Table of Contents
What language do you want to learn? Have you already learned a little, or are you starting from scratch? At PCMag, we've been testing language learning software for more than a decade. Additionally, our contributors have studied languages formally at the Foreign Service Institute, with private tutors, and at various universities. Based on years of testing, five apps stand out as Editors' Choice winners: Duolingo offers the most full-featured free experience, Fluenz emphasizes instructional learning, Lingoda excels with its small online classes, Rosetta Stone is best suited for beginners, and Sign It ASL teaches American Sign Language more effectively than anything else. But you should read on for more top picks that might suit you better, along with a guide to help you pick the best language app for your needs.
Our Top Tested Picks
Duolingo
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Thanks to its clear structure, engaging exercises, and unique features, Duolingo is simply the best free app for learning a new language or sharpening your skills.
Pros
- Free
- No limit on how many languages you can learn
- Clear structure with great exercises
- Can test out of lessons that are too easy
- Highly motivating design
Cons
- Quantity of material varies by language
- Grammar lessons could be more prominent
Lingoda
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Speaking and interacting with others is a crucial part of learning a language, and Lingoda offers hour-long lessons with excellent instructors and compelling teaching materials to get you there.
Pros
- Affordable
- One-on-one and small group classes via Zoom
- Qualified, enthusiastic instructors
- Excellent learning materials
- Includes placement test
Cons
- Offers classes for only a few languages
- No software-based courses
Sign It ASL
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Sign It ASL is the best online site for learning American Sign Language; it caters to a wide range of people and offers excellent instruction in a fun format.
Pros
- Excellent content and compelling format
- Wonderful cast of instructors and actors
- Buy once, access forever
- Appropriate for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people
- Free for parents of deaf children younger than 36 months
Cons
- No mobile apps
- Small improvements to interactive quiz design would help
Fluenz
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Fluenz uniquely recreates aspects of classroom learning and provides lots of focused material, making it an effective option for beginners who want to learn a select few foreign languages.
Pros
- Comprehensive core content
- Good for beginners
- Uses a building blocks approach
- App design prevents distractions
Cons
- Limited number of languages
- Only basic voice recording
Rosetta Stone
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Rosetta Stone is one of the best premium apps for building a foundation in a foreign language thanks to its beginner-friendly structure and professional design.
Pros
- Excellent, polished user experience
- Accurate
- Plentiful bonus content
- Optional online tutoring sessions
Cons
- No placement test
- Repetitive
- Full course outline isn't visible
Babbel
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Ideal if you are adept at learning languages (or already speak a few), Babbel teaches you phrases and vocabulary you'll actually use.
Pros
- Effective, high-quality lessons unique to each language
- Caters to experienced learners
- Straightforward interface
Cons
- Total amount of content varies by language
- Exercises can be dull
- No longer offers live classes
Pimsleur
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
If you want to learn how to communicate in and comprehend a new spoken language, Pimsleur is among the most accurate and effective programs available.
Pros
- Helps you speak and understand spoken languages
- Clear, audio-based instruction
- Superb lesson structure
- Programs for 50 languages, along with ESL courses
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to learn new scripts
Transparent Language Online
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Transparent Language Online doesn't have an especially compelling user experience, but it competently teaches languages you won't find anywhere else.
Pros
- Accurate
- Has 100+ languages
- Clear learning path and structure
Cons
- Dull design
- Length of program varies by language
The Best Language Learning Software Deals This Week*
- Babbel Language Learning Software 3 Months Subscription — $45 ($53) Save $8.10
- Babbel Language Learning Software 6 Months Subscription — $75 ($107) Save $32.40
- Babbel Language Learning Software 12 Months Subscription — $107 ($215) Save $108.00
EDITORS' NOTE
March 16, 2025: With this update, our lineup of recommended language learning software remains unchanged. We have vetted the existing picks for currency and availability.
- Free
- No limit on how many languages you can learn
- Clear structure with great exercises
- Can test out of lessons that are too easy
- Highly motivating design
- Quantity of material varies by language
- Grammar lessons could be more prominent
Duolingo is by far the best free language learning app. And it would still be among the best even if you had to pay, which you can do with Duolingo Super. That subscription unlocks an ad-free experience, a special mode for practicing your mistakes, and other perks. But what makes Duolingo so good? Its content is very strong, and the app design makes it easy to pick up and practice for a few minutes per day or sit down for longer study sessions. We also love Duolingo's podcasts and Stories feature for the languages that have it.
Beginners and intermediate students: Duolingo offers compelling content that helps you build foundational language knowledge, packaged into an experience that motivates you to keep learning. If fluency is the goal, though, you will likely need to find a more immersive or rigorous program.
Free users: Duolingo lets you learn more than 30 languages for free. You might still want to upgrade to the premium version if you use the platform heavily, however.
- Affordable
- One-on-one and small group classes via Zoom
- Qualified, enthusiastic instructors
- Excellent learning materials
- Includes placement test
- Offers classes for only a few languages
- No software-based courses
Lingoda offers one-on-one and small-group classes via Zoom at very reasonable prices. More importantly, however, the classes are highly structured. You get PDFs of all the materials before the class, and the instructor works through them. What Lingoda offers is completely different from tutoring, in which a student often brings up topics they want to practice or learn. With Lingoda, students work through all the classes at a given level before advancing to the next.
All students: Lingoda is one of the very few online language-learning programs suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners. If you're just starting out with a language, you just need to commit to practicing on your own or pair it with another class or learning app.
Group learners: If you like the idea of learning in a small group setting, Lingoda provides that structure. It might help to get live feedback from peers and to know that you aren't alone in your learning journey.
- Excellent content and compelling format
- Wonderful cast of instructors and actors
- Buy once, access forever
- Appropriate for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people
- Free for parents of deaf children younger than 36 months
- No mobile apps
- Small improvements to interactive quiz design would help
We tested quite a few apps and websites for learning American Sign Language, and Sign It ASL is easily the best. Working through a lesson feels a little like watching a television show because the segments feature short ASL skits with closed captioning and narration to help you learn. Interactive sessions for practicing and quizzing yourself follow each skit. Sign It ASL does a wonderful job of conveying a lot of information about culture, etiquette, and other aspects of ASL that are essential to learning this language.
Anyone who wants to learn ASL: Sign It ASL is ideal for teens and adults who want to learn American Sign Language. Because Sign It uses both narration and closed captioning, you can be hard of hearing or deaf and use this program, but you don't have to be.
Parents and family members of deaf infants: If you have very young children who will need adult support as they grow, this program is your best bet. There's even a special application process for parents to get Sign It ASL for free. The team behind Sign It ASL also has programs and YouTube videos for young children learning ASL.
- Comprehensive core content
- Good for beginners
- Uses a building blocks approach
- App design prevents distractions
- Limited number of languages
- Only basic voice recording
If Rosetta Stone didn't click for you, Fluenz is the best alternative. It's just as good at teaching beginners and intermediate students what they need to know about a language, but the approach is completely different. With Fluenz, you get a virtual instructor in short, classroom-style videos. Then, you move into interactive practice modules, which are tougher than Rosetta Stone's because they don't enforce the deductive method of learning.
Classroom learners: If you learn better with a teacher than a game-like app, Fluenz is a good choice. Its practice modules are also a bit more rigorous compared with those in Rosetta Stone if you are looking to test your knowledge.
People who want to learn specific languages. Fluenz doesn't offer as many languages as some other services, but it still covers Chinese (Mandarin with Pinyin only), French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Latin American Spanish, and European Spanish. At least one of those languages should interest you.
- Excellent, polished user experience
- Accurate
- Plentiful bonus content
- Optional online tutoring sessions
- No placement test
- Repetitive
- Full course outline isn't visible
Rosetta Stone is one of the best programs for learning a language, especially for beginners. It excels at introducing new words and basic grammar (such as conjugation and agreement) at just the right time and in a compelling way. It also does an excellent job of getting you to commit to learning for about 30 minutes per day through its wonderfully clear, structured lessons.
Beginners: When you're just getting started with a new language and are still uncomfortable, nothing quite beats Rosetta Stone. It keeps you moving through lessons while reinforcing what you have already learned.
People who like routine: If you enjoy studying in set blocks of time, Rosetta Stone should work well for your schedule. You always know what to expect next thanks to the clear instruction plans.
- Effective, high-quality lessons unique to each language
- Caters to experienced learners
- Straightforward interface
- Total amount of content varies by language
- Exercises can be dull
- No longer offers live classes
Babbel offers unique, high-quality content for 13 languages. It covers listening, reading, speaking, and writing thoroughly enough that you will need to take notes and reference them as you go. The lessons might feel dull, but they are among the most rigorous we've come across and really push your comprehension. For a change of pace, you can try learning with Babbel's tailored podcasts.
Multilinguists: Babbel is a good pick if you already speak multiple languages, as it forces you to rely on the language-learning skills you already have. You will have a much easier time grasping a new language if you already know a similar one.
People who want to challenge: Choose Babbel if you are looking for a challenge. It won't hold your hand or even let you progress until you get the exercise correct.
- Helps you speak and understand spoken languages
- Clear, audio-based instruction
- Superb lesson structure
- Programs for 50 languages, along with ESL courses
- Expensive
- Difficult to learn new scripts
Pimsleur uses a unique teaching method developed by Dr. Paul Pimsleur (the namesake of the program). The Pimsleur method introduces you to words and concepts, has you repeat them, and then waits a specific amount of time before having you recall them. The idea is that these timed intervals between moments of learning and recall strengthen your memory. Pimsleur courses have great content, too.
Audio-based learners: The app is ideal if you prefer audio-based learning or need to practice a language while multitasking. It has courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.
People who want to improve their speech: If you have a difficult time adjusting your pronunciation for a new language, Pimsleur is exceptional. It gives you the opportunity to hear words and practice saying them before you see them.
- Accurate
- Has 100+ languages
- Clear learning path and structure
- Dull design
- Length of program varies by language
If you need to learn a language that other apps don't teach, try Transparent Language Online. It specializes in courses and lessons for boutique and hard-to-find languages. The amount and difficulty of its content vary greatly by language, but what is available is extremely accurate. The app also stands out for its clear learning structure.
Learners of hard-to-find languages: Check out Transparent Language Online if you can't find the language you need to learn anywhere else. The only other app that offers close to as many languages is Mango Languages, but it's not nearly as good overall.
Perfectionists: Transparent Language Online's content tends to be extremely accurate. If you want to make sure that what you're learning is correct, it's a worthy choice.
The Best Language Learning Apps for 2026 Compare Specs
What Is the Best Language Learning Software?
The best app for learning a foreign language depends on your needs and goals. Apps and online services let you learn at your own pace and in spaces where you're most comfortable. The trick is figuring out what you need to work on at different stages.
When you first start out, you might like a program that tells you exactly what to study for an intensive 30 minutes per day. Rosetta Stone and Fluenz are both exceptional at that. Then, add a mobile app with more bite-sized content so you can refresh your memory in short bursts. Duolingo is especially good for practicing on the go, as is Quizlet. Quizlet isn't a language app per se, but it helps you create study sets (essentially groups of flash cards) and works exceptionally well for foreign language learning.
Some language learners find that looking at written language trips up their pronunciation. In that case, you might be better off starting with an audio-focused program, such as Pimsleur or Michel Thomas. Between the two, Pimsleur rates higher in our testing.
If you're already an intermediate or advanced speaker, self-paced apps alone won't be challenging enough. You should add one-on-one tutoring or a small-group class lesson. Lingoda offers both: They're exceptional and take place over Zoom. Another place to get human instruction is Rype, which focuses on one-on-one tutoring in 30-minute sessions. Not quite ready to converse? Try Yabla, a site flush with videos of native speakers that can help you acclimate your ear and expand your vocabulary.
Sometimes, you need resources specific to the language you're learning. For example, if you are studying American Sign Language, you really need either a live instructor or videos. Sign It ASL, an online course that offers TV-show-like video lessons, is the best we've tested.
Similarly, for languages with a script that's new to you, it's best to find an app that includes content for teaching reading and writing. In some cases, you might pick up two apps, one that focuses solely on reading and writing and another that teaches listening and speaking. There are numerous apps that teach writing for Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and other non-Roman scripts.
How Do You Learn Language Best?
One of the hardest parts about learning a different language is that if you are succeeding 100% of the time, it's not difficult enough. If it's too easy, you're not learning. That's uncomfortable for many people, but it's another reason you need to explore all your options, across language learning apps and resources, that match your skill level.
Podcasts are a great way to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Babbel and Duolingo both have good podcasts. If you can understand about 80% of what's being said, that's right where you should be. If you're not into podcasts to begin with, though, you might get frustrated and give up.
A few apps, including Lingoda, offer placement tests to help you determine the most suitable level to start with.
What Is the Best Free Language Learning App?
The best free app for learning a language is Duolingo, hands down. We recommend it enthusiastically, regardless of your level or language goals, as it has nearly everything. You won't become fluent using just Duolingo, but it's excellent for helping you study and keep up your skills.
It's available as both a web and mobile app, and it works well whether you're a total beginner or already have experience. You can study as many languages as you like with Duolingo. It offers instruction in more than 30 languages, including English, with additional options available for those who prefer a different language of instruction.
If you're not a beginner, Duolingo offers a placement test to determine the best starting point. It also makes it easy to practice specific skills, because its lessons focus not only on vocabulary themes (such as family or hobbies) but also on verb tenses and grammatical rules (such as past imperfect or dative case).
You can practice exercises in short bursts or explore content for intermediate and advanced speakers, including Stories and podcasts, which are available only for some languages. Duolingo also incorporates gamification elements, allowing you to set goals for yourself and compete against others. The more you hit your goal, the more bonus points you earn. You can support the company by purchasing a Super Duolingo account, but it's not necessary to access everything this app has to offer.
Is Rosetta Stone Worth the Price?
Rosetta Stone is the most polished language-learning app, offering numerous extras. Among paid programs, it remains one of our top picks, alongside Fluenz. Rosetta Stone is often on sale, so you can reasonably expect to pay less than the list price to get it. If you and your family members study multiple languages often, the Lifetime membership is a good deal, since it gives you access to all of Rosetta Stone's languages for your lifetime for one flat rate.
Rosetta Stone is accurate, thorough, and reliable, covering more than 20 languages. We like its rigor, especially for beginners. You know what to do every day, and you can plan to spend about 30 minutes completing your lesson. If you follow this routine, Rosetta Stone has enough content to keep you busy for months. Again, you won't become fluent in a language using only Rosetta Stone, but it's superb for helping you build a foundation for future learning.
The Best Language Software With a Virtual Teacher
Some learners do best when they have an instructor to guide them. When you're starting with a language, seeing another human being speak it and watching their facial movements can make it feel less intimidating. Fluenz gets that. This program uses videos of a teacher to introduce new lessons and review concepts, followed by interactive learning exercises and quizzes. It's as rigorous as Rosetta Stone but uses a completely different approach that you might prefer.
As Fluenz progresses, the instructor guides you through lessons in grammar, pronunciation, and culture as well. If you learn best when you see a familiar face, Fluenz is a great option.
Fluenz offers seven language courses: Chinese (Mandarin with Pinyin writing only), French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Latin American Spanish, and European Spanish.
The Best App for Group Classes and Speaking Practice
Lingoda is our top pick for live, video-based group classes, designed to help you speak confidently. With Lingoda, you take a placement test and then commit to a package of classes, which you pay for up front. Classes take place over Zoom and are limited to five students. One-on-one sessions are also available for a higher per-class cost.
Lingoda's curriculum and levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Lingoda offers classes in French, German, Spanish, English, and Business English.
What Is the Most Challenging Language Instruction App?
One app stands out for having lessons that are harder than others: Babbel. While testing this app, you may need a notebook nearby to jot down words and phrases to keep up. Not everyone can jump into tough language learning content, but some people can and like it. In particular, people who already speak three or four related languages might find that some programs are too slow for them. That's when Babbel is worth trying.
Babbel has 13 languages, assuming your language of instruction is English. You can learn Danish, Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian only), Russian, Spanish (Latin American or European), Swedish, and Turkish. There's also a course for learning English, with instruction available in French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.
The Best Language App for Intermediate and Advanced Speakers
If you've studied a language before and find that most language learning apps are too easy, you might want to try an app that gives you movies and TV shows in your target language, along with tools to help you learn the expressions, phrases, and words that are new to you. Two good apps offer this: Yabla and Lingopie. Both let you watch videos with the option to display closed captions in your native language, as well as English subtitles. You can look for content from a particular country or region if you're trying to acclimate your ear to a certain dialect or accent.
What makes them different? Yabla offers instruction in five languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, as well as an English program designed for Spanish speakers. When you sign up, you choose just one language. Lingopie has six languages as well (French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish). When you pay for an account, you get access to all the content in all the languages. Yabla has more interactive exercises for practicing the new words you learn, and in terms of genre, it offers both instructional learning videos and entertainment. Lingopie has only entertainment—no lessons on grammar or anything else—and flash cards for interacting with new words you learn along the way.
The Best Audio-Focused Language Apps
If you enjoy audiobooks and podcasts, consider an audio-focused language learning program. Two that stand out are Pimsleur and Michel Thomas. Each takes the name of the person who created the learning technique it uses. Both were initially sold as tapes and later as CDs. Now, they are available as apps.
Pimsleur uses Dr. Paul Pimsleur's spaced repetition method. In other words, the program uses specific intervals of time between when you first learn a word and when it asks you to recall it to maximize language retention. Each lesson takes about 30 minutes, and you're supposed to do exactly one lesson per day. For select languages, you get interactive exercises.
The Michel Thomas app uses a different method. Michel Thomas was a polyglot who developed a method of informal teaching. It involves putting people into a classroom and teaching them words that they could use as building blocks. That way, you get to speaking quickly and can mix and match the words you've learned to say in several sentences. When you buy the Michel Thomas program, you hear the recording from one of these classrooms, and you're supposed to play along as if you were there in person.
The Best Apps for Hard-to-Find Languages
Most language-learning software is available for French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. So, what do you do if you want to learn Igbo or Ojibwe?
When you're in a bind to find an app for a certain language, there are two sources to try: Mango Languages and Transparent Language Online. Transparent has programs for more than 100 languages. Some of those programs are short, but the company adds to them over time. Mango Languages is a possibility if you're stuck searching. We don't recommend it, but it might be your only option.
The Best App for Learning ASL
There are several good apps for learning American Sign Language, but the absolute best is Sign It ASL. This app teaches everything from fingerspelling to culture, etiquette, and grammar.
As you might guess, Sign It ASL is entirely video-based. Its content is prerecorded and professional. You receive a lot of information in relatively long lessons (up to an hour) that are both entertaining and engaging.
Make Sure Your Apps Are Tough Enough
However you choose to learn a language, stick with it! Don't be afraid to switch to a different app as you progress. When an app feels too easy, it's time to stretch yourself in new ways.
