The finest language learning applications cater to your learning style; some individuals like reading while some prefer listening. Some people like exercises and quizzes. Speaking a language is also more essential to certain individuals than reading it. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s an app for it. Most of these language apps are subscription-based, so you only pay for as long as you want to learn—or you may reactivate your membership if you need to brush up on your skills before a trip overseas. ( Also, you don’t have to pay full price for any of these programs. Language learning apps provide discounts regularly, so look for one or wait for one to appear.
The following are the 10 best applications that can be used to learn. Here they are categorized by their functionality.
- Best language learning app overall
Babbel
With so many online courses and smartphone applications to pick from, we’re living in a golden period for language learning, but Babbel is the greatest option for many individuals. It divides courses into small, readily consumable portions and includes interactive, quiz-like components to keep you engaged. There are 13 languages to pick from, and if you don’t want to pay for a subscription (which ranges from $8 to $3 per month), you can get started for free.
Babbel tailors each set of lessons to the language, country, and culture of the student. Standard courses are available in a browser or through a mobile app; however, a premium membership grants you access to live sessions conducted by actual educators.
- Best language app for learning from real native speakers.
Memrise
Memrise goes beyond flashcards, “click to hear” words, and quizzes to help you master real-world circumstances. Instead, Memrise’s “Learn with Locals” function immerses you in films that include real-world scenarios with local speakers. This helps clarify words, phrases, and sentences uttered by persons who have true accents rather than flat or generic accents. In addition, the Pronunciation Mode evaluates your speaking abilities.
23 languages are available, with a free tier and a premium subscription plan that costs $9 per month (or $7.50 per month for an annual plan). Memrise is available both online and as a mobile app for your phone.
- Best free language learning app
DuoLingo is a completely free service.
Duolingo is a good option if your language requirements are more extensive than those supplied by most language apps. The app contains some very unique possibilities among its 37 selections. Try your hand at Navajo, Esperanto, or even Klingon (HIja’, teH.) if Polish isn’t thrilling enough. You may enroll in as many languages as you like. There are lessons (which you can skip if you already know the material) and a built-in game mechanic that encourages you to go back to older content for practice and reinforcement within each language.
- Best language app for learning pronunciation
Mondly
Mondly uniquely approaches language learning. The app’s lessons focus on phrases rather than individual words from the start, giving you practical skills for establishing rapid discussions. If you value precise pronunciation, you’ll like two features of the app: You get to hear native speakers and practice having genuine conversations with AI chatbots that analyze and guide your speaking using voice recognition.
- Best app for mastering conversational language skills
This program focuses on teaching you the 4,000 most statistically significant terms for regular discussions in your goal language—the words will vary depending on whether you pick French or German as your target language. Speaking pushes you to communicate with a pre-recorded native speaker and tutors you on your performance when you’ve practiced enough words.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many languages to pick from; English users may only choose from eight, and because Speakly is a European company, paying is done in Euros rather than dollars (though plans start at around $13 per month). If you’re looking for a great offer on the whole language suite, check out StackSocial’s lifetime access deal for $70 (which was $399).
- Best app for learning a language through music
Lirica drills you with activities based on prominent artists’ hit songs, assisting you in mastering not just vocabulary and grammar, but also learning culture. Lirica now offers content by Shakira and Enrique Iglesias, and you may subscribe in Spanish or German (with more languages coming). You may sample it for $8 per month or save money by purchasing a lengthier membership through StackSocial: $19.99 for one year (was $29), $34.99 for three years (was $89), or $49.99 for a lifetime subscription (was $149).
- Best app for learning on the go
Pimsleur is among the earliest language teaching companies, with courses dating back to the cassette tape and CD era. Pimsleur is, after all, mostly an audio experience; think of it as learning a language while listening to a podcast. The encounter has indeed been improved, and Pimsleur lessons are now accessible via smartphone platforms, but believe it or not, the audio CD version of the course is still available if you want it.
- Best app for learning language by sound
Rosetta Stone is one of the oldest and most well-known language learning systems currently in use, however, it is not as ancient as Pimsleur. And the fact that it has lasted so long is a testament to how effectively it functions. Rosetta Stone has been updated into a mobile app experience, with a lesson format that replicates how you’d learn in a foreign country without access to English, such as through linking spoken words with visuals on-screen, without any direct “this is that” connective thread. You may also join up for live streaming lessons with a tutor after you reach a specific level. The software also has an augmented reality mode that displays the word for things detected by the camera.