Without mentioning it, you already thought of Duolingo; yeah, that’s the hottest language learning app of the moment, and no doubt, it’s a good one. However, there are a couple of other language learning apps that are as good as Duolingo, such as Babbel, Rosetta, and many others, and to some people, these ones are even “better.”
So, today, we will be looking at the best language learning applications out there. These apps allow you to learn and master international languages; some of them support over a hundred languages, including popular languages like Spanish, German, Portuguese, Igbo, Yoruba, French, and many others.
The Best Language Learning Applications (LLAs)
This listicle, coined from curating ideas on 3ptechies, focuses on the best of the best language applications, which work across platforms and devices for ease of access and on-the-go learning.
1. Babbel
Languages Supported: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, Indonesian, Dutch, Polish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Turkish.
You see, most times, the best option isn’t always the most popular, but then, if you find them, you’d see that you’ve been missing a whole lot previously. Babbel is a hell of a gem language learning app with a butt-load of features and a super intuitive interface. Yeah, it used to offer “Live Classes,” which have been discontinued, but the other features are still very relevant and helpful.
Babbel isn’t about teaching you “All” languages; the platform focuses on a few selected languages and provides all possible resources and features that’d make you master them. Well, the caveat is, Babbel is a subscription-based LLA that allows you to learn in three categories: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. However, it does offer a limited free trial so you can explore its offers first before deciding to pay.
2. Duolingo
Languages Supported: Scottish Gaelic, Hebrew, Hindi, Haitian Creole, Hungarian, Hawaiian, Indonesian, Korean, Latin, Norwegian (Bokmål), Navajo, and many others.
Inarguably, the most popular LLA out there, and most of its popularity is because it is available for free across platforms. Duolingo is one of the super-interesting apps that teaches you different new languages in fun-filled ways that make you understand better and faster. There’s no limit to the number of languages you can learn with Duolingo for free.
However, quite some people argue that Duolingo doesn’t offer “depth” to the languages it offers. Well, the platform offers the best aesthetically-appealing UI with catchy animations that make the whole language learning process engaging. There’s also a version of Duolingo for school students. You should start with Duolingo, especially as a beginner or intermediate linguist.
3. Fluenz
Languages Supported: French, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, German, and Portuguese
Fluenz is for aspiring linguists who want a more focused and targeted learning curve. The app doesn’t offer many languages, just a few, including French, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, German, and Portuguese.
With Fluenz, it’s not just about taking digital tests and learning phrases digitally; instead, you’re hooked with a tutor who will personally see you through your learning duration, teaching you through classroom-style short videos and interactive practice modules.
4. Rosetta Stone
Languages Supported: Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Swedish, Tagalog (Filipino), Turkish, Vietnamese, and others.
Honestly, a lot of people believe Rosetta Stone is far better than Duolingo, and personally, I won’t disagree with that. Everyone learns differently, and these LLAs have unique ways of pushing their language lessons and tests, which suit different people, individually. For Rosetta Stone, the users are convinced to learn new grammar, conjunctions, and simple phrases of a new language at beginner levels.
There are 25 languages to learn on Rosetta Stone across Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. The app’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate; plus, the online tutoring support is optional. Rosetta offers a dedicated version for schools and enterprises, just like Duolingo. However, Rosetta Stone is a paid LLA; there’s not much you can do on the free version.
5. Lingoda
Languages Supported: German, English, Business English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
If you’re not learning that new language for learning’s sake, but truly wish to understand and speak the new language, then you might have to pay for the Lingoda subscription and launch your learning process. With Lingoda, you only get a 7-day free trial, and then you must have to pay to continue; this is the major reason why most people tend to go for Duolingo other than Lingoda. Also, there are just 6 languages to learn on Lingoda.
Lingoda is serious with its platform; when you subscribe, you’re paired with a small group of learners and then assigned an instructor who engages you all via Zoom meetings to teach the new language. The classes are well structured, and actually, you’ll be sent the learning materials as PDFs before the class, so you’re coming to the class, not in oblivion of what to learn, but with curiosity to have certain things explained to you.
6. Busuu
Languages Supported: English, Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Korean, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Turkish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Polish.
The language lessons on Busuu are specially handcrafted by experts and structured in a way that anyone can learn them easily. Busuu is a hidden gem of a language learning app, with a focus on specific languages; it has real experts to tutor on. Every language lesson or test you take on Busuu is crafted by native speakers of that particular language.
The app’s interface is truly intuitive and seamless to navigate, with flashcard-spaced repetitions. However, if you’re looking to learn East Asian languages, Busuu doesn’t offer those languages. There are only about 12 languages in total available on the platform. But, for the languages supported, you can choose “how” to go with your learning.
7. Memrise
Languages Supported: Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English (UK), French, Galician, German, Greek, Hausa, Hebrew, Icelandic, Igbo, Kanada, Persian, and more.
Memrise specializes in providing its learners with video lessons from native tutors on specific languages; it is one of the most popular language learning apps. Mainly, Memrise is recommended for learning vocabulary of new languages, but it also teaches phrases, speeches, and all of that you’d expect from an LLA. If you learn with Memrise, you could easily relate to locals in a foreign land that speaks the language you just learned. The app’s UI is intuitive and uses flashcards for easy learning.
Summary
These are the seven best language learning applications to learn foreign languages on the go. They are not entirely free, but offer limited free plans or trials for you to familiarize yourself with their offerings before deciding to either pay for an upgrade or seek an alternative. Did we skip your favorite? Let’s hear it in the comments.
