Best Language Learning Apps (2026): 10 to Try by Learning Style

Language apps are easy to download and surprisingly hard to choose between. Some turn study into a game, some teach you to speak by listening, and some are really flashcard engines for people who like to build their own decks. The right one depends far more on how you like to learn than on how famous the app is.

This page lists ten language learning apps in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, with a note on each one's style so you can match it to your own. Details come from each app's own website and help pages. Popular names such as Duolingo are listed alongside smaller apps, because a smaller app is sometimes just what a particular learner needs. If you'd rather practise with an AI assistant, my guide to language-learning prompts for ten minutes a day is a handy companion.

Ten language learning apps set out by learning style

In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site describes a free version or free tier. Trial only means a free first lesson or free trial and no ongoing free version. Free versions often limit lessons, languages or play time, so read each app's current details before you commit to one.

Tool	Learning style	Good for	Free plan
Anki	Flashcards with spaced review	Memorising words and phrases you choose	Yes
Babbel	Structured conversation courses	Everyday phrases, grammar and speaking practice	Trial only
Busuu	Courses with community feedback	Lessons plus feedback from other learners	Yes
Clozemaster	Fill-in-the-blank sentences	Building vocabulary in real sentences	Yes
Drops	Short visual vocabulary games	Quick daily word practice on a phone	Yes
Duolingo	Gamified bite-size lessons	Building a daily habit from scratch	Yes
LingoDeer	Structured grammar-led courses	Asian languages and clear grammar notes	Yes
LingQ	Reading and listening	Learning from real articles, books and podcasts	Yes
Memrise	Native speaker video clips	Hearing how real people say things	Yes
Pimsleur	Audio-only lessons	Learning to speak while walking or driving	Trial only

The language learning apps in alphabetical order

Anki

Best for: Self-directed learners who want free, open source flashcards on a computer or Android phone and don't mind building their own decks.

Babbel

Best for: Beginners who like clear, step-by-step lessons built around conversations, with the first lesson free to try.

Busuu

Best for: Learners who want guided units and the option of friendly feedback, with a free version to begin with.

Clozemaster

Best for: Learners past the basics who want lots of short sentence practice, on a site that says it's free and always will be.

Drops

Best for: Busy people who want a few minutes of picture-led vocabulary, with a free tier that limits play time.

Duolingo

Best for: Complete beginners who need a playful nudge to practise every day, with courses the company says are free to use.

LingoDeer

Best for: Learners of languages such as Japanese and Korean who like clear explanations, with the alphabet and first unit free.

LingQ

Best for: Intermediate learners who prefer real content and saving unknown words as they go, with a free plan that has limits.

Memrise

Best for: Learners who want to hear everyday phrases from native speakers on video, with a free way to start.

Pimsleur

Best for: People who learn best by listening and repeating aloud, with a free trial to hear how the lessons work.

How to pick among language learning apps for the way you study

Think about the last time you learned something and enjoyed it. Did you like being quizzed, listening, reading, or talking to a person? Your answer points to the type of app that will survive past the first excited week.

• Your goal. A holiday phrasebook, a work conversation and a school exam each ask for different lessons.
• Your language. Not every app covers every language, so check yours is available before you start.
• Speaking practice. If you need to talk, look at how the app helps you say words aloud and get feedback.
• Your free minutes. Short games suit a commute, while audio lessons suit walking or driving.
• Offline use. Look at whether lessons work without a signal if you travel or have patchy broadband.
• Review. Good apps bring old words back at the right time, instead of teaching them once and moving on.

Which kind of language learning app suits a beginner, a traveller or a professional

• Gamified apps suit absolute beginners who need to build a daily habit and don't want anything heavy.
• Structured course apps suit learners who want a clear path with grammar explained along the way.
• Audio-based apps suit people who learn by listening and want to speak early.
• Reading and listening apps suit intermediate learners who want real articles, podcasts and books.
• Flashcard tools suit organised learners who want to control exactly which words they review.

If your language learning is for work, such as dealing with overseas customers, my piece on how a new language can boost your career explains the benefits, and my list of online learning platforms for business skills covers wider study. Translating a particular language? Try my short guide to translating Chinese into English.

Habits that make any language learning app work harder for you

1. Set a small daily target that you can hit even on a tired day.
2. Say every new word and phrase out loud, not just in your head.
3. Write a few of your own sentences each week using words you've just learned.
4. Mix your app with something real, such as a song, a podcast or a chat with a native speaker.
5. Go back over old material often, because forgotten words come back faster than new ones.
6. Check in after a few weeks and ask honestly whether the app still suits your style.

Common mistakes when choosing language learning apps

• Collecting several apps at once, then using none of them for long.
• Choosing for the friendliest mascot rather than the way you really learn.
• Relying only on tapping answers, with no speaking or writing of your own.
• Skipping the free version or trial, which is the easiest way to learn whether you enjoy the style.
• Expecting one app to make you fluent on its own without real conversation.

Do you make language learning apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A short checklist for settling on your language learning apps

Pick two apps in different styles and try each for a week with the free version or trial. Notice which one you open without being reminded. That's the one to keep, and you can always add a second style later, such as audio lessons or a conversation partner, once the habit has stuck.

Frequently asked questions

Can I learn a language with a free app alone?

A free app can take you a long way with vocabulary and basic phrases. To reach real conversations you'll also want to speak with people, read real material and listen to native speakers.

Which style of language app suits beginners?

Gamified and structured course apps are friendly starting points because they set out small steps. Pick the style you enjoy, since that decides whether you keep going.

How long should I spend on an app each day?

A short session you can keep up beats a long one you skip. Many learners find a few minutes a day sustainable, then add longer sessions at weekends.

Do language apps teach speaking?

Some focus on speaking and listening, while others focus on vocabulary and reading. Check how each app handles speaking, and add conversation practice with a person where you can.

Is it worth using more than one language app?

It can be, if each does a different job, such as one for habit-building and one for listening. Using several apps for the same job usually just splits your attention.