Thinking about learning a new language? Well, you are one smart peer to have. Speaking multiple languages enables you to explore associated original vocals and cultures, making having a friend like you the icing on the cake.
According to one BBC statistic, more than half of the global populace, around 60 to 75 per cent – speak at least two languages. While you may be visiting abroad to study in the UK or the US, simply craving to hone your soft skills by learning a new language has never been this easy.
Why learn new languages?
In the modern era, the investment in learning a new language for students is nearly peanuts compared to the early 2000s. Gone are the days of enrolling in French & Spanish Classes. Learning new languages also helps you explore different countries and opens more avenues for your future. Now you can just download an app for your help and get started. But with all of these many options, which app do we choose?
Best language learning apps 2023
We’ve rounded up the 15 best language-learning apps. These apps are selected based on average reviews, free vs premium features, and the number of downloads. So let's get started with top 15 best language learning apps:
1. Babbel
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.7/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.4/ 5.0
Review: This makes learning new languages really fun and easy.
Babbel is a popular choice amongst college and school students pursuing another language. The simple design allows you to explore the app easily. The app eases the learning process by taking you through the lesson in a visual, audio or written form.
Babble comes under a free app download model. It delivers premium subscription preferences, ranging from $8 per month if you pay every month to even $3 per month for an annual subscription. With live lectures and small tidbits in vocabulary, the premium feature is excellent for going the distance. Babble offers all UK and US students to avail 65% off on the premium subscriptions and get plans as low as a 3-month discounted Babbel subscription for $14.99.
Takeaways:
- Interactive dialogue recognition
- Flexible and shorter duration lessons
- Unique teaching style
2. Lirica
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.2/ 5.0
Review: I loved the concept. Absolutely fantastic ideas!
The excitement of a new language can quickly fade after a few weeks. Choosing the perfect time every day can be challenging as a student, and you can easily miss your daily targets. But what if we told you there's an app where you can learn a new language, all while listening to fantastic music? That's the concept behind Lirica.
Lirica allows you to learn languages like German, Spanish and many more with exercises based on hit songs from famous artists like Shakira, Usher, P!nk, and Enrique Iglesias. That's why it is one of the best Spanish learning apps and highly regarded as one of the best language learning apps and helps students who want to study in prestigious German Universities like University of Hamburg, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and others among many top institutes in Germany. Lirica also regularly updates its music playlists, enabling users to learn the monotonous language learning modules and challenge themselves daily with newer test modules.
Takeaways:
- The lyrical database is ample for various languages
- A top option amongst the best language learning apps for speaking English
3. Memrise
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.6/ 5.0
Review: I absolutely love using this app
Memrise is a great language learning app that supports the nerd in you with its diverse language modules and the quirky side of yours with its community support. Being one of the best language learning apps, Memrise immerses you in videos that feature real-world situations with native speakers using the "Learn with Locals" feature.
The app's official database has content for over 23 languages, but the community feed has many language databases shared through memes and pictures. The content is free, although Memrise does offer a paid subscription service which starts at $8.49 per month and $60 per year. There is also a lifetime member service that costs $119.99.
Takeaways:
- Designed for real-world conversations
- Lots of elements (games, extra content)
4. Duolingo
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.7/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.5/ 5.0
Review: It is a fun app and it keeps you motivated to comeback and do a lesson
It's hard not to have heard of Duolingo's name during your hunt for the best English learning app. Duolingo was founded as a simple go-to, free English learning app for learning multiple languages in a fun way. After many sleek updates, the app offers over 35 different language modules prepared by native speakers. It features language-based games and one of the best Spanish learning courses of all time.
One of many USPs of Duolingo is its community-bonded social groups, which allow you to join global chat options, daily & weekly challenges and 81 language-specific courses. The app is free to download from Play Store and has all its content on mobile and desktop versions. With the new year in play, there are bound to be new languages coming to Duolingo.
Takeaways:
- Free language learning with premium starting as low as $6.99 per month
- A large number of lessons
5. Mondly
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.4/ 5.0
Review: Good app to learn the basics of a new language
Don't you hate it when someone corrects you for a bilingual-word pronunciation? Well, Mondly is the fundamental solution to this global problem. The app recently reached over 100M downloads, and you can learn up to 33 languages and the local phrase and tone manners.
The instructors of Mondly deliver words and phrases pleasantly and concisely. This helps in easy recalls and practical speaking while learning. While the app has a free plan, it also offers premium content, extra exercises, and honest conversations with AI chatbots at $9.99 a month or $47.99 annually per language.
Takeaways:
- Innovative features to keep you interested
- A large array of source and target languages
6. Busuu
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.7/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.4/ 5.0
Review: It is a great app to certify to the A2 level
Busuu is yet another app listed as a top language learning app and English learning app which allows you to explore a wide array of features like reaching your goals with a personalised study plan and receiving a certificate upon completion of a level. The app is also one of the earliest-launched language learning apps and caters to over 100 million registered users.
Currently, Busuu has both Free and Premium versions. The free version offers minimal features with certain limitations, like practising vocabulary with flashcards for one language. The premium version offers learning via offline mode and getting feedback from the community. The premium version costs $9.99 per month and $69.96 annually.
Takeaways:
- Interaction with native speakers
- Goal-oriented approach
7. Rosetta Stone
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.5/ 5.0
Review: Great price for all languages and lifetime subscription
Rosetta Stone is almost 25 years old and is still going strong among the best language learning apps in the world. The app is a well-known name in the top English learning apps and supports several other languages by building a curriculum plan as per your suitability.
Rosetta Stone also highlights several new features, such as audio-based learning methods in a storyline format with narration and TruAccent technology that gives real-time pronunciation feedback. The pricing of Rosetta Stone is relatively cheaper than many other free language learning apps. You can get a three-month and 12-month plan starting at $7.99 and $11.199.
Takeaways:
- Proven learning track record
- Several personalisation features
- Various subscription plans with a lifetime subscription of $179.
8. Drops
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.7/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.4/ 5.0
Review: An incredible app for learning vocabulary
Drops are one of the top English learning apps that boast visual appearances during learning modules. The app comes with audio and visual depictions of images and teaching games, making it the perfect and best app for English learning.
The app also has a five-minute rule that prohibits your learning to five minutes daily. The feature applies to both Free and Paid versions and is a well-regarded app with an Editor's Choice Award on the app store and the best choice as the best language learning apps out there.
Takeaways:
- A good learning experience for visual learners
- Many language options
- Fun and engaging UI/UX
- Good features amongst other free language learning apps
9. LingoDeer
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.5/ 5.0
Review: I do not regret paying for premium membership
LingoDeer is an app that makes learning easier and more practical as it allows you to customise your learning experience completely. Be it choosing narrators, script type, and the colour of the background on the dashboard can all be customised.
The app allows you to take your lessons offline, with flashcards available to you on the go, learning doesn’t have to stop. You can test your speaking and listening skills through stories while challenging others to various tests.
Takeaways:
- Offline study modes
- Complete challenges with other learners
- Lifetime membership at just $159.99
10. HelloTalk
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.7/ 5.0
- Play store: 3.6/ 5.0
Review: One of the best apps I have ever used
HelloTalk offers a unique approach when it comes to language learning apps. One can chat with the native speakers of a particular language which fits right in with your social nature. Supporting over 150+ languages and more than 30M members, HelloTalk is a social goldmine. You can make friends from around the world, through which you can have cultural exchanges via text, video or voice.
The app offers in-built translators to assist in easier communication. Post “Moments” which are essentially public posts that can be seen and edited by native speakers to assist you in your learning. At this point, we even wonder if HelloTalk is an experience-learning app rather than a language-learning app.
Takeaways:
- Free app requiring no payments for access to content
- It provides an immense interactive experience
11. FluentU
Ratings:
- Apple store: 3.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.1/ 5.0
Review: The way the language is taught is really great, and i am learning a lot
This wish comes true with FluentU because the application immerses you in a unique language-learning environment. FluentU's extensive library of real media clips, which includes anything from movie trailers to news reports and scenes from well-known TV shows, puts the world at your fingertips. Your virtual language teacher, the app's interactive subtitles are prepared to explain each word's meaning in real time. By demonstrating how words are used in various contexts, FluentU goes beyond isolated vocabulary to improve your language understanding and help you speak more eloquently. By presently offering 10 languages, FluentU opens the door to a world of linguistic diversity.
Takeaways:
- Access to virtual language teacher
- Extensive library of real media clips
12. Pimsleur
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.5/ 5.0
- Play store: 3.6/ 5.0
Review: A highly user-friendly interface and very few ads
Pimsleur, a renowned traditional audio language learning method, equips students with succinct and captivating 30-minute audio lessons that are ideal for those on the go. Pimsleur's audio lessons are your constant language-learning buddy, whether you're traveling to work, jogging in the park, or just lounging at home. Each session includes speaking prompts to help you develop your foundational speaking abilities. Pimsleur offers an outstanding collection of 51 languages to pick from, catering to language aficionados around the world. Pimsleur has you covered whether you want to learn widely used languages like Spanish, French, or Mandarin or explore obscure ones. You'll find the ideal progression for your language learning, from beginner to advanced.
Takeaways:
- 51 language options to choose from
- Informative audio lessons
13. Lingvist
Ratings:
- Apple store: 3.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.2/ 5.0
Review: Clean design and no ads. By far the best way to learn vocabulary
The 5,000 most useful words in a language are taught using an easy-to-use flashcard method in the Lingvist language learning software, which is designed to accommodate learners of all abilities. Depending on your level of skill and unique success, the app tailors your learning experience. Lingvist adapts its curriculum as you improve, providing you with tailored workouts and challenges to keep you interested and advancing over time. The foundation of Lingvist's efficient learning methodology is the flashcard system. Flashcards that are dynamic and visually appealing will help you learn new words quickly and improve your memory recall. Lingvist is the ideal language partner for your hectic lifestyle because it adjusts to your speed and goals.
Takeaways:
- 5000 useful words for effective learning
- Visually appealing flashcards
14. Beelinguapp
Ratings:
- Apple store: 4.1/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.2/ 5.0
Review: The stories are interesting and glossary is a great aid
The Beelinguapp app is all about making language learning a fun and multimodal experience, as suggested by the lighthearted pun in its name. Beelinguapp goes beyond textbooks and traditional methods to teach languages. Immerse yourself in a world of engrossing media, from engrossing books and stories to the most recent headlines and motivational song lyrics. The Beelinguapp audiobook option is appealing for those who learn best by hearing things. It shows tales in two languages, making it simple for you to compare context and meaning at any time. Now that you have Beelinguapp, you can see that your ability to speak and understand languages improves.
Takeaways:
- Includes a lot of books and stories for easy learning
- It shows tales you in two languages
15. MindSnacks
Ratings:
- Apple store: 3.8/ 5.0
- Play store: 4.4/ 5.0
Review: It is the best app out there for new words
Start learning one of Mindsnacks' seven language options and go on a language learning adventure. Each language bundle includes eight or nine entertaining, small games that make practicing vocabulary, grammar, and listening engaging and exciting. The app's adorable graphics and fun layout encourage you to continue participating in the language-learning process, making it simple to remain committed to your language goals. With Mindsnacks, experiencing yourself as a language explorer is no longer just a pipe dream. You are given quests by the app, which gives your educational journey a sense of adventure.
Takeaways:
- Focus on vocabulary as well as grammar
- The graphics are engaging
So, these are the best language-learning apps that have something that sets them apart from others. It will be up to you to determine which apps connect to you well and give the most output in the learning curve. Find what suits you and learn the languages in the best way possible.