Top 10: Best Language Learning App (tested by experts)

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Using apps for language learning has many advantages. But the selection in 2025 is huge. So the question arises, which of the language learning apps is the right one for me? Our language learning experts Katrin and Christian have addressed this question, and the result is a list of concrete recommendations for the best language learning apps for the year 2025.

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Looking for the best app for a specific language? Here’s a selection for your desired language:

Now, here are our general language learning app recommendations. Have fun browsing and trying them out.

Top 10 Language Learning Apps: Overview

The Top 10 Best Language Learning Apps for 2025 in Detail

Foreword: We at talkREAL always test all language learning apps over several weeks so that we can particularly assess long-term motivation. In our view, this is enormously important and is decisive for our choice of the Top 10 language learning apps in 2025.

Important! Especially with language learning apps, you can quickly pay too much with in-app purchases. Because most providers add the 30% fee of the respective app store on top of the prices. Those who go via the website of the corresponding provider save real money. All links to the language learning apps below therefore automatically refer to the cheapest offer.

ᐊ 1 ᐅ Mondly – Long-Term Motivator at an Affordable Price

Mondly is the up-and-comer among language learning apps. Not yet very well known, but technically flawless and thanks to excellent motivational elements, you always feel like continuing to learn. Many exciting functions are combined. You can compete with other learners or simply go through the very well-designed language course. And currently, 41 different languages are supported! (As of December 2024)

We can only recommend Mondly sustainably, even if there are still some didactic hiccups here and there. The app and content are also constantly being improved in 2025, and new functions are being added, such as a recent partnership with Oxford University Press, which allows you to test your own English skills.

These advantages specifically speak for the Mondly language learning app:

ᐊ 2 ᐅ Birlingo – Birkenbihl in App Format

Yes, Katrin and I are avowed fans of the Birkenbihl method. (If you’re not yet familiar with this learning method, I recommend our comprehensive and free guide here.) Birlingo is now a language learning app that perfectly implements this learning method in a language course for smartphones and the web (use on PC). The Birkenbihl method is not simply translated bluntly but rather adapted for mobile learning. This works very well.

Birlingo also offers two other advantages. You are not bound to a predefined learning path here but can select the currently relevant content and learn it. This way, you can specifically prepare for a restaurant visit or a business phone call. The special learning method makes it possible.

Furthermore, it offers a very affordable lifetime deal. So you pay once for unlocking all languages and courses and don’t find yourself in a subscription. Together with the long trial phase, a very fair offer.

ᐊ 3 ᐅ Langotalk – The Gold Standard of AI Language Tutors

2024 was the year when, thanks to artificial intelligence, a completely new form of language learning app entered the stage. These are so-called AI language tutors or AI conversation courses. In essence, you can talk and write as you wish from day one of learning. The AI guides the dialogue and corrects if necessary. The trick: I can freely determine the content and exchange ideas with the AI on all topics that interest me and accordingly use them for learning a new language. This is revolutionary.

Langotalk particularly impressed us in the test. Katrin even went so far as to call the app the new gold standard. And indeed, there is a lot to be said for Langotalk, and we are keenly following its rapid development. But we can write a lot; it’s best if you try it out yourself:

Langotalk also offers the option to unlock the entire app with a one-time payment. This option is only available here on the Langotalk website and not in the app. (All other AI tutors are only available by subscription.) It should be mentioned, however, that the still young project currently does not have a German website, and the ordering process must accordingly be carried out in English. During the actual learning, you are then free to choose the language again.

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ᐊ 4 ᐅ Mosalingua – Much More Than Just a Vocabulary Trainer

“Learn Words, enjoy the world” – with this slogan, Mosalingua modestly presents itself as a vocabulary trainer, yet the provider is now so much more than that. Besides the flashcards, which can be easily supplemented with your own phrases and words, there is also a whole range of authentic content.

From learning with music and videos, short stories, and concisely explained grammar lessons, we particularly liked the new AI feature. Thanks to this artificial intelligence, you can practice exciting conversations with Mosalingua and add your own interests to your learning routine with just one click. Excellent! The dictionary is also one of the best on the current market.

There’s nothing to complain about price-wise either: The selection of learning languages, now 11 (with more already in prospect), as well as useful bonus courses, speak for themselves. In addition, there is a money-back guarantee and a free trial period. What more could you want?

ᐊ 5 ᐅ Rosetta Stone – A Different Learning Approach That Works

Rosetta Stone only at rank 5? Isn’t this actually an absolute premium language course that also integrates a virtual classroom?! That is correct, and yes, Rosetta Stone is among the best language learning apps on the market. In particular, the extraordinary learning method called “Dynamic Immersion” is wonderful, and you achieve excellent results with it.

However, you also have to embrace this learning method, and in terms of motivation, Mondly, in particular, is much better. Nevertheless, anyone who wants to learn in a very natural way and dispense with tedious vocabulary and grammar cramming can hardly bypass Rosetta Stone. And thanks to a long money-back guarantee, you can also test it without any problems.

ᐊ 6 ᐅ Jicki – Great Audio Course Made in Germany

Jicki is a language learning app that comes purely as an audio language course. Unlike classic audio courses, it relies on so-called language showers. A name that takes some getting used to, but the concept fully works. Because you are quasi casually sprinkled with or showered by the foreign language.

The big advantage is that Jicki is ideal when your main activity is something else. So you can use the courses, for example, while driving or on the bus and train. Generally, they are also very well suited as a basis for our SleepHACK, one of our most popular Language Learning HACKS.

ᐊ 7 ᐅ Gymglish – The Personal “Language Teacher”

The Gymglish language learning app surprised us very much in our test. Because no other language course, no other language learning app in 2025 adapts so individually to the learner’s level (with the exception of the new AI language tutors). You get personalized lessons and error corrections, so it feels like learning with a personal language teacher. However, this is hard to describe; you have to test it (free and without obligation).

Besides the individualized learning units, you can also set your own interests in the Gymglish language courses, which are named differently in each language – see review. So you can also learn Business English or Business Spanish, for example. Furthermore, after 7 days, you get a free assessment of your own learning level, which is also continuously updated the more you learn with Gymglish and the language learning apps.

ᐊ 8 ᐅ Yabla – The YouTube Among Language Learning Apps

Not really a language course in itself, Yabla is nevertheless one of the best language learning apps in 2025. This is especially true for advanced learning and for anyone who wants to prevent their language skills from rusting. Yabla is a collection of authentic videos on an infinite number of different topics, which makes it possible to learn with content that truly interests you. More practical relevance is only found in the new AI courses.

All videos are specially prepared for learning, offer voicing, and much more. Of course, there are also corresponding exercises to apply what you’ve newly learned. What’s great for advanced learners, however, means that beginners should initially steer clear of Yabla. They should first lay the groundwork with Mondly and then switch to Yabla later.

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ᐊ 9 ᐅ Babbel – Germany’s Most Popular Language Learning App, Now Including Language Lessons

In our review, we once called Babbel the “people’s language course.” The Berlin-based company earned this title through excellently prepared content packaged in an easy-to-use language learning app. However, Babbel has somewhat declined in the past, which is why it has now fallen from rank 2 to 9 in this ranking of the top 10 language learning apps for 2025. The reason summarized: Fewer functions with ever-increasing costs for the Babbel app, and somehow Babbel has lost its own character and is now more one among many language learning apps.

Generally, Babbel teaches a new language rather classically with vocabulary and grammar. Anyone who has approached a language this way before will find a great start with Babbel immediately. The provider is also constantly expanding its services, and so you can now also book language lessons via Babbel Live, which complements learning in the language learning app very well.

ᐊ 10 ᐅ Cabuu – A Lovingly Designed Vocabulary Trainer

Cabuu impressed us greatly in our review. While it’s not a comprehensive language course, it’s a very good vocabulary trainer that shines, among other things, due to its connection to various school textbooks. Cabuu also offers a unique selling point, as it attempts to teach new words using gestures. Exciting.

The user interface is very well designed, something rarely found elsewhere. Cute animations are not just easy on the eyes but also support memorizing vocabulary and give Cabuu a unique selling point. The price-performance ratio is also excellent!

Where are Duolingo and Busuu?

We are often asked, where is Duolingo in this list of the best language learning apps? The answer is quite simple. We do not see Duolingo in the top 10 best language learning apps in 2025. In our view, it’s simply not good enough.

The Duolingo app once impressed with its simple operation and appealing design. But here too, recent updates have made some things worse. Moreover, the program is sometimes too playful, and many sentences are quite nonsensical. Generally, in our detailed review, we found too many didactic shortcomings for Duolingo to find a place on our smartphones again.

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Furthermore, the Duolingo costs are getting higher and higher without an increase in content. Generally, a rather unfortunate development, especially since they started with the claim of free learning. This is now paid for by an almost infinite number of advertising videos that one has to watch between the (often very short) learning units. And watching ads when the brain is set to learning? For us, a no-go!

Busuu has now met a similar fate as Duolingo. However, for a different reason, as we encountered problems with the payment process during our last review. Free trial phases that were cancelled automatically turned into paid subscriptions, etc. We are still investigating this and may update our recommendation here. But this is behavior that also receives a “no-go” from us. (Furthermore, functions like lessons in the virtual classroom have been removed.)

Which Language Learning App is Best for Me in 2025?

We have seen that a wide variety of different language learning apps have now established themselves on the market. We also encounter different learning approaches. And since each of us learns differently, this is, of course, to be welcomed. To find out which of the top 10 language study apps is now best suited for oneself, one has two options:

Conclusion: The Best Language Learning Apps for 2025

The selection of language learning apps in Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store is huge in 2025. From many dozens of different language programs, Katrin and I have selected the 10 with which, in our view, one can achieve the best results. Many of the suggested language learning apps can also be combined. Jicki plus Mondly, for example, is a great combination.

Which app it should ultimately be for whom depends, of course, a) on the personal learning type and b) on one’s own challenges. If you’ve had problems “sticking with it” in the past, then you should check out the motivation wonder Mondly. If classic learning isn’t your thing, Birlingo is worth a look. Either way, most apps can be tried for free and bought if liked. Those who do this on the provider’s site usually save the 30% app store fee.

Now, Katrin and I are naturally interested: Which language learning app has made it onto your smartphone? Feel free to let us know in the comments which app is among your favorites.