Vocabulary Learning in Digital Learning Apps : A Study of Anki, Blooket, and Quizlet Using Research-Based Learning Principles

Digital learning tools are increasingly used for foreign language vocabulary learning in formal and informal educational contexts. However, research examining how such applications function, how they differ, and whether they are grounded in research-based principles of vocabulary learning remains limited. This study addresses this research gap by examining and comparing the applications Anki, Blooket, and Quizlet in relation to established principles of vocabulary acquisition. The study is guided by research questions focusing on how the three applications align with Paul Nation’s (2024) principles of vocabulary learning (Motivation, Focus, Quantity, Quality) and their associated criteria. A qualitative content analysis was conducted in which these principles were operationalised into analytical criteria and applied to each application. The results indicate that Anki and Quizlet show a high degree of alignment with the principles of Motivation, Focus, and Quantity, while alignment with the principle of Quality is noticeably lower. Blooket demonstrates low alignment with all principles, meeting only three out of sixteen criteria, compared to thirteen out of sixteen for both Anki and Quizlet. Differences between Anki and Quizlet were minor, with the most notable distinction being Anki’s more extensive use of spaced retrieval. The study concludes that Anki and Quizlet employ more research-based approaches to vocabulary learning than Blooket and therefore offer greater pedagogical potential. However, Blooket’s gamified design may still offer motivational benefits for learners with low initial motivation.