Compare language-learning apps.
Compare 17 apps for vocabulary, speaking, lessons and language exchange.
By Paul Utr, founder of Vocabcord · Reviewed Official product sources, with our editorial judgment. Sources & method
Choose your apps
Language availability can depend on the language you learn through. Check the translation notes below.
Choose up to three apps
3 selected| Compare | AnkiSources & notes | BabbelSources & notes | BusuuSources & notes | DropsSources & notes | DuolingoSources & notes | ELSA SpeakSources & notes | HelloTalkSources & notes | LingQSources & notes | LingvistSources & notes | MemriseSources & notes | MondlySources & notes | PimsleurSources & notes | PromovaSources & notes | Rosetta StoneSources & notes | SpeakSources & notes | TandemSources & notes | VocabcordSources & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our view: what it suits | Learners who want control over their own cards, fields, decks and review schedule. | Learners who want a structured course with review and offline lesson access. | Learners who want a guided course plus community corrections and speaking practice. | Learners who want focused vocabulary sessions with visual and game-like exercises. | Short, guided lessons with a free starting tier. | English learners who want pronunciation and speaking practice with automated feedback. | Learners who want direct practice and language exchange with other people. | Learners who want extensive reading and listening with vocabulary saved from real content. | Vocabulary practice that adapts to your level, with custom word lists. | Learners who want vocabulary practice and short listening examples in a course context. | Learners who want a broad selection of language courses and short guided practice. | Learners who prefer guided audio lessons and speaking practice while away from a screen. | Learners who want a broad learning service with self-study and optional tutoring routes. | Learners who want a structured course built around contextual immersion. | Learners who want frequent AI-guided speaking practice. | Learners who want real conversations with people who speak the language they are learning. | Useful words and phrases in everyday life, with charging-triggered playback and independent daily words. |
| How you practise | A flashcard system with user-created cards, media attachments and scheduled review. | A structured lesson app with courses, vocabulary review and downloadable lessons and podcasts. | A course app combining expert-created lessons with community practice and speaking feedback. | A visual vocabulary app built around short, themed sessions and touch-based word practice. | A gamified course app with bite-sized lessons covering vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking. | An English pronunciation and speaking app with speech-recognition feedback and guided practice. | A language-exchange social app for finding partners, messaging and practising with native speakers. | A reading and listening platform where learners work with imported or library content and save vocabulary. | An adaptive vocabulary app with level placement, spaced review and themed courses. | A vocabulary-focused learning service with courses, spaced review and native-speaker video content. | A multi-language course app with lessons, vocabulary practice, listening and speaking activities. | An audio-led language course built around listen-and-repeat lessons and spoken practice. | A language-learning service with courses, vocabulary practice, speaking tools and optional tutoring. | A structured immersion course that teaches through target-language context, practice and speech activities. | An AI speaking practice app built around spoken lessons and conversation practice. | A language-exchange app for finding conversation partners and practising by text, voice or video. | Browse vocabulary and useful phrase packs with audio. After setup, plugging in your phone plays a phrase and its translation; daily words also work independently of charging. |
| Free & paid access | Free desktop app, AnkiWeb and AnkiDroid for Android. AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad is a paid app. | Paid subscription after the available trial or introductory content; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free starting access with additional content and features under Premium; current price depends on territory. | Free limited access with paid subscriptions or plans; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free courses with advertising and paid Super and Max subscriptions. | Free starting content with paid plans; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free access with optional paid features; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free and paid membership options; current price depends on territory and plan. | Free access is limited; paid membership details and price depend on territory and offer. | Free access with paid features or plans; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free introductory access with paid subscriptions or plans; current price depends on territory and offer. | Subscription and other paid access options; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free and paid features are available; current price depends on territory, product and offer. | Paid subscriptions or plans; current price depends on territory and offer. | Trial and paid subscription access; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free access with optional paid features; current price depends on territory and offer. | Free starter material is available; full collections require paid access. Current subscription prices are shown on the site and in the native store. |
| Offline use | AnkiMobile stores cards and media on the device for offline study. Syncing across devices needs a connection. | The app can download lessons, vocabulary review and podcasts for offline use. | Premium users can download lessons in the mobile app. | Premium subscribers can download content for automatic offline access after opening it online. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Verified for iOS listening: playlist audio is automatically downloaded; broader offline study behavior depends on the app and plan. | Its help centre documents up to 15 minutes of offline learning on mobile; voice input needs internet. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Mobile lessons can be downloaded for offline use; the browser app streams online. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Downloaded packs support offline listening; premium access still requires valid paid access. |
| Your own words | Users can add and edit their own notes and cards, including media. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Verified in the checked mobile documentation: learners can import or work with their own content and save words as LingQs. | Custom Decks can use your text or images to create vocabulary cards; available for selected courses. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. | Not verified. |
| Languages & translations | Anki has no fixed course-pair catalogue; source and target fields are defined by each deck. | Babbel offers different courses by source and target language; confirm the specific pair in the app. | Pair availability and course level vary; use Busuu's language selector to confirm a source-target pair. | The available language pair depends on the app's selected interface and learning language. | Courses are language-pair specific; the official overview does not provide a complete source-language matrix. | The checked source describes English learning; learner interface and support language do not establish additional target pairs. | The exchange model supports many language combinations; the actual pair depends on available partners. | LingQ supports many language libraries; source and target availability depends on the selected course or imported content. | Offers 15 target languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Korean. The available course depends on your starting language. | Language and course availability depends on the selected course and interface language. | The official listing confirms many target languages but source-pair availability must be checked for the selected course. | Pimsleur course availability varies by source-target pair; confirm the specific course before purchase. | Promova's available courses and tools depend on the selected source-target pair; verify in the app. | Language and course availability varies by source-target pair; verify the chosen course. | English courses support 15 starting languages. English speakers can learn Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Simplified Chinese. | Tandem matches people by language interests; the available source-target pair depends on member availability. | 11 target languages. English-based packs plus German for Czech, English for Thai, Polish for Ukrainian and Russian for Polish speakers. All language pairs |
| Keep in mind | Content quality and course structure depend on the learner or shared deck author. | Offline learning requires downloaded content and the relevant access plan. | Offline lessons require Premium and downloaded chapters can be removed by updates or cache clearing. | It focuses on vocabulary rather than a complete grammar, conversation or writing course. | Course availability and feature depth vary by language pair and subscription tier. | Its core product is English pronunciation and speaking, rather than a multi-language general course. | Partner availability, response quality and conversation safety vary by community and individual match. | The experience depends on suitable content and can be more self-directed than a linear course. | It is primarily vocabulary practice and does not provide a general language-exchange community. | The current product and community-course availability are separate experiences and can change by platform. | Course depth and features vary across the many language pairs and plans. | Audio-first learning may provide less visual vocabulary work and fewer open-ended exchange features. | Feature access and language coverage vary by product, plan and language pair. | The immersion format can be less suitable for learners who want explicit translation or custom flashcards. | The service is centered on supported speaking courses and does not replace human exchange in every language. | Results depend on finding a suitable partner and managing an open social conversation. | It is a vocabulary companion rather than a full course, conversation exchange or speaking-feedback service. |
Our take: start with the gap in your practice
We would start with one main learning tool, then add another only for a specific gap. The useful question is what you need to do more often: follow a lesson, recall a word or speak to someone.
If you need a path through the language, we would start by comparing Duolingo, Babbel and Busuu. Their lesson structure is a stronger reason to choose them than the size of a vocabulary catalogue.
If you already know which words you need, we would look at Anki for control over your cards, Lingvist for custom vocabulary practice, or LingQ for words drawn from reading and listening. This is a more useful distinction than treating all three as interchangeable flashcard apps.
If making time to open an app is the problem, that is where we think Vocabcord belongs: useful vocabulary and phrase packs, with a phrase and translation triggered by plugging in your phone after setup. Daily words also work independently of charging. We would choose a speaking tool or a conversation partner when the missing practice is producing your own sentences; hearing a phrase alone does not cover that need.
The app notes below link to the documentation behind these recommendations.
A closer look at each app
Different tools can work together. A course, a conversation partner and a vocabulary companion do different jobs.
AnkiLearners who want control over their own cards, fields, decks and review schedule.
A flashcard system with user-created cards, media attachments and scheduled review.
- Free & paid access
- Free desktop app, AnkiWeb and AnkiDroid for Android. AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad is a paid app.
- Offline use
- AnkiMobile stores cards and media on the device for offline study. Syncing across devices needs a connection.
- Your own words
- Users can add and edit their own notes and cards, including media.
- Languages & translations
- Anki has no fixed course-pair catalogue; source and target fields are defined by each deck.
- Keep in mind
- Content quality and course structure depend on the learner or shared deck author.
Official sources · checked Anki editing manual ↗Anki media manual ↗Anki platforms and downloads ↗AnkiMobile official listing ↗
Visit Anki ↗BabbelLearners who want a structured course with review and offline lesson access.
A structured lesson app with courses, vocabulary review and downloadable lessons and podcasts.
- Free & paid access
- Paid subscription after the available trial or introductory content; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- The app can download lessons, vocabulary review and podcasts for offline use.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Babbel offers different courses by source and target language; confirm the specific pair in the app.
- Keep in mind
- Offline learning requires downloaded content and the relevant access plan.
Official sources · checked Babbel offline mode ↗Babbel ↗
Visit Babbel ↗BusuuLearners who want a guided course plus community corrections and speaking practice.
A course app combining expert-created lessons with community practice and speaking feedback.
- Free & paid access
- Free starting access with additional content and features under Premium; current price depends on territory.
- Offline use
- Premium users can download lessons in the mobile app.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Pair availability and course level vary; use Busuu's language selector to confirm a source-target pair.
- Keep in mind
- Offline lessons require Premium and downloaded chapters can be removed by updates or cache clearing.
Official sources · checked Busuu home ↗Busuu offline learning ↗
Visit Busuu ↗DropsLearners who want focused vocabulary sessions with visual and game-like exercises.
A visual vocabulary app built around short, themed sessions and touch-based word practice.
- Free & paid access
- Free limited access with paid subscriptions or plans; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Premium subscribers can download content for automatic offline access after opening it online.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- The available language pair depends on the app's selected interface and learning language.
- Keep in mind
- It focuses on vocabulary rather than a complete grammar, conversation or writing course.
Official sources · checked Drops ↗Drops offline support ↗
Visit Drops ↗DuolingoShort, guided lessons with a free starting tier.
A gamified course app with bite-sized lessons covering vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Free & paid access
- Free courses with advertising and paid Super and Max subscriptions.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Courses are language-pair specific; the official overview does not provide a complete source-language matrix.
- Keep in mind
- Course availability and feature depth vary by language pair and subscription tier.
Official sources · checked Duolingo 101 ↗Duolingo ↗
Visit Duolingo ↗ELSA SpeakEnglish learners who want pronunciation and speaking practice with automated feedback.
An English pronunciation and speaking app with speech-recognition feedback and guided practice.
- Free & paid access
- Free starting content with paid plans; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- The checked source describes English learning; learner interface and support language do not establish additional target pairs.
- Keep in mind
- Its core product is English pronunciation and speaking, rather than a multi-language general course.
Official sources · checked ELSA Speak ↗ELSA features ↗
Visit ELSA Speak ↗HelloTalkLearners who want direct practice and language exchange with other people.
A language-exchange social app for finding partners, messaging and practising with native speakers.
- Free & paid access
- Free access with optional paid features; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- The exchange model supports many language combinations; the actual pair depends on available partners.
- Keep in mind
- Partner availability, response quality and conversation safety vary by community and individual match.
Official sources · checked HelloTalk language exchange ↗HelloTalk ↗
Visit HelloTalk ↗LingQLearners who want extensive reading and listening with vocabulary saved from real content.
A reading and listening platform where learners work with imported or library content and save vocabulary.
- Free & paid access
- Free and paid membership options; current price depends on territory and plan.
- Offline use
- Verified for iOS listening: playlist audio is automatically downloaded; broader offline study behavior depends on the app and plan.
- Your own words
- Verified in the checked mobile documentation: learners can import or work with their own content and save words as LingQs.
- Languages & translations
- LingQ supports many language libraries; source and target availability depends on the selected course or imported content.
- Keep in mind
- The experience depends on suitable content and can be more self-directed than a linear course.
Official sources · checked LingQ iOS support ↗LingQ ↗
Visit LingQ ↗LingvistVocabulary practice that adapts to your level, with custom word lists.
An adaptive vocabulary app with level placement, spaced review and themed courses.
- Free & paid access
- Free access is limited; paid membership details and price depend on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Its help centre documents up to 15 minutes of offline learning on mobile; voice input needs internet.
- Your own words
- Custom Decks can use your text or images to create vocabulary cards; available for selected courses.
- Languages & translations
- Offers 15 target languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Korean. The available course depends on your starting language.
- Keep in mind
- It is primarily vocabulary practice and does not provide a general language-exchange community.
Official sources · checked Lingvist home ↗Lingvist offline learning ↗Lingvist Custom Decks ↗
Read our Vocabcord vs Lingvist comparison
Visit Lingvist ↗MemriseLearners who want vocabulary practice and short listening examples in a course context.
A vocabulary-focused learning service with courses, spaced review and native-speaker video content.
- Free & paid access
- Free access with paid features or plans; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Language and course availability depends on the selected course and interface language.
- Keep in mind
- The current product and community-course availability are separate experiences and can change by platform.
Official sources · checked Memrise about ↗Memrise community courses ↗
Visit Memrise ↗MondlyLearners who want a broad selection of language courses and short guided practice.
A multi-language course app with lessons, vocabulary practice, listening and speaking activities.
- Free & paid access
- Free introductory access with paid subscriptions or plans; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- The official listing confirms many target languages but source-pair availability must be checked for the selected course.
- Keep in mind
- Course depth and features vary across the many language pairs and plans.
Official sources · checked Mondly App Store listing ↗Mondly ↗
Visit Mondly ↗PimsleurLearners who prefer guided audio lessons and speaking practice while away from a screen.
An audio-led language course built around listen-and-repeat lessons and spoken practice.
- Free & paid access
- Subscription and other paid access options; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Mobile lessons can be downloaded for offline use; the browser app streams online.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Pimsleur course availability varies by source-target pair; confirm the specific course before purchase.
- Keep in mind
- Audio-first learning may provide less visual vocabulary work and fewer open-ended exchange features.
Official sources · checked Pimsleur FAQ ↗Pimsleur ↗
Visit Pimsleur ↗PromovaLearners who want a broad learning service with self-study and optional tutoring routes.
A language-learning service with courses, vocabulary practice, speaking tools and optional tutoring.
- Free & paid access
- Free and paid features are available; current price depends on territory, product and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Promova's available courses and tools depend on the selected source-target pair; verify in the app.
- Keep in mind
- Feature access and language coverage vary by product, plan and language pair.
Official sources · checked Promova about ↗Promova ↗
Read our Vocabcord vs Promova comparison
Visit Promova ↗Rosetta StoneLearners who want a structured course built around contextual immersion.
A structured immersion course that teaches through target-language context, practice and speech activities.
- Free & paid access
- Paid subscriptions or plans; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Language and course availability varies by source-target pair; verify the chosen course.
- Keep in mind
- The immersion format can be less suitable for learners who want explicit translation or custom flashcards.
Official sources · checked Rosetta Stone Dynamic Immersion ↗Rosetta Stone ↗
Visit Rosetta Stone ↗SpeakLearners who want frequent AI-guided speaking practice.
An AI speaking practice app built around spoken lessons and conversation practice.
- Free & paid access
- Trial and paid subscription access; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- English courses support 15 starting languages. English speakers can learn Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Simplified Chinese.
- Keep in mind
- The service is centered on supported speaking courses and does not replace human exchange in every language.
Official sources · checked Speak ↗Speak supported language courses ↗
Visit Speak ↗TandemLearners who want real conversations with people who speak the language they are learning.
A language-exchange app for finding conversation partners and practising by text, voice or video.
- Free & paid access
- Free access with optional paid features; current price depends on territory and offer.
- Offline use
- Not verified.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- Tandem matches people by language interests; the available source-target pair depends on member availability.
- Keep in mind
- Results depend on finding a suitable partner and managing an open social conversation.
Official sources · checked Tandem ↗Tandem language exchange ↗
Visit Tandem ↗VocabcordUseful words and phrases in everyday life, with charging-triggered playback and independent daily words.
Browse vocabulary and useful phrase packs with audio. After setup, plugging in your phone plays a phrase and its translation; daily words also work independently of charging.
- Free & paid access
- Free starter material is available; full collections require paid access. Current subscription prices are shown on the site and in the native store.
- Offline use
- Downloaded packs support offline listening; premium access still requires valid paid access.
- Your own words
- Not verified.
- Languages & translations
- The graded catalogue pairs English with Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Polish. Phrase collections also teach Japanese, Korean and Turkish to English speakers; English to Polish, Japanese, Korean, Turkish and Thai speakers; Polish to Ukrainian speakers; Russian to Polish speakers; and German to Czech speakers. Availability depends on app version and pack entitlement.
- Keep in mind
- It is a vocabulary companion rather than a full course, conversation exchange or speaking-feedback service.
Official sources · checked Vocabcord language and pack overview ↗Vocabcord offline vocabulary guide ↗
Visit Vocabcord ↗How we compare
We checked features and access conditions against product sites, help centres and official store listings. “Our view” and “Our take” explain our recommendations based on those formats. This comparison is based on documentation; we haven’t tested every app or compared learning outcomes.
“Not verified” means the sources checked do not establish the feature. It does not mean an app cannot do it. Trials, subscriptions and language pairs can vary by platform and country; check the linked source before subscribing.
Filters narrow the catalogue by activity and documented target languages. They do not rank learning quality. Apps whose language coverage is unverified remain visible with a reminder to check.