Top Language Learning Apps You Need in 2024

Explore our comprehensive guide to the top language learning apps, showcasing the most popular choices from across the globe. We’ve thoroughly tested each app, saving you the hassle of sifting through options! Now, you can spend your newfound time honing your vocabulary skills instead!

Are you on the hunt for apps to master English, Spanish, or even a more specialized language? Look no further! We’re here to guide you through the myriad of choices available, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your learning journey.

Best language learning app overall

LingualNeeds

Price

Discover the flexibility of LingualNeeds’ tutor search feature, where you have the power to choose your budget—lessons start as low as $10! Plus, if your first lesson doesn’t meet your expectations, you can either get a full refund or find a new tutor at no extra cost.

Features

LingualNeeds stands out as the top language learning app for a reason. It offers users the opportunity to engage in personalized 1-on-1 video lessons with professional language tutors. With its intuitive search feature, you can easily find the perfect tutor by filtering options such as native speaker status, availability, pricing, and popularity. This flexibility ensures a tailored learning experience that meets your specific needs.

Between classes, take advantage of your app to enhance your learning on the go! Explore a variety of courses covering grammar, business English, life abroad, and exam preparation, all tailored to suit beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners. Plus, effortlessly add vocabulary from your lessons and practice them within the app to reinforce your skills and keep them top of mind.

While you’re mastering a new language through engaging conversations, LingualNeeds offers much more than just speaking practice. This comprehensive platform provides a variety of tools designed to keep you motivated, facilitate practice beyond lessons, and connect you with a language coach to tackle any challenges you face. In fact, 92% of LingualNeeds users report that personalized one-on-one lessons are more enjoyable than traditional learning methods.

Partnering with a LingualNeeds tutor gives you the advantage of instant feedback and tailored guidance, helping you achieve results you’ll be thrilled with. With an impressive app rating of 4.8 out of 5, there’s no reason not to give it a shot!

Pros

• Take personalized lessons with expert tutors
• View tutor videos, profiles, and reviews to choose the perfect tutor
• Practice on the go with flashcards
• Message tutors and get notifications about your lessons

Cons

• Tutors aren’t free (starts from $5)

Best free language learning apps

Duolingo

Price

The Duolingo app offers a free basic version, perfect for language learners. For those seeking an enhanced experience, upgrading to Duolingo Plus for just $6.99 a month removes ads and unlocks exclusive mastery quizzes to help you track your progress.

Features

Duolingo stands out as one of the top free language learning apps, offering a diverse array of engaging activities like fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice questions, and flashcards. Its game-like elements keep learners motivated, allowing them to earn gems for completing lessons, lose hearts for mistakes, and achieve rewards by maintaining their study streaks—consecutive days of practice.

Pros

• Presents many ways to learn
• Provides audio clips with slower speeds
• Supports over 35 languages

Cons

• Mainly benefits beginner and intermediate learners
• Limited ways to practice real conversation
• Free version has adverts

Memrise

Price

The Memrise mobile app is available for free, but for those looking to enhance their learning experience, a Premium Membership offers exclusive features. Subscriptions are priced at $8.49 per month, $49.99 for an annual plan, or a one-time fee of $99.99 for lifetime access.

Features

Memrise stands out among free language learning apps, offering a rich array of engaging tools such as videos featuring native speakers, interactive multiple-choice quizzes, typing exercises, and listening activities. Users can enhance their retention with features like “classic reviews” and “speed reviews” to reinforce learned material. Your progress is visually represented by blooming flowers that flourish as you successfully master new phrases, making the learning experience both rewarding and motivating.

Pros

• Provides tools for users to create their courses and share with others
• Introduces words and phrases with videos of native speakers
• Offers 16 official language courses (more with user-created content)

Cons

• The free content is very limited
• Provides few opportunities to learn grammar
• Features vary dependant on web, iOS, and Android versions

Best apps for speaking and conversation

Speakly

Price

Speakly offers a free basic version of its app, though it comes with some limitations. For those looking for an enhanced experience, the Premium Plan unlocks a wealth of additional features. Pricing for the Premium Plan is flexible: it’s $11.76 for one month, $31.76 for three months, $58.79 for six months, or $82.29 for a full year.

Features

Speakly is a powerful language learning app designed to enhance your conversational skills. It focuses on teaching you the 4,000 most essential words in your target language, utilizing interactive typing tests and engaging multiple-choice questions to reinforce your learning.

Elevate your speaking skills with the Premium Plan, which utilizes advanced voice recognition technology to immerse you in real conversations while providing instant feedback on your pronunciation. You’ll also benefit from a variety of engaging features, including listening exercises, personalized music suggestions, placement tests to assess your level, and comprehensive grammar guides to boost your learning journey.

Pros

• Chooses vocabulary based on research
• Enhances speech through voice recognition technology

Cons

• Must purchase Premium Plan to use most valuable features
• Requires reading to learn grammar concepts versus activities
• Doesn’t offer as many languages as other apps (only eight)

HelloTalk

Price

HelloTalk offers a free version for users, featuring advertisements and support for just one language. For those seeking enhanced features, the VIP Membership is available at $6.99 per month, $45.99 annually, or $175 for a lifetime subscription.

Features

HelloTalk is an innovative language learning app that links you with native speakers for an immersive language exchange experience. With features like texting, voice messages, video calls, and even drawing, you can practice your target language in a fun and interactive way!

In our exchanges, you’ll find helpful tools that translate messages and assist you in providing constructive feedback to your partner. Additionally, you can engage with the community by posting questions or comments within the app, all while expanding your vocabulary with new words!

Pros

• Improves conversation skills with native speakers
• Enables users to save specific corrections 
• Supports over 150 languages

Cons

• Must rely on other users to converse and receive worthwhile feedback
• There is little moderation, which can make it sometimes feel like a dating app
• App is slow and buggy

HiNative

Price

The basic version of HiNative is free. However, a Premium subscription with additional features costs $11.40 per month.

Features

Join HiNative’s vibrant global community to enhance your conversational skills in a dynamic way. Users have the opportunity to upload audio recordings and receive feedback from native speakers, allowing them to determine if their speech sounds natural and is pronounced accurately.

You can enhance your language learning by posting questions about the meanings of specific words or phrases, or by requesting example sentences. Native speakers will respond with audio recordings or written feedback, providing valuable insights and real-life context.

Pros

• Addresses many aspects of conversation skills
• Has a search feature to browse previously asked questions
• Supports over 120 languages

Cons

• Doesn’t offer activities to learn the target language
• Must rely on other users to receive meaningful feedback

Best apps for learning vocabulary

Drops

Price

The Drops app features a free version that allows users to engage in just five minutes of learning each day. For those seeking more extensive access, the Premium Plan unlocks unlimited content for $9.99 per month, $69.99 annually, or a one-time payment of $159.99 for a lifetime subscription.

Features

Drops is a dynamic vocabulary app designed to make learning new words and phrases enjoyable. Users can enhance their language skills by listening to audio recordings, matching vocabulary terms with engaging images, and arranging word chunks in the correct sequence. The app also offers features to track progress, focus on challenging words, and earn badges for reaching milestones, making your language journey both rewarding and fun!

Pros

• Contains visually appealing images and design features
• Provides a wide selection of topics
• Offers vocabulary learning for 45 languages

Cons

• Doesn’t provide tools to improve grammar
• Limits daily study time to five minutes in the free version
• Has no voice recognition software for pronunciation practice

Triplingo

Price

Triplingo provides a free version that gives users access to all essential features. For those looking to enhance their experience, additional features can be unlocked with a paid upgrade: just $19.99 for one month, $39.99 for three months, or $99.99 for an entire year.

Features

Among the myriad of language learning apps, Triplingo stands out as the ultimate choice for travelers. It offers a treasure trove of over 2,000 essential phrases and audio recordings tailored for navigating new cultures. From finding your way around and ensuring your safety to ordering delicious meals, Triplingo equips users with practical language tools designed for real-world travel experiences.

Interactive flashcards, quizzes, and audio lessons significantly boost the learning experience. Users can also take advantage of helpful features such as a voice translator, cultural insights, a tip calculator, a currency converter, and a Wi-Fi dialer, all designed to make language learning more immersive and practical.

Pros

• Provides the most useful vocabulary for travel in specific countries
• Teaches correct pronunciation through slow and normal speed audio files
• Offers extra tools for successful travel

Cons

• Doesn’t teach users the building blocks of the language
• Can be glitchy and difficult to navigate 
• Only offers the translator for a limited number of languages

QLango

Price

QLango provides a free version of its platform, supported by advertisements. For those seeking an enhanced experience, the Premium subscription unlocks additional content and features for just $35 a year, or you can opt for a lifetime subscription at approximately $70.

Features

QLango enhances vocabulary learning by organizing words into thematic categories. You’ll engage with the material through a variety of activities, including multiple-choice quizzes, matching translated pairs, and rearranging word orders. Additionally, the platform tracks your response times, promoting quick thinking while allowing you to monitor your progress over time.

Pros

• Has a wide variety of topics
• Provides useful statistics to measure progress
• Supports 30 languages

Cons

• Doesn’t use images to accompany vocabulary
• Offers no option to slow speech of audio

Best apps for pronunciation

Rosetta Stone

Price

Rosetta Stone provides a free version, but its content is quite restricted. For those looking to unlock the full experience, subscription options are available: $36 for a 3-month plan covering one language, $145 for a 12-month plan that includes unlimited languages, or a one-time payment of $299 for lifetime access to all languages.

Features

Rosetta Stone has earned its reputation as one of the top language-learning apps through its immersive approach. A standout feature is its advanced speech recognition technology, which offers instant feedback on your pronunciation. The lessons are enriched with audio recordings, visuals, and engaging matching games. Additionally, the app includes helpful resources like digital flashcards, captivating stories, and interactive live lessons, making the learning experience both effective and enjoyable.

Pros

• Improves pronunciation through TruAccent™ voice recognition
• Provides a solid user experience
• Doesn’t require extensive reading to learn grammar

Cons

• Expensive to access all content
• Doesn’t offer native language translations
• Has no placement test to determine language level

(How to) Pronounce

Price

Free but offers in-app purchases.

Features

The Pronounce app is a valuable resource for anyone looking to master pronunciation. With its extensive database, users can listen to native speakers pronounce words and phrases. The app also offers adjustable audio speed for better clarity and allows users to create and save personalized vocabulary lists for easy review later on.

Pros

• Enhances understanding with slow speed option
• Supports 18 languages

Cons

• Doesn’t offer any lessons or activities
• Only offered on iOS products

Mosalingua

Price

Mosalingua offers users a free version of their app with limited features. For those looking to enhance their learning experience, they can opt for a monthly subscription at $9.99 or save with an annual plan for $59.99, unlocking a wealth of additional content and features.

Features

Mosalingua offers an interactive language learning experience by enabling you to listen to native speakers and record your own pronunciation for side-by-side comparison. Engage with the material through fun activities like matching words to images and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Additionally, immerse yourself in travel stories that feature audio dialogues in your target language, complete with visuals, transcripts, and flashcards to enhance your learning journey.

Pros

• Enables users to compare their pronunciation to native speakers’
• Provides unique ways to learn
• Assists learners of all levels

Cons

• Requires upgrading to access all valuable content and features
• Only supports eight languages

Best apps for game-based learning

Mondly

Price

Mondly provides a free version with limited content access. For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, a monthly subscription is available for $9.99, an annual plan for $47.99, or a one-time lifetime subscription for $89.99.

Features

Mondly stands out as a leading language-learning app, thanks to its interactive, gamified lessons that make learning fun. Users can enjoy a variety of engaging activities, such as matching phrases to images, swiping for the correct answers, selecting accurate translations, rearranging sentence structures, and tackling multiple-choice questions. One of its most exciting features is the chatbot, which enables users to practice real-life conversations by recording their responses, enhancing both speaking skills and confidence.

Pros

• Provides engaging games with speech recognition technology
• Tracks progress through learning stats, points, and leaderboards
• Supports 33 languages

Cons

• Targets beginners more than other language levels
• Consistently suggests upgrading to Premium

Busuu

Price

Busuu offers a free Basic Plan that gives you access to select content. For those seeking a more comprehensive learning experience, you can upgrade to the Premium Plan for approximately $6.86 a month or the Premium Plus Plan for around $7.83 a month, unlocking a wealth of additional features and resources.

Features

Busuu offers engaging lessons crafted by linguists, enabling users to expand their vocabulary and master grammar through a variety of interactive methods, such as audio recordings, visuals, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and true or false quizzes. A standout feature of the platform is the ability for users to give and receive feedback on each other’s speaking and writing, enhancing the learning experience.

Pros

• Engages users in diverse activities
• Provides free access to feedback from native speakers
• Puts material into context with conversation activities

Cons

• Blocks access to some content in Basic Plan
• Some users provide incorrect feedback in the community feature
• Doesn’t offer as many languages as other apps (only 12)

Best apps for grammar

Lingualift

Price

After enjoying a free trial of the first lesson, Lingualift users can select from a variety of subscription options to continue their language learning journey: one month for $19.99, three months for $50.97, six months for $89.94, or a full year for $155.88.

Features

Once you complete a questionnaire detailing your goals, study habits, and learning preferences, Lingualift crafts a customized study plan tailored just for you. You’ll also receive an ebook filled with strategies to help you master your target language. The lessons include clear grammar tips, fresh vocabulary, and engaging videos. One of the standout features is the ability to submit written assignments to Lingualift tutors, who provide valuable feedback and corrections to enhance your learning experience.

Pros

• Lessons are easy to understand
• Offers entertaining and humorous content
• Provides many resources for independent practice

Cons

• All explanations are in English
• Only supports five language

Best apps to practice listening

Pimsleur

Price

After completing one free lesson, Pimsleur users are required to subscribe to the service for $14.95 a month.

Features

Pimsleur stands out as a top-notch language learning app, particularly for enhancing listening skills. Its unique audio-based approach immerses users in authentic dialogue, encouraging them to visualize real-life scenarios as they listen. Users actively engage by repeating words and picking up new phrases. To reinforce learning, Pimsleur offers reading activities, flashcards, matching exercises, and review sessions, ensuring a well-rounded grasp of the language.

Pros

• Provides additional resources to expand learning
• Supports 59 languages

Cons

• High cost
• Doesn’t incorporate many images

Beelinguapp

Price

The free version of Beelinguapp provides restricted access to its content and features. For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, the Premium version is available for $13.99 per year or a one-time payment of $22.99 for lifetime access.

Features

Beelinguapp offers a unique way to enhance your language skills through audio recordings of books, news articles, and songs, all paired with transcripts in both your target and native languages. As you listen, an engaging animation highlights each word being read, making it easy to follow along. Plus, you can enrich your learning experience by saving new vocabulary, creating flashcards, and taking comprehension quizzes to test your understanding.

Pros

• Research-based method to improve listening and reading skills
• Provides content for learners at all levels
• Supports 14 languages

Cons

• Subscription needed to access all content
• Doesn’t provide speech recognition technology

Lirica

Price

Lirica provides a selection of content and features at no cost, but to unlock the full library of songs and lessons, users must select a subscription plan. Options include a 1-month plan for approximately $4.20, a 3-month plan for around $9.50, or an annual plan for about $13.75.

Features

Lirica offers an interactive way for users to immerse themselves in their target language by listening to popular songs while following along with highlighted lyrics. To enhance comprehension, users engage in various activities such as identifying phrases in audio clips, answering true or false questions, matching spoken words to their written forms, and rearranging phrases to align with the music. This makes language learning both enjoyable and effective!

Pros

• Uses famous artists and songs
• Includes interesting facts about artists
• Increases motivation through competition with other users

Cons

• Only supports three languages (English, Spanish & German)
• Provides minimal explanations of grammar concepts

Language learning apps: The verdict

Regardless of the language you wish to learn or your unique learning style, a wealth of apps is at your fingertips. Each app comes with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, and specializations. First, identify the specific language skills you want to enhance, and then explore this list to discover the best fit for you. Many apps also provide free versions or trials, allowing you to test their effectiveness before making any financial commitment.

Keep in mind that while language apps can be valuable tools, they typically focus on just one aspect of language learning. If your budget allows, consider complementing your app-based practice with formal language classes, whether online through platforms like LingualNeeds or in-person in a classroom. As John Fotheringham, founder of languagemastery.com, aptly puts it: “Language apps are excellent supplements to a balanced language diet, but they shouldn’t be the main course.”

Experience comprehensive language learning with 1-on-1 tutoring on the LingualNeeds app. Why wait any longer? Visit your device’s app store, download the app, and embark on your exciting language journey today!