The Best Language Learning Apps
Learning a language in the modern era is amazing. We have the best language learning apps available to us to make our lives easier! From flashcards, to grammar apps, to just accessing a large amount of native media to enjoy, there’s never been a better time to learn a language, especially if you own a computer.
But what if you prefer mobile devices or don’t have access to a computer? Are you just out of luck?
No! There are tons of amazing language learning apps on mobile devices!
Unlike most blogs that just list a bunch of mobile games disguised as learning tools, this post will focus on the best language learning apps, for immersion learners.
It’s important to know that there is no single app that will make you fluent. True fluency comes from spending a lot of time listening to and reading the language. However, apps are a great way to get started.
Do Language Learning Apps Work?
Everyone wants to know, do language learning apps work? Yes, they work, but they aren’t enough to teach you a language all on your own. They’re fine supplements to a larger study plan, and they can help fill in the gaps in things like vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, etc.
The Refold method of language learning is a wholistic approach that combines the use of tools like apps, with the power of immersion. Apps can help you reach fluency, but they’re supplements and not the bread and butter of a healthy, well-balanced study plan.
The Best Language Apps for Learning Vocabulary
Anki
- Link — iOS, Android
- What does it do? — Intelligent multimedia flashcards.
- What is it good for? — Learning vocabulary.
- Pros — Cross platform, large library of premade decks, lots of plug-ins and customization.
- Cons — Requires customization, choosing your own deck(s) and has a steep learning curve.
- Cost — Free (on all devices except iOS) one time payment of $25 on iOS
If you’re diving into a new language and need a trusty sidekick for learning vocabulary, Anki is your go-to app. Anki uses something called spaced repetition to help you remember vocab just when you’re about to forget it.
Anki is also highly customizable, which is a pro and a con. Whether you learn best with text, images, or even videos, you can tailor your flashcards to suit your style. Plus, you can download pre-made decks or create your own.
You can use Anki on pretty much any device—Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile—and your data syncs up perfectly across all platforms. Most of the app is totally free, except for the iOS version, which is a one-time $25 fee for lifetime access. With all these perks, Anki is definitely one of the best language learning apps out there.
Check out our premium Anki decks!
Clozemaster
- Link — Clozemaster
- What does it do? — Helps you learn vocabulary in context in a fun and gamified way.
- What is it good for? — Learning vocabulary.
- Pros — Cross-platform, large library of sentences.
- Cons — Requires internet to use, quality is not consistent among languages
- Cost — Free for basics, $70/year for premium
Clozemaster is a gamified language learning app that makes learning feel engaging and addictive. It uses the cloze deletion method where you read a sentence and fill in the blank with the correct answer. This method is good for improving your reading, comprehension, and active recall skills.
What sets Clozemaster apart from other language learning apps is that it supports tons of languages (even lesser common ones).
As you progress in the language of your choice, you earn points and move up the ranks, turning language learning into a fun and competitive game.
The base free version is good enough for most people as a side tool, but you can pay $69.99 a year to unlock more total flashcards daily and special decks for grammar drilling.
Read more about Clozemaster here
The Best Language Learning Apps for Watching
LingoPie
- Link — Lingopie
- What does it do? — Lets you look up words and videos on all devices.
- What is it good for? — Interactive watching on the go.
- Pros — Cheaper than a Netflix subscription, available on computer and mobile.
- Cons — The library has a lot of B tier movies and soap operas, which might actually be a pro if you like that sort of thing
- Cost — $71.88 a year
Lingopie is an innovative app that turns binge-watching into a language learning session. Imagine picking up Spanish or French while watching TV shows and movies. Sounds fun, right?
Lingopie is that it offers a seamless watching and look up experience, so there’s no need to pause every few seconds to switch apps to look things up! Everything you need is included in just ONE app!
The best part? It’s pretty affordable. For about $6 a month, you get full access to all their content. That’s less than what many of us spend on coffee in a week!
YouTube
- Link — YouTube
- What does it do? — Plays videos in almost any language from almost anywhere.
- What is it good for? — Almost everything, watching, reading, listening.
- Pros — Free and pre-installed on most devices!
- Cons — None, except maybe that finding good content isn’t easy!
- Cost — Free
While YouTube isn’t a traditional language learning app, it hosts tons of content to help you on your language journey—regardless of the language you’re learning!
From tutorials to podcasts, language lessons, entertaining content, and more, it’s the perfect place to immerse in a new language (without having to move to a new country)! All of these reasons position YouTube as one of the BEST language learning apps available today.
But note, doing the initial set up on a mobile device is really annoying. We recommend you do it on a computer first, then login on your phone. The process is easy and takes only a few minutes. Watch the video below for a complete step-by-step tutorial.
The Best Apps for Reading
LingQ
- Link — LingQ
- What does it do? — Gamified interactive reading, look up words, keep track of vocabulary, and community challenges.
- What is it good for? — Interactive reading (reading with lookups) on the go.
- Pros — Cross platform, large library of content.
- Cons — Pricey for what it offers.
- Cost — $119.99 a year, or $15 if you choose the monthly option.
This app is a versatile language learning platform that caters to readers. LingQ offers a vast library of books and podcasts, as well as the unique feature of importing your own e-books directly into the app. Its automatic dictionaries and AI-assisted definitions allow you to easily look up words while you’re reading without having to switch to another app.
Additionally, its gamification elements, like earning streaks, virtual currency, and leaderboards, add an element of fun and competition to the learning process.
LingQ costs about $119.99 per year, breaking down to roughly $12 a month, or $15 if you opt for a monthly subscription.
Kindle App – The best e-reader for language learning
- Link — Kindle App
- What does it do? — An eReader app that turns any smart device into an e-reader.
- What is it good for? — Interactive reading (getting definitions).
- Pros — Easy to buy and read books
- Cons — Can easily spend hundreds on new books!
- Cost — The app is free to download, but books cost money.
The Kindle app is another great choice for readers! Instead of paying a monthly subscription fee, you just buy the books you want to read.
The Kindle store has a vast library of books in numerous languages! The best part? You can upload your own content to the Kindle app!
One of our favorite features of the Kindle app is the built-in dictionary and translation feature. Just tap and hold the word for a quick definition or translation without ever leaving the page. It’s super convenient and helps keep the flow of your reading.
Plus, adjusting font size and background color makes reading in your target language easier on the eyes. So, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, the Kindle app is a fantastic tool in your language learning tool kit.
The Best Language Learning App for Speaking
iTalki
- Link — iTalki
- What does it do? — Provides a platform for hiring tutors and finding conversation partners.
- What is it good for? — Practicing speaking the language.
- Pros — Cross platform, large number of professional and community tutors.
- Cons — Tutors can be pricey!
- Cost — Variable depending on the tutor
iTalki is one of the best language learning apps to practice your conversation skills, offering a fun approach to mastering new languages.
This language app is not a language school. Instead, it is a platform (like a marketplace) that connects you with thousands of tutors in hundreds of languages. Each tutor has a video introduction and a description of what sort of lessons they provide, so you can choose someone who matches your goals.
The Best App for Listening
Pocketcasts
- Link — Pocketcasts
- What does it do? — Podcast listening app with a lot of customization.
- What is it good for? — Practicing listening to the language.
- Pros — Cross platform, highly customizable.
- Cons — You may have to adjust to a new podcast app.
- Cost — Free
Pocketcasts is a podcast app that has many little features and customizations that are great quality-of-life enhancers for language learners, including:
- Set specific settings per podcast
- Change the volume of voices so they’re clearer
- Remove silence and dead time so you listen to more words per minute
- Speed up or slow down the speed of the podcast
- Set the content region to see podcasts popular in different countries or regions
Learn more about pocket casts from the video below:
I hope this helps!
With the right apps, your mobile device can make learning a new language as convenient as it is fun! Language learning apps can be powerful tools in your language learning journey, and they’re super convenient to use. You now have the short-list of some of the best apps for language learning, so get out there and get to it!