The 6 Best Language Learning Apps to Get You Talking
Learning a new language is not only fun, you can also make new friends while traveling or talk to bilingual family members. Plus, knowing another language is a marketable skill in a variety of fields. Many of the best language learning apps are inexpensive — you will pay less than the price of a takeout meal each month. There are options that offer lessons that suit your learning style, whether you want a more social experience or to play games. Even better, there’s no need to leave your house to start learning.
Best Language Learning Apps
Check out our list of language learning apps below and be on your merry way to becoming bilingual and beyond.
1. Drops: Play With Your Words
Don’t want to commit hours to learning a new language? Drops has you covered. In around five minutes a day, you can get on your phone or mobile device and go through the language learning app’s bite-sized tutorials to learn short phrases and new vocabulary. Drops helps you remember your new language using mnemonic images by pairing the word with an image, then going on to speak and spell it out for you.
You can choose from over 35 languages — the usual suspects like German and Spanish are available. There are also some unique finds such as Ainu, the language spoken by elders on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, and Icelandic. Those who want to learn how to read and write in a new language can use the companion app, Scripts.
You can use the app for free, though you’ll only be able to access one lesson a day. Premium plans start at $13 per month, $5.83 per month if you pay annually, or grab the lifetime deal at $159.99.
2. Babbel: Language for Life
This popular app models itself after what you’d experience when attending a foreign language class. The lessons move gradually onto more difficult concepts, starting from translations, then variations of the words or phrases you learned. You’ll also learn other aspects of the language, such as its formal or informal usage.
The app also provides audio so you can hear the words being used in everyday conversations and repeat them for further learning. The lessons are about 15 minutes long, and you can track your progress along the way.
There is a free version of Babbel, but you are limited in what you can learn. Subscriptions cost $13.45 per month for six months, $8.95 per month for 12 months, and $299 for lifetime access.
3. Memrise: The Fastest Way To Learn a Language
The occasional language learner will like Memrise, since you don’t have to commit to daily lessons (so dip in and out when you wish). The app uses native speakers who speak different words and phrases, helping you learn how they’re used in the real world. You’ll receive a translation of the words or phrases that you can then repeat until you are fluent.
The fun part about Memrise is that you’ll earn points for correct answers — set goals to earn a certain number of points each day or publish your score on a leaderboard alongside other language learners to motivate you. So far, there are 22 languages. They include the most popular languages and less in-demand languages such as Mongolian and Swedish.
You can use the free version that gives you access to a few free lessons daily, or opt for the paid plans. The paid version costs $22.99 per month, $71.99 annually, or $110 for lifetime access.
4. Duolingo: The Best New Way To Learn a Language
Like some of the apps on this list, Duolingo teaches you languages based on game-like short lessons. You can progress to more difficult concepts when you pass certain levels, but the app can bring you back down if you’re not reviewing consistently.
Overall, the mobile app is user friendly, providing features such as the number of days in a row you’ve practiced and how many days you need to reach your goals. You can also access short audio stories called Duolingo Stories to test your comprehension skills. If you want to learn more than one language, you can — though you may not want to overwhelm yourself.
Duolingo is free to use and you can sync with your computer and mobile devices to learn over 40 languages. Super Duolingo, the premium version, costs $12.99 per month or $59.99 each year. On the Super plan, you get an ad-free experience, the option to review your errors and other additional features.
5. HelloTalk: Talk to the World
HelloTalk allows users to choose from more than 100 languages by connecting them to native speakers. To learn, you’ll work with the native language speaker and exchange video clips, texts, voice calls and recordings. It’s great if you want a more social aspect and to learn from someone who speaks the language you want to master.
Other features of HelloTalk include grammar and syntax correction and quick-tap translations. You can use this language learning app for free, but the VIP version will set you back $6.99 a month, $45.99 a year or $175.00 for a lifetime membership. Benefits include no ads and the ability to learn multiple languages at once and chat with a translation tool you can use an unlimited number of times.
6. Lirica: Learn Languages With the Power Of Music
The premise behind newbie Lirica is that you can learn a new language using music. How fun is that? Especially when Shakira, Enrique Iglesias and Usher are your teachers.
The British app gives you vocabulary and grammar lessons based on popular songs from artists from around the world. It also aims to teach you about different cultures where the language is spoken.
Currently, there are only three language options — English, Spanish and German — but the app claims it’s rolling out more languages soon. You can try the app for free, but to access all the content, you’ll need to pay $9 a month, $20 for six months or $30 annually.
There are a lot of language learning apps to choose from. If you’re not sure where you should start, download one and use the free version first. Then, stick with the one you like best.
Contributor Sarah Li-Cain is a personal finance writer based in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in real estate, insurance, banking, loans and credit. Freelancer William Fewox contributed to this report.
