What Are the Best Language Learning Apps? I Tested 12 to Find Out

Real results from someone who reached B2 Danish: which language learning apps actually work, which are overpriced, and the 2 apps worth your time + money

19 min readOct 4, 2025

Let me be upfront: I’m not a language teacher, polyglot influencer, or someone who “learned 7 languages in 6 months.” I’m a language learner, just like you — someone who’s spent years grinding through apps, burning through subscription fees, and hitting every frustrating plateau along the way.

My credentials? They’re messy and real:

Fluent in Tamil & English (grew up bilingual)
B2 Danish after 5+ years of on-and-off language school and countless app sessions
A1/A2 German (my current battle)
Conversational Hindi (functional, not fluent)

Here’s a video version of this review https://youtu.be/UfM0OWrBhCU?si=4H2-Y1Ty0rDuoNbQ

I’ve been on Duolingo for 2+ years, with two separate streaks over 300 days. I maintained a premium subscription to Duolingo for years. I’ve tried Babbel, Memrise, Busuu, Drops, and more apps than I care to admit.

The Bottom Line Up Front — Entire Blog in 60 Seconds

After 2+ years and testing a dozen apps, here’s what I’d tell my past self:

For beginners (A1-B1): Start with Duolingo’s or Talkpal free version. It’s gamified, it’s actually free (not “freemium” trash), and it builds the habit. Don’t pay for anything yet.

For breaking through (B1-B2+): You need real conversation practice. This is where apps like Talkpal become essential — not because they’re perfect, but because they’re the only ones actually trying to solve the conversation problem.And Talkpal is free to try !

For everything in between: Strategically supplement. Drops for vocabulary. Memrise for listening to native speakers. Busuu if you want community feedback. But never pay for more than two apps simultaneously — it’s redundant and expensive.

The truth is, no single app will get you to fluency. Not Duolingo. Not Babbel. Not even the AI-powered ones. But the right combination of online tutoring platforms like Preply, used strategically with an app, can get you 60%-80% of the way there for a fraction of what traditional classes cost.

If you like a list, here it is

Talkpal! → 🚀 Best overall — only app that actually helps you break past the B1 plateau into real conversations (A1–C2 support, but pricier).
Duolingo → 🎯 Best free starter — unbeatable for beginners (A1–B1), but progress stalls at the intermediate stage.
Preply → Best for online live tutoring (50% discount for first lesson)
Drops → 🧩 Best vocab booster — fun, visual, affordable with a solid lifetime plan, but limited to word memorization.
Memrise → 🎥 Great for listening — native speaker videos make vocab stick, but it’s shallow beyond basics.
Busuu → 💬 Community-driven — corrections from real people, but overpriced at $150+/year.
Babbel → 📚 Structured but outdated — feels like a classroom, but no AI and repetitive past A2/B1.
Pimsleur → 🎧 Best for audio learners — builds real speaking confidence, but expensive and screen-free only.
Rosetta Stone → 🏛️ Classic but past its prime — rigid immersion, overpriced, little innovation.
Mondly → 🎨 Flashy but weak — outdated, shallow, and confusing per-language pricing.
chatGPT → Great at supporting, not a tool on its own
Lingoda / Fluenz → niche contenders if you want live classes, serious grammar, or custom flashcards.

👉 Bottom line: Use Duolingo + Talkpal free plans to start, then switch to Talkpal paid version (plus maybe Drops/Memrise as supplements). Apps are great tools — but real fluency only comes from actual conversations.

Let’s do the details on each one now.

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1- Duolingo: The Best Free Starting Point (But Not the Full Journey)

Duolingo is hands down the most accessible language learning app out there. With its gamified streaks, bite-sized lessons, and a completely free plan, it has helped millions of learners — including me — build consistency and confidence in the early stages.

It’s unbeatable for getting started at the A1–A2 level. The psychology of streaks and rewards works; I managed two 300+ day streaks myself. The variety of languages (50+) is unmatched, and the app rarely makes content errors.

But here’s the catch: Duolingo is amazing at creating “confident beginners,” not fluent speakers. Once you reach the B1 level, lessons start repeating, speaking practice feels artificial, and progress slows down. The AI features in Duolingo Max are interesting, but still limited compared to what apps like Talkpal can do.

👉 Verdict: If you’re a beginner, Duolingo is a fantastic launchpad. But if fluency is the goal, you’ll need to move on — or risk being stuck in “textbook café conversations” forever.

2- Talkpal: The First True All-Levels App (A1 to C2)

Talkpal is where language learning finally feels alive. Unlike traditional apps that stop being useful after the beginner phase, Talkpal works across all levels — from A1 absolute beginners to advanced C2 speakers. The difference? Real-time AI conversations.

Here’s a full Talkpal review.

Instead of just memorizing phrases, you can dive into dynamic dialogues that adapt to your level. Ask about politics, daily routines, or even niche hobbies, and Talkpal adjusts. The app gives instant corrections on grammar, pronunciation, and even phrasing, helping you sound more natural — something no multiple-choice exercise can replicate.

I’ll be honest: it isn’t the cheapest option out there, and like any AI tool, it sometimes shares the same limits as its peers (occasional clunky phrasing, overcorrection). But after struggling for years at the B1 plateau, Talkpal was the first app that actually pushed me forward.

👉 Verdict: Talkpal is the most complete language app available today. If you’re serious about moving beyond “tourist-level conversations” and want fluency, this is the app that delivers.

Talkpal

3- Babbel: Structured Like a Classroom, But Stuck in 2020

Babbel feels like the more “grown-up” cousin of Duolingo. Where Duolingo goes all in on gamification, Babbel takes a more structured approach, almost like a digital classroom. Lessons follow a logical progression, with grammar explanations woven into practice, and conversations designed to mimic everyday scenarios. For beginners this feels more purposeful and less chaotic than Duolingo’s randomized gamified drills.

But Babbel shows its limits quickly. After the A2/B1 level the content starts to feel repetitive — ordering food, talking about the weather, booking tickets. There’s no flexibility or variety once you know the basics and advanced learners will find themselves circling the same old topics.

The bigger issue? Babbel hasn’t evolved in years. There’s no AI integration, no adaptive conversational practice and no new features to keep up with the new wave of learning apps. It’s a safe, structured but ultimately stagnant platform.

And let’s not forget pricing: Babbel has no free plan (only a 20-day money-back guarantee) so it’s harder to justify compared to Duolingo’s generous free tier.

👉 Verdict: Babbel is a step up from Duolingo for structured grammar and practical dialogues. But if you want to go beyond B1 and have real conversations it hits the same plateau — and feels outdated in today’s AI-driven world.

4- Memrise: Native Speaker Videos That Actually Stick

Memrise takes a refreshing approach: instead of cartoon owls or scripted dialogues, you learn through short video clips of real native speakers (so does Busuu). This makes vocabulary stick faster because you’re not just memorizing a word — you’re seeing and hearing how real people use it in everyday contexts. For visual learners, this is a huge plus.

The app’s strength is in helping you pick up natural pronunciation and listening skills. Associating new words with actual faces and voices makes it easier to recall, and over time you become more comfortable parsing accents and speech patterns. It’s a big step up from apps that only use text-to-speech voices.

But here’s the catch: Memrise doesn’t go very deep. Lessons are short, and while you do learn real sentences, they’re often fragments or very situational. It’s great for expanding vocabulary quickly, but the lack of structured progression or advanced grammar means you’ll eventually need something else to build fluency.

Pricing-wise, it’s middle of the road — affordable enough compared to Babbel or Busuu, but it doesn’t offer the long-term value of an AI-driven tool like Talkpal.

👉 Verdict: Memrise is excellent for boosting vocabulary and listening skills with the help of native speakers. Think of it as a supplement rather than a full learning system.

5- Busuu: A Community-Driven App With Premium Pricing

Busuu positions itself as a more social way to learn languages. Along with structured lessons, you can practice writing and speaking with native speakers from its global community. This peer-review system is a nice idea — you write a sentence or record a clip and other learners or native speakers correct it. For motivation it can be great to interact with real people instead of just tapping through exercises.

The structured lessons are pretty good — somewhere between Duolingo’s gamified approach and Babbel’s classroom style. You’ll find grammar explanations, vocabulary drills and situational dialogues. The content is broader than Babbel’s but still limited compared to Duolingo’s sheer scale.

The problem is value. At over $150 per year Busuu is one of the more expensive options out there and it doesn’t feel like it’s worth it. The community corrections are helpful but not always consistent or reliable and the AI features that could make the experience better are still missing.

👉 Verdict: Busuu is good if you like community corrections and want a bit more structure than Duolingo. But the price is too high when there are better more modern options out there.

6- Drops: Vocabulary Boost With a Playful Twist

Drops is the app you turn to when you want language learning to feel like a game not a class. Its strength is visual learning — you’re shown words with bright icons and quick exercises to reinforce memory through repetition. Each session is 5 minutes (or 10 if you upgrade) so you can fit in practice during short breaks.

If you want to build vocabulary fast Drops delivers. The lifetime option is also great for learners who want a one time payment not another monthly subscription.

But Drops is unapologetically limited. No grammar, no structured conversations, no deeper context — it’s vocabulary flashcards in a pretty package. Good for beginners or to supplement another program but not enough to get you beyond basic word recognition.

Pricing is fair: $14.99/month, $79.99/year or $159.99 lifetime. Compared to Busuu’s yearly cost Drops feels like a steal — but only if you accept its narrow focus.

👉 Verdict: Drops is perfect if you’re a casual learner who wants to pick up words quickly and have fun. Just don’t expect to be able to have a real conversation.

7- Mondly: Flashy Design, But Fading Relevance

Mondly was once a popular alternative in the language learning space, largely thanks to its slick interface and early experiments with AR/VR learning. On the surface, it looks modern and engaging — colorful dashboards, daily lessons, and even a chatbot to practice with.

But once you spend some time with it, Mondly starts to feel more like a Duolingo clone with extra polish. Lessons recycle the same beginner-friendly scenarios (ordering food, introducing yourself, family basics), and there’s very little depth once you pass A1/A2. It simply doesn’t have the breadth or adaptive power that today’s learners expect.

The real frustration is the pricing model. Mondly sells access per language rather than across all languages — so if you’re learning German and later decide to try Spanish, you pay again. Compared to Duolingo’s 50+ languages or Talkpal’s all-in-one flexibility, Mondly feels restrictive and outdated. They do have packages that cover all languages — but I wasn’t impressed that they tried to sell me only language at the same price as all other languages.

👉 Verdict: Mondly looks nice but doesn’t stand out anymore. Its weird per-language pricing and lack of advanced content make it hard to recommend in 2025, especially when more innovative AI-driven apps are available.

8- Rosetta Stone: The Classic Method That Shows Its Age

For decades, Rosetta Stone was the gold standard in language learning. Its immersion method — teaching entirely through pictures, repetition, and association without translations — was groundbreaking in the CD-ROM era. Many learners still swear by it for building a solid foundation in pronunciation and vocabulary.

But in 2025, Rosetta Stone feels like an app that hasn’t moved with the times. The immersion-only approach is too rigid for most learners, especially beginners who benefit from explanations in their native language. Without grammar notes, cultural context, or AI-driven features, the learning experience can feel slow and outdated compared to modern platforms.

Pricing is also a sticking point: $11.99/month or $143.88/year puts it in the same bracket as Babbel and Busuu, yet it offers far less adaptability. The days when Rosetta Stone was worth a premium price are long gone. I also didn’t like the fact that they offer only 3 days of free trial.

👉 Verdict: Rosetta Stone deserves credit for pioneering digital language learning, but it has been overtaken by more flexible and modern apps. Good for absolute beginners who like immersion, but not ideal for today’s learners who want faster, adaptive progress.

9- Pimsleur: Audio-First Learning That Builds Real Speaking Confidence

If you’ve ever wished you could skip the screen and just start speaking, Pimsleur is the app for you. Its method is based entirely on audio lessons, where you repeat, respond, and build conversations step by step. It’s surprisingly effective for training your ear and mouth to work together — perfect for commuting, walking, or multitasking without needing a phone in hand.

The biggest strength of Pimsleur is pronunciation and conversational flow. Unlike apps that rely on multiple-choice quizzes, Pimsleur forces you to recall and produce speech actively, which mirrors how you’ll use a language in real life. Many learners find it one of the fastest ways to start speaking confidently.

That said, it comes with limitations. There’s no visual component, so you won’t get grammar explanations, cultural notes, or writing practice. It also requires consistent focus — if your attention drifts during a 30-minute lesson, you’ll miss key parts. And pricing is steep, at around $20/month, making it one of the more expensive options on this list.

👉 Verdict: Pimsleur is fantastic for learners who want real speaking practice on the go and don’t mind paying a premium. It’s less useful for grammar nerds or visual learners but unbeatable for building oral confidence quickly.

10- ChatGPT: Great Practice Tool, Not a Full Solution

ChatGPT and other AI chatbots have come a long way in self-learning, including languages. I quite often use it just to chat, ask for grammar corrections, request translations, and even role-play scenarios like ordering food or debating politics. It’s almost like having a 24/7 tutor who’ll help you on any topic you like.

But ChatGPT isn’t a language course. It doesn’t provide the structure, spaced repetition or pronunciation training that dedicated apps do. It is awesome for supplementing your learning (especially for intermediate and advanced learners). But relying only on it will leave big gaps in vocabulary, listening comprehension and speaking fluency.

👉 My take: Use ChatGPT as a practice partner, not your only teacher. Pair it with structured apps like Duolingo or Talkpal for best results.

Other Contenders: Niche Players Worth Knowing

Not every app has the scale of Duolingo or the AI punch of Talkpal, but a few platforms are carving out their own corners in the language learning space:

Preply is great for live tutoring — which in my opinion is the best option to learn a language. You can supplement with another app like Talkpal or Duolingo to get the going faster.

Lingoda — Known for its live online classes with real teachers, Lingoda is basically a digital language school. The “Sprint Challenge” (where you get cashback if you attend enough classes) has motivated many learners. It’s excellent for structure and accountability, but also one of the priciest options since you’re essentially paying for small-group tutoring in addition to online lessons.

Fluenz — Think of Fluenz as the anti-Duolingo. It’s deliberately slow, structured, and teacher-led, with detailed grammar explanations and cultural context. Lessons feel more like a college course than a gamified app. The trade-off is price: Fluenz is expensive (often sold as premium lifetime courses), and it appeals more to serious learners than casual dabblers. It also offers only around half a dozen languages, so check this first before you sign up.

👉 Verdict: These contenders fill specific niches — Preply or Lingoda if you want real teachers, Fluenz if you prefer a serious, classroom-style approach. They won’t beat Duolingo or Talkpal for mass appeal, but they’re worth a look depending on your style and budget.

Language Learning Apps: Frequently Asked Questions (2025)

What are the best language learning apps in 2025?

The best language learning apps depend on your learning style and goals. For beginners, Duolingo has a completely free version with basic features and bite-sized lessons to learn languages at your own pace. For serious language learners looking to develop conversational skills beyond B2 level, Talkpal is the standout feature app with AI features to practice real conversation. Drops is great for teaching vocabulary through a flashcard app and Memrise connects you with native speakers through video content.

How do language learning apps compare to in-person classes?

Language apps offer flexibility that traditional in-person class and group classes can’t match. You can download lessons, access offline mode and practice at your own pace without the scheduling constraints of an online course or structured program.

But apps lack the human interaction and cultural context of learning with a local library language group or live tutors. The best approach is to combine app-based learning with occasional conversation practice with native speakers or other learners.

Are free language learning apps actually effective?

Yes, many language apps have a free version that provides solid foundation training. Duolingo’s free version has all the words and basic vocabulary to reach A2-B1 level. The free version usually includes daily lessons, basic features and enough language courses to build language skills. But most learners hit a plateau where the paid version unlocks in-depth lessons, unlimited mistakes, writing exercises and speaking exercises that accelerate progress.

What’s the difference between free and paid versions of language apps?

The free version of most language learning apps includes basic vocabulary, a few sentences practice and limited daily lessons (with ads). The paid version usually offers:

Unlimited access to all available language courses
Offline mode to download lessons
Speaking exercises with pronunciation feedback
Writing exercises and grammar rules explanations
No ads and unlimited mistakes
In-depth lessons with cultural context
Exam prep and specific lessons for business or travel

Which language learning app is best for visual learners?

Drops is for visual learners, using images to teach new words without translation. Memrise has video content from native speakers that provides context. Both use visuals to help you learn words quickly through association rather than memorization.

What’s the best app for auditory learners?

Pimsleur is audio-first language courses, perfect for learning during commutes or multitasking. Babbel has real dialogue recordings from native speakers to develop conversational skills through repeated exposure to how other languages sound in real life.

Which apps are best for kinesthetic learners who need hands-on practice?

Talkpal has the most interactive learning experience with real-time AI conversation practice that adapts to your responses. Busuu has writing exercises and speaking exercises that other users (native speakers) review and correct, so you get human interaction like language exchange. Both give self-motivated learners the active practice they need to develop language skills.

Can I learn multiple languages simultaneously with one subscription?

This varies by app:

Duolingo: Free access to all languages, one at a time or simultaneously
Babbel: Annual subscription includes unlimited access to all 14 languages
Mondly: Confusing pricing — charges per single language OR offers bundle for all languages
Drops: One subscription covers one language; separate purchase for other languages
Busuu: Premium covers all 14 languages
Talkpal: Check current offerings for multi-language access

What can I realistically achieve with language learning apps?

According to the Common European Framework (CEFR):

A1-A2 (Beginner): All apps can get you here with basic vocabulary, key phrases and a few sentences
B1-B2 (Intermediate): Achievable with consistent practice, in-depth lessons and speaking exercises from apps like Duolingo, Babbel or Busuu
C1-C2 (Advanced): Requires going beyond app-based learning to include human interaction, immersion and tools like Talkpal or Lingoda (live group classes)

Do language apps actually teach grammar rules?

Yes, but quality varies:

Babbel: Explicit grammar rules with explanations in your native language
Busuu: Clear grammar sections within lessons
Duolingo: Implicit grammar through patterns (grammar rules explained in tips)
Drops: No grammar teaching — vocabulary only
Rosetta Stone: Immersion approach without explicit grammar rules
Talkpal: Grammar corrections during AI conversations

For self-motivated learners who need structure, Babbel and Busuu offer the most comprehensive grammar instruction.

Do language learning apps include speaking practice?

Speaking exercises vary by app:

Talkpal: Real-time AI conversation — best for conversational skills
Rosetta Stone: Speech recognition for pronunciation practice
Busuu: Speaking exercises reviewed by native speakers
Babbel: Voice recognition for specific lessons
Duolingo: Limited speaking exercises (mainly multiple-choice answers)
Drops: No speaking practice — visual vocabulary only

For serious speaking development, Talkpal or Busuu’s community feedback provides the most valuable speaking exercises.

Can I practice writing in my target language?

Apps with writing exercises include:

Busuu: Writing exercises corrected by other users
Babbel: Fill-in-blank and sentence construction
Duolingo: Translation exercises and some writing
Talkpal: Written conversation practice with AI feedback

Most apps focus on recognition (multiple-choice answers) rather than production (writing full sentences), so dedicated writing practice often requires supplementary resources.

Which apps connect you with native speakers?

Busuu stands out for human interaction — other learners and native speakers provide feedback on your writing exercises and speaking exercises.

Memrise features video content from native speakers for authentic pronunciation and cultural context.

Lingoda offers live group classes with native-speaking teachers. Most other apps use recorded content rather than connecting you directly with other users for language exchange.

Pricing & Value

Are language learning apps worth paying for?

The paid version is worth it if:

You’re committed to learning a language seriously
You need unlimited access and unlimited mistakes to practice freely
You want in-depth lessons with grammar rules and cultural context
You require offline mode or want to download lessons
You’re preparing for exam prep or business use

Stick with the free version if you’re casually exploring or just starting your language learning journey. Most learners upgrade after building basic vocabulary and realizing they need more structured content.

What’s the most affordable language learning app?

Value rankings by price:

Duolingo: Best free version — completely free access to nearly all features
Talkpal / Busuu: ~$5.83/month (annual) for solid foundation training
Drops: $79.99/year or $159 lifetime — good for vocabulary building
Babbel: $8.95/month (annual) for grammar-focused learning
Memrise: ~$90/year for native speaker video content

Talkpal offers the best value for serious learners despite higher pricing, as it’s the only app that effectively breaks the B2 plateau.

Do any apps offer lifetime access?

Yes! Several apps offer one-time purchase options:

Drops: $159.99 lifetime subscription
Rosetta Stone: Occasionally offers lifetime deals (~$199–299)
Memrise: Lifetime option available
Mondly: Lifetime access sometimes available

Lifetime access makes sense only if you’re learning multiple languages over many years or plan to study one language intensively.

Which app has the best free trial?

Talkpal: 14-day free trial to test AI conversation features
Duolingo: 7-day free trial of Super Duolingo (plus permanent free version)
Busuu: 14-day free trial or money-back period
Babbel: First lesson free of each course
Rosetta Stone: 3-day trial (limited)

Most apps offer enough free access to evaluate if the app teaches in a way that matches your learning style before committing to the paid version.

Comparing Specific Apps

Duolingo vs Babbel: Which is better?

Choose Duolingo if:

You want a completely free version with basic features
You prefer gamified, bite-sized lessons (5–10 minutes)
You’re learning one of 30–40+ available language courses
You respond well to streak motivation and leaderboards
You’re a beginner building basic vocabulary

Choose Babbel if:

You want explicit grammar rules and structured program
You prefer 10–15 minute lessons with cultural context
You need one of the 14 languages Babbel offers
You’re willing to pay for more in-depth lessons
You’re a self-motivated learner who doesn’t need gamification

Duolingo vs Talkpal: Which should I choose?

Use both! They serve different purposes:

Duolingo (A1-B1): Build basic vocabulary, learn grammar rules, establish daily lessons habit
Talkpal (B1-C2): Develop conversational skills, practice speaking exercises, break the B2 plateau

Start with Duolingo’s free version, then add Talkpal when you can construct a few sentences and want to practice with AI conversation partners.

Drops vs Memrise: Which is better for vocabulary?

Drops if you:

Want a pure flashcard app focused on learning words quickly
Prefer visual association over traditional flashcards
Like the lifetime subscription option
Need only specific words for travel or basic communication

Memrise if you:

Want to hear vocabulary from native speakers
Need listening comprehension alongside vocabulary
Prefer learning new vocabulary in cultural context
Want to learn full sentences, not just individual words

Both are vocabulary-focused supplements rather than complete language courses.

Busuu vs Babbel: Which offers better structured learning?

Both provide structured programs, but with different approaches:

Busuu advantages:

Feedback from other users and native speakers
Community of other learners for motivation
Slightly more affordable ($150/year vs Babbel’s ~$107–167)
CEFR-aligned structure

Babbel advantages:

More polished, in-depth lessons
Better grammar rules explanations
More consistent quality across all 14 languages
Cultural context woven throughout

For those who value human interaction, Busuu wins. For self-motivated learners who prefer learning independently, Babbel offers superior content.

Final Recommendations

What’s the single best language learning app overall?

There’s no single best app — it depends on your level:

Beginners (A1-A2): Duolingo — completely free, great daily lessons, teaches basic vocabulary and grammar rules through bite-sized lessons

Intermediate (B1-B2): Babbel or Busuu — structured program with in-depth lessons, grammar explanations, and speaking/writing exercises

Advanced (B2+): Talkpal — only app that effectively develops conversational skills beyond B2 through AI conversation practice

Best combination: Duolingo (free) → Add Talkpal at B1 → Supplement with native content

How do I choose between so many language learning apps?

Ask yourself:

Budget: Do I need a completely free version or am I willing to pay for unlimited access?
Learning style: Do I prefer bite-sized lessons, in-depth lessons, or speaking exercises?
Goals: Do I need basic vocabulary for travel or professional conversational skills?
Time: Can I commit to daily lessons or just occasional practice?
Language: Is my target language in the available language courses?

Try the free version or first lesson of 2–3 apps to see which app teaches in a way that resonates with your learning style.