Today’s impressive technology has brought all the citizens of the world within closer reach than ever before, but there’s still one big obstacle in the way of us communicating freely: language barriers.
Did you know that the number of languages spoken around the world is estimated to be over 7,000? Sure, only about two dozen of them make up the linguistics of more than half of the planet’s population. But even so, we’re willing to bet you only speak one or maybe two languages fluently.
Certainly there are a rare few polyglots out there who are fluent in three or more languages, and we salute you with utter admiration (and maybe a healthy dose of jealousy, too). But what about the rest of us mere monolinguistic mortals who are hoping to learn a second language? Well, just like anything else, there’s an app for that. Read more…
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IMAGE: Duolingo
BEST OVERALL
Duolingo
A popular choice of language app with a fun and engaging interface.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 35
- Program style: Quizzes and games
- Duolingo: Free (with ads)
- Duolingo Plus: $6.99/month
IMAGE: Rosetta Stone
BEST FOR IMMERSIVE LEARNING
Rosetta Stone
In-depth and comprehensive lessons for people who want to learn a new language fast.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 25
- Program style: Interactive
- Three-month membership: $11.99 per month
- One-year membership: $14.92/month
- Lifetime membership: $199
- Lifetime Plus membership: $299
IMAGE: Babbel
BEST FOR QUICK LESSONS
Babbel
Short lessons designed to help users communicate confidently in the real world.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 14
- Program style: Quick exercises
- 1 month: $13.95
- 3 months: $9.95/month
- 6 months: $8.45/month
- 12 months: $6.95/month
IMAGE: Memrise
BEST LANGUAGE GAME APP
Memrise
A fun choice for beginners to absorb a new language.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 22
- Program style: Interactive
- Memrise: Free
- Memrise Pro monthly: $8.99/month
- Memrise Pro annual: $7.50/month
- Lifetime membership: $139.99
IMAGE: HelloTalk
BEST FOR LEARNING SYNTAX
HelloTalk
It's like Facebook, but for learning a new language.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 150+
- Program style: Community Interaction
- HelloTalk: Free (with ads)
- VIP membership: $6.99/month
- Lifetime membership: $175
IMAGE: busuu
BEST FOR OFFLINE USE
Busuu
A great option for language learners who are constantly on the move.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 12
- Program style: Interactive
- Busuu: Free
- Busuu Premium: as low as $6.56/month
- Busuu Premium Plus: as low as $7.57/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR MEMORIZATION
Quizlet
A great study aid for memorizing vocabulary.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 100+
- Program style: Flashcards
- Quizlet: Free (with ads)
- Quizlet Go: $2.99/month
- Quizlet Plus: $3.99/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR AUDIO LESSONS
Pimsleur
Great for learning to speak and understand your target language.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: 51
- Program style: Audio
- Price: Varies, but many are $19.95/month
IMAGE: Udemy
BEST FOR VIDEO COURSES
Udemy
A (very) wide selection of foreign language courses at a reasonable price.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: Varies
- Program style: Audio and Video
- Price: Varies by course
IMAGE: Coursera
BEST FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS
Coursera
Access to world-class teachers and instructors at an affordable cost.
- iOS or Android: Both
- Number of languages offered: Varies
- Program style: Video
- Price: Varies by course
