Comparison

Vowels Central Diphthong vs WordSuccess

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

Head to head
About

Vowels Central Diphthong

Features
Read full description

The Speech Articulation: Vowels Central/Diphthong app authored by Fred D. Minifie, Ph.D, provides valuable instructional/clinical tools for speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists, speech scientists, linguists, teachers of singing and other professionals. The app includes five central and three diphthong vowel dynamic animations with sound plus a key view for each of the tongue shape and placement for the structural movements involved in the production of the vowels of American English. • Anatomy ID: as each part is touched, the part highlights and the part name and description text changes. Description text shows or hides on demand. Description text shows or hides on demand. - Anatomy view - 26 parts, includes nose, mouth and throat structure ID. Zoom and pans. • Highlight View: key view of the tongue shape and placement for five central and three diphthong vowels of American English. - Central: /a/, /Λ/, /ә/, /ɝ/, /ɚ/ Diphthong: /αυ/, /αɪ/, /כɪ/ • Animations: each vowel shows a lateral view of dynamic movements of the jaw, lips, tongue, velum (soft palate), and larynx needed for proper articulation of that vowel. Audio for each vowel sound is synchronized with the dynamic animations. Anatomy animation included. • Two finger pan of all animations and key animation pages. • Drawing Whiteboard feature: - Drawing: freeform lines in red, blue, green or black hue. Change size by tapping on size panel - Draw and text directly on active animation and video. - Text: Change size by tapping on size panel, auto wrap, non-movable in red, blue, green or black hue. - Eraser: touch and rub lines and text on whiteboard to erase. - Trash: one tap deletes all whiteboard lines and text. - Screenshot whiteboard direct to Photos App for easy email and printing. • iOS 6.0+ required, designed for iPad and iPhone. The Speech Articulation: Vowels Front/Back app makes learning otitis media ear disorders easy. See example screen shots below. Get the app today!

About

WordSuccess

This free program helps adults with hearing aids or cochlear implants improve their ability to distinguish between words, both in quiet and noisy environments. It offers a 45-level hierarchy of exercises, over 2,300 spoken words, and the option to practice alone or with a listening coach.

Highlights
  • Word difference practice
  • Quiet and noise environments
  • 45-level hierarchy
  • Over 2,300 spoken words
  • Practice alone or with a coach
  • Placement test
Read full description

This free program is for adults using hearing aids or cochlear implants who want to practice listening for word differences in both quiet and noise. The exercises focus on listening for differences between vowels and consonants. This app is designed for both self-study and working with a friend or other party (referred to as your “Listening Coach”). After you take the placement test, the app will suggest areas to visit where you can practice listening for words or words within phrases in a 45-level hierarchy. You can choose to add noise at any time to increase the difficulty. WordSuccess is easy to navigate and is packed with useful features, including: •A placement test you can take at any time, which will lead you to recommended levels •A 45-level hierarchy of word differences •Over 2,300 recorded spoken words to test discrimination skills •Options to practice alone or with a friend acting as a “Listening Coach”

Screenshots

Vowels Central Diphthong4 screens
WordSuccess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: WordSuccess at Free against Vowels Central Diphthong's $4.99. WordSuccess also leads on update cadence (every 9 months vs every 37 months). Vowels Central Diphthong's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On 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

WordSuccess is free to download; Vowels Central Diphthong costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vowels Central Diphthong ships an update every 37 months, WordSuccess every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Vowels Central Diphthong versus WordSuccess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVowels Central DiphthongWordSuccess
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating—3.0 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—28.6% of reviews
Number of ratings—24 — better
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 9 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB118 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlue Tree Publishing, Inc.Advanced Bionics, LLC

In-app purchases

None

Vowels Central Diphthong

No in-app purchases

None

WordSuccess

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Vowels Central Diphthong free?
Vowels Central Diphthong costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is WordSuccess free?
WordSuccess is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Vowels Central Diphthong or WordSuccess have ads?
Neither Vowels Central Diphthong nor WordSuccess shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Vowels Central Diphthong or WordSuccess?
Vowels Central Diphthong ships an update every 37 months, and WordSuccess every 9 months. Most recently, Vowels Central Diphthong was updated on October 23, 2026 and WordSuccess on November 5, 2026.

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