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Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Merriam-Webster Dictionary: no spaced repetition or study plan, and free version shows ads. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Merriam-Webster Dictionary, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Word of the Day (Vocabulous) currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Word of the Day (Vocabulous) logoWord of the Day (Vocabulous)Free plan + paidNoiOS, macOS8 of 883.8
2Vocabulary.com logoVocabulary.comFree plan + paidNoWeb5 of 564.8
3Vocabulary - Learn words daily logoVocabulary - Learn words dailyFree plan + paidNoiOS, Android5 of 561.8
4WordPal logoWordPalFree plan + paidNoiOS, macOS, Android7 of 759.4
  1. Word of the Day (Vocabulous) logo

    1. Word of the Day (Vocabulous)Top pick

    Best for: Native speakers who want a daily word plus quick quizzes and word games in one app

    Free plan + paidiOS, macOS

    83.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

    Builds a full habit around the daily word, with quizzes, spaced review and Lock Screen widgets.

    Pros

    • Hand-picked words with illustrations and audio
    • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
    • Spaced-repetition quizzes take about a minute
    • Stop Saying lists suggest stronger everyday word choices

    Cons

    • Many features require a Premium subscription
    • Several overlapping subscription options in the store listing
    • Redesigns have removed features some users relied on
    Visit Word of the Day (Vocabulous) Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Word of the Day (Vocabulous) a good Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Pricing
    Subscription-based; some features Premium-only
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Downloads
    7 million+
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Widgets
    Home Screen and Lock Screen
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Games
    Hangman, Gaps, Word Relay and crosswords
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Quizzes
    1-minute daily spaced-repetition quizzes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly Premium plan
    $9.99 a month (App Store, US)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Weekly plan
    $7.99 a week (App Store, US)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Annual Premium plan
    $49.99 a year (App Store, US)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Vocabulary.com logo

    2. Vocabulary.com

    Best for: Students and adults who want an adaptive, quiz-heavy trainer and a measurable vocabulary score

    Free plan + paidWeb

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

    A learner's dictionary with plain-language explanations that feeds the words you look up into an adaptive quiz trainer.

    Pros

    • Large question bank across 18,000+ words
    • Explanations written in plain language, not just definitions
    • Thousands of ready-made lists, plus custom lists
    • Free account is usable for light daily practice

    Cons

    • Free accounts get only 10 trainer questions a day
    • iPhone app hasn't been updated since 2021
    • Much of the site is aimed at teachers and schools
    Visit Vocabulary.com Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Vocabulary.com a good Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Yearly plan
    $59.99 per year
    Checked Oct 28, 2026vocabulary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly plan
    $12.99 per month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026vocabulary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free account
    10 VocabTrainer questions per day
    Checked Oct 29, 2026vocabulary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Coverage
    18,000+ words, 242,000 questions
    Checked Oct 29, 2026vocabulary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    IXL Learning
    Checked Oct 29, 2026vocabulary.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Vocabulary - Learn words daily logo

    3. Vocabulary - Learn words daily

    Best for: People who want a low-effort daily word on their Lock Screen without sitting down to study

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

    A scrolling word feed and Lock Screen widget, if you want more than one new word a day.

    Pros

    • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets show a new word all day
    • Choose your level and topics during setup
    • Library of 10,000+ English words with examples
    • Works on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android

    Cons

    • Free version has frequent, loud video ads
    • Review games and quizzes need Premium
    • Scrolling format makes it easy to skim without retaining words
    Visit Vocabulary - Learn words daily Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Vocabulary - Learn words daily a good Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Price
    Free download, Premium via in-app purchase
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime Premium
    $149.99 (US App Store)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Word library
    10,000+ English words by level and topic
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apple devices
    iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iMessage
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    iOS 18.0 or later
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. WordPal logo

    4. WordPal

    Best for: Fluent English speakers who want short daily quizzes that adapt to the words they miss

    Free plan + paidiOS, macOS, Android

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

    Adds the spaced-repetition testing a dictionary app lacks, with free daily synonym quizzes.

    Pros

    • Core quizzes, definitions and progress tracking are free
    • Spaced repetition prioritizes the words you struggle with
    • Words picked by frequency in everyday English
    • Clean interface without distractions

    Cons

    • Can't add your own words to study
    • No way to keep drilling a word marked as mastered
    • Extra games and word lists need Premium
    Visit WordPal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is WordPal a good Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Price
    Free, Premium subscription for more words and games
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    Synonym multiple choice with spaced repetition
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Progress levels
    5, from work needed to mastered
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Word selection
    Based on frequency in everyday English
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac support
    Runs on Macs with macOS 12.0 or later
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $2.99 a month (WordPal Premium Monthly)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium Annual plan
    From $19.99 a year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026apps.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Word of the Day (Vocabulous) logo

Best Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative for most people

Word of the Day (Vocabulous)

Builds a full habit around the daily word, with quizzes, spaced review and Lock Screen widgets.

Vocabulary.com logo

Best Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Vocabulary.com

A learner's dictionary with plain-language explanations that feeds the words you look up into an adaptive quiz trainer.

WordPal logo

Best Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative for Mac

WordPal

Adds the spaced-repetition testing a dictionary app lacks, with free daily synonym quizzes.

Vocabulary - Learn words daily logo

Best Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative for iPhone and Android

Vocabulary - Learn words daily

A scrolling word feed and Lock Screen widget, if you want more than one new word a day.

Vocabulary.com logo

Best Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternative for working in the browser

Vocabulary.com

A learner's dictionary with plain-language explanations that feeds the words you look up into an adaptive quiz trainer.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Merriam-Webster Dictionary?

Word of the Day (Vocabulous) ranks first right now. Builds a full habit around the daily word, with quizzes, spaced review and Lock Screen widgets. Vocabulary.com and Vocabulary - Learn words daily follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Merriam-Webster Dictionary?

Yes. Word of the Day (Vocabulous) (free plan + paid), Vocabulary.com (free plan + paid), Vocabulary - Learn words daily (free plan + paid) and WordPal (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Merriam-Webster Dictionary?

None of the 4 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Merriam-Webster Dictionary?

The complaints we hear most: no spaced repetition or study plan; free version shows ads; quizzes are short and general rather than personalized.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Merriam-Webster Dictionary, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.