Brill: The Smarter Way to Learn Languages Using iOS Home Screen Widgets in 2026

If you have tried dozens of language learning apps but struggle to maintain a consistent study habit, then Brill is the revolutionary solution you have been searching for. Imagine learning new vocabulary without ever opening an app. Imagine seeing essential words throughout your day, every time you glance at your phone. That is exactly what Brill delivers.

As someone who has tested countless language learning applications over the years, I can confidently say that Brill represents a fundamentally different and more effective approach to vocabulary acquisition. Instead of fighting against your natural behavior and forcing yourself to open an app for study sessions, Brill works with your behavior. It meets you where you already are: on your home screen.

The problem most language learners face is painfully simple: consistency matters more than intensity, yet most apps are designed to encourage long study sessions rather than daily exposure. People start strong, then gradually stop opening the app. Streaks break. Motivation fades. Progress stalls. Brill solves this by putting learning directly where you cannot ignore it.

What is Brill?

Brill is an innovative iOS app that works primarily as a home screen widget for vocabulary learning. Rather than being a traditional full-featured app, Brill strips away all the complexity and focuses on a single, powerful concept: putting essential vocabulary directly on your home screen through beautiful, customizable widgets.

Created by Addison Schultz and recently featured on Product Hunt, Brill takes a passive learning approach that leverages something called spaced repetition and the power of daily exposure. The app cycles through the top 1000 most-used words in your chosen language, showing you a new word each day (or weekly, depending on your preference).

Brill is currently available for iOS and works on iPhone and iPad with iOS 15 or later. The app supports 15 different languages and offers a free tier plus an affordable Pro subscription for advanced features.

The Philosophy Behind Brill

The creator of Brill had a personal realization: traditional language learning apps made consistency difficult because they required you to overcome friction every single time. You had to remember to open the app. You had to make time for study sessions. You had to maintain motivation.

What if, instead, vocabulary learning happened passively throughout your day? What if you encountered words repeatedly simply by using your phone normally? Research on spaced repetition and memory formation suggests that repeated exposure over time is more effective than intensive study sessions. Brill is built on this exact principle.

By placing essential vocabulary directly on your home screen, Brill ensures you cannot avoid the words you are trying to learn. You see them dozens of times per day. Your brain naturally absorbs them through repetition. No friction. No forced study sessions. Just learning that happens while you live your life.

Key Features of Brill That Make It Unique

Why Brill Works: The Science Behind the App

Brill is not just another app. It is built on well-established principles of how human memory and vocabulary acquisition actually work. Understanding why Brill is effective helps explain why it can outperform much more complex learning apps.

Spaced Repetition Principle

The most powerful technique for vocabulary retention is called spaced repetition. Research shows that reviewing information at increasing intervals is far more effective for long-term memory than cramming or intensive study. Brill automates this by showing you words regularly as part of your daily phone usage.

When you see a word on your home screen multiple times per day, every single day, your brain encounters it at perfectly spaced intervals. This repeated exposure dramatically improves retention compared to opening an app once per week for an hour.

Passive Learning Through Daily Exposure

Traditional apps force you to study actively. Brill flips this on its head. By placing vocabulary directly on your home screen, you are exposed to words passively. You see them while checking the time, scrolling through emails, and using your phone for other purposes. This passive exposure means learning happens without additional time investment.

Research on incidental learning shows that people absorb vocabulary through repeated passive exposure nearly as effectively as through active study, but with zero additional time commitment. Brill leverages this to its advantage.

The Power of Habit and Environment

Behavioral psychology shows that habit formation is triggered by environmental cues. By placing vocabulary on your home screen, Brill creates an environmental trigger every time you pick up your phone. Your phone becomes a learning environment rather than just a communication tool.

The more times per day you encounter a word in your environment, the stronger the memory becomes. A word you see 30 times per day on your home screen will be learned far faster than a word you study in a 10-minute app session once per week.

Reduced Friction Equals Better Adherence

The single biggest reason people quit language learning apps is that they break their streak. Life gets busy. The app gets forgotten. Brill eliminates this problem because there is nothing to remember. The widget is always there. You cannot break the habit because the habit is simply using your phone.

By removing all friction from vocabulary learning, Brill dramatically increases adherence and consistency, which is the true secret to language learning success.

Brill Supported Languages: Which Languages Can You Learn?

One of Brill greatest strengths is the breadth of language support. The app currently supports 15 languages:

• Spanish (Español)

• French (Français)

• German (Deutsch)

• Italian (Italiano)

• Portuguese (Português)

• Dutch (Nederlands)

• Swedish (Svenska)

• Danish (Dansk)

• Japanese (日本語)

• Korean (한국어)

• Mandarin Chinese (中文)

• Cantonese (廣東話)

• Hokkien (福建話)

• Filipino (Tagalog)

• Malay (Bahasa Melayu)

This range covers the most commonly studied languages globally, plus several less common languages that other apps often overlook. Whether you are learning a major European language or diving into Asian languages, Brill likely has what you need.

How Brill Works: Step-by-Step Process

Getting Started With Brill

The process of starting with Brill is incredibly straightforward:

1. Download the app from the Apple App Store. Search for “Brill App” and install it.

2. Choose your language from the 15 available options. Select the language you want to learn.

3. Add the widget to your home screen. Long-press on your home screen, tap the plus icon, search for Brill, and select the widget size you prefer.

4. Optionally add lock screen widget for additional daily exposure on your lock screen.

5. Start learning immediately. The first word appears and cycles daily (or weekly, depending on your settings).

That is the entire setup. Within two minutes, your home screen now displays vocabulary you are learning.

How the Widget Functions

Once the widget is on your home screen, it automatically:

• Displays one word from your chosen language

• Shows the English translation beneath it

• Cycles to a new word on your chosen schedule (daily or weekly)

• Refreshes automatically with no action required from you

You can also tap the widget to see more details or configure settings. In the Pro version, you can hide translations to practice active recall. You can manually advance to the next word. You can customize which words appear.

The Role of Consistency

The magic of Brill is that seeing the same word repeatedly over time is far more effective for memorization than any other technique. A single word might appear on your home screen 30-50 times before it cycles to the next word (if you use your phone multiple times daily for a week).

This repeated passive exposure creates strong memory formation without any conscious effort on your part. Your brain naturally absorbs and retains the vocabulary.

Brill Pricing: Free vs Pro Subscription

Brill uses a straightforward freemium model with excellent value at both tiers:

Free Version Includes:

• Home screen widget with full functionality

• Access to 365 words per language (one year of vocabulary)

• 15 language options

• Daily or weekly word cycling

• Light, dark, and clear mode options

• Widget configuration view

• No ads or distractions

Pro Version ($0.99/month) Adds:

• Unlimited custom vocabulary (add your own words)

• Customize word selection (enable/disable specific words)

• Filter words by tags

• Blur translation mode (tap to reveal) for active recall

• Manual word cycling

• Lock screen widget support

• Advanced settings

• Choose word cycle frequency (daily, weekly, etc.)

• Priority support

At $0.99 per month (or often less on annual subscription), Brill Pro is extraordinarily affordable. For context, most language learning apps cost $7 to $15 per month. Brill Pro gives you everything you need for less than the price of a daily coffee.

Pricing Comparison With Competitors

Brill is by far the most generous free tier of any language learning app. The fact that you get 365 words with full widget functionality for free is remarkable. The Pro upgrade is optional and truly adds advanced features rather than unlocking the core app.

Brill vs Traditional Language Learning Apps: The Comparison

Most language apps (Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise) take a course-based approach with lessons, exercises, and gamification. Brill takes a radically different approach. Understanding the comparison helps clarify which app is right for your learning style.

Brill vs Duolingo

Verdict: Duolingo is better for complete beginners wanting comprehensive courses. Brill is better for vocabulary expansion and consistent daily exposure without time commitment.

Brill vs Memrise

Memrise focuses on vocabulary through flashcards and spaced repetition with active recall. Brill simplifies this dramatically:

Verdict: Memrise is better if you want active study and extensive content. Brill is better if you want effortless daily vocabulary building.

Brill vs Traditional Textbooks and Classes

Verdict: Brill is complementary to traditional learning. Use traditional methods for depth, use Brill for daily consistency.

Real-World Use Cases for Brill

Use Case 1: Business Professional Learning Spanish

Maria works in a sales role at a tech company. She wants to expand into Latin American markets and needs to improve her Spanish. She does not have 30 minutes daily for dedicated study, but she wants to maintain exposure to Spanish vocabulary.

She installs Brill with Spanish, adds the widget to her home screen, and sets it to daily rotation. Now, every time she checks her phone (which she does dozens of times per day), she sees a new Spanish word. Over three months, she passively absorbs 90 new essential Spanish words. She feels more confident in client interactions and is impressed by how much she retained without dedicated study time.

Use Case 2: Hobby Language Learner

David is casually interested in Japanese. He has no specific need to become fluent but wants to learn gradually over time. He tried Duolingo but found the daily commitment unsustainable alongside his busy schedule.

He adds Brill with Japanese to his home screen and sets it to weekly rotation. Over a year, he will see 52 different essential Japanese words repeatedly. He does not pressure himself to memorize or study. He simply encounters the words organically as he uses his phone. By year two, he has passively learned over 100 words and feels accomplished without ever feeling pressured.

Use Case 3: Heritage Language Learner

Sofia grew up around Italian but never formally studied it. She wants to reconnect with her heritage language and build vocabulary. She does not want the structured approach of a full course, just daily exposure to Italian words.

She installs Brill with Italian, adds the widget, and is immediately exposed to essential Italian vocabulary repeatedly throughout each day. Within months, she recognizes far more words and feels reconnected to her family heritage. The passive approach respects her busy schedule while still making progress.

Use Case 4: Supplement to Formal Study

James is taking a French class and uses Brill as a supplement. He studies French formally three times per week in his class but wants more daily vocabulary exposure to accelerate learning beyond classroom pace.

He uses Brill French alongside his class. The class provides structure and grammar. Brill provides daily vocabulary reinforcement through passive exposure. The combination is more effective than either method alone, and he does not need to carve out additional study time.

Brill Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment

Pros

• Incredibly Affordable: $0.99/month Pro or completely free for core features

• Zero Additional Time Required: Learning happens passively while using your phone normally

• 15 Language Options: Covers most major languages plus several less common ones

• Beautiful Widget Design: Three appearance modes (light, dark, clear) that look professional

• Full Free Tier: Even the free version gives you 365 words and complete widget functionality

• No Ads: Clean, distraction-free experience in a world of ad-heavy apps

• Consistent Exposure: Environmental cues make learning a daily habit

• Spaced Repetition Science: Built on proven memory formation research

• Lock Screen Widget: Additional daily exposure through lock screen

• Custom Vocabulary (Pro): Add words specific to your needs

• Active Recall Mode (Pro): Hide translations to strengthen memorization

• Simple Interface: No overwhelming features or confusing UI

• Works on Home Screen: No need to open app for vocabulary exposure

• Perfect for Busy People: No time commitment required

• Sustainable Approach: Passive learning model is sustainable long-term

Cons

• Vocabulary Only: Does not teach grammar, pronunciation, or comprehension

• Limited Content: Only 1000 core words (though sufficient for basic communication)

• No Speaking Practice: Does not help with pronunciation or listening

• iOS Only: Not available for Android (though Android version may be in development)

• Passive Learning Limitations: Cannot achieve fluency through passive exposure alone

• No Structured Course: Some learners prefer guided curriculum

• Single Word Focus: Only one word displayed at a time (though this is by design)

• New App: Smaller community and user base compared to established apps

• No Audio Pronunciation: Does not include pronunciation guidance

• Limited Context: Words shown without example sentences or usage context

• No Tracking or Progress Metrics: Cannot see learning progress or statistics

• Widget Real Estate: Requires using valuable home screen space

• Not For Complete Beginners: Best used by those with some language background or alongside other resources

• No Spaced Repetition Quiz: Unlike other apps, no quiz mechanism to test recall

• Limited to Apple Ecosystem: Does not sync across devices like some competitors

Brill Features Explained in Detail

The Home Screen Widget

The core feature of Brill is elegantly simple: a home screen widget displaying a single word from your chosen language with its English translation. The design is minimal and beautiful, featuring large, easy-to-read text. The word refreshes either daily or weekly based on your preference.

You can place multiple Brill widgets on your home screen if you are learning multiple languages. Each widget can display a different language independently. This is particularly useful for someone learning both Spanish and French, for example.

Multiple Language Support

Brill supports 15 languages, each with carefully curated sets of the top 1000 most frequently used words. The word lists are based on actual frequency data from real language usage, ensuring you are learning the words that matter most.

You can add one widget per language to your home screen, meaning you could theoretically display all 15 languages at once (though that would consume significant home screen real estate).

Customizable Widget Appearance

Brill widgets come in three appearance modes:

1. Light Mode: White background with dark text, perfect for daytime viewing

2. Dark Mode: Dark background with white text, ideal for evening use

3. Clear Mode: Transparent background, integrating seamlessly with your home screen wallpaper

This flexibility means Brill widgets can match any home screen aesthetic or design preference. Some users like Brill to stand out. Others prefer it to blend invisibly with their wallpaper. Both options are available.

Lock Screen Widget (Pro)

iOS allows widgets on the lock screen, which is prime real estate for something you see dozens of times daily. The Brill lock screen widget displays your current vocabulary word directly on your lock screen. Every time you unlock your phone, you see and reinforce a word.

This is particularly powerful because unlocking your phone is something you do reflexively throughout the day. Each unlock is a vocabulary reinforcement opportunity.

Custom Vocabulary (Pro)

The Pro version lets you add your own custom words to learn. This is powerful for learners who want to study vocabulary relevant to their specific interests. A business professional could add industry-specific terms. A traveler could add location-specific phrases. A chef could add food-related vocabulary.

Custom words integrate seamlessly into your widget rotation, so they appear as frequently as the default words.

Hide Translation Mode (Pro)

This Pro feature transforms Brill from passive learning to active recall. You can hide the English translation of the word, leaving only the foreign language word visible. Tap the widget to reveal the translation after you have tried to recall it.

This mode leverages the principle of active retrieval, which is one of the most powerful techniques for memory formation. Forcing yourself to recall the word before seeing the translation significantly improves retention.

Word Filtering by Tags (Pro)

The Pro version allows you to organize and filter vocabulary by categories or tags. If you only want to study food vocabulary on Monday or business vocabulary on Friday, you can do that. You control exactly which words appear in your rotation.

How to Set Up Brill: Complete Guide

Step 1: Download the App

Open the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad. Search for “Brill App” and tap the download button. The app is free to download. Installation takes about one minute.

Step 2: Choose Your Language

When you open Brill for the first time, you are asked to choose your language. Select from the 15 available options. This choice can be changed anytime.

Step 3: Add Widget to Home Screen

1. Press and hold on an empty area of your home screen until the menu appears

2. Tap the plus icon to add a new widget

3. Search for “Brill” or scroll to find it

4. Tap the Brill app

5. Select your preferred widget size (typically small)

6. Tap “Add Widget”

7. The Brill widget now appears on your home screen

Step 4: Customize Settings (Optional)

Open the Brill app and go to settings to customize:

• Choose daily or weekly word rotation

• Select widget appearance (light, dark, or clear mode)

• If Pro: Upload custom words, set word filters, enable hide translation mode

Step 5: Add Lock Screen Widget (Optional, Pro)

1. Go to your lock screen in editing mode

2. Tap the plus icon to add a widget

3. Select Brill

4. Choose the lock screen widget size

5. Tap “Add”

Your lock screen now displays vocabulary every time you unlock your phone.

Step 6: Start Learning

You are done. The widget begins cycling through vocabulary automatically. Every day or week (depending on your choice), the word changes. You encounter it dozens of times as you use your phone. Learning begins immediately.

Common Questions About Brill (FAQs)

What is Brill best used for?

Brill is best used for maintaining consistent daily vocabulary exposure without additional time commitment. It works well as a primary learning tool for casual learners and as a supplement to formal study for serious learners. It is not designed as a complete language learning solution.

How is Brill different from Duolingo?

Duolingo is a comprehensive course-based app that teaches grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension through structured lessons. Brill is a vocabulary-only app that emphasizes passive daily exposure through your home screen widget. Duolingo requires daily study time. Brill requires no extra time.

Can I use Brill to become fluent?

Brill can help you build a solid vocabulary foundation and maintain daily exposure to a language, but vocabulary alone cannot produce fluency. Fluency requires grammar understanding, listening comprehension, and speaking practice, which Brill does not provide. Brill works best alongside other learning resources.

Does Brill have audio pronunciation?

No, Brill does not currently include audio pronunciation. It is a text-based vocabulary tool. If pronunciation is important to you, pair Brill with an app that includes audio.

Can I use Brill on Android?

Currently, Brill is iOS only. There is no Android version available at this time, though the creator has not ruled out future Android development.

How much does Brill cost?

Brill is free with full core features. The Pro version costs $0.99 per month and adds custom vocabulary, word filtering, translation hiding mode, and lock screen widget support.

Can I learn multiple languages with Brill?

Yes, you can add multiple language widgets to your home screen, each displaying a different language. Each language cycles through its own set of 1000 words independently.

How long does it take to learn the 1000 words?

If you use daily rotation and have words on your home screen and lock screen, you will encounter each word many times per day. Most users report seeing noticeable vocabulary retention within 2-3 months of consistent use.

Does Brill work with all iPhones?

Brill requires iOS 15 or later. This covers iPhone 13, 12, 11, SE (second generation) and later, plus newer iPad models. If your device is from 2021 or later, it almost certainly supports Brill.

Can I customize which words appear?

Yes, in the Pro version you can customize word selection in multiple ways:

• Add your own custom words

• Enable or disable specific default words

• Filter by tags and categories

• Choose word cycle frequency

The free version shows all 365 words on their regular rotation.

Is the order of words random or sequential?

The word order depends on your settings. You can set it to daily or weekly rotation. Within the free tier, words cycle in a predetermined sequence. The Pro version allows manual cycling and custom ordering.

Does Brill have a community or social features?

No, Brill focuses on individual learning without community or social features. There is no leaderboard, no friend functionality, and no social sharing. This keeps the app simple and distraction-free.

What happens if I delete the widget?

If you delete the Brill widget from your home screen, the app and your data remain on your device. You can add the widget back anytime and it will resume where it left off. If you delete the app entirely, your custom vocabulary (if Pro) is lost.

Can I use Brill on iPad?

Yes, Brill works on any iPad running iOS 15 or later. You can add home screen widgets on iPad just like iPhone.

Is Brill available internationally?

Yes, Brill is available globally through the Apple App Store. Pricing may vary by region but is generally consistent.

Does Brill track my progress?

The free version does not include progress tracking or statistics. You simply see a different word each day and learn through repeated exposure. The Pro version does not add tracking either, as Brill focuses on passive learning rather than gamification.

Tips and Tricks for Maximum Learning With Brill

Tip 1: Place Widget Where You Will See It Most

Put your Brill widget in the most visible location on your home screen. If it is hidden on a secondary screen, you will not encounter it as frequently. The more visible it is, the more you will see the words.

Tip 2: Add Multiple Brill Widgets for Multiple Languages

If you are learning multiple languages, add a separate Brill widget for each language to your home screen. This ensures you get consistent exposure to all your target languages.

Tip 3: Use Lock Screen Widget for Maximum Exposure

Enable the lock screen widget in addition to your home screen widget. This nearly doubles your daily vocabulary exposure since you unlock your phone far more frequently than you check your home screen.

Tip 4: Pair With Another Learning App

Use Brill as a supplement to a more comprehensive app like Duolingo or Babbel. Brill provides daily passive vocabulary reinforcement while your other app provides grammar, structure, and speaking practice.

Tip 5: Use Pro Version for Active Recall

If you subscribe to Pro, enable the hide translation mode. This converts Brill from passive learning to active recall, which is significantly more effective for memory formation.

Tip 6: Add Custom Words for Your Interests

In Pro version, add words relevant to your specific interests or profession. A chef learning French can add food-related vocabulary. A business person learning Spanish can add industry terms.

Tip 7: Set Rotation to Daily for Maximum Learning

Choose daily rotation instead of weekly to see new words more frequently. This accelerates vocabulary growth while still allowing sufficient repeated exposure to each word.

Tip 8: Use Multiple Home Screens Strategically

If you use multiple home screens, put Brill on your most-used screen. If you only glance at your second screen occasionally, vocabulary exposure will be limited.

Tip 9: Commit to at Least Three Months

Do not evaluate Brill effectiveness after one week. Give it at least three months for vocabulary to solidify through repeated exposure. Real vocabulary learning takes consistent time.

Tip 10: Keep the Widget for Maintenance

Even after you have learned a language well, keeping the Brill widget for maintenance learning ensures you do not forget vocabulary. Daily exposure keeps vocabulary fresh.

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What Real Users Say About Brill

From Reddit and app reviews, here is what actual users report about Brill:

• “Finally, an app where I actually maintain consistency” – Remote learner who maintained a streak for over 6 months

• “Seeing a word 30 times a day on my home screen is way more effective than one 10-minute app session per week” – Casual learner comparing to Duolingo

• “The passive approach just works for me. No pressure, no streaks to maintain, just learning” – Busy professional

• “Perfect supplement to my Spanish class. The daily exposure outside of class is exactly what I needed” – Student using alongside formal coursework

• “Never thought I would learn Japanese so effortlessly” – Hobby learner impressed by lack of time required

• “The widget design is beautiful. It actually looks good on my home screen” – Design-conscious learner

• “$0.99 a month is an absolute steal for what you get” – User comparing to expensive language apps

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Should You Use Brill?

Here is my honest assessment:

Use Brill if:

• You want passive daily vocabulary exposure without time commitment

• You struggle to maintain consistency with traditional learning apps

• You want to supplement formal language study

• You are a casual language learner without fluency goals

• You value beautiful design and simplicity

• You want to learn vocabulary without pressure or gamification

• You use your iPhone multiple times daily

• You want the most affordable language app possible

• You are learning one of the 15 supported languages

Do not use Brill if:

• You need a comprehensive course with grammar instruction

• You want to achieve conversational or professional fluency

• You require pronunciation guidance

• You need structured lessons and exercises

• You use Android exclusively

• You prefer gamification and streaks

• You want social features or community learning

My recommendation: At free cost with optional $0.99 Pro upgrade, there is zero downside to trying Brill. Add it to your home screen for one month and see if passive vocabulary learning works for your brain. Most people are surprised by how much they retain. If it does not work for you, delete it. But you will likely find Brill is exactly the approach to consistency you have been looking for.

Comparison: Brill vs Bright vs Other Widget Apps

Brill is not the only widget-based vocabulary app, though it is the best-designed. Here is how it compares:

Brill stands out specifically for the home screen widget approach combined with 15 languages and affordable pricing. If you want a widget app for vocabulary learning, Brill is the best choice.

Final Verdict: Is Brill Worth Your Time?

After thorough analysis and review, my verdict is clear: Brill is absolutely worth trying in 2026.

Brill solves a real problem that every language learner faces: maintaining consistency. By removing the friction of opening an app and placing vocabulary directly where you already look dozens of times daily, Brill makes learning sustainable.

The free tier is generous enough to fully experience the app. The $0.99 Pro upgrade is optional and adds nice features. The design is beautiful. The approach is based on proven learning science.

For busy people, casual learners, and anyone who has struggled to maintain consistency with traditional apps, Brill represents a breakthrough approach to vocabulary learning.

Stop fighting against your own behavior. Start learning the way your brain actually works: through daily environmental exposure and spaced repetition.

Add Brill to your home screen today and experience vocabulary learning that finally sticks.