, and widgets for convenient learning.

Highlights
  • Spaced repetition reviews
  • Add words from any source
  • Offline functionality
  • CEFR level assessment
  • Cloud sync across devices
  • Widgets for learning
Features
Read full description

Brainwrote is a vocabulary app built for language learners who want their learning to actually stick. It uses scientific spaced repetition to review words at the perfect moment - when you're about to forget them - so you spend less time studying and remember more. LAUNCH FEATURES • Add words from anything you read or hear • Spaced repetition reviews, fully automatic • More than 10 languages supported • Works 100% offline — syncs when online • CEFR assessment (A1–C2) • Streak tracking and XP • Home screen and lock screen widgets (iOS 16+) • AI word context, grammar fix, full translator (Pro) • Smart Reader — adapt any text to your level (Pro) • Cloud sync across all devices BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY YOUR WAY Add words from books, articles, life—anywhere you encounter them. Create unlimited libraries by language, topic, or study goal. Brainwrote learns what you're struggling with and schedules reviews automatically. 21 LANGUAGES SUPPORTED Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Greek, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Serbian, Georgian, Armenian, Finnish, Bulgarian, and more. OFFLINE-FIRST, CLOUD SYNCED Works 100% offline on your phone. No internet needed to learn. When you're online, your progress syncs automatically to all your devices. Start on your commute, continue at home. Pick up exactly where you left off. SCIENTIFIC SPACED REPETITION Brainwrote schedules reviews based on proven memory science. Words you know well come back less often. Words you struggle with surface more frequently. Your time is spent where it matters. CEFR LEVEL ASSESSMENT Understand your actual level in each language — A1 to C2. Take the built-in assessment and get a clear picture of your progress against international standards. Perfect for students, teachers, and exam preparation. FREE FEATURES (Always) • 2 word libraries (unlimited words in each) • Offline dictionary with audio pronunciation • Unlimited spaced repetition reviews • Full cloud sync across all your devices • 21-language support • Streak tracking and XP PRO FEATURES — 7-day free trial • Unlimited libraries — organise by language, topic, or book • AI word context — understand how words are used in real sentences, idioms, and slang • Smart Reader — paste any text (book, article, news) and it adapts to your current level. Save new words in context without fighting through walls of unknown vocabulary • Fix Grammar — check your writing and get clear explanations • Full Translator — translate words with complete dictionary definitions • CEFR text analysis — measure reading level for any text. Ideal for teachers setting reading material and students preparing for exams • Home screen widget — see your daily word with pronunciation and definition at a glance • Lock screen widget — quick actions to add words or fix grammar without opening the app WIDGETS FOR FRICTIONLESS LEARNING Home screen widget shows your word of the day. Lock screen widget (iOS 16+) displays the daily word plus quick actions. Learn passively while checking your phone. No app open needed. PERFECT FOR • Students preparing for language exams (IELTS, DELE, DALF, Cambridge) • Expats learning a new language while building a life abroad • Teachers building personalised vocabulary lists for students • Professionals working in multilingual environments • Readers learning vocabulary from books and articles in their target language • Polyglots managing vocabulary across multiple languages at once PRIVACY AND DATA Your words are yours. Stored on your device first. Sync only happens when you're online. You can use Brainwrote completely offline with no account required. No ads, no data selling, no tracking. Start your 7-day free trial today. No commitment. Cancel anytime. ``` Terms of Use (EULA): See "License Agreement" on the App Store product page Privacy Policy: https://brainwrote.carrd.co/#privacy ```

Screenshots

Brainwrote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bulb at every 5 days against Brainwrote's every 2 weeks. Bulb also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Bulb sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Brainwrote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bulb ships an update every 5 days, Brainwrote every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Bulb versus Brainwrote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBulbBrainwrote
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB33 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperDanis GaiazovAnton Riabkov

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Bulb

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Brainwrote

Subscriptions2
  • Brainwrote Pro$9.991 Month
  • Brainwrote Pro7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Bulb free?
Bulb is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Brainwrote free?
Brainwrote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Bulb or Brainwrote have ads?
Neither Bulb nor Brainwrote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bulb or Brainwrote?
Bulb ships an update every 5 days, and Brainwrote every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bulb was updated on October 15, 2026 and Brainwrote on October 24, 2026.

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