Drops is a language vocabulary app from the quiz makers Kahoot!, and the DNA shows in the best possible way. It's colorful, interactive, and designed to make vocabulary practice feel like something you want to do, rather than something you've been putting off.
I tested Drops as part of our roundup of the best apps to learn a new skill, and while it won't replace a full language course, it does one thing most apps can't: make five minutes of daily practice feel like enough.
Download Drops now:
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What is language learning like on Drops?
Drops is a free visual vocabulary app for iOS and Android that teaches new language words through illustrated cards rather than direct translations. Instead of seeing an English word next to a foreign word, you see the foreign word paired with a clean illustration of the concept.
Your brain builds a direct association between the word and the image, which is a faster, more reliable route to retention than memorizing translation pairs. You need to create an account with your email to get started.
Five minutes a day, on a reliable network
Drops uses minimal data, but everything else on your phone doesn't. Verizon MVNOs give you the same Verizon coverage at a noticeably lower monthly cost, keeping you connected wherever your five minutes of daily practice happen to fall.
Here are the most popular Verizon MVNO plans right now:
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Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
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US Mobile
Unlimited Premium Plan
$39.00/mo
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Drops uses images, not empty words
Each session presents vocabulary sets as illustrated cards you interact with by dragging, swiping, and tapping. The interactions are simple but tactile; drag a word to its matching image, swipe away words you recognize, tap to confirm new ones. The visual-association method is very effective because pairing a concept with an image rather than a translation produces stronger long-term recall.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
I tested Drops with ASL (American Sign Language), which isn't a combination you'd expect from a language app. It walked me through the alphabet by having me drag hand gesture illustrations to the correct letters. The experience was surprisingly fun. By the end of my first session, I had the first ten letters of the ASL alphabet memorized without feeling like I'd done any work at all.
Is the free version enough?
The free version caps each session at five minutes of learning per day, with the next Drop unlocking after 10 hours. Initially, I was frustrated when the timer ran out mid-session. But the limit is actually one of the app's more thoughtful design decisions.
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Most language apps fall apart because users burn through two hours on day one and never open the app again. Drops' five-minute ceiling forces consistency over intensity, and five minutes every day beats two hours on a random weekend when it comes to vocabulary retention. I could easily see myself doing those five minutes while brushing my teeth or waiting for a coffee. If you want more than five minutes per day, you have to upgrade.
How I tested Drops
- Hands-on testing
Completed daily five-minute sessions in ASL over one week, testing the visual-association method across multiple vocabulary sets. - Language range
Browsed multiple language options to assess topic coverage and variety within each language. - Free vs. premium
Evaluated whether the five-minute daily free limit is sufficient for a useful learning habit without upgrading.
Drops: FAQ
Is Drops free?
Yes. The free version offers five minutes of learning per day at no cost. Unlimited daily practice requires a premium subscription at $12.99 per month.
What languages does Drops teach?
Drops covers Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, Turkish, ASL, and many more. The full language list is available in the app after you sign up.
Can Drops teach me a language on its own?
Drops focuses exclusively on vocabulary, not grammar or sentence structure. It works best alongside a more comprehensive language course or app like Memrise.
Who made the Drops app?
Drops is made by Kahoot!, the same company behind the popular classroom quiz platform. The visual interactive style reflects that same approach.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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