1000 Common Words vs ShadowGerman
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
1000 Common Words
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1000 Common Words helps you learn the most useful words in a language first. Instead of overwhelming you with random phrases, the app starts with practical everyday vocabulary: basic needs, safety, emergencies, directions, people, places, food, travel, and more. The goal is simple: learn words you are likely to need in real situations. The app is built around a clear learning path. You can explore words by topic, practice in short daily sessions, and review words that need more attention. Progress tracking helps you stay consistent without making learning feel complicated. 1000 Common Words is designed for beginners and returning learners who want a calm, focused way to build vocabulary. Features: - Learn a core set of 1,000 common words - Explore topic-based word lists - Practice with short daily sessions - Review weak and medium words - Track your learning progress - Build vocabulary in a practical order Whether you are starting a new language or rebuilding your basics, 1000 Common Words gives you a simple way to focus on the words that matter most. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
ShadowGerman
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Learn to speak German the way fluent speakers actually do it: by shadowing. Hear a native German sentence, then say it back โ matching the rhythm, melody, and sounds until it feels natural in your own mouth. WHY SHADOWING WORKS Reading and flashcards build knowledge. Speaking builds fluency. ShadowGerman puts your voice at the center: listen, repeat out loud, record yourself, and compare โ the fastest way to a natural accent and real confidence. HOW YOU PRACTICE โข Listen to a clear, native German voice for every sentence โข Slow it down or speed it up until you can keep pace โข Record your own voice and play it back against the original โข See both waveforms side by side to spot where you drifted โข Show the translation โ English, Chinese, Japanese or Korean โ when you need it, hide it when you don't 1,000 LESSONS, A1 TO C2 A full path from absolute beginner to advanced, graded by the official CEFR levels. Every lesson comes with interactive exercises โ multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, translation, and word ordering โ that grade themselves the moment you answer. BRING YOUR OWN GERMAN Studying for an exam or reading a book? Import your own text or a PDF and ShadowGerman splits it into clean German sentences you can shadow line by line. A WORDBOOK THAT REMEMBERS FOR YOU Save the words you meet and review them with spaced repetition, so they resurface right before you'd forget. Tap any word to hear it pronounced. WORKS OFFLINE The German voice runs entirely on your device โ no internet, no streaming, no waiting. Practice on a plane, on the subway, anywhere. BUILT TO KEEP YOU GOING Earn XP, level up, and keep a daily streak alive. Your progress syncs privately through your own iCloud between iPhone and iPad, and there's no account to create. FREE & PREMIUM Start completely free with all of Level A1 โ 200 lessons โ plus importing your own texts. Unlock A2 through C2, another 800 lessons, with Premium: โข Monthly or yearly (with a 7-day free trial) โข Or a one-time Lifetime purchase, yours forever Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends; manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase Premium. Privacy Policy: https://mzjpg.com/policy/shadowing-german Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
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Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 1000 Common Words at none against ShadowGerman's 3. 1000 Common Words also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). ShadowGerman's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. ShadowGerman sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. 1000 Common Words asks for nothing beyond the download.
1000 Common Words ships an update fortnightly, ShadowGerman monthly. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.
| Parameter | 1000 Common Words | ShadowGerman |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly โ better | Monthly |
| Ads | Yes | No โ better |
| In-app purchases | No โ better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 โ better | 18.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 174 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ilias Akasmou | Dajiale |
In-app purchases
1000 Common Words
No in-app purchases
ShadowGerman
- Premium Monthly$3.991 Month
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime Premium$49.99
Questions
Is 1000 Common Words free?
Is ShadowGerman free?
Do 1000 Common Words or ShadowGerman have ads?
Which is updated more often, 1000 Common Words or ShadowGerman?
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