12 Best Language Learning Apps

If I had to recommend one AI-powered app for learning a new language, I’d go with Babbel, mainly because it blends traditional linguistic principles with adaptive AI in a way that feels natural rather than gimmicky. What makes it effective is that the AI constantly evaluates your pronunciation, pacing, and comprehension, and then adjusts the lesson difficulty in real time; it’s almost like having a personal tutor who instantly understands your weak spots.

The scenario-based dialogues are especially powerful because they simulate real-world conversations, such as ordering food, negotiating at work, or making casual small talk, so that your brain starts learning the language the same way it picks up patterns in everyday life. For me, the biggest advantage has been how quickly the app identifies pronunciation mistakes and corrects them with targeted feedback; after a few weeks, you can genuinely hear the improvement. That’s the difference AI makes: it turns language learning from memorization into an adaptive, immersive experience that feels personalized, fast, and surprisingly motivating.

Duolingo tends to get the most attention, yet many teams we work with through ERI Grants have had stronger results with Drops because it fits easily into the uneven schedules that come with proposal deadlines and fieldwork. The app breaks learning into short visual sessions that feel more like quick resets than formal study. One researcher picked it up after realizing that she needed basic conversational skills to communicate with community partners during a pilot. She started with five-minute sessions before morning check-ins and used the app’s visual cues to anchor vocabulary so it stuck even during stressful weeks. The small bursts added up faster than she expected. Within a month, she could greet partners, ask simple questions, and understand common phrases used during site visits.

The real impact showed up in her next grant application. Reviewers noted her efforts to engage communities directly and saw the language learning as part of a deeper commitment to collaboration. Drops works well for people who do not have long stretches of time and need a tool that rewards consistency rather than intensity. It helps build confidence quietly, which matters in environments where every interaction influences trust and long-term partnerships.

I work in translation every day, so my honest answer is that no single app is “the one,” but a few do specific things well. For absolute beginners, I often point people to Duolingo or Busuu to build a daily habit and basic vocabulary. For serious progress, I like pairing that with Anki (or any spaced-repetition flashcard app) and something input-heavy like LingQ or even YouTube with bilingual subtitles.

The features that actually move the needle for language acquisition are pretty consistent. They include spaced repetition for vocabulary, so you don’t keep relearning the same words; short, daily lessons that are hard to skip; heavy exposure to real sentences, not isolated word lists; and audio from native speakers at different speeds, ideally with transcripts you can tap to see translations.

But the most effective feature is anything that forces you to produce the language: speaking into the app and getting feedback, writing short answers instead of tapping multiple-choice options, or shadowing audio aloud. Apps are a great start, yet if you don’t eventually mix in real conversations—even short online exchanges or voice notes—you’ll stay in “app fluency,” not real-world fluency.

I’ve localized hundreds of apps into 50+ languages, and here’s what I tell clients actually drives retention: contextual learning beats isolated vocabulary every time. The most effective apps I’ve seen show you phrases in situations—ordering coffee, booking hotels, asking for directions. Babbel does this well because its lessons are built around real conversations, not random word lists.

From a technical standpoint, look for apps with voice recognition that actually corrects your pronunciation. I worked on a healthcare app where mispronouncing medical terms could be dangerous—we integrated speech-to-text that flagged errors immediately. Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent feature does something similar. You need instant feedback, not just repetition.

The feature nobody talks about but that matters enormously is offline functionality. I learned this while working with clients expanding into Latin America—Internet isn’t always reliable. Download lessons beforehand. I’ve watched users abandon apps mid-lesson because they lost connection and lost progress.

One thing I’ve noticed over more than 20 years: apps work best as supplements, not replacements. Pair any app with watching shows in your target language, with subtitles. We do this for our translators’ continuing education—it trains your ear for natural speed and slang that no structured lesson covers.

Duolingo is a strong choice for learning a new language because it breaks down a complex skill into manageable, achievable steps. The lessons utilize repetition and real-world vocabulary, allowing you to gradually learn words that you can apply immediately. The combination of listening, speaking, reading, and writing establishes a more comprehensive language foundation. The app also uses streak rewards and challenges, making studying feel like a daily game rather than a chore. This encourages consistency, which is the most important part of language learning. Over time, these short daily sessions help you understand sentence patterns, pronunciation, and grammar without feeling overwhelmed. The immediate feedback teaches you to correct mistakes in real time and build confidence as you advance. It is an app that makes progress visible, which motivates you to keep practicing and improving.

Tandem enables language exchanges between you and native speakers. You assist others with your language skills, and they assist you with theirs. You learn about rhythm, slang, and real conversation—not just dialogue from a textbook. The pressure of having a live person waiting for your response accelerates your processing time.

You learn from actual mistakes rather than hypothetical ones, thanks to the correction feature, which allows your partner to correct your errors in real time. Compared with text chat, video calls push you harder. You can’t spend five minutes putting together a sentence or hide behind a dictionary. Improvement happens in that discomfort.

I really like Busuu. What I find useful about it is that it’s not just about learning words—I get feedback from real, live humans. When I’m writing or speaking there, someone corrects me; it feels less like a lesson and more like a conversation. Getting feedback makes me so much more able to try a new language.

I like that it uses spaced repetition for picking up words. It also designs lessons around real-life activities—for example, traveling, working, or socializing with family. The language feels usable right from the start. Sometimes I mix it with Anki for some extra practice, and when I do, it forms a system that really works for me rather than fading away. It’s so easy and grounded in real life, and it actually sticks!

Honestly, my favorite app for learning a new language is Memrise. What I like about it is that it actually helps you remember words rather than just going through the motions. The spaced-repetition system reminds you to review material right before you forget it, which really sticks. I also love that it uses videos of native speakers, so you hear real pronunciation and phrasing instead of robotic examples.

Another thing I find super helpful is that the lessons are short and easy to fit into a busy day. Even 10–15 minutes, done consistently, makes a difference. And because it adapts to your pace, I don’t feel pressured, yet I still feel like I’m making progress. For me, the combination of small, consistent practice and hearing the language used naturally has been the key to actually learning it, not just memorizing words.

A few lesser-known language apps I often recommend are Clozemaster, LingQ, and Drops — each is useful for different learning styles. After analyzing thousands of digital tools for WhatAreTheBest.com, I’ve found that these three consistently stand out for their retention impact and real-world practicality.

1. Clozemaster

Pros:

Context-based learning using full sentences

Excellent for intermediate learners building real-world fluency

Spaced repetition reinforces long-term retention

Cons:

Not ideal for absolute beginners

Interface is function-first, not visually polished

2. LingQ

Pros:

Immersion-focused: you learn by consuming real content (articles, podcasts, transcripts)

Huge library of native material across many languages

Tracks vocabulary automatically across everything you read

Cons:

Can feel overwhelming without a structured plan

Less effective if you prefer bite-sized exercises

3. Drops

Pros:

Highly visual, fast-paced sessions (5 minutes at a time)

Excellent for building vocabulary quickly

Great for people who need a “quick win” format to stay consistent

Cons:

Limited grammar instruction

Doesn’t scale well to advanced proficiency

Across all three, the pattern I’ve seen is this:

“The best language apps don’t just teach words — they teach familiarity.”

When learning feels natural and repeatable, retention skyrockets.

Albert Richer

Founder and Editor at WhatAreTheBest.com

I recommend Pimsleur audio courses for learning basic phrases before traveling. The 30-minute lessons are designed to fit into your daily routine, allowing you to practice hands-free during commutes or walks. The interactive call-and-response method is particularly effective for acquiring practical survival phrases that you can use immediately.

If you just want to learn some basics you’re most likely to use while traveling, I’d recommend TikTok. The resources on the app are endless, and it’s very easy to find people posting content about useful phrases and words in many different languages, from the perspectives of both locals and travelers.