Best Vocabulary Software 2024

8 best vocabulary software to improve linguistic proficiency

There are more than one million words in the English language. Most people, however, use about 2,000 words to handle their everyday communication. And, even though we won’t be able to learn them all, we do judge people by the words they use.

In this post, we review 8 of the best vocabulary software that will help improve your writing, reading and communication skills as well as career options. We looked at both online software and offline tutors to cover different learning styles.

Popular Vocabulary Software 2024

Vocab1 Tutor	WordSmart Excellence	Vocabulary SuperStretch
Visit Website	Read Review	Read Review
$67.00	$215	from $49.95
142,647 words	20,000 words	98 words/Level
Mac, Windows	CD-Rom	Online, CD
★★★★★☆	★★★★☆☆	★★★★☆☆

Last Update: Software Review 2024/02

1. Vocab1 Vocabulary Software

The Vocab1 Vocabulary Builder (visit website) by eReflect will systematically improve your vocabulary and the way you may want to handle everyday and business communication, both orally and in written language.

It is the successor of the Ultimate Vocabulary software and has further advanced the proven system of expert learning methods (contextual learning), exercises, progress tracking, and cloud technology.

Goals – The core goal is to double any student’s vocabulary with the help of 649 expert-curated word lists, fun training games and the ability to create own, subject-related lists and store/share them in the cloud. The database consists of more than 140,000 words and includes basic, complex and technical vocabulary.

Contextual learning – Students can quickly explore new words in their different contexts as to learn a new word one has to read or use it several times. The option to actually choose the genre you want your context from, such as fiction, news, academic or magazines, provides a great learning experience. Vocab1 may significantly decrease the time to read and learn words in contexts and offers a learning style suitable to your level and needs.

Features – Further top highlights include a built-in dictionary and thesaurus, audio pronunciations, printable worksheets and flashcards, advanced tracking and customized learning options. A nice feature is a tool that will pop up a word every now and then to remind you of specific vocab as you learn new words. The Vocab1 vocabulary software offers great support and is suitable to prepare for GRE, SAT, GMAT and IQ tests.

Technology – Compared to previous versions, the Vocab1 interface is way smoother, easier to use, cleaner and more modern. It supports all operating systems and versions, including Windows 10 and Mac OS and Chrome OS. Do you have a PC at work but a Mac at home? All your results, stats and activities will be synchronized automatically between your devices.

Summary Top-Features

• 50-60 usage examples per word (context)
• more than 140,000 words and 649 expert lists
• create, manage and share your own wordlists
• 9 Games
• Advanced tracking and progress reports
• 20,000 Audio Pronunciations
• Printable word and study lists and flashcards
• Unlimited desktop installs
• 5 User accounts, 3 years cloud license

Verdict: eReflect has successfully rebranded Ultimate Vocabulary as Vocab1. While the company will likely further market UV, Vocab1 is now the newest version and should soon outstrip it as one of the best vocabulary software in 2024.

Rating: ★★★★★☆
Price: $67.00 Visit website.

2. WordSmart Excellence

WordSmart is the brainchild of David A. Kay, a vocabulary software that aims to enhance academic proficiency, and expand financial knowledge and business communication. The course is based on five well-known dictionaries; Oxford English, Century, Chambers Dictionary, Websters1828 and Bailey’s Dictionary.

WordSmart is a 20-hour program that comes in CD-ROM format with more than five thousand words pronounced and 200 core words to practice. Volumes C to F are specifically for SAT/ACT preparations.

Features – The CD also has an interactive exam and reading exercises. It has a feature that defines the word’s history, origin, antonyms and synonyms. There are also flashcard exercises, sentence completion, column matching and a fun, arcade-style vocabulary builder game. Students can choose from different learning levels; grade/middle school, high school and adult learning.

Audience – WorldSmart Adult Excellence suits those who are practicing ESL and who are preparing for a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). WordSmart High School is made for students who want to expand their English proficiency and improve their math skills. WordSmart Grade School was crafted to enhance children of grade and middle school’s reading comprehension.

Verdict – Overall, WordSmart offers a comprehensive package. The reliability of this vocabulary software is proven by its time of existence in the market.

Rating: ★★★★☆☆
Price: $215.

3. Memrise – Vocabulary Language Learning

Memrise (visit website) is interactive language vocabulary software having millions of users around the world. Apart from learning English, students can learn many languages from Spanish, French or Italian to Chinese, Japanese or Korean. There are hundreds of courses that will teach new words, grammar or pronunciations.

Overview – When learning words you will be asked to either answer multiple-choice questions, type words or phrases or listen to voice recordings and then answer a question. This interactive approach is appealing. On the flip side, we found Memrise not structured enough to learn grammar systematically, but for vocabulary, it is worth a try.

Verdict – Keep in mind, that while the free version is engaging to get started, you will need a premium subscription to learn the vocabulary of your target language systematically. This includes features such as manually selecting words for word reviews or building customized word lists. All in all, it is a good vocabulary software.

Rating: ★★★★★☆
Price: Free to start. Subscription: from $29.95/year.
Info: Visit website.

4. WordUp – English Vocabulary Software

WordUp is vocabulary software to learn the most useful words in English. But, how do you know which words could be most beneficial to you? Well, first of all, you will be doing a test to calculate how many words you know. Children know about 6,000 words while adults averagely know 15,000. If you use English as a second language you may average between 2,700 and 6,000 words.

Outcome – The goal is then to bring that number up. Users can teach themselves the most useful English words which are sorted by popularity. The database of 20,000 words has been put together based on analyzing thousands of movies and TV shows.

Techniques – Using spaced repetition methods, students will learn new words frequently and be prompted to do review tests regularly. Depending on your results, words appear again in less or more frequent intervals. While learning, WordUp will use video clips and articles to put words in context so you ingrain them deeply.

Verdict – This is fun and good vocabulary software to learn what matters. It is free and available on mobile devices. There is no desktop version available which is fine by me though many people prefer the convenience of larger screens for learning.

User reviews: ★★★★★☆
Price: Free. iOS and Android.

5. VocabularyCom

This is vocabulary software accessible through a web platform and targeted to students and teachers alike. Everyone can learn new words through games, exercise and tests. On the other side, teachers can build custom word lists that will teach missing vocabulary from complex texts they use in classes.

Overview – The platform provides an instructional and systematic approach to increasing the number of words in the English language. It has its roots in the Visual Thesaurus, which aims to visualize and facilitate communication.

The service has been developed as a tool for lifelong learning, focusing on actively ingraining new words and phrases. This happens through games, quizzes, and engaging visual content, whereas complexity will grow with progress. Similar to Vocab1, one can use it to prepare for common tests such as SAT or PSAT.

Verdict – Well-known and recognized vocabulary software for native speakers and everyone learning English as a second language.

Rating: ★★★★★☆
Price: Subscription plans from $48/year.

6. Vocabulary Super Stretch

Vocabulary Super Stretch consists of three stages. The Tryout stage will test one’s vocab skills. The Workout stage acquaints the user with new words to learn. The Final section will test you about the words you read.

Learners will be taught about the word’s origin and as well as its root words. Recognition skill is also enhanced with the tutor’s 920 questionnaires.

There are two skill sets to which each has 108 vocabulary words. All your work will be stored in the software’s Teacher Program Manager. Inside the console are animations and sounds for fun learning. The Merit Text Talker speaks the word aloud for better user comprehension.

Vocabulary Super Stretch is a vocabulary software designed for students in grades 9 to 11. It is also suitable for those who use English as their second language.

Rating: ★★★☆☆☆
Price: Online edition from $49. School accounts from $219.

7. Overnight Vocabulary

Overnight Vocabulary software focuses on a selection of specialized words and ships with a database of only 300 words.

Not a lot, you might think, but the concept is quality over quantity here. The tutor targets adult learners by offering a well-thought cluster of words suitable for business and academic purposes.

Benefits: Learning 300 new high-profile words can be way more effective than browsing through long lists of new suggestions. You know what you get and won’t waste time on superfluous vocabulary. On the other side, if you like to upgrade your words on a broader basis, you might find their product somehow incomplete. It, therefore, depends on your focus.

You won’t have to invest a lot of time daily. Though expanding on words could easily be a lifelong task, the program’s 300 words can be quickly learned within the daily 15-minute sessions. You will be introduced to the new word phrases and also learn when or how to use them. Easiness of use and learning is a big selling point as you can take the whole course onto your daily commute or while doing other activities.

PDF Booklets – There is a 150-page PDF booklet that comes attached to each purchase. Though audio is the main medium to teach you new knowledge and words, the PDF is used to track your progress and also run a few tests and exercises.

Downsides – Surely, every course has its downsides and Overnight Vocabulary software is no exception. You cannot add extra words to the list and practice them. If you like flashcards, you will be rather disappointed here. There are also no games, though you may easily think of your own ones.

Overnight Vocabulary software is an interesting tool if you want to expand your pool of words quickly. Due to missing features such as on-screen learning, adding new words, or creating own classes, it is suitable to improve daily conversations but lacks the long-term goal of continuously learning new words from all life paths.

Rating: ★★★★☆☆
Price: $65.95

8. WordPal Vocabulary Builder

WordPal is a simple vocabulary software tutor for Windows systems sporting a database of 3,800 words and aims to solidly improve English language proficiency as well as SAT and GRE test scores.

It is certainly not the most modern-looking program but cheaper than most other premium tutors. It is built around quizzes and flashcards to engage its users.

Quizzes – WordPal will try to actively engage you through six types of quizzes. The antonym and synonym quizzes refer to words that could either have an opposite or similar meaning.

SAT & GRE preparation – If you are going to sit for SAT or GRE tests, WordPal offers curated word lists that can be run as quizzes. In my opinion, this doesn’t really replace a solid prep course and is rather meant to complement one’s vocabulary strategy. On the other side, the software points out mistakes in the usage of words some free SAT/GRE courses might come with.

Verdict – If you are into quizzes this vocabulary software might be a good choice. However, there are certain websites around that offer word quizzes for free and provide the same benefits and learning experience here.

In comparison to Vocab1, WordPal also lacks essential features such as games, progress charts, in-depth thesaurus, or customized word lists. There is no support for Mac computers. The program would also benefit from an update in order to support Windows 10 and higher versions.

Rating: ★★★☆☆☆
Price: $9.95. Windows only.

Vocabulary Software: Final Verdict

Language proficiency – Gone are the hit-and-pound-the-book days as mastering English is made easier with the help of software. As unjust as it may sound, but the way we talk is how we are judged. That being said means that language proficiency, specifically, English, is a MUST and reliable vocabulary software will be a very great help.

Our recommendation – The best fit depends on one’s specific needs. Say, if you want to learn from a broader perspective or for ESL, Vocab1 (visit website), formerly known as Ultimate Vocabulary, would be the best vocabulary builder. It’s also the tutor offering the best price value. Otherwise, if you are preparing for an SAT or ACT exam, then WordSmart would be an alternative too.

Below is a quick recap of the vocabulary software builders listed above.

Alternatives – To make this review complete, these tutors are also worth checking out: Overnight Vocabulary, Vocaboly, WordPal, VTrain or Sheppard. There are also free vocab trainers around. You can check them out here and here.

What’s your opinion? – In your opinion and experience, what is the best vocabulary software? Any GRE tutors missing? Share your review in the comment section below. If you have any questions about certain programs feel free to send us an email.

Further resources: Thesaurus | Wikipedia