The Best Language Learning Apps in 2025: Our Top Picks and How to Choose

Learning a new language has never been easier thanks to smartphone apps. With millions of users worldwide, these apps turn travel dreams into practical skills and give us a “tutor in our pocket.” In fact, language learning apps generated $1.08 billion in, as the demand for bilingual and multilingual skills soars. We all benefit: about half the world speaks more than one language and even 86% of business leaders say language ability is essential. In short, whether we’re high school students, working adults, or seniors, using a top app is a smart way to learn. In this guide, we will explore The Best Language Learning Apps in 2025.

In this guide, we review the best language learning apps in 2025, covering free and paid options. We’ll compare features, strengths, and ideal learners for each. And even break down complex points into simple points. Keep reading to find which apps work best for you, and check out our FAQ at the end for quick answers to related questions.

• Duolingo – The free, gamified starter app for beginners
• Babbel – The structured app with strong grammar focus
• Memrise – The fun vocab and listening booster (real video clips)
• Rosetta Stone – Classic immersion app with proven method
• Pimsleur – Audio-based app ideal for speaking practice
• Busuu – Community-driven app with native speaker corrections
• Mondly – Innovative app with AR/VR and AI features
• Drops – Visual-first app for quick vocabulary building
• HelloTalk/Tandem – Social language exchange apps for conversation practice
• Anki/Quizlet – Powerful flashcard apps for vocabulary retention

Each of the above is a top pick for The Best Language Learning Apps in 2025. Read on for details on how they work, who they suit, and how they stack up.

Why Use Apps to Learn a Language?

Apps make language learning possible into everyday life. Here’s why they’re so popular:

• Learn Anywhere, Anytime: Apps are like having a tutor on your phone. You can practice on the bus, at home, or during a lunch break. This flexibility means we can fit short lessons into a busy schedule. In fact, studies show language apps have higher retention than most apps – about 25% of users are still learning after 30 days.
• Variety of Methods: Many apps mix listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Think of it like a language gym. Some apps use games and rewards to motivate (like points and streaks on Duolingo), while others use real audio conversations or flashcards. We can pick a style that feels fun, whether it’s a quiz game or a mini-lesson.
• Adaptive Learning: Good apps adjust to you. For example, they use spaced repetition to help us remember vocabulary. It’s like a personal memory coach built in. Some even use AI to correct pronunciation on the fly.
• Motivation and Community: Gamification (points, levels) is like turning study into a game. Many apps track streaks or compete in leaderboards, which keeps us coming back. Others add social features which means you can get feedback from native speakers or classmates. That sense of achievement and community is a game changer.

In short, the best language learning apps in 2025 are a toolbox of resources. There’s no one “magic bullet”; instead, they complement each other. As one experienced learner put it, “No single app will get you to fluency, the right combination of tools can get you 60–80% of the way there.” Use apps alongside conversation practice for the best results.

How to Choose the Right App

Before diving into our top picks, consider what you need:

• Skill focus: Do you need an all-round learning, or a boost in one area? Some apps cover everything (reading, writing, listening, speaking) while others specialize (e.g. vocab flashcards or conversation practice).
• Learning style: Are you motivated by games, or do you prefer structured lessons? Duolingo is like a game (streaks, rewards), whereas Babbel feels more like a classroom with grammar lessons. Use whichever feels engaging to you.
• Language offer: Check that the app teaches the language(s) you want. Duolingo and Mondly cover 30+ languages; Babbel offers 15 popular ones; some niche apps might have fewer options. For example, Mondly supports 41 languages as of late 2024.
• Difficulty level: Most apps start at beginner level (A1/A2). If you’re intermediate or advanced, pick one that goes further. Some apps (like Babbel or Mondly) go up to B2/C1, but many hit a plateau at B1. No app alone will take you to fluency, so at higher levels you should supplement with real conversations.
• Features: Look for things like speech recognition, AI chatbots, offline mode, etc. For example, Duolingo Max has AI Chat and Stories; Mondly introduced AR/VR lessons; HelloTalk allows chatting with real people.
• Age and fun factor: If you’re buying for kids, choose something very visual or game-like (e.g. Drops, LingoDeer, Duolingo Kids). For older learners, clarity and structure might be more important.

Thinking of apps as tools: like hammers and wrenches in a toolkit. We might use Duolingo for daily warm-ups, Memrise for learning new vocabulary with videos, and HelloTalk for speaking practice.

Top Language Learning Apps in 2025 (At a Glance)

• Duolingo: Gamified, user-friendly, free. Great for building a habit and reaching beginner A1–B1 level.
• Babbel: Structured courses with clear grammar, geared for A1–B2 learners. Feels like a language class, less fun but very thorough.
• Memrise: Uses real video clips of native speakers. Excellent for vocabulary and listening practice. Short lessons, but not enough depth beyond intermediate.
• Rosetta Stone: Immersion-based learning (no translations). Well-known classic; strong on listening and speaking. Works through context, but can be expensive.
• Pimsleur: Audio-first approach. Great for learning pronunciation and conversational phrases on the go (audio lessons you can listen to anytime).
• Busuu: Combines structured lessons with community features. You get writing/speaking practice reviewed by native speakers. Premium-priced.
• Mondly: Fast-paced and fun, with AR/VR features and a chatbot. It’s visually appealing and covers many languages, but some users find it shallow past basic levels.
• Drops: Visual vocabulary-only app. Perfect if you like quick, picture-based learning. 5-minute bite-sized sessions, mostly for memorizing words.
• HelloTalk / Tandem: Social apps that connect you with native speakers. These aren’t “curriculum” apps, but invaluable for real conversation practice text, voice, or video chat.
• Anki / Quizlet: Powerful spaced-repetition flashcard apps. Not language-specific, but often used to drill vocabulary lists. Highly customizable (you or others create flashcard decks).

Learn about our comprehensive list of The Best Language Learning Apps in 2025 to find the perfect app for your learning style.

With that overview, let’s dive into each of the major apps:

Duolingo – The Fun Gamified Starter

We’ll start with the most famous one. Duolingo is often called the “gamified” language app. Its interface feels like a game, with levels, points, streaks, and cute animations. It’s completely free to start (with ads and optional premium) and offers over 50 languages. We’ve found Duolingo to be an excellent way to kick off learning a language, especially for beginners. In fact, Duolingo was described as “hands down the most accessible language-learning app”. One of us even kept a 700+ days streak on it!

Key features of Duolingo:

• Game-like lessons: Short exercises in listening, reading, writing and speaking. Completing exercises wins you points (XP) and crowns. This keeps us motivated.
• Bite-sized daily lessons: You only need about 5–10 minutes a day to make progress. It’s like a quick brain training session.
• Clear progression: As you complete units, you unlock more advanced skills (from A1 up toward B1). The layout is visual and easy to follow.

Think of Duolingo like collecting cards in a game: you repeat vocabulary and grammar to “level up.” This is great for habit-forming and vocabulary at the beginner levels. The spaced repetition system helps reinforce words we saw in earlier lessons. And it works: Duolingo boasts about 103 million monthly users (over 950 million downloads!) Clearly, millions use it to practice daily.

However, Duolingo has limits. As Luca Lampariello (a polyglot) noted, Duolingo can create “confident beginners, not fluent speakers”. Lessons tend to repeat at higher levels, and the speaking practice is limited (it’s mostly word matching and typing). In other words, by the B1 level, you may feel stuck reviewing similar content. You might outgrow it if your goal is fluency. In short, Duolingo is fantastic for getting started and building consistency, but for advanced skills, you’ll eventually need to supplement with real conversation practice or another app.

Pros: Completely free plan; fun, addictive game format; good for beginners; huge language selection.
Cons: Limited grammar depth and speaking at higher levels; ads in the free version.

If you want to try it, Duolingo is widely available on iOS, Android, and the web. It’s a great “starter app”. As one Polyglot put it, “If you’re a beginner, Duolingo is a fantastic launchpad”. To get started on Duolingo, check out Duolingo.

Babbel – Structured Grammar and Dialogue

Babbel takes the opposite approach of Duolingo’s game style. It feels more like a traditional classroom course, but on your phone. Lessons are structured by topic and level, with clear grammar explanations and realistic dialogues. In our experience, Babbel’s strength is its structured progression: each course builds logically (with writing and speaking exercises), which is great if you need a more serious, step-by-step path.

Key aspects of Babbel:

• Grammar focus: Every lesson comes with explanations of grammar rules (often in your native language). This explicit approach helps understand why phrases work.
• Dialogue-based exercises: You see situational conversations (ordering at a cafe, booking a hotel, etc.) that introduce new words in context. Then you practice similar sentences.
• Cultural notes: Babbel often includes cultural context in its lessons, e.g. idioms or etiquette tips.

For learners who want clear structure, Babbel is a solid pick. This is handy for students preparing for formal exams or writing tasks. Babbel courses tend to cover most essentials up through an intermediate B1/B2 level.

However, Babbel also has drawbacks. Many experts point out that it hasn’t evolved much recently. There’s no major AI or gamification, so it can feel a bit dry or repetitive. Past around B1, you hit a plateau: Same old topics over and over. In other words, Babbel solidly builds your foundation but may not carry you all the way to fluency. Also note Babbel is paid-only (no free plan), though it’s usually cheaper than some competitors.

Pros: Well-organized lessons; explicit grammar and explanations; good for systematic learning.
Cons: Less fun/gamified; can feel static and repetitive at higher levels; no free tier (only a short trial.)

We’d compare Babbel to sit-down language lessons with a tutor. If you enjoy structured study, Babbel is worth it. It even offers live online classes in some languages. For example, Babbel’s Spanish or French courses are popular. If you’re ready to commit, try Babbel and enjoy its courses.

Memrise – Real Videos & Vocabulary Builder

Memrise takes a very different tack: it uses real-world videos and games to teach you vocabulary. Instead of cartoon characters or robotic voices, Memrise shows you short clips of native speakers saying words and phrases. This video approach is like watching a mini movie for each lesson. We’ve found this makes learning feel lively and authentic.

Why Memrise works: When you see actual people using the language, words stick faster and longer. It’s science: associating a face and voice helps memory. One user says Memrise helps you pick up “natural pronunciation and listening skills” by hearing native speakers. It’s especially great for visual and auditory learners. For example, learning Spanish food words on Memrise might involve watching a local say “queso” at a market. That context makes the word much more memorable than a flashcard.

Key points about Memrise:

• Real native clips: Short videos of real people speaking the language natively (face and mouth visible). You answer what was said, train your ear, etc.
• Fun gamified drills: Behind the scenes, Memrise still uses spaced repetition games (like matching or typing) to reinforce the words you saw.
• Brief lessons: Memrise lessons are usually quick (a few minutes) and repeat words in various ways.

So Memrise shines at building vocabulary and listening comfort. It’s particularly strong for casual learners who want to learn words in context. As one of our staff notes, “For visual learners, is a huge plus… It’s a big step up from apps that only use text-to-speech voices”.

However, Memrise does not focus on grammar or in-depth progression. Its lessons jump topics randomly. We consider it a supplement rather than a full program. One drawback: Memrise “doesn’t go very deep” – after you master a range of phrases, it doesn’t push advanced skills. You’ll eventually need another method to practice speaking or advanced grammar.

Pros: Engaging video content; excellent for vocabulary and listening; free tier available.
Cons: Limited grammar instruction; not enough for complete courses; many advanced features are in paid plan.

Think of Memrise like flashcards on steroids. It’s superb for memorizing new words with the help of video cues. You can try Memrise to level up your vocab with fun, real-life clips.

Rosetta Stone – Classic Immersion Experience

Rosetta Stone is one of the oldest names in language learning. Its method is immersion-based: you learn entirely through the target language, without translations. This means all hints and instructions appear in context (pictures, synonyms, etc.). In practice, Rosetta Stone acts like taking a plunge: from Day 1 you see and hear only Spanish (for example) and piece it together.

Rosetta Stone’s main benefits:

• Full immersion: All exercises use images and the language itself. This can be challenging but helps train your brain to think in the new language.
• Pronunciation focus: They have good speech-recognition tech to correct your accent. You speak into the mic and get feedback.
• Extensive content: It covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with thousands of hours of content.

Over the years, Rosetta Stone has proven its effectiveness. It teaches you to rely on context clues and intuition, like how children learn their first language. We can liken it to living abroad in an interactive app. Some learners love it for its no-cheating approach (no English allowed).

But Rosetta Stone has a few drawbacks today. Several users say it’s “past its prime”. It’s high-quality, but also “rigid” and “expensive”. There are no free levels; you must subscribe. Also, it hasn’t changed much in recent years. Compared to apps with AI chatbots, Rosetta can feel old-fashioned. Still, if you want a comprehensive immersion course, Rosetta is a solid option.

Pros: Proven method; strong on pronunciation and core vocabulary; very structured.
Cons: Pricier; no free option beyond a short trial; less gamified; may feel slow.

Rosetta Stone is available via subscription (or lifetime purchase for some languages). If you prefer learning by context, give Rosetta Stone a try.

Pimsleur – Hands-Free Audio Lessons

Pimsleur stands out because it’s audio-first. Think of it like listening to an audiobook course. You hear a native speaker and repeat phrases, focusing on pronunciation and conversational patterns. As one reviewer notes, Pimsleur is “best for audio learners”. It really builds speaking confidence. We often use Pimsleur on commutes or casual walks, since it’s completely hands-free.

Highlights of Pimsleur:

• Listen-and-repeat method: Each lesson is about 30 minutes, and you respond verbally to prompts (press a button to speak the answers). This helps you practice speaking from Day 1.
• Spaced repetition in audio: Pimsleur carefully recycles vocabulary at timed intervals in the lessons. By the end, you’ve heard and said new words many times.
• Dialogues and culture: Pimsleur includes conversational exchanges and even small cultural notes. It often feels like eavesdropping on a real conversation.

We can almost liken Pimsleur to “having a personal radio tutor.” Many users report a big jump in confidence after finishing a few lessons. It’s especially good for travel phrases and basic conversation.

The main downside is scope and price. Pimsleur courses often stop around intermediate level (B1). They also cost more than many apps for full access. And because it’s audio-only, you won’t practice writing or reading much. One commenter said Pimsleur is “expensive and screen-free only”.

Pros: Very effective for speaking and listening; good accent practice; hands-free.
Cons: Relatively expensive subscription; limited visuals or reading; not suited for grammar drills.

If you want to improve your speaking and don’t mind audio, check out Pimsleur.

Busuu – Community-Powered Lessons

Busuu mixes structured lessons with a social twist. It offers courses in 12 languages, similar to Babbel in format. The unique part is the community: Busuu lets you submit writing and speaking exercises, which are corrected by native speakers. In other words, you learn from the community and help others in your own language. We find this adds a personal and unique touch to the app.

Busuu’s key points:

• Peer corrections: You can write a short essay or speak a phrase, and other learners or native speakers will correct it. This gives real feedback on your mistakes.
• Built-in review: Busuu’s system has an SRS review feature, so you practice vocab you’ve learned at just the right time.
• Offline mode: Lessons can be downloaded to use without internet.

Busuu is often praised for its community feedback feature. It’s like having language exchange partners built in. For example, if you’re learning French, a French speaker will correct your English posts, and vice versa. This makes the learning active and engaging. Also, Busuu’s lessons are aligned with CEFR levels and cover speaking, writing, listening, and reading.

But there are trade-offs. Busuu’s premium plan is pricey (around $150/year). Some users feel the corrections can be inconsistent (since everyone is volunteering to correct). And unlike free apps, Busuu’s free version is quite limited.

Pros: Structured course plus human feedback; interactive writing/speaking practice; offline capabilities.
Cons: High cost; variable quality of community corrections; fewer languages (12 total).

If you thrive on interaction, Busuu can be fun. In fact, one source notes, “Busuu is good if you like community corrections and want a bit more structure than Duolingo”. For social learning, try Busuu.

Mondly – Cutting-Edge Tech Features

Mondly is one of the most innovative apps. It offers many of the standard lessons, but adds tech twists like augmented reality (AR) and a chatbot. Mondly covers an impressive 41 languages (as of 2024). It’s very visual and uses conversational practice with animated characters. For instance, their AR feature lets you speak to a virtual tutor in your room using your phone camera.

What we like about Mondly:

• Smart chatbot: Uses AI to hold a conversation with you. It can guide dialogues and correct mistakes in real time, giving a taste of speaking practice.
• Daily lessons: Short, game-like activities each day with vocabulary and phrases relevant to travel or business.
• Clean design: The interface is modern and user-friendly, with lots of visual elements (charts, progress bars).

Mondly feels lively and keeps up with trends. We like the variety of exercises (flashcards, quizzes, listening) and the fact that it’s constantly adding features. For example, Mondly introduced a VR mode to practice in immersive scenarios.

On the flip side, some users find Mondly’s content uneven. The lessons can be shallow after a point, and it uses a pay-per-language model unless you buy an “All Languages” bundle. One critic even calls it “flashy but weak, outdated, shallow”. Also, like many apps, Mondly may not replace a full course.

Pros: Modern interface; lots of languages; AI/AR features; good for travel phrases.
Cons: Many features require paid upgrades; depth varies; separate pricing for each language.

Mondly is especially fun for tech-savvy learners. If you want to try its AR or chatbot, check out Mondly.

Drops – Quick Visual Vocabulary

If you (or a kid) like rapid-fire, visual learning, then Drops is worth a look. Drops focuses exclusively on vocabulary. Each session is only 5 minutes long (to keep you consistent), and words are taught with playful illustrations. It feels like a casual game: you match words to pictures, scroll through emoji-style prompts, etc. We compare it to playing a matching game on your phone.

Why Drops stands out:

• Fast-paced: You only study new words and review old ones in short, timed rounds. It doesn’t get into grammar or long sentences.
• Visual learning: The emphasis is on images. Each word is paired with a colorful icon or drawing, making it stick in your visual memory.
• Engagement: The time limit and scores make it feel like a mini-challenge. Perfect for learning on a coffee break.

This app is ideal for early beginners or travellers who need quick phrases, and for children. In fact, Drops is often recommended as a supplement to more comprehensive apps. The developer also has a “Drops for Kids” version.

Of course, because it’s vocabulary-only, Drops won’t teach you grammar or conversation. But it’s highly addictive and effective for memorizing words. Many consider it the fastest way to build a base of nouns and verbs.

Pros: Super easy to use; very engaging; lots of everyday vocabulary; free version available.
Cons: No grammar or dialogue; time limits may frustrate some.

For a fast vocab boost, give Drops a try.

HelloTalk & Tandem – Practice with Native Speakers

So far, we’ve covered structured apps, but one category we must mention is social conversation apps. Apps like HelloTalk and Tandem connect you with real people who speak your target language. You text, voice call, or video chat with someone who wants to learn your language.

This approach is radically different: instead of lessons, you learn by interacting. It’s like having a language buddy from another country. Our tips for these apps:

• Find a partner: You can filter by language, country, interests. It’s helpful to set some goals (e.g. practice 30 minutes a week).
• Use built-in tools: These apps include translation aids, correction tools, and even voice chat. For example, you speak, and the app can transcribe or correct your message.
• Be respectful and consistent: Not every conversation will be perfect. But even simple daily chats build real-world ability.

The point is that nothing beats speaking with a human. You learn slang, cultural context, and get instant corrections. As one blogger mentioned, “Apps like HelloTalk or Tandem have you talking with real people, which is way better than just memorizing words.” Many learners report that these chats give them confidence far beyond what an app lesson can do.

There’s no cost to chat (both HelloTalk and Tandem are free with optional premium). The downside is that it takes effort to find good partners and schedule chats. Also, it’s less structured, so it’s best used alongside formal study.

Pros: Real conversation practice; cultural exchange; personal feedback.
Cons: Unstructured; depends on your speaking ability; quality varies.

If you’re serious about speaking, download HelloTalk or Tandem and start chatting. Think of it as adding human teachers to your toolbox.

Anki and Quizlet – Flashcards for Mastery

Finally, we can’t forget about flashcard apps. While not “language courses” per se, apps like Anki and Quizlet are favorites among serious learners. They allow you to create custom flashcards or use decks others have made. We especially recommend them for vocabulary review.

Why flashcards still matter:

• Spaced Repetition: Anki, especially, is built on SRS (spaced repetition system). It shows you cards right before you’re about to forget them, which is scientifically proven to cement memory.
• Custom content: You can tailor cards to exactly the words or grammar points you want. For instance, if you’re learning Japanese kanji, Anki has decks for that.
• Versatility: Quizlet includes games like “Match” and “Gravity,” turning review into small mini-games.

Using Anki or Quizlet is like building your own mini-app. We recommend them as a supplement to the other apps above. For instance, if you encounter 10 new words on Duolingo or in a class, put them in Anki and review daily. Over time, this helps vocabulary sink in far better than random review.

Pros: Highly effective for retention; totally customizable; many free resources (Quizlet has tons of shared decks).
Cons: Requires self-discipline (you must make/use cards yourself); not as “gamified” out of the box (though you can add plugins/games).

For serious students, we say “Anki is a must” because it really makes vocab stick. There’s a learning curve to use Anki well, but it pays off. If your target language is Japanese, Spanish, etc., you’ll find pre-made decks ready to go. In short, flashcards are the secret sauce behind many polyglots’ success.

Conclusion

We hope this guide helped you find the best language learning apps in 2025 for your needs. Remember, no single app is a magic bullet. Instead, think of them as allies on your language journey. For instance, you might use Duolingo or Babbel to learn basics, Memrise for extra vocabulary, and HelloTalk to practice talking. Or combine Pimsleur and Busuu for heavy pronunciation work plus community feedback. The key is consistency and mixing approaches.

Based on our research and experience, here’s our final advice: Start with one or two core apps that fit your learning style, and use others as supplements. Most users keep at least one app for vocabulary and one for conversation. Apps are great for building routine and confidence, but pair them with real-life practice (like speaking with people, watching shows, or reading) to really skyrocket your skills.

Happy learning, and enjoy the adventure of language exploration!

FAQ

Q: Which is the best language learning app in 2025 for beginners?
A: For absolute beginners, Duolingo is hard to beat because it’s free, fun, and starts from zero. It teaches you basic words and sentences quickly. Babbel is also beginner-friendly, but it’s paid. For very young kids, check out Duolingo ABC or apps like Drops Kids.

Q: Can I become fluent using just apps?
A: Apps alone usually aren’t enough for complete fluency. As one language expert notes, “no single app will get you to fluency”. They are excellent for building vocabulary, grammar foundations, and confidence. However, to reach fluency, you’ll need conversation practice (like with Tandem or in-person), immersion, and possibly advanced courses.

Q: Are paid apps better than free ones?
A: Paid apps like Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Busuu often have more content and structure without ads. Free apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and HelloTalk are great for starters and for learners on a budget. Smart people combine both: use free ones daily and invest in a paid app or tutor occasionally for deeper learning.

Q: Which app is best for children or older learners?
A: Kids usually enjoy visually engaging apps. Duolingo Kids or Drops Kids are made for children. Gus on the Go and LingoPie are also popular for young learners. Older adults might prefer clear audio and large text. Pimsleur or Babbel, with its structured lessons, can be good choices. Ultimately, pick an app that feels comfortable to you.

Q: How do I know if an app is working for me?
A: Track your progress in small milestones. For example, after a month on Duolingo, can you hold a simple conversation or understand basic sentences? Many apps have progress bars or placement tests. Also, research shows that about 25% of learners still use their app after a month. If they’re on track, that is a good sign! If you feel bored or stuck, try switching apps or adding a new one.

Feel free to try out these apps, and remember that practice + consistency is key. Good luck and enjoy your language learning journey!

By Moha,
Much love.