Our Favorite Language Learning Apps (and a Pocket Translator)
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Hola, bonjour, konnichiwa, assalamu alaikum, and hello! Whatever language you’re trying to pick up, a learning app can help you build your vocabulary and improve your understanding of a country’s culture and manners. I’ve tested several apps and courses in my effort to learn Spanish, and while the quality might vary depending on the language you pick, these are my favorites.
Be sure to read our other travel-related guides, like Navigating International Travel, the Best Travel Adapters, Best Carry-On Luggage, and our Favorite Travel Planning Apps and Tricks.
Updated August 2023: We added Lingoda, several honorable mentions, and the Timekettle WT2 Edge Translator Earbuds, and refreshed our picks with the latest features and prices.
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Illustration: OsakaWayne Studios/Getty ImagesDo Language Learning Apps Work?
What You Need to KnowLanguage learning apps can be an effective tool for improving your language skills, but if you want to become fluent, you will likely need additional help. A Columbia University review of language apps identified three main weaknesses: “First, apps tend to teach vocabulary in isolated units rather than in relevant contexts; second, apps minimally adapt to suit the skill sets of individual learners; and third, apps rarely offer explanatory corrective feedback to learners.”
Every linguist agrees that human interaction is an essential part of learning a second language, so it’s vital to look for language learning apps that include an option to listen to and talk to native speakers of your chosen language. It’s also helpful when apps cover real-life scenarios, tell stories, and provide cultural context. Apps that focus on vocabulary building can help, but only alongside classes or other learning tools. There has been surprisingly little research on the efficacy of language learning apps, but a Michigan State University study found that our top pick, Babbel, didn’t just facilitate grammar and vocabulary acquisition but also improved oral communication skills.
Language learning apps can help beginners and intermediate students to build a foundation. If you just want to learn enough to order a coffee, they can get you there. Fluency requires immersion and comprehension, whether through talking with native speakers, learning in a classroom, or reading books and watching movies.
- Photograph: Babbel
Best Overall
BabbelIf you’re looking for a complete language-learning package, Babbel is the way to go. It teaches the basics of grammar, including special vowels and consonants and their correct pronunciations, before moving on to conversational scenarios in common settings. I particularly like the conversations where you fill in the blanks, the option to choose courses on different topics (there’s no fixed order), and the insights into local culture and slang. Babbel does a great job of explaining grammar rules as you practice to build a deeper understanding. The mixture of learning options includes podcasts and games, and you can even book live online classes with language teachers (though this is expensive). The pacing is good, with a slow increase in difficulty and plenty of spaced repetition to reinforce your learning.
Unfortunately, the free trial is limited, offering just a single lesson for each language. Some lessons are dry, and it inevitably feels repetitive at times. There’s no real gamification here, so it lacks the addictive hook of some other apps. I also occasionally had issues with speech recognition and could not nail the pronunciation.
Babbel is $15 per month, $38 for 3 months, $67 for 6 months, $89 annually, or $349 lifetime. Unlimited Babbel Live costs $99 per month, $209 for 3 months, $359 for 6 months, and $599 for a year.
- Courtesy of Duolingo
Best Free App
DuolingoDesigning an addictive hook into your language practice is a clever way to keep you engaged, and Duolingo nails gamification like no other. It’s easy to pick up, slick, and fun to use, and you will soon find yourself jealously guarding your daily streak. Each module is broken into topics, and the course is structured, so you must complete several lessons to unlock more. Modules cover social situations like dates or surprise parties, but they also tackle grammatical topics. Useful tips are scattered throughout, and there’s a good mix of learning techniques with stories, puzzles, reminders, and explanations of common mistakes. Duolingo recently added a GPT-powered chatbot, but it requires the expensive Max subscription.
While Duolingo has expanded beyond its focus on vocabulary building, adding podcasts and stories to the usual reading and writing exercises, it is still light on speaking and listening, and it won’t teach you to be fluent on its own. The free tier offers a lot of great content, but you do have to endure ads. The gamification can also be stressful, as you are limited to five hearts each day, and you lose one when you get something wrong. You can ditch the limits and ads, and learn offline by subscribing to Duolingo Plus. There are also in-app purchases, but all the core content is free.
Duolingo is free. Super Duolingo is $13 per month or $84 annually, with a Family Plan (for up to five people) at $120 annually. Duolingo Max is $30 per month or $168 annually.
- Photograph: Memrise
For Casual Conversation
MemriseWith a focus on vocabulary and the kinds of casual conversations you might have as a traveler, Memrise is a useful learning tool. The Android app is very accessible and uses a familiar flashcard approach with spaced repetition to help you memorize words and phrases. There are also grammar lessons and forgiving speech-recognition exercises. What I like most are the Learning With Locals video clips, with native speakers, as this feels closer to the experience of being in the country. You can set goals, lessons are quick, and there’s a bit of gamification and prodding to keep you coming back. You can also get a lot of value from the free version, and the basic courses are bolstered by user-generated content. While there is no substitute for talking to real people, MemBot is a GPT-powered chatbot that allows you to practice your conversations without fear of embarrassment, but it requires a monthly subscription.
On the downside, Memrise is very focused on vocabulary, the web app isn’t as good as the mobile app, and the exercises can get repetitive. There isn’t much in the way of explanation, and advanced learners should look elsewhere. If you delve into the user-created content, you will find the quality varies wildly. The free version gives you access to plenty, but you can unlock more features and offline access with a Pro account.
Memrise is free. Memrise Pro is $15 per month, $90 annually, or $200 for a lifetime membership.
- Courtesy of Busuu
For Peer Review
BusuuWith a structured language learning course that includes the usual mix of flashcards, grammar exercises, and casual conversations, Busuu is a solid option. Lessons are organized into chapters dealing with typical situations, and it feels very polished overall. I like the videos of short conversations, but the best feature is the user review. Busuu matches you with a native speaker of the language you are learning, and they correct and comment on your work (written and spoken)—you can do the same for others. You can also add friends, which builds a sense of community and gives you insights you might not otherwise get. Busuu has also incorporated live lessons in groups or one-to-one.
Busuu covers 14 languages, and some reviews suggest the quality is variable. I found it great for Spanish, but that’s a common language to learn. Some of the typing exercises are a bit of a chore, and the quality of the user review feedback can vary. You can get the basic lessons for a single language for free, but you need to subscribe to the Premium plan to get rid of ads, access some content, get AI-powered review, priority community feedback, and certificates.
Busuu is free, and live lessons start at $13 per lesson. Busuu Premium is $14 per month, $51 for six months, or $83 annually.
- Courtesy of Lingoda
For Live Classes
LingodaSpeaking to real live people in the language you want to learn is the most effective way to improve for many people. Finding a class near you or the time to attend can be tricky, so Lingoda offers hourlong online Zoom classes with experienced language teachers. You can take classes in small groups of up to five people or pay extra for one-to-one learning. You must buy classes in blocks and you get downloadable materials to study to prepare for classes and practice what you learned afterward. You can take a test to find your level, sign up with different teachers, and find classes at times to suit you. Since there are classes in different time zones, they are available 24/7. The strength of Lingoda is the chance to speak with real people and get personalized feedback.
Unfortunately, live classes are always going to be relatively expensive and might not suit shy folks. Some instructors are better than others (you can rate them after lessons) and so are some of your fellow students. You can learn a lot if you get a good instructor, there are only one or two other people, and everyone prepares properly. There’s no app, but you will need Zoom and a decent internet connection. Lingoda only offers classes in English, Business English, French, Spanish, and German.
Lingoda’s group classes start from $76 per month for five lessons, $135 for 12, $198 for 20, and $369 for 40 lessons. One-to-one lessons start from $176 per month for five, $315 for 12, $441 for 20, and $756 for 40. Prices vary for different languages.
- Photograph: Kahoot
A Visual Vocabulary Builder
DropsThis slick app is a solid way for visual learners to build their vocabulary. You start by picking one of 39 supported languages, decide how much time you want to commit daily, and choose categories like food, travel talk, or business and tech. Drops fall from the top of the screen and reveal pictures you must correctly identify by tapping, dragging, and pairing what’s onscreen. Each drop is also spoken aloud in your chosen language. It’s very easy to dip into, with a timer at the top right showing your remaining session time, and there's plenty of repetition to reinforce your learning.
Don’t expect grammar lessons, speaking, or pronunciation practice, as Drops is all about teaching you words and phrases, so it’s best used as a complementary vocabulary builder. I enjoyed using it, but one thing that annoyed me was having to add payment details to access the seven-day free trial. It's also more difficult than it should be to cancel.
Drops Premium is $13 per month, $70 annually, or $160 for a lifetime membership.
Courtesy of Language ReactorHonorable Mentions
More Language AppsHere are a few more services and apps that can work well as supplemental tools to your language learning efforts, though some I don't like as much as the options above.
Lingvist ($10 per month): With a heavy focus on flashcards, Lingvist can help you build your vocabulary quickly, and the makers claim it will adapt to you. The app tracks your progress, and there are grammar and quiz sections. You can also dip into word lists. The app is straightforward, and it’s an easy way to learn in short bursts.
DuoCards (Free): This is yet another flashcard app that employs spaced recognition. It is worth a look because it allows you to create your own flashcards to decide which words you want to learn. Best used alongside other courses or apps, this app will help you build your vocabulary. The basic version is free, but with ads and limits on how many flash cards you can create.
Immerse ($24 per month): We are all familiar with the idea that you must immerse yourself to learn a language, but Immerse takes this to a whole new level with half-hour lessons held in VR. It’s expensive, with $24 getting you four lessons a month, and I haven't been able to try it yet, but it sounds intriguing. You will also need a Meta Quest 2 headset (9/10, WIRED Recommends). The makers highlight the community side with the chance to meet and hang out with other language learners across the globe in virtual spaces.
Pimsleur ($15 per month): Dr. Paul Pimsleur developed a language learning method focused on listening to audio and repeating phrases out loud. The nice thing about this approach is that you can practice while you work out, commute, or do the housework. The short lessons are easy to jump into, but it is formal and can feel slow as it deliberately limits the vocabulary.
Fluent ($7 per month): This Chrome extension throws some language learning into your daily web browsing by highlighting English words on any website and giving you the Spanish, French, or Italian translation. You also get pronunciations and definitions, and there are quizzes to complete. Seeing words in context can help them stick, and this is a solid complementary way to build vocabulary alongside other learning activities.
Language Reactor (Free): This clever Chrome extension works with YouTube and Netflix to give you subtitles for whatever you are watching in two languages, so you can see your native language and the language you are trying to learn. You can also highlight words to see the translation, review all the subtitles, and get other examples of their usage.
Learn French TV5MONDE (Free): Anyone trying to learn French should check out the free app from the French-speaking TV channel TV5MONDE. You can take a quick test to find your level and improve your French through exercises using TV shows with genuine accents. You will get a feel for how people really talk in context, and you can focus on your interests by choosing relevant shows. There are Android and iOS apps, too.
Mondly ($10 per month): A colorful app offering short lessons organized into modules on different topics, Mondly is easy to jump into and offers lots of useful words and phrases with competitive gamification. Highlights include a chatbot, regular quizzes and challenges, and a leaderboard. Unfortunately, it makes little effort to explain grammar rules, and the app feels a bit haphazard and clunky.
Rosetta Stone ($12 per month): These immersive language programs offer bite-size lessons, and there’s a focus on listening and speaking without explanations or translations. The content is accessible and polished, and you can engage in online tutoring sessions through the app. It’s a bit dry and formal, the speech recognition is hit-or-miss, and it lacks the style and gamification of many competitors. Still, it obviously works well for many people.
Lirica ($9 per month): Can you learn a language through music? Lirica is a fun app that uses popular songs and videos to teach you Spanish, English, or German. It breaks down song lyrics to teach you vocabulary and grammar with handy explanations of colloquial language. It's a bit gimmicky and is best used to complement other learning approaches, but it is enjoyable.
- Photograph: Pocketalk
In a Rush? Try a Voice Translator
Pocketalk Plus Voice TranslatorIf you don't have the time to learn a language, and you don't want to rely solely on Google Translate, try the Pocketalk Plus Voice Translator. We reviewed it in 2021. It's an internet-connected device you carry around, not unlike a smartphone, but you and another person can speak into it and it'll spit out reliable and accurate translations. The interface can be a little clunky, but it supports a whopping 82 languages in audio and text (there's a camera you can use to take pictures of text and get them translated). It's spendy, but if you're country-hopping frequently, it's a worthy addition to your bag. Just know that the SIM you get works only for two years, and it'll cost another $50 to reconnect it (or you can stick to Wi-Fi or tether from your phone).
- Photograph: Timekettle
Or Translator Earbuds
Timekettle WT2 Edge Translator EarbudsThe Timekettle WT2 Edge translating earbuds might be as close as technology has come to replicating Babel fish from The Hitchhiker's Guide. For anyone unfamiliar, Douglas Adams had the idea of a small yellow fish you could slip in your ear to translate any language. The perplexingly-named Timekettle has paired Bluetooth earbuds that look like knock-off AirPods with an app on your phone that translates two-way conversations in real-time. You can put one earbud in, give the other to someone who doesn’t speak your language, and then talk and understand one another. That’s the theory, at least. There’s also a mode where you can have your phone talk back (in case you don’t want to hand an earbud to a random person you just met).
Sadly they don't work as well as I hoped. There’s a delay, so forget about flowing conversations, and the translations are sometimes dodgy or flat-out wrong. The earbuds also lose connectivity frequently, and you need a good Wi-Fi or cellular connection because the offline mode is worse. Timekettle says the AI chooses the best translation engine from DeepL, Google, Microsoft, iFlytek, and others, though why or how it decides is unclear. Background noise is mostly filtered out, but multiple people speaking can cause issues. I have briefly tested Spanish and Italian with mixed results, and user reviews suggest some languages are better than others. For all the many flaws, in the right circumstances the Timekettle WT2 Edge Translator Earbuds feel a little like magic, and they worked well enough that I am packing them for my next trip.
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