How is Vocabu different from other language-learning apps?
Most apps lead everyone down the same pre-set path and give the same set of words to a nurse, a developer, and a student. Vocabu assembles words around your specific goal the moment you describe it — a set for you, not a course for everyone. And Vocabu does one thing — vocabulary — deeply, rather than a bit of everything: you get grammar where it's taught systematically, and build the words for your life here.
Will I definitely learn the words?
That depends on you — memory always does. Vocabu is grounded in research on how memorization works (spaced repetition), and the app reminds you at the right moments. But the work is yours. We deliberately don't promise a result that isn't in our power.
What happens to my words if I miss a few days?
Nothing to worry about. No penalties, no burning streaks. When you come back, the words due for review simply come up for review — the schedule waits for you.
Does Vocabu work offline?
We plan to bring Vocabu's core functionality offline — we'll announce this separately. For now, a connection is needed: Vocabu assembles words for your goal and saves your progress on the server.
How many languages can I learn at once?
Right now Vocabu is built for growing your vocabulary in one language at a time. We'll consider running several languages in parallel as demand from users grows.
Which languages can I choose?
Currently available for vocabulary learning: English (from Spanish), English (from Russian), Spanish (from English). For English you can choose an American or British variant; for Spanish — Latin American or European (Spain): both pronunciation and part of the lexicon differ. New language pairs are added, including by request, which you can make right in the app — and we'll do our best to add the pair you need as quickly as possible.
What's the minimum age to use Vocabu?
13 and up. For users aged 13–17, the informal "living" layer of vocabulary is disabled. In some countries the minimum age may be higher, under local law.
Do I need a teacher to use Vocabu?
Our view: a language is learned most effectively with a teacher — as a source of grammar and understanding, which Vocabu doesn't replace. Vocabu takes on the other half — vocabulary. If you already have the basics of grammar, Vocabu can help you reach a new level on your own too. And if your teacher uses Vocabu, you can join their class and receive vocabulary assignments.
Will Vocabu understand my goal if I describe it in my own words?
Yes — that's the whole point. No menus to pick from — describe your goal as it sounds to you: "I want to prepare for law school," "I want to chat freely with friends at a bar, not just in class," "I'm moving to Canada and need to add French to my English." Vocabu will parse the description and assemble words for your real situation.
How do I set pronunciation and accent?
In sound settings you can choose the voice, speed, and turn auto-pronunciation on or off. For languages with significant pronunciation variants (e.g. American or British English), accent selection is available there too.
How much does it cost?
The first 10 days are free, no card. After that — $6 per month or $40 per year. Cancel anytime, with a 14-day money-back guarantee on your first purchase.
Is my data safe?
Yes. We don't sell your data and we don't show ads. Details are in the Privacy Policy.