# NAWL Builder vs Essential Words

The clearest difference is rating: NAWL Builder at 5.0 against Essential Words's 4.5. NAWL Builder also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Essential Words's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (75 vs 4). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

NAWL Builder holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Essential Words has 75 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

NAWL Builder ships an update every 8 months, Essential Words every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | NAWL Builder | Essential Words |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nawl-builder/id902964659/reviews)** | [4.5 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-words-4000/id6449967910/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **75** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 46 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [EFL Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/942981362) | [Son Le](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595071046) |

## What reviewers say

### NAWL Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nawl-builder/id902964659)

This app helps English language learners master academic vocabulary using the New Academic Word List (NAWL). It provides tools for downloading, organizing, and studying words with definitions, pronunciation, and progress tracking.

**Highlights:** Study tools for NAWL words, Download and organize word lists, Progress tracking, Email progress reports, Native English pronunciation, Simple English definitions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Essential Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-words-4000/id6449967910)

Master 4000 essential English words through definitions, examples, and audio pronunciations. Learn vocabulary in context with engaging stories and bookmark words for review. Ideal for all English learners.

**Highlights:** 4000 essential English words, Detailed definitions and examples, Audio pronunciation, Engaging stories for context, Bookmark words for review

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NAWL Builder free?

NAWL Builder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Essential Words free?

Essential Words is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NAWL Builder or Essential Words?

NAWL Builder is rated higher. NAWL Builder averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Essential Words averages 4.5 from 75 ratings.

### Do NAWL Builder or Essential Words have ads?

Essential Words shows ads; NAWL Builder does not.

### Which is updated more often, NAWL Builder or Essential Words?

NAWL Builder ships an update every 8 months, and Essential Words every 2 days. Most recently, NAWL Builder was updated on October 24, 2026 and Essential Words on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*