Comparison
WordStudy vs Anki: which is better for English vocabulary?
Quick comparison
| Feature | WordStudy | Anki |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | English vocabulary (A1–C2) | Any subject — general memory tool |
| Words ready to learn | 84,633, each with translation, CEFR level and definition; 56,332 with synonyms | None pre-built — you create cards |
| CEFR level tagging (A1–C2) | Yes, every word | No |
| YouTube subtitle import | Yes — paste a link | No (manual / add-ons) |
| Other ways to add words | Text, camera scan, 40 collections, typing | Manual entry, shared decks |
| Spaced repetition | Yes — mastered words leave the queue | Yes — fully tunable algorithm |
| Native-language support | 18 interface languages | Interface localized; content is yours |
| Offline | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | Desktop, Android, web free; iOS paid |
| Price | Free tier; $6.49/mo, $39.99/yr, $99 lifetime | Free (AnkiMobile iOS: one-time paid) |
Competitor details reflect Anki's public docs and store listings as of mid-2026 — verify current pricing on apps.ankiweb.net.
What WordStudy does that Anki doesn't
- Words arrive finished. You never write a card. Each of the 84,633 words already carries a translation, a CEFR level (A1–C2), and a plain-English definition.
- Import from what you actually watch and read. Paste a YouTube link and WordStudy pulls the subtitles, drops words below your level, and hands you only the new vocabulary. Same for pasted text and camera scans.
- Level transparency. Every word is CEFR-tagged, so you can focus on your band — useful for IELTS/TOEFL prep.
- Mastered means done. Finish a word's 4-step cycle and it leaves the review queue for good, instead of cycling forever.
What Anki does that WordStudy doesn't (honest)
- Total flexibility. Any subject, any card format, custom fields, images, audio — Anki is a general memory tool, not just for English.
- Free and open-source on desktop, Android, and web, with full data ownership.
- A deep, tunable algorithm (including FSRS) and a large library of community shared decks.
- Cross-device sync via AnkiWeb and a huge ecosystem of add-ons.
When to choose WordStudy
- You want to grow English vocabulary without building cards.
- You learn from YouTube, articles, or books and want that turned into study material.
- You want CEFR levels on every word (e.g. for IELTS/TOEFL).
- Your native language is one of the 18 supported, and you want translations ready.
When to choose Anki
- You already have a card-making routine and like full control.
- You study more than English vocabulary (medicine, law, other languages).
- You want a free, open-source tool with your data fully portable.
- You want to fine-tune the scheduling algorithm or use community decks.
These tools can also coexist: some learners keep Anki for custom decks and use WordStudy for fast, curated English vocabulary from their own sources.
Pricing, honestly
WordStudy: a substantive free tier (4 collections, 100 YouTube words per month, the level test, 2 exercise stages, no card required), then $6.49/month, $39.99/year, or a $99 one-time lifetime plan.
Anki: free on desktop, Android, and web. The official AnkiMobile app for iOS is a one-time paid purchase that supports development; AnkiDroid (Android) is free.
FAQ
Is WordStudy better than Anki for learning English vocabulary?
For most English learners who want to start fast, WordStudy is more turnkey: every word arrives with a translation, CEFR level and definition from an 84,633-word dictionary, and you can import words straight from YouTube, text, or a photo. Anki is more flexible and free, but you build every card yourself. Different tools for different habits.
Is Anki free and is WordStudy free?
Anki is free and open-source on desktop, Android, and web; the official AnkiMobile iOS app is a one-time paid purchase that funds development. WordStudy has a free tier (4 collections, 100 YouTube words per month, the level test, and 2 exercise stages) and paid plans at $6.49/month, $39.99/year, or $99 lifetime.
Can WordStudy import words from YouTube like Anki?
WordStudy reads YouTube subtitles directly: paste a link and it extracts the captions, filters out words below your level, and turns the new vocabulary into ready cards. Anki has no built-in YouTube import; you would add an add-on or build cards manually.
Does WordStudy have spaced repetition like Anki?
Yes. Both use spaced repetition. The difference: in WordStudy, once you master a word through its 4-step cycle it leaves the review queue and stays mastered, with no surprise repetitions. Anki keeps every card in rotation under its scheduling algorithm, which you can tune yourself.
Can I import my Anki deck into WordStudy?
There is no native .apkg import today. WordStudy is built around its own curated dictionary, so you add words by source (YouTube, text, camera, collections, or typing) rather than importing decks. If you have a word list, you can paste it as text.
Does WordStudy work offline like Anki?
Yes. The dictionary and your word list live on your device, so daily study works without internet. Sync runs in the background when you reconnect. Anki also works offline, syncing through AnkiWeb.
Who should use Anki instead of WordStudy?
Choose Anki if you already have a card-making workflow, want a free open-source tool, study subjects beyond English vocabulary, or want deep control over the scheduling algorithm and community shared decks. Anki is a general-purpose memory tool, not an English-specific vocabulary builder.
WordStudy today
WordStudy is out on the App Store and Google Play. The free tier covers the 15-minute level test and starter collections, so you can see the curated dictionary and the 4-step cycle before paying anything.
Point your camera — opens App StoreRelated: WordStudy vs Memrise · WordStudy vs LingQ · WordStudy FAQ · Pricing · Other comparisons
References: Anki manual and AnkiWeb (apps.ankiweb.net); WordStudy product facts from wordsstudy.com. Pricing verified mid-2026; competitor pricing can change — check their official pages.
