Comparison

NGSL Builder vs MANA Learn

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

Head to head
About

NGSL Builder

This app aids English language learners in mastering essential vocabulary from the New General Service List (NGSL). It offers tools for downloading, organizing, and studying words through science-based methods like spaced repetition flashcards. Track your progress and improve your English fluency efficiently.

Highlights
  • NGSL vocabulary list access
  • Intelligent flashcard system
  • Spaced-repetition learning
  • Progress tracking and recording
  • Wordlist organization
  • Pronunciation guides
Features
Read full description

NGSL Builder: This application is designed to help learners and teachers make use of one of the most important lists of vocabulary words for second language learners of English, the New General Service List (NGSL). The NGSL is a free open source wordlist and is used with permission. The app contains simple tools to help you download, email and organize the NGSL, as well as science-based study tools to quickly and efficiently learn the words, keep detailed record of your progress and the ability to email your progress to yourself or a teacher. The original definitions are written in simple English and the app also give you pronunciation of each word by a professional voice talent who is a native speaker of English of North American English. About the NGSL: The New General Service List (usually referred to as the NGSL) was published by Dr. Charles Browne, Dr.Brent Culligan and Joseph Phillips in 2013 after several years of of detailed corpus work with the well-regarded 2 billion word Cambridge English Corpus (CEC) and input from world famous vocabulary specialists such as Paul Nation of University of Victoria in Wellington. The NGSL is a set of 2,800 words selected to be of the greatest "general service" to second language learners of English. Although there are over 600,000 words in the English language, these 2800 cover more than 90% of the words people meet in their daily lives. This list is a major update of the original 1953 GSL list (which only covers about 80%) and is being adopted by a growing number of publishers, companies and online tools for learning, teaching and analyzing text. A fuller discussion of the NGSL including published research can be found at our dedicated website (www.newgeneralservicelist.org). About Intelligent Flashcards: The app also contains an Intelligent Wordlist Maker and Intelligent Flashcard system. The Intelligent Wordlist Maker helps you to quickly and efficiently pick only the words you don’t know for study in the flashcard system. Rather than force you to go through the entire list at once, Intelligent Wordlist Maker guides you through the list by frequency bands, allowing you to add words little by little, just as you need them or when you have time. Based on the well documented science of “spaced-repetition”, the Intelligent Flashcard system systematically and efficiently helps you to review the words several times over a period of a month, giving you extra time with the words that are giving you difficulty.

About

MANA Learn

This AI-powered application offers a comprehensive approach to language learning, focusing on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It provides instant, personalized explanations from an AI tutor and encourages consistent practice with short daily sessions.

Highlights
  • AI-powered language tutor
  • Personalized learning paths
  • Comprehensive skill training (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
  • Short daily practice sessions (5 minutes)
  • Instant explanations for words and grammar
  • Free access to AI features
Features
Read full description

MANA Learn — A Language Learning App with AI Tutor Support Make learning a new language simple, enjoyable, and truly effective. MANA Learn is an AI-powered language learning app designed to help you improve your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a relaxed and efficient way. With just 5 minutes a day, you can gradually build your language ability and develop a lasting learning habit. [AI Tutor (Ask and Learn Instantly)] Don’t understand a word, sentence, or grammar point? Ask anytime and get clear, detailed explanations — just like having a personal language teacher with you. The system adapts to your learning progress to provide personalized content and pacing. [Comprehensive Language Training] Covers all core skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, helping you build a complete and balanced language foundation. [Just 5 Minutes a Day] No need for long study sessions. Stay consistent and make steady progress. [Free Access to AI Features] Even free users can use the AI tutor, making language learning accessible to everyone. [Who It’s For] • Beginners learning on their own • Learners aiming to improve their skills • Anyone who wants AI-assisted learning Start your journey with MANA Learn today. Stay consistent — and you will see real progress. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.manamana.ai/terms

Screenshots

NGSL Builder4 screens
MANA Learn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NGSL Builder at 4.8 against MANA Learn's 4.3. NGSL Builder also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (64 vs 4). MANA Learn's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months). On price, review sentiment, 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. MANA Learn sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. NGSL Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NGSL Builder holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NGSL Builder has 64 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NGSL Builder ships an update every 8 months, MANA Learn fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NGSL Builder versus MANA Learn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNGSL BuilderMANA Learn
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (64 ratings) — better4.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings64 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS7.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size248 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEFL TechnologiesRangers K.K

Customer experience

NGSL Builder

All ratings64 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MANA Learn

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

NGSL Builder

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

MANA Learn

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$129.991 Year
One-time1
  • ManaLearn Lifetime Sponsor$99.99

Questions

Is NGSL Builder free?
NGSL Builder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MANA Learn free?
MANA Learn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NGSL Builder or MANA Learn?
NGSL Builder is rated higher. NGSL Builder averages 4.8 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while MANA Learn averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.
Do NGSL Builder or MANA Learn have ads?
Neither NGSL Builder nor MANA Learn shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NGSL Builder or MANA Learn?
NGSL Builder ships an update every 8 months, and MANA Learn fortnightly. Most recently, NGSL Builder was updated on October 6, 2026 and MANA Learn on October 9, 2026.

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