Discover the 10 Best Language Learning Apps

Best Language Learning Apps – Comparison Table

2. Memrise: Best for In-context Vocabulary Building

Memrise uses spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques to help users effectively learn and retain vocabulary through engaging and interactive lessons.

Memrise uses spaced repetition and authentic videos to teach vocabulary in 23 languages*. It’s a powerhouse for vocabulary acquisition, but falls short in offering grammar explanations or practical language usage.

With its interactive approach, Memrise provides an engaging learning experience for students who seek to learn any foreign language by expanding their vocabulary.

In addition to gamification elements and adaptive algorithms, its vibrant community amplifies the platform’s appeal. The users can collaborate with other learners at any time and share their knowledge while participating in conversations or quizzes.

Memrise became a widely used resource among language learners because it caters to different learning styles. This language application has helped millions of people worldwide learn foreign languages through its unique features.

^* There are also around 200 community courses , a vast database of user-created content that is no longer available on the app or main website, but for the moment remains available on a sub domain. Many of them have been relocated to https://deckademy.com/

Pricing:

• Free tier available
• Premium subscriptions starting at $6.00/month

3. Mondly: Best for Interactive Learning

Mondly offers interactive language learning through engaging lessons and real-life conversations using chatbot technology.

Mondly stands out with its high-tech approach, using AR, VR, and chatbots to deliver quick, engaging lessons. With courses available from 33 L1 languages, Mondly is perfect for you if you want a cutting-edge, fun learning experience. However, its level differentiation and uneven language instruction might not appeal to everyone.

This app boosts your language skills by using augmented reality and chatbots, making practice fun and entertaining. You can learn over 40 languages, use speech recognition, and get personalized feedback to improve your speaking skills.

Mondly also offers lessons in conversational language, helping you practice real-world conversations. The app adapts to your progress, ensuring you retain what you learn in the long term. The daily lessons motivate you to learn new words and sentences in context, making them stick in your memory better.

Mondly includes activities like games and quizzes that boost your comprehension skills, helping you understand conversations beyond basic communication, but without being overly ‘gamified’.

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The speech recognition technology aims to help you refine your pronunciation, so you can speak better in real-life situations, although some users have found that the app doesn’t ‘hear’ very well, even if users test it in their native language.

In the free version there are only cloze, matching and swipe activities. There is also little instruction of grammatical rules, and no exercises for specifically practising the rules.

In comparison to apps like Duolingo, the sentence complexity quickly increases in Mondly, which you might consider a positive or negative, depending on your learning style.

Pricing:

• Free tier available with limited access to only the first lesson ‘Hello’, and daily lessons
• Premium subscriptions starting at $9.99/month
• Lifetime access for a one-time fee

4. Tandem: Best for Language Exchange and Conversational Practice

Tandem connects users with native speakers for real-time language exchange and conversational practice, providing a social and interactive learning experience.

Tandem users can match with native speakers of their target language who want to learn the user’s native language.

There are options for text messaging, voice calls, and video chats to practice speaking and listening skills in real-time. Additionally, there are tools for users to correct each other’s messages and provide feedback on language use.

Algorithms match users based on language goals, interests, and learning preferences. Reporting and blocking features ensure a safe and respectful learning environment.

Built-in translation features help users understand unfamiliar words or phrases during conversations, and there is access to tips, resources, and guidelines for effective language learning and conversation topics.

The app also includes public posts and community groups where users can share experiences, ask questions, and engage with a larger community.

Users can create detailed profiles highlighting their language skills, interests, and goals. There are features to schedule conversations at convenient times for both users.

More recently, Tandem has added Clubs and Parties. Clubs are asynchronous, like a Facebook group. People can post messages, have their messages corrected, find partners, and generally just chat. Many clubs also have regular Parties.

Parties are speech conversation groups. They don’t have to be organised by clubs – anyone can start one. By giving the party a topic and a language or set of languages that are acceptable for that conversation. It may be about politics, culture, or just ‘shooting the breeze’. Some parties occur at the same time each day or week. Others are spontaneous. Anyone can join public parties, but pro users can also choose to set up private parties.

Tandem is highly rated for creating meaningful connections and develop conversational skills, but is best used alongside other learning methods.

Pricing:

• Free tier available
• Tandem Pro subscription from $2.92/month (billed annually)

5. FluentU: Best for Immersive Learning Through Native Media

FluentU teaches languages through real-world videos, such as music videos, movie trailers, and news clips, providing an immersive learning experience.

FluentU helps you learn by using authentic media clips, like movie trailers and news segments, with interactive subtitles. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, you can find courses in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and more.

You’ll learn with real-world videos from popular media, such as movies, TV shows, news broadcasts, and music videos. Each video comes with interactive subtitles, so you can click on any word or phrase to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage examples. You’re exposed to natural, conversational language used in everyday situations.

This method not only helps you understand the language better but also gives you cultural insights, making your learning experience immersive and engaging.

FluentU tailors your learning experience to match your skill level and interests by tracking your progress and adjusting the content accordingly. The app gives you detailed progress reports so you can see how you’re doing, spot areas where you need to improve, and set personal goals. Plus, with fun elements like points, badges, and leaderboards, learning becomes more engaging and motivating.

You’ll use multimedia flashcards that combine audio, visual, and contextual information to help you remember new words better. You’re always challenged to just the right level to learn relevant vocabulary and grammar.

Pricing:

• Free trial available
• Monthly subscription at $29.99/month
• Annual subscription at $239.99/year

6. Pimsleur: Best for Audio-Based Learning and Pronunciation

Pimsleur focuses on audio-based language learning, helping users improve their speaking and listening skills through structured and progressive audio lessons.

The Pimsleur language learning method, a popular app-based program, is designed to teach conversational skills in various languages. It uniquely focuses on developing conversational fluency from the very first lesson, teaching practical vocabulary and phrases used in real-life situations like ordering food and asking for directions. The goal is to enable you to hold basic conversations quickly.

At the core of Pimsleur are the 30-minute audio lessons that you can listen to anywhere, even offline. Each lesson presents a conversational dialogue which is broken down and practiced systematically.

The method uses “Anticipatory Learning,” prompting you to recall and speak out the correct phrases before hearing them, facilitating active recall. New words and phrases are reinforced at gradually increasing intervals through spaced repetition, aiding long-term retention.

One of the most effective techniques, Pimsleur trains proper pronunciation by breaking down word pronunciation backwards from the last syllable.

In addition to audio lessons, Pimsleur offers reading lessons to help you grasp the written form of the language.

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The app also includes interactive features like digital flashcards, speaking practice with voice recognition feedback, role-playing conversations, and skill-building games.

By focusing on conversational patterns through audio lessons and interactive exercises, the Pimsleur method helps you start speaking a new language quickly and build confidence in your conversational abilities.

Covering over 50 languages, it’s effective for auditory learners but may not suit those looking for reading and writing skills.

Pricing:

• Free 7 day trial available
• Subscription for Audio only available from $14.95/month per language
• Premium subscriptions (more app functionality) and All-Access (all languages at premium level) available, region dependent
• Course purchase available at $150 per course (multiple course levels charged separately)

7. UTalk: Best for Learning Less Studied Languages

UTalk emphasizes practical, everyday phrases and situational language skills for travel and daily interactions in over 150 languages, making it a highly practical vocabulary learning app for travellers.

The uTalk app offers a variety of features designed to enhance your language learning. With over 150 languages available for both L1 and L2, giving 20,000 language learning combinations, it offers unparalleled flexibility for language learners from lesser-spoken language groups.

The app focuses on basic, practical vocabulary and phrases for everyday use. You can listen to audio provided by native speakers to practice pronunciation and listening skills and use tools to improve your pronunciation by comparing your speech to native speakers.

The free version of the app gives you 26 free words and phrases – called Free Starter Words – in all 150+ languages. Then, by playing the games, you can earn in-app coins to unlock more free content. However, to open all the content, you will need to buy a subscription.

You can also find information and tips about the culture and customs associated with the language you are learning.

The lessons include games and quizzes to reinforce your learning. You can download lessons and practice without an internet connection, and the app tracks your learning progress and achievements. You can even customize your learning paths based on your goals and preferences.

You have the option to create multiple user profiles on one account, suitable for families or shared devices.

The platform employs interactive practice, games, and real-world vocabulary, supported by expert linguists. Frequent updates with new content and features keep your learning experience fresh and current. Additionally, it collaborates with organizations to preserve cultural heritage and endangered languages.

Pricing:

• Free 26 word introduction in each language
• Subscription from $6.99/month (12 month subscription) for all content in every language

8. LingQ: Best for Vocabulary Building through Immersive Reading

Lingq is a language learning app designed to help users acquire new languages through the use of immersive, real-world content. The app focuses on extensive reading and listening to develop language skills, offering a library of content including articles, podcasts, and books in various languages.

LingQ is fantastic for immersive learning due to its extensive library of real-world content and focus on reading and listening comprehension.

Users can immerse themselves in the language through authentic materials that are both engaging and educational.

The app’s unique system of vocabulary tracking and spaced repetition ensures efficient learning and retention of new words and phrases.

With Lingq, you can highlight and track new words and phrases, making it easy to learn and remember vocabulary in a personalized way. You can also listen to native speakers while reading along, which helps improve your listening and reading skills.

The app provides interactive lessons tailored to your progress and interests, ensuring a personalized learning experience.

Lingq uses a Spaced Repetition System (SRS) to help you efficiently memorize and recall new words. Plus, the offline mode lets you download content and continue learning without needing an internet connection, making it easy for you to learn anytime, anywhere.

For learners who prefer to acquire a language in a natural context rather than through structured lessons, Lingq offers a highly effective and enjoyable learning experience.

Pricing:

• Free Tier – access to content, limit on features
• Premium Plan: $12.99 per month or $119.99 per year, includes unlimited LingQs, full access to all content, offline mode, and additional learning tools.
• Premium Plus: $35.99 per month, includes live tutoring, writing correction, and premium lessons.

9. Drops: Best for Visual Flashcards and Quick Sessions

Drops language learning app focuses on visual learning and quick, 5-minute sessions for rapid vocabulary acquisition, using illustrations and word associations.

Drops language app offers a range of features designed to make your language learning fun and effective, using illustrations and visual cues to help you remember words and phrases.

Drops is essentially a visual flashcard app, focussing on vocabulary building with thousands of words and phrases, and uses audio from native speakers for correct pronunciation.

It incorporates game-like elements to make learning engaging and enjoyable. The app utilizes spaced repetition techniques to reinforce memory and retention of vocabulary.

Vocabulary is organised into thematic categories for easier learning and contextual understanding, although recently it has been updated to include a learning path, that is personalised for you from themes you choose.

You can choose from 50 languages, including widely spoken and less common languages.

The app provides 5-minute learning sessions to promote consistent daily practice. After completing a session, the free version limits you, forcing a 10 hour wait before the next 5 minute session becomes available. You can also download content and learn without an internet connection.

Drops features a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. The app tracks your learning progress and provides insights into your achievements and areas for improvement. It adapts to your learning pace and preferences to provide a customized experience.

Additionally, it offers streaks, milestones, and rewards to keep you motivated and engaged. While its emphasis on brevity is unique, the time-limits may not suit all learning styles.

Pricing:

• Free tier available
• Premium subscriptions starting at $9.99/month

10. Duolingo: Best for Gamified Lessons

Duolingo offers a gamified learning experience with bite-sized lessons and a variety of practice exercises, making language learning fun and engaging.

Duolingo is probably most famous as free language learning app. It is renowned for its short, interactive lessons that turn learning into a game. It encourages building a daily streak, making it a fun and accessible option for learners of all ages.

Duolingo has a comprehensive range of 100+ courses across 41 different languages.

Each lesson includes various components like matching pictures with words, completing word puzzles, repeating phrases, translating words or sentences from English to your target language and vice versa.

They also provide extensive training exercises on reading comprehension, listening skills and basic grammar rules.

Very effective marketing, and the strategic targeting of schools has resulted in an app used by 500 million users. The little green owl successfully turned language learning into a game, and revolutionized the way we learn languages today.

However, not all languages available on the app are created equal. The English courses, French, Spanish and German have all been aligned with CEFR levels, but the remainder of the Duolingo language courses have yet to be aligned, and the quality varies greatly.

In addition, while the game is fun to play, and quite addictive, it is difficult to track your real progress, and it is easy to settle for just a 5 minute game per day – at which rate, you can expect it to take about 17 years to finish the course! Use it for review, and use it more than five minutes a day, as a supplement to your other language learning activities.

Pricing:

• Free with ads
• Super Duolingo (formerly Duolingo Plus) subscription from $6.99/month