# FluentU vs Drops

The clearest difference is monetization model: Drops at free with in-app purchases against FluentU's subscription. Drops also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (75% vs 56%). FluentU's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FluentU sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Drops sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Drops holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drops has 72K ratings behind it against 2.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of FluentU's written reviews are positive against 75% of Drops's.

FluentU ships an update fortnightly, Drops weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FluentU | Drops |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (2.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fluentu-learn-language-videos/id917892175/reviews) | **[4.7 (72K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drops-language-learning-games/id939540371/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.8K | **72K** |
| Positive reviews | 56.3% of reviews | **74.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#169** |
| Size | 549 MB | 191 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Enux Education Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/917892174) | [PLANB LABS OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/527215806) |

## What reviewers say

### FluentU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fluentu-learn-language-videos/id917892175)

Learn languages through engaging, real-world videos like movie trailers and music clips. Interactive subtitles and vocabulary tools make comprehension and speaking natural. Connect with culture while mastering a new language.

**Highlights:** Interactive video lessons, Real-world content, Tap-to-translate subtitles, Vocabulary review tools, Bilingual dictionary, Cultural immersion

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FluentU Plus | $14.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $17.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $20.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $23.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $29.99 | per month |
| FluentU Super Monthly | $39.99 | per month |
| FluentU Plus | $71.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $95.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $119.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $139.99 | per year |
| FluentU Super Annual | $199.99 | per year |
| FluentU Plus | $239.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Engaging learning experience
- 🎓 Effective for language learning
- 👍 Variety of content and features
- 💡 Innovative learning approach

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
- 🔍 Lack of transparency around pricing and cancellation
- 📱 Compatibility issues on mobile devices

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Subscription issues and unexpected charges
- Syncing and login problems
- Inconsistent performance across devices

**Requested features**

- Add more language options
- Improve user interface and navigation
- Provide better guidance and progression for learners
- Enhance audio and speech recognition capabilities


### Drops

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drops-language-learning-games/id939540371)

**Currently charting:** #169 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Learn new languages through engaging games and visual aids. Practice vocabulary and common phrases in over 55 languages, from beginner to expert levels. Track progress, unlock achievements, and enjoy professionally curated lessons with native speaker pronunciations.

**Highlights:** Gamified vocabulary learning, Visual learning aids, 55+ language options, Progress tracking and rewards, Native speaker pronunciations, Customizable learning goals

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Genius for a month | $7.99 | per month |
| Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Premium | $14.99 | per month |
| Curious for a month | $22.99 | per month |
| Holiday premium! | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium | $62.99 | per year |
| Premium | $69.99 | per year |
| All Language Learning Plans | $69.99 | per year |
| Premium | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium | $89.99 | per year |
| Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Unlimited time for all Languages! | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Vocabulary learning
- 👍 Unique and engaging learning activities
- 👍 Wide range of languages
- 👍 Customizable learning experience
- 👍 Effective for building vocabulary

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate translations or pronunciations
- 🔒 Subscription model issues
- 👎 Limited to vocabulary, lacks grammar/sentence structure
- 👎 Repetitive and not enough variety in exercises

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and lost progress
- Crashes and performance problems

**Requested features**

- Add more grammar and sentence-level learning
- Improve accuracy of translations and pronunciations
- Provide more flexibility in time limits and review sessions
- Integrate more conversational practice
- Improve user interface and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FluentU free?

FluentU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Drops free?

Drops is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, FluentU or Drops?

Drops is rated higher. FluentU averages 4.3 out of 5 from 2.8K ratings, while Drops averages 4.7 from 72K ratings.

### Do FluentU or Drops have ads?

Drops shows ads; FluentU does not.

### Which is updated more often, FluentU or Drops?

FluentU ships an update fortnightly, and Drops weekly. Most recently, FluentU was updated on September 22, 2026 and Drops on September 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.*