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Roundup

Best language learning apps, compared

An honest guide to popular apps and methods: what each is good at, where it falls short and who it suits. Includes 4ToSpeak, and where it is not the right pick.

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  • Free forever plan
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  • 77 languages

Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team

Quick picks by need

4ToSpeak

4ToSpeak is a speaking-first web app. Every sentence goes through four steps (order, translate, listen, speak) and ends with you saying it out loud, with word-by-word feedback.

Strengths

  • Every sentence ends with you saying it, so speaking is a large share of each session.
  • Word-by-word speech feedback shows what to fix.
  • A free plan with no card and no time limit.
  • Lots of languages, including smaller ones many apps skip.

Weaknesses

  • The iOS app is still in beta and there is no Android app yet; it also runs in the browser.
  • Light on long grammar explanations.
  • Not a replacement for live conversation with people.

Best for: Learners who can recognise words but freeze when they have to speak, and anyone who wants daily speaking reps.

Cost model: Free plan with no card; paid plans add more daily energy and extras.

Duolingo

Game-style lessons built around streaks.

Strengths

  • Playful, habit-forming daily lessons.
  • A real free tier.
  • Many languages and plenty of variety.

Weaknesses

  • Mostly tapping and typing, with limited speaking.
  • Sentences can feel disconnected from real conversation.
  • Progress can slow at intermediate level.

Best for: Building a daily habit and getting broad early exposure.

Cost model: Free with limits; paid tier removes limits and adds extras.

Babbel

Structured courses with dialogues and grammar notes.

Strengths

  • Structured courses with dialogues.
  • Clear grammar explanations.
  • Practical conversation topics.

Weaknesses

  • Fewer languages than most apps.
  • Little free content before a subscription.
  • Less playful, so habit relies on you.

Best for: Learners who like a planned course with explanations.

Cost model: Subscription with limited free content.

Pimsleur

Audio-first lessons built on call and response.

Strengths

  • Audio-first, hands-free lessons.
  • Builds listening and speaking habits.
  • Guided call-and-response.

Weaknesses

  • Long lessons that are hard to squeeze in.
  • Light on reading and writing.
  • Little on-screen feedback on your speech.

Best for: Commutes, driving and screen-free practice.

Cost model: Subscription or per-level purchase.

Anki

Free, customisable spaced-repetition flashcards.

Strengths

  • Powerful spaced repetition.
  • Fully customisable and free on most platforms.
  • Great for long-term vocabulary.

Weaknesses

  • You build or find the decks yourself.
  • No built-in speaking or lessons.
  • A plain interface with a learning curve.

Best for: Self-directed learners who want to retain vocabulary.

Cost model: Free and open source on most platforms; some mobile versions are paid.

Memrise

Vocabulary practice with native-speaker video clips.

Strengths

  • Native-speaker video clips.
  • Quick, practical phrases.
  • Spaced repetition for vocabulary.

Weaknesses

  • Focus is words and phrases, not deep grammar.
  • Less structure for a full path.
  • Speaking is mostly repeat-after-clip.

Best for: Picking up everyday phrases in real voices.

Cost model: Free with limits; subscription for the full app.

Busuu

Level-based courses with feedback from native speakers.

Strengths

  • Courses organised by proficiency level.
  • Feedback from native speakers.
  • Study plans and clear structure.

Weaknesses

  • Fewer languages.
  • Human feedback is not instant.
  • Full features need a subscription.

Best for: A structured path with human correction.

Cost model: Free with limits; subscription for the full course.

Rosetta Stone

Immersion method with no translation.

Strengths

  • Polished, long-established immersion method.
  • Speech recognition on prompts.
  • Learn without leaning on English.

Weaknesses

  • No explicit translation can be slow or confusing.
  • Limited grammar explanation.
  • Typically higher priced than most apps.

Best for: Learners who like pure immersion.

Cost model: Subscription or lifetime purchase.

Online tutors

One-to-one conversation with a real teacher.

Strengths

  • Live, adaptive conversation.
  • Personal correction.
  • Goal-specific help such as exams.

Weaknesses

  • Paid per lesson, so cost adds up.
  • Quality varies by tutor.
  • Only as often as you book.

Best for: Real conversation and personal feedback.

Cost model: Paid per lesson.

Mondly

Bite-size lessons with a chatbot and many languages.

Strengths

  • Quick, easy-to-start lessons.
  • Many languages.
  • Chatbot practice.

Weaknesses

  • Breadth over depth.
  • Gets repetitive for serious learners.
  • Full features need a subscription.

Best for: Casual daily practice and travel basics.

Cost model: Free with limits; subscription for the full app.

LingoDeer

Grammar-forward lessons, strong for East Asian languages.

Strengths

  • Clear grammar explanations.
  • Well-suited to East Asian languages.
  • Structured lessons.

Weaknesses

  • Fewer languages.
  • Limited speaking depth.
  • Full course needs a subscription.

Best for: Learners of Japanese, Korean and Chinese who want grammar explained.

Cost model: Free sample; subscription for the full app.

Speak

AI tutor focused on spoken conversation.

Strengths

  • Speaking-focused from the start.
  • AI conversation practice.
  • Immediate spoken feedback.

Weaknesses

  • A limited set of languages.
  • AI conversation can drift or err.
  • Few free options.

Best for: Open-ended speaking practice in a supported language.

Cost model: Subscription with a free trial.

Drops

Five-minute visual vocabulary games.

Strengths

  • Fast, visual, enjoyable vocabulary practice.
  • Many languages.
  • Very low friction.

Weaknesses

  • Vocabulary only, no sentence building.
  • No real speaking practice.
  • Limited free time per day.

Best for: Quick daily vocabulary on the go.

Cost model: Free with daily limits; subscription removes them.

Clozemaster

Learn vocabulary in context with fill-in-the-blank sentences.

Strengths

  • Vocabulary in real sentence context.
  • Frequency-based ordering.
  • Free and paid options.

Weaknesses

  • Not beginner-friendly on its own.
  • No speaking practice.
  • Little explanation.

Best for: Intermediate learners growing vocabulary.

Cost model: Free with a paid pro tier.

LingQ

Learn from real reading and listening content.

Strengths

  • Real, engaging reading and listening material.
  • Flexible: use your own content.
  • Great for building comprehension.

Weaknesses

  • Not beginner-friendly.
  • Input-heavy, little speaking.
  • Limited free use.

Best for: Intermediate learners who want to read and listen a lot.

Cost model: Free trial; subscription.

Mango Languages

Conversation-focused courses, often free through libraries.

Strengths

  • Often free through libraries.
  • Many languages, including rarer ones.
  • Conversation-oriented.

Weaknesses

  • Access depends on your library.
  • Less gamified.
  • Limited speech feedback.

Best for: Learners with free library access.

Cost model: Often free via libraries; direct subscription otherwise.

Language Transfer

Free audio courses that teach by thinking, not memorising.

Strengths

  • Completely free.
  • Excellent at explaining how the language works.
  • Hands-free.

Weaknesses

  • Only a few languages.
  • Audio only, with no feedback.
  • Not a full path to fluency.

Best for: Free, hands-free grammar insight.

Cost model: Free; donations welcome.

Glossika

Large-scale sentence repetition with spaced recall.

Strengths

  • High-volume sentence exposure.
  • Native-recorded audio.
  • Builds speech patterns.

Weaknesses

  • Can feel repetitive.
  • Self-assessed speaking.
  • Subscription required.

Best for: Learners who like volume and drills.

Cost model: Subscription.

Language exchange apps

Chat with native speakers who want your language.

Strengths

  • Free real conversation.
  • Exposure to natural speech.
  • Cultural insight.

Weaknesses

  • Unstructured.
  • Partner quality and reliability vary.
  • Intimidating for beginners.

Best for: Applying what you have learned with real people.

Cost model: Free with optional paid features.

AI chatbots

Flexible conversation partner available any time.

Strengths

  • Available any time.
  • Infinitely flexible.
  • Can explain and role-play.

Weaknesses

  • No built-in curriculum.
  • Can state errors confidently.
  • Limited, inconsistent speech feedback.

Best for: Flexible conversation practice and questions.

Cost model: Free and paid tiers.

Head-to-head comparisons

Product names are trademarks of their owners and are not affiliated with 4ToSpeak. Descriptions are general and publicly known traits; features and pricing change, so check each product’s own site.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Still stuck? support@4tospeak.com

What is the best language learning app?

There is no single best. For habit and variety, a game-style app. For structure and grammar, a course-style app. For hands-free practice, an audio-first method. For speaking, a speaking-first app such as 4ToSpeak, plus real conversation.

Which language app is best for speaking?

Look for apps where you say whole sentences aloud and get feedback. Speaking-first apps, audio-first methods and tutors do this best.

Which language learning app is best for free?

Several have real free options, including 4ToSpeak, Anki, Language Transfer and library-based services. Check what each free tier limits.

Do I need more than one app?

Often, yes. Different tools cover different skills: a daily practice app, listening content and live conversation make a strong combination.

Related guides

Best apps by need

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