The best language learning apps for 2024

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Thinking of learning a foreign language? Luckily, it’s never been easier. Gone are the days of depending on audiotapes or expensive classroom lessons. New approaches focus on learning via your laptop or handheld device. Technology has made acquiring a language more accessible, allowing you to learn wherever, and whenever, you want. But with so many options available, what are the best language-learning apps on the market?

While these apps vary in both their teaching approach and the languages offered, all aim to help you achieve your goals. Many make use of ‘gamification’, a term which describes the process of incentivising learning through game-like competition or through a series of small accomplishments. This helps break things down into more manageable chunks and keeps you coming back for more.

And if you’re worried about being too old to learn a language, don’t be. With the right determination, you can achieve near-fluency at any age. For more information, check out our post about why it’s never too late to start learning a foreign language.

So, without further ado and in no particular order, see our list below.

What are the top language learning apps for 2024?

Babbel

Babbel is a subscription-based language learning app that focuses on practical conversation skills for real-life situations. Its structured learning paths feature interactive lessons, and its speech recognition technology helps you perfect your pronunciation. Lessons revolve around practical topics like travel, business, and social situations, and the exercises include fill-in-the-blanks and dialogue-based challenges. The company uses spaced repetition to cement new vocabulary in your long-term memory, and in addition to its structured course, users of Babbel Live can gain access to both group and one-on-one video lessons.

Pros:  

• High-quality, interactive lesson content
• Strong emphasis on developing practical conversation skills
• Speech recognition technology for pronunciation practice

Cons:

• Requires a paid subscription
• More limited language selection compared to some other apps
• The repetitive nature can become tiresome

Languages available: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Dutch, Polish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Danish, and Russian.

Find out more about Babbel or see our full review here.

Rosetta Stone

No list of the best language learning apps would be complete without mentioning Rosetta Stone. This popular software has come a long way from its initial desktop-only incarnation. It now offers an online subscription-based model with the ability to learn using a mobile application.

Rosetta Stone has a wide range of languages and uses a unique approach to learning. You won’t find yourself completing grammar drills here, instead, you’ll participate in what the company calls ‘Dynamic Immersion’ which uses combinations of images, sound and text to help you learn. You can also use the software with a microphone and it will attempt to assess your pronunciation.

Pros:

• Immersive learning environment 
• Comprehensive, structured courses
• Proprietary speech recognition technology for accent training

Cons: 

• One of the pricier options on the market
• Lighter on explicit grammar instruction than some other programs

Languages available: 25+ including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, Filipino (Tagalog), Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Korean, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Find out more about Rosetta Stone.

Yabla

Yabla is an interesting concept. The program aims to teach you a language by watching videos featuring native speakers. The original text, along with its translation, is displayed below each video. This is incredibly helpful for improving your listening, which is often a big hurdle when learning a new language. The program also includes fill-in-the-blank and vocabulary-matching exercises, but the UI is less polished than Babbel or Busuu. While we’re not sure this is the best app for language learning as a whole, it’s a great option to use alongside the other resources. 

Pros:

• Authentic, native-level video content 
• Immersive learning experience
• Interactive subtitles and exercises to reinforce learning

Cons:

• Not a comprehensive language course on its own
• Best used as a supplement to other learning methods

Languages available: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and English.

Find out more about Yabla.

Busuu

Busuu’s courses have been carefully crafted by their in-house educational experts and align with CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The focus on using the CEFR makes it one of the more formally structured courses on our list, and the program is designed to be taken at an individual pace while utilising community feedback.

There are a variety of exercises to choose from, including vocabulary drills, grammar exercises, and dialogue practices. A unique feature of Busuu is the ability for learners to submit writing exercises to be reviewed by native speakers in the Busuu community. This is a great opportunity for experiencing real-world interactions with other language learners.

Pros:

• Comprehensive, structured courses aligned with CEFR
• Personalised feedback from native speakers
• Combination of self-paced lessons and interactive features

Cons:

• Some features are only available with a premium subscription
• Limited selection of languages compared to some other apps

Languages available: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, Chinese, and Japanese.

Find out more about Busuu.

iTalki

Unlike the majority of options on this list, iTalki isn’t a structured course but rather a platform for connecting you with a real-life teacher. Rather than putting you through a series of exercises or using gamification, iTalki lessons are taught one-on-one via video call. These lessons can be conducted via your tablet, laptop, or smartphone and are incredibly beneficial for anybody wanting to improve their speaking and listening skills. 

For many, iTalki will be the next step once they’ve mastered some of the basics. It has a wide range of teachers available, from experienced professionals with their own structured approach to community teachers who may be better for simple conversation practice. Because of this, prices vary wildly based on somebody’s experience and rating level.

Pros:

• Personalised learning experience with individual attention 
• Flexibility to choose tutors and schedule lessons 
• Opportunity for real conversation practice with native speakers

Cons:

• More costly than self-study with apps or software
• Quality of instruction may vary between individual tutors

Languages available: 130+ languages from Spanish to Swahili.

Find out more about iTalki.

LingQ

LingQ utilises comprehensible input through reading. Learners can import their own content or choose from LingQ’s library, turning any text into an interactive lesson. A key component of this learning method is constantly adjusting your study material so it’s just above your comprehension level. Learners should aim to understand around 90-95% of their chosen material and the focus is placed on language acquisition rather than repetitive study. 

Users of LingQ can highlight words within a text or sentence to view their translation, and unknown words can be added to a personalised flashcard system.

Pros:  

• Learner autonomy to study with content that interests them
• Emphasis on input-based learning for natural acquisition 
• Tools for tracking known words and monitoring progress

Cons:

• Requires significant self-direction and discipline
• Less structured and comprehensive than some other programs

Languages available: 40+ languages including Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Greek, Polish, and more.

Find out more about LingQ.

Lingoda

Lingoda is another great option for those wishing to learn via video lessons. It differs from iTalki in that it offers both group and private lessons and payment is based on a subscription model. Another difference from iTalki is that courses follow a structured curriculum aligned with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). During classes, students participate in interactive exercises and discussions on certain themes and topics. One of the most interesting elements of Lingoda is their ‘Sprint’ subscription, where users can receive a cash-back bonus for taking part in a certain number of lessons per month. Incentives like this can be a great tool for encouraging commitment when learning a new language.

Pros:

• Live instruction from qualified, native-speaking teachers
• Structured curriculum for clear learning progression
• Flexible class scheduling and small class sizes

Cons:

• More expensive than self-paced apps and software
• Currently offers a limited selection of languages

Languages available: English, Business English, German, French, and Spanish.

Find out more about Lingoda.

Roundup

The apps and platforms highlighted in this post represent some of the best and most effective on the market today. Whether you prefer self-paced studying, live instruction, or a blend of both, there’s a solution that can help you achieve your language goals. The key is to find an approach that aligns with your learning style, interests, and schedule, and to stay consistent in your practice.

As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and powerful language-learning tools emerge in the coming years. It’s an exciting time to be a language learner, and with dedication and the right resources, fluency is within reach. Happy learning!