Comparison

Pengword vs PicToCards

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

Head to head
About

Pengword

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Key Features of Pengword ā–  AI-Powered Input Assistance Simply enter a word, and the AI automatically generates its meaning, part of speech, phonetic symbols, example sentences, synonyms, and antonyms. Audio playback for both words and example sentences is also available. Currently, the app supports the following four languages: - English, Swedish, Spanish, French and Italian The following premium features are available to subscribers: - Customizable Example Sentences: Specify the length and tone of generated sentences. ā–  Spaced Repetition Learning The app prompts you to review registered words just as your brain is about to forget them, based on the forgetting curve. To improve retention, Pengword offers multimodal review methods, including: - Multiple-choice quizzes - Keyboard input - Fill-in-the-blank sentences - Listening exercises ā–  Grow Your Penguin as You Review This feature is a personal passion project of the developer! As you review words, your penguin egg will hatch and grow. You can view your collection of grown penguins in the Gallery. This adds a touch of fun to the often-monotonous task of memorization. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Scout Mode": Discover New Words While Pengword's primary focus is registering words you want to learn, Scout Mode is designed for those times you want to encounter something new. In Scout Mode, the AI suggests words based on your selected learning goals and level (e.g., Goal: "TOEIC," Level: "600–750"). You can sort through these suggestions by swiping left or right to indicate whether you already know the word. Words you didn't know can be registered in bulk, with the AI instantly generating all definitions and example sentences for you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended For: - Those looking to expand their vocabulary efficiently. - Anyone who wants to save time on manual flashcard creation. - Learners who want to review words at the scientifically optimal time. - Penguin lovers! [Terms of Service] https://pengword-a053b.web.app/terms [Privacy Policy] https://pengword-a053b.web.app/privacy_policy

About

PicToCards

Features
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Snap any page. Play to learn. Learning a language with a private teacher or in a group? The most important part of the journey is actually remembering new words. But they end up scattered - notebooks, notes apps, online docs, phone screenshots. You hear a new word, write it down, and never come back to it. Lesson after lesson, the same thing. You want to use a word, you remember writing it down somewhere - but never where. PicToCards fixes that. One place for all your vocabulary. Snap a photo or share a word from any app, and it's ready to practice — instantly. Learn your words in a simple game — any time, anywhere. Come back and repeat them whenever you need. No widgets, no bloat. Just pure learning. HOW IT WORKS 1. Snap a photo of any word list - handwritten notes, textbook pages, or a screenshot 2. Or share text from Safari, Messages, Notes or any other app and pick the words you want 3. The app translates the words automatically; you review them and adjust if needed 4. Choose a game and start learning PRACTICE MODES Ā· Quiz Ā· Flip the Cards Ā· Match the Words Ā· Find the Word Ā· Type the Word KEY FEATURES Ā· Instant text recognition from camera, photos, or files Ā· Share words from any app straight into your sets Ā· Auto translation into your language, or one tap for a single word Ā· Move or copy words between sets Ā· Each set remembers its own languages - learn several at once Ā· Unlimited manual word sets Ā· Daily practice reminders with words from your own sets Ā· Works offline once your sets are saved Ā· Light and dark mode PRIVATE BY DESIGN Text recognition and translation run on your device. No account, no sign-up, no tracking. Any language. Any textbook. Any handwritten notes. FREE AND PREMIUM Free: unlimited manual sets, all five games, 3 photo scans and 3 one-tap translations a day. Premium: unlimited scans and translations, and shared words are translated automatically. Unlimited scans and translations are free for your first 3 days. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://pictocardapp.github.io/pictocards-privacy/

Screenshots

Pengword4 screens
PicToCards4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pengword at every 3 days against PicToCards's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Pengword sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and PicToCards sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pengword ships an update every 3 days, PicToCards monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
Pengword versus PicToCards: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPengwordPicToCards
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperToya NiiboriAnastasiia Kharicheva

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pengword

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
2 purchases

PicToCards

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Pengword free?
Pengword is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PicToCards free?
PicToCards is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pengword or PicToCards have ads?
Neither Pengword nor PicToCards shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pengword or PicToCards?
Pengword ships an update every 3 days, and PicToCards monthly. Most recently, Pengword was updated on November 9, 2026 and PicToCards on November 5, 2026.

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