Vernac
Free forever, upgrade if you want more
$05 new words a day
- Vernac Pro from $3.99/mo, billed annually
- Pro adds unlimited words, AI sentence feedback and every practice mode
- No credit card required to start
Vernac vs Magoosh Vocabulary Builder
Same goal. Different app.
Magoosh's Vocabulary Builder does one thing and does it well: 1,200 GRE words, completely free. Vernac does more, for more reasons than one exam. Here's an honest look at both.
At a glance
Where the two apps actually differ.
Magoosh Vocabulary Builder is a free, no-frills quiz app built entirely around one curated list: 1,200 words for the GRE, chosen by longtime Magoosh tutor Chris Lele.
| Feature | Vernac | Magoosh Vocabulary Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier plus $3.99/mo Pro, billed annually | Completely free, no premium tier at all |
| Word scope | Exam words (GRE, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL) are one of 12 topics | 1,200 words, GRE-only |
| Personalization | AI-written example sentences for your job and goals | The same fixed example sentence for every learner |
| Practice formats | Six modes (meaning match, fill the gap, definition, odd one out, sound, speed round) plus a sentence coach | One leveled quiz format, Basic through Advanced |
| Ambient learning | Home screen widgets and lock screen wallpapers | None |
| Update cadence | Shipping improvements regularly | Stable and infrequently updated (last update December 2025), which fits a fixed word list |
| Platform & access | iOS and Android apps only | iOS, Android, and progress syncs to a Magoosh web account |
Magoosh details are drawn from its Google Play listing (10M+ downloads, 4.6 stars, 98.8K reviews) as of August 2026.
A genuinely good free tool
Magoosh's app earns its 4.6 stars honestly.
Unlike some of the other apps in this category, Magoosh's Vocabulary Builder doesn't have a pile of bug complaints to point to. Its own reviewers describe exactly what it promises:
- A simple, no-ads, no-gamification quiz that just tests you on GRE words with example sentences.
- A fixed, expert-curated list of 1,200 words rather than an open-ended or AI-generated one.
- Free, permanently, with no upsell. Magoosh's business is its paid GRE course, not this app.
The trade-off is scope: it's exactly 1,200 GRE words, the same sentence for everyone, and nothing beyond a single quiz format. That's a feature for some people and a limit for others.
If all you need is the GRE's core 1,200 words for free, Magoosh's app is hard to beat. It's exactly what it claims to be, done well. If you want vocabulary that goes beyond one exam, written in sentences that reflect your actual job or interests, that breadth and personalization is what Vernac adds on top.
Pricing
What it costs to keep learning.
Magoosh Vocabulary Builder
$0Free, no premium tier
- No in-app purchases. Magoosh monetizes through its separate paid GRE/GMAT/SAT courses, not this app
Common questions
Vernac vs Magoosh Vocabulary Builder, answered.
Is Magoosh's Vocabulary Builder really free?
Yes. It has no premium tier or in-app purchases. Magoosh makes money from its separate paid test-prep courses, not from this app.
Does Vernac cover GRE vocabulary too?
Yes. Exam vocabulary (GRE, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL) is one of 12 topics in Vernac, alongside career, literature, science and others, all with the same AI-personalized examples.
Which is better for GRE prep specifically?
If pure memorization of the GRE's most common 1,200 words is the only goal, Magoosh's focused, free list is a genuinely strong choice. If you also want personalized examples, spaced repetition tuned to you, or vocabulary beyond the GRE, Vernac is the broader tool.
Do I need a Magoosh account to use Vernac?
No. They're unrelated products. Magoosh Vocabulary Builder ties into a Magoosh account for its GRE/GMAT/SAT courses; Vernac is a separate, standalone app.
Is Vernac's GRE word list as good as Magoosh's?
They're built differently rather than one being strictly better. Magoosh's list is hand-picked for GRE frequency by a tutor who has taught the exam for over a decade. Vernac's exams topic is broader and AI-personalized, but it's one of 12 topics rather than a dedicated, single-minded GRE product.
More comparisons
See how Vernac stacks up elsewhere
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