Best Language Learning Apps 2024
What are the best language learning apps for web, iOS, Android?
Learning a new language holds many benefits – it gains you respect, improves your self-confidence, and opens up new opportunities to make new friends from different cultures. Thankfully, there are many language learning apps available that will teach you the language(s) of your choice. They differ in their approach, their content and their goals.
Below, we discuss 14 of the best language learning apps, their features, benefits and also their downsides to help you choose the best apps to learn the language of your choice.
Best Language Learning Apps 2024 – Top Picks
Promova | Memrise | Learn Laugh Speak | Busuu |
---|---|---|---|
iOS / Android | iOS / Android | iOS / Android | iOS / Android |
★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
View Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website |
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure at the end of this post.
There are many best language learning apps available. This list only provides a sample. If you are looking for an online class, browse this list of the best language online courses.
1. Promova
Promova (visit website) is a comprehensive language learning app designed to cater to various learning needs through personalized study plans in over 10 languages. Core features include bite-sized lessons covering real-life vocabulary, cultural insights, and special courses for business and travel.
The app offers a seamless experience across both mobile and web platforms, enabling flexible learning for all levels (A0 Beginner to C2 Advanced). As a student, you can engage in 1×1 tutoring with certified tutors, participate in group lessons, and join free conversation clubs for practice. Progress tracking is facilitated through tailored learning plans, regular feedback, and community support.
Promova’s group lessons provide a collaborative and interactive environment. If that’s your style, you can engage in real-time conversations and activities with peers at similar proficiency levels. These sessions are guided by expert tutors who create dynamic and immersive experiences. Group lessons focus on various topics, enhancing speaking, listening, and comprehension skills through engaging discussions and practical exercises.
If you rather seek or need personalized instruction, Promova offers access to a diverse range of certified online English tutors. These tutors provide customized lesson plans tailored to individual learning goals, whether for exam preparation, career advancement, or fluency improvement. Lessons are flexible, with options for 25, 50, or 90-minute sessions, ensuring that you can progress at your own pace and convenience.
Promova offers a growing list of languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Arabic. It provides essential language learning tools such as interactive exercises and quizzes, real-life dialogue simulations, and grammar lessons designed to enhance vocabulary builders, speaking and pronunciation guides, and writing skills.
Info: View website. General + Business English, Learn 10 other languages.
Deal: $34.99 for 3 months. $19.99 for 1 month. See pricing.
Rating: ★★★★★. AI-powered learning plans and 1:1 tutor sessions.
2. Learn Laugh Speak
Learn Laugh Speak (LLS) (visit website) is a digital English language learning app for individuals and corporate teams who wish to elevate their communication skills through pronunciation training and learner-specific coursework. Children from 5 to 11 can also get a head-start practicing core speaking skills through 6,000 interactive gamified classes.
Following the Common European Framework of Reference, LLS guides you from A1 to C2, intending to prepare you for their International English Language Testing System-approved exam, which is a requirement for all individuals wishing to work, study, or migrate to an English-speaking country. As such, LLS’s primary focus is on listening and speaking.
LLS’s features include 280,000 native audio recordings, slang language training, 33,000+ lessons, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning that tailors coursework to target your weaknesses, and 24/7 AI-based tutors. Further, LLS’s powerful speech recognition program compares learners’ speech to the pronunciation of over 100 native speakers.
Managers using LLS to promote English proficiency in their teams can track progress, set targets, and receive updates across multiple KPIs in the Manager App, which can also be used to customize the instruction content to align with the nature of the business. Upon completing a test, LLS assigns you a level and gets you ready to start learning instantly.
Overall, this is among the most fun and best language learning apps for English students, and professionals. and corporate teams to expand their communication skills.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Availability: Web, iOS, Android.
Price: $24.99/month. Annual $274.89.
Info: Visit website and explore all features. | View Pricing plans.
3. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone (visit website) offers award-winning lessons in 25 different languages. All the Western European and Asian languages are included in the list but there is also Hebrew, Greek, Filipino, Hindi, Farsi and Latin to choose from.
Sadly, many otherwise positive ratings criticize Rosetta Stone for being expensive. However: there are unique benefits to be had for paying the steep price. Learners have access to up to 30 personalized lessons with a native speaker via iTalki. 10 in-person lessons with a local language instructor are also included. Even low-budget flights and accommodation is available for Europeans to travel and practice the language of their choice.
TruAccent, Rosetta Stone’s patented speech recognition engine is definitely invaluable in helping you to perfect your pronunciation. Should you get stuck you can always review parts of a lesson in your native language. Comprehensive phrasebooks (in selected languages only) will help you get up to speed quickly.
Last but not least, Seek & Speak is a fun challenge in the scavenger-hunt style that allows you to turn familiar objects into conversation topics. Overall, Rosetta Stone is certainly one of the best language learning apps available, though not cheap.
Rating: ★★★★★ | Availability: Web, iOS, Android.
Price: Free trial. From $99/3 months. Visit website, plans, and discounts.
Website: Get Life-Time Discount.
4. Busuu
Busuu (visit website) allows you to comprehensively learn 12 different languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Italian and Spanish. Even notoriously difficult languages such as Arabic, Turkish, Chinese and Russian are on offer. Busuu claims and believes that just 22 hours with them is equal to a full semester of language training.
Lessons are bite-sized, approximately ten minutes each, making it easy to schedule time. Lectures have been designed by using the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference), which is an internationally recognized standard for language training. CEFR consists of six levels, ranging from complete novice to completely fluent. Busuu lectures cover the first four levels, from beginner to upper-intermediate.
Each lesson includes several activities and once you have completed a level, you can opt to sit for a test that is certified by McGraw-Hill Education. Lessons can be downloaded for Android and iOS but learning online allows you to have real conversations with native speakers.
Monthly Busuu subscriptions are available on contract for six, 12 or 24 months but some users say that there are free language learning apps offering the same.
Students say: ★★★★★ | Availability: Web, iOS, Android.
Premium: 12 months $5.83/month for 1 Language.
Premium Plus: 12 months $6.66/month for 12 Languages.
Info: Visit Website. Discounts: Claim here.
5. Memrise
Memrise is a language learning app to improve skills in 23 of the most popular languages spoken across Eurasia. Learning is done on their website but you can also download their app for Android or iOS. In 2017, Memrise was awarded the accolade as Best App by both Google Play and the iStore. With more than 60 million users, it is one of the most popular and best language learning apps around.
Memrise’s content is made up of many different smaller units. Memrise designed all the basic lectures, skillfully applying the principles of mnemonics to help you remember new vocabulary. However, there are also seminars that were added by users.
Some of this content employ images and audio, but some do not. In most cases, lessons start off with a word in English, its translation and the most popular mnemonic for that word. Regular quizzes help you to keep track of your progress.
Some users are of the opinion that the flashcard and gaming approach makes it highly unlikely that fluency can be achieved. Beginners will find Memrise easy to use language learning app and a great aid for expanding their vocabulary, which is an excellent way to lay the foundations for learning a new language.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Availability: Web, iOS, Android.
Price: Free account. $5/month. Lifetime $119.99.
6. Drops
Drops is a popular language learning app with 31 languages in its portfolio, including Esperanto and some relatively obscure ones like Samoan, Hawaiian and Icelandic. Superb illustrations and animations, as well as interactive games, are used for mnemonic reinforcement and improved retention. Just recently, Google honored Drops with a Best App award.
Drops claims that just five minutes per session is necessary to learn a new language. Drop by drop, is their motto. Students agree these short sessions will be convenient for very busy people but they also point out that it significantly slows the pace of learning. Each little section contains practical exercises in a game format.
Drops is perhaps better for expanding your vocabulary because it does not touch on important matters such as grammar and punctuation. But they do rank you according to the levels you have completed and the tests that you have taken. Ranks range from Newcomer to Conversationalist and you can change the difficulty level repeatedly.
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: Free. Premium from $9.90.
Website: View. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
Tip: Looking for a specific language? Browse our lists of best Italian courses or Spanish courses or English courses or French classes or Portuguese classes or Mandarin classes or Japanese classes or Arabic courses or Russian classes.
7. Duolingo
With more than 300 million users worldwide, Duolingo is without a doubt one of the most popular and best language learning apps on earth. Download it from Google Playstore or from the iStore, completely free of charge. PC Magazine rated it as “the best language learning app you will find” and gave it the Editor’s Award.
Duolingo has some fierce critics, however. They say that the gaming approach of the app is excessive, giving users just three lives to finish a lesson before they are forced to start from scratch, a didactical no-no. Even strident critics admit, however, that Duolingo is extremely well-designed and that the games are downright addictive. Then there is the fact that Duolingo claims that just five minutes a day is enough to learn a new language. This, critics say, is highly improbable.
Many language experts agree that Duolingo is best for beginners, ideal for getting familiar with another language, building your vocabulary and mastering common phrases. Achieving a level where you can conduct fluent conversations in another language is not the aim of Duolingo. At best, it is an excellent introduction to a new language, and it is free.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: Free but in-app purchases
Website: Visit. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
8. Mondly
As a modestly priced app, Mondly has a lot to offer. Well, more than 45 million users seem to think so and many students too! A unique feature is that Mondly offers the learning of another language from any of its 33 languages on offer. Learn Chinese from Spanish, French from Russian, etc. Most other language learning apps assume that learners are native English speakers.
Lessons focus primarily on building your vocabulary. Many vocabulary categories are covered, including words and phrases typical for use in schools, restaurants, hotels, when traveling and in case of emergencies. Beginners may become confused, however, because Mondly does not pay any attention to punctuation or grammar.
All lessons are accompanied by practical exercises and quizzes. Some students have complained that the exercises are too passive and not very useful in everyday life. Yet, users love the simulations on offer. They allow you to role-play in many different situations, including restaurants, shopping, hotels and general conversations.
Rating: ★★★★★
Price: Free. Offers in-app purchases.
Website: View. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
9. Hello Talk
Hello Talk is a free language learning app available for both iOS and Android. The term “language learning” is yet misleading when describing the app. Calling it a “Language Exchange app” is closer to the mark. Instead of offering structured lessons, Hello Talk connects more than 15 million subscribers speaking 150 different languages who then teach each other their native language.
When you subscribe to Hello Talk, you are matched up with a native speaker of your target language, almost always someone who wants to learn your native language in return. Learning more than one new language at the same time is no trouble because you can have multiple language partners.
Hello Talk is flexible and easy to use. Third-party software such as Skype or Google plus is not required – the app itself serves as a direct interface that allows you to talk to your partner. Interaction with your language partner is not limited to voice calls. Text chatting and doodle sharing are also supported and there is a handy camera share feature that allows you to explore your own surroundings with your learning partner.
For a monthly fee, Hello Talk also offers translations, transliterations and voice recognition.
Uses say: ★★★★☆ | Price: Free with in-app offers.
Website: Visit. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
10. MosaLingua
MosaLingua is another free app that can be downloaded for iOS or Android devices. Only six of the most commonly spoken European languages are offered. Like many other language learning apps, it uses a flashcard approach. “Nothing new here”, you might say but MosaLingua does offer some very unique features.
Instead of single-word flashcards, a default set of five is offered, covering entire phrases instead of just single words. You can add to the number of cards you study at a time. Many students praise the fact that this app focuses on truly useful phrases. Based upon the sound principles of cognitive science, MosaLingua employs spaced repetition to help you build your vocabulary and collection of phrases and you can even create your own cards. Words and phrases previously learned are continually presented in different contexts, something most other language learning apps hardly offer.
When you first start to use MosaLingua, you complete a test aiming to measure your level. Based on the results, a personalized learning plan is suggested but following this plan is not compulsory. Regular exercises will make sure that you keep track of your progress and identify areas that need more attention.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: Free download. In-app offers.
Website: Visit. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
11. Babbel
PC Magazine described Babbel as one of the select few and best language learning apps that cover reading, writing, listening and speaking. Babbel is not simply a vocabulary builder. Native instructors, make sure that you also get the pronunciation right.
Well-structured, pre-recorded lessons of approximately 15 minutes each are all you need. Lessons are divided into specific categories, allowing you to adapt your learning to your personal needs. The categories from which you can choose are not the same for all the languages and some of the less popular languages offer much less content. Fourteen European languages are on offer.
Lessons follow a quiz style. After new words and phrases are introduced, you are quizzed to make sure you have mastered the content. Some students find it unfortunate that these quizzes are almost exclusively multiple-choice and some argue that the quiz style is not nearly as effective as the Real Immersion approach to language learning.
Babbel does not teach beyond the intermediate level but it is one of the best language learning apps to build an excellent foundation on which to base more advanced language training. It is not free, but the monthly subscription fee is modest.
Users: ★★★★☆ | Price: Free trial. In-app services.
Website: Visit. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
12. TripLingo
As the name indicates, TripLingo is primarily aimed at travelers who do not need to be fluent conversationalists. TripLingo, therefore, focuses on practical phrases and words commonly used by travelers. In fact, TripLingo is much more than just a convenient phrasebook. It offers a plethora of features specifically designed to ensure trouble-free trips abroad.
Download the free version for Android or iOS devices or opt for the Premium version that unlocks more than 2000 additional phrases, unlimited use of the voice translator and a host of audio language lessons.
Central to TripLingo, the Phrasebook offers an extensive collection of common phrases, divided into different categories such as Eating & Drinking, Basic Manners, Hotels and Emergencies. Interestingly, phrases are mostly available at four different levels – formal, casual, slang or crazy. Full content is offered for 13 languages and another 180 languages are supported through the instant voice translator.
Dealing with signs, menus and notices can be difficult when traveling. TripLingo is one of the few language learning apps that will also allow you to simply take a picture of the sign or the text for an immediate translation. In the culture guide, useful information about etiquette, taboos and general information about the destination can help to add value to any trip.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: Free plus premium services.
Website: View. Availability: App Store | Playstore.
13. Beelinguapp
When it comes to learning a new language, many different areas need to be mastered, Fluency requires that you can read, write and speak the language. Beelinguapp focuses on the reading aspect. Twelve languages are supported. (Japanese, French, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Chinese, Hindi, Turkish, English, Arabic, Italian and Korean)
Simply choose two languages (one familiar to you and the other your target language). Next, choose a story or article and it will be displayed simultaneously in both languages. Read by yourself or use the excellent audio feature to have the text read to you. An innovative Karaoke feature highlights the sentence being spoken as you go along. At the end of each story, you are quizzed in the target language to test your comprehension.
It is recommended that you use Beelinguapp in conjunction with other language learning apps. Download the app for iOS or Android devices free of charge but take note: there are many in-app purchases available and you will have to upgrade to the Premium version if you want a bigger selection of stories and articles and if you wish to eliminate the adverts.
Students say: ★★★★☆ | Price: In-app products.
Website: Playstore.
14. MindSnacks
“Delightful, heaps of fun, very effective, engaging…” These are just a few of the phrases used by some users of MindSnacks. There are eight separate language learning apps on offer.
Gaming is the central theme of MindSnacks, but each language comes with 50 well-structured lessons. Lessons contain more than 1000 words and phrases related to specific categories, such as food, family and shopping. They are not presented in any specific order; you choose which lesson you want to tackle next. This allows you to learn the vocabulary that is most relevant to your needs. Lessons containing familiar material can also be skipped.
Nine different games, each one more challenging than the last, gradually test your mastery of words and phrases, then sentences and up to a level where you will match up words, phrases and sentences with images, translations and pronunciations.
Detailed statistics are kept on your mastery of things like image recognition, spelling and pronunciation.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: Free.
Website: Visit. Availability: iOS App Store.
Best Language Learning Apps 2024 – Verdict
Wrapping up our tour of the best language learning apps in 2024. Without a doubt, learning a new language holds nothing but benefits. Every one of the best language learning apps discussed here has its unique features, methodology, and aims.
Define your own needs to help you choose the language app that will work best for you. Perhaps you only want to learn common phrases, or you want to expand your vocabulary in a language you already know.
Furthermore, try some of the free apps or opt for the limited-time free trials offered by most of the best language learning apps before you choose. The most important thing, however, is that you get started. The next holiday or travel trip is not far, even during these days, we want to stay optimistic.
What Are The Best Language Learning Apps 2024?
- Promova | ★★★★★
- Busuu | ★★★★★
- Rosetta Stone | ★★★★★
- Learn Laugh Speak | ★★★★★
- Drops | ★★★★★
- Memrise | ★★★★☆
- Duolingo | ★★★★☆
- Mondly | ★★★★★
- MosaLingua | ★★★★☆
- Babbel | ★★★★☆
- Triplingo | ★★★☆☆
- MindSnacks | ★★★★☆
What is your experience? Which of the best language learning apps available do you use to learn English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese or Portuguese for example? Let us know in the comments below.
Sources: United Nations – List of the Official Languages – 1 | The Languages of the World – 2
Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to some providers of online language learning apps. courselounge may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. It does not add any extra costs. All reviews, opinions, descriptions and comparisons expressed here are our own.
Language learning apps can be a fantastic supplement to traditional classroom education, especially when they’re interactive and engaging. But I doubt you can become fluent in any language using just them.
Tried learning Japanese during lunch breaks, now I can order sushi like a pro but that’s about it. 😆
Drops is visually stunning but lacks depth for serious learners. It’s great for picking up vocabulary but doesn’t come close to comprehensive language learning.
rosetta stone’s been around forever, right? interesting to see them still ranking high with all the new tech coming out. they must be doing something right though. always found their method a bit slow for my taste, but gotta respect the staying power.
Do u think it’s worth the price though? Been on the fence about subscribing.
depends on ur learning style, marty. if u like structured lessons, might be worth a shot. just my 2 cents.
Been using Hello Talk for my trips, it’s amazing for real conversation practice with natives.
I actually like Memrise. Their approach with native videos makes learning so much more realistic. It’s very handy for understanding the day-to-day use of language, not just textbook scenarios. But, I recommend combining the app with speaking practice (tutor) for best results.
Honestly, do any of these language apps actually work or is it just smarter to get a tutor? Spent months on one of these and I’m not even close to fluent.
Great list, Mark! Tried Duolingo and Busuu, both are awesome for learning on the go. Love the gamification elements that keep me hooked.
Anyone know which of these apps takes the least time a day? Super busy here but wanna learn Spanish fast. Thanks!
This is a great list! Some language learning apps are totally new to me, going to check out a few of the apps.
I currently learn Chinese and for memorizing vocabulary, I use hackchinese.com. It’s quite like Memrise but designed specifically for learning Chinese and thus has some nifty Chinese-specific features.
That’s a very good list, thank you very much for the inspiration. Would you consider including our app DuoCards, which is based on the principle of flashcards?
There are a lot of bad reviews for Rosetta Stone that I feel are unwarranted. For example, one blogger stated in their intro paragraph that Rosetta Stone is an immersive language learning app. And then proceeded to complain about the lack of literal translations into English while learning new languages.
Another one that got me was a woman complaining that Rosetta Stone is repetitive and the UI is “dreadfully boring after a while”.
One: repetition is how you learn and remember new languages. Two: It’s not a game, the UI serves its purpose. If you pay around $200 dollars for something, that alone should be reason enough to keep you interested.