nowfound

Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Backwords

Learn a new language right from your wallpaper

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Prices are shown for the 1 we have checked on their own sites, 1 of them free or with a free tier. Backwords launched in 2018; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

  1. 1
    Termyfree tier, from $5.99/mo▲122

    Termy turns the content you already enjoy into language practice. Press a shortcut in any game, video, website, or app to get an in-context explanation of a word or phrase. Save it with its original sentence, screenshot, translation, and pronunciation, then review it through adap

    Aug 2026 · termy.ai · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    Turn your bathroom into a classroom

    2021 · duolingo.com · its alternatives →

  3. 3
    Repeet▲141

    Learn languages with flashcards

    2025 · repeet.app · its alternatives →

  4. 4
    TenWords▲103

    Learn a foreign language by reading the news online

    2019 · its alternatives →

  5. 5

    The fun way to learn a language by drawing

    2024 · its alternatives →

  6. 6

    Learn the most common 1000 words of popular languages

    2020 · mostcommonwords.co · its alternatives →

  7. 7

    Play with your words. Language learning simplified.

    2015 · planblabs.net · its alternatives →

  8. 8
    Karteto▲137

    Master foreign words with efficiency and fun

    2024 · karteto.com · its alternatives →

  9. 9

    Hi HN, Just wanted to share a tool i've been working on to help with my own study routine. It’s a browser extension called Lingoku. The idea is simple: we spend hours browsing the web in English every day. This tool replaces some of the english words with Japanese vocabulary based on your japanese level (Similar to Toucan, but with a better user experience). It’s basically an attempt to make the "i+1" method actually passive, you understand the sentence because it's mostly english, but you pick up Japanese words naturally from the context. It uses an LLM in the backend to make sure the…

    Dec 2025 · lingoku.ai · its alternatives →

  10. 10

    Learn new words from the world around you

    Jun 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  11. 11
    CapWords▲135

    Learn a new language with AI-powered object recognition

    2025 · capwords.app · its alternatives →

  12. 12

    Snap at things to translate them in different languages! 📸

    2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  13. 13
    FlipWord▲214

    Intelligently integrate language learning into web browsing

    2017 · flipword.co · its alternatives →

  14. 14

    Learn any language by reading what you love. Click words to translate, build vocabulary with smart flashcards, and read articles, books, and web pages in 100+ languages. Free to start.

    2015 · readlang.com · its alternatives →

  15. 15

    Hi! Wanted to share the project I really wanted to have. TLDR; this app lets you create your own list of words and you get a Duolingo-like experience (kind of, still needs a lot of features) practicing those words in their context. My English is not the best but not the worst either. But I realized I can't boost it up after a certain level! In my belief, in order to truly learn a language, you need to be exposed to that language often. Vocabulary is the key factor here if you really want to improve in any language. My experience is that when I read a book to improve my English vocabulary, I…

    2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

  16. 16KL

    Kontext.xyz is for sale on Spaceship. Secure checkout and quick transfer. See all purchase options. No hidden fees.

    2018 · kontext.xyz · its alternatives →

  17. 17

    Learn languages fast with vocabulary games.

    2020 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

  18. 18

    Learn new words in foreign languages

    2016 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

  19. 19
    Maspeak▲93

    Learn words in a new language

    2018 · maspeak.com · its alternatives →

  20. 20

    18 languages, works offline with audio & images

    2023 · topstuff.page.link · its alternatives →

  21. 21

    Learn your Duolingo vocabulary while browsing the web

    2023 · duoninja.com · its alternatives →

  22. 22WL

    Hey everyone, I've been living in Germany for a while now and struggling to pick up German. Even though I finished a B1 level language course, remembering all the common German words has been tough. I've tried a bunch of apps, but couldn't stick to any of them. Last month, I had an idea. I thought, what if I could see a German word and its meaning on the Menu Bar of my Mac? That way, I could learn new words while working without needing to set aside dedicated time. The app uses a spaced-repetition algorithm, so you'll see the same word multiple times until you've got it down. And even after…

    2024 · its alternatives →

  23. 23

    Learn 100+ languages by reading your favorite stuff

    2021 · languagecrush.com · its alternatives →

  24. 24

    Smart foreign words learning extension | learn in context

    2025 · its alternatives →

Also compare

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →