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Learning French doesn’t have to be so challenging. If you want to learn French fast and don’t know where to begin, don’t worry. We have compiled a list of the best apps to learn French for a range of budgets and schedules. These apps will help you build your French grammar and vocabulary, as well as improve your French conversational skills.
Whether you’re a beginner starting from zero or simply in need of some revision, there’s surely a French language app that will meet your goals. Let’s get started.
Why use an app to learn French?
It complements other French learning resources
There are many ways to learn French. You may have invested in books to learn French or sat for classes with online French tutors. There are podcasts, interactive websites, and full-fledged courses. There are also apps dedicated to improving your French speaking skills.
Each comes with unique benefits, and you can choose a complementary app that tackles your weakest points: French conjugations, for example.
It makes learning French fun
Many of these apps make your French language journey simply more fun! For example, Babbel is the shortest path to real-life conversations by exposing you to French dialogues, while the wildly popular italki and Preply give you the opportunity to connect and make friends with native French speakers.
You can learn anytime and anywhere
Have 15 minutes to spare in the doctor’s waiting room? Whip out your French learning app and start your lesson. Some of these apps even have offline capabilities, allowing you to learn French without an internet connection.
What are the best apps to learn French?
As far as French learning apps go, lots of French learners love Duolingo, Babbel and Mondly. Pimsleur is a tried-and-tested, scientifically proven method to learn French.
FrenchPod101 does a great job at introducing beginners to the French language, while the italki app is excellent for finding affordable French tutors online. There are also French vocabulary apps dedicated to teaching you new words and phrases.
Ultimately, it really depends on your goals and preferences. Keep reading to learn about these apps and more.
Editor’s note: To reach fluency faster, combine these apps with other resources, such as books, podcasts, online courses, and YouTube channels. For your convenience, we’ve compiled an epic list of 50+ French learning resources, including FREE ones. Read it, save it, and share it!
Best apps to learn French for beginners
1. Babbel
Babbel is one of the most popular apps for learning languages, and its focus is to get you speaking French from the very beginning. Using real conversations about everyday topics, it is an incredible app to practice conversational French, especially if you like an approach that does not include interacting with real people at first.
Some of the features include French grammar tips and review activities. Learning to speak French on a busy schedule is convenient with Babbel because it is organized into 10-15 minute lessons. Speech recognition technology also helps with French pronunciation.
What I like about Babbel:
- Well-rounded courses covering all core skills
- Caters to beginners up to advanced learners
- Focus on improving conversational skills
Price: The first lesson is free; after that, your subscription will set you back $8.45 a month. Check out the latest Babbel promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Mondly
Mondly claims to make learning French grammar fun, even when it’s supposedly the hardest and most boring part of learning a language.
Mondly aims to teach grammar without focusing on teaching grammar. Instead, you will listen to real conversational French from real native French speakers, Mondly vows to get you to understand and learn French grammar by taking a holistic approach that examines the way that children acquire language.
Millions of people worldwide use Mondly’s innovative app to understand advanced French grammar rules without having a boring grammar lesson. With three sections of the app dedicated to short but comprehensive grammar lessons, Mondly’s exercises are designed to keep you as engaged as possible, even when tackling the pesky task of trying to understand French grammar.
What I like about Mondly:
- A variety of engaging exercises to train reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
- Great for building vocabulary
- Weekly and monthly challenges keep it motivating
Price: Monthly subscription starts at $9.99/month. Get the latest Mondly promo now.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Pimsleur
Based on the learning method of linguistician Paul Pimsleur (1927-1976), this is the best app to learn French because it teaches French grammar… by not teaching French grammar.
I know. It sounds completely counterintuitive, but it’s true. The Pimsleur Method has been scientifically proven to be effective in promoting organic learning by engaging your brain with melody, intonation, and rhythm.
New vocabulary is given within the context of a conversation for easy understanding. Pimsleur‘s main focus is to build your conversational skills – and it does so through core audio lessons that can be supplemented by bonus learning materials.
The Pimsleur language learning system has had a great effect on the field of language learning and teaching even today. It is undoubtedly an incredible resource for learning to speak French quickly and easily.
What I like about Pimsleur:
- Audio-based program for improving conversational skills
- Features audio recording of a native speaker
- Effective graduated interval method for better recall
Price: Pimsleur premium subscription starts at $19.95/month. Start your full access, 7-day free trial.
Devices: iOS and Android
4. Rocket French
Learn French on Rocket Languages
For a comprehensive and immersive French learning experience, Rocket French is the way to go. This app promises to take you to the heart of the French language and help you understand the language and the culture like a local.
True to its promise, Rocket French teaches the language through lessons that target all core skills and within an insightful cultural context. Dialogues include language that locals use so you stay relevant. Grammar is seamlessly woven into the lessons as well.
Rocket French also focuses on improving your speaking skills by featuring audio lessons that let you hear a native speaker’s pronunciation and accent. After hearing a clip, you can record your voice and compare it with the native speaker’s.
What I like about Rocket French:
- Audio lessons that boost your listening and speaking skills
- A well-rounded course that takes you from beginner to advanced levels
- Incorporates grammar and cultural notes
Price: Starts at $75/month but discounts are available. Find the latest Rocket French promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
5. Memrise
Memrise is one of the best apps to learn French for anyone trying to make learning French an enjoyable experience. One of the most difficult parts of trying to learn French is acquiring vocabulary and phrases, but Memrise solves that problem by helping you speak French by mastering difficult vocabulary.
With features like flashcards and board games vocabulary, it takes away the monotonous tone of learning French in a classroom. Memrise makes learning French fun, which makes it one of the more enjoyable French apps for kids, too!
What I like about Memrise:
- Audio and videos featuring native speakers
- Smart flashcards
- Teaches relevant vocabulary
Price: Free with limited content. Sign up for premium for $8.99/month to unlock all content.
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Duolingo
Duolingo has evolved considerably since it was launched in 2011. It helps users practice pronunciation and French grammar, and it is the best way to learn French for free.
Learning French with Duolingo is a bit like playing a game. One of the latest features is being able to practice speaking French through short stories that you can unlock after finishing the first level.
Duolingo makes a great French app for kids and newbies. You earn cool badges and rewards as you meet daily goals in the app, and it does a wonderful job of keeping learners interested and engaged throughout their journey to fluency!
What I like about Duolingo:
- Gamified exercises
- Beginner-friendly lessons
- Extra materials for French learners (e.g., podcasts, stories, etc.)
Price: The app is free but for ad-free lessons and offline accessibility, you can upgrade for $9.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Alison
Alison offers two free online courses that can help you learn French from scratch. The first course, French for Beginners, guides you through the first steps of your French journey from beginner to intermediate level. It explains how to read and write in the language and shows you how to conjugate verbs and pronounce words correctly.
The second course, French Language Studies, teaches you how to understand and speak basic French. The course covers important phrases used for making introductions, plus talking about yourself, family, and friends. It also covers topics such as discussing holidays, the weather, and classroom basics.
Both courses are free and designed to be self-paced. They are perfect for anyone who wants to learn French from scratch or improve their existing skills. They’re also beginner-friendly and come with certificates of completion!
What I like about Alison:
- Free, CPD-accredited courses
- Beginner-friendly lessons
- Organized courses that cover the essentials
Price: Free! Certificates may be purchased separately and you can also sign up for ad-free interface. Sign up now for free.
Devices: iOS and Android
8. Promova
French learners can benefit from Promova’s emphasis on spaced repetition and bite-sized lessons. This method, called “fast brain” by Promova, introduces vocabulary in short bursts and then strategically repeats them at optimized intervals to solidify memorization.
What’s great is that Promova focuses on teaching real-life, essential French vocabulary words and phrases. It incorporates interactive quizzes, flashcards, and sound clips to help you remember these words and their pronunciation. There are also speaking drills to hone your conversational skills.
What I like about Promova:
- Bite-sized lessons that you can easily fit into your daily routine
- Lessons customized to your goals
- You learn vocabulary that you can use in everyday situations
Price: Starts from $49.99 for three months but discounts are available.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to learn French grammar
9. Busuu
With an AI-powered grammar review tool, Busuu is a wonderful resource to learn French grammar. While many apps to learn French focus on vocabulary, Busuu takes an integrated approach to teaching French grammar.
Busuu is one of the largest language learning apps currently available, and it boasts many features for learning to speak French. The study plan feature and specialized courses help anyone trying to fit learning to speak French into a busy schedule.
What I like about Busuu:
- Compact lessons designed by experts
- Lessons featuring native speakers and real-life vocabulary
- Community feedback
Price: Premium subscription starts from approximately $11.99/month. Check out the latest promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
10. MosaLingua
MosaLingua uses a spaced repetition system to promote long-term memorization as you learn French. With this app, you will gain access to resources that help you understand verb conjugations, as well as a comprehensive section dedicated to grammar essentials, learning tips, and thousands of flashcards with audio. This app will definitely help you acquire French vocabulary and practice your French pronunciation.
This is the best app to learn French offline. After you pay $4.99 to download the app, you enjoy all of the content without any additional charges. Bonus content as you advance helps to keep you motivated while you’re learning to speak French.
What I like about MosaLingua:
- Helps build comprehension, pronunciation, writing, and reading skills
- Learn vocabulary and grammar in context
- Powerful SRS system for maximum recall
Price: Starts at $9.50/month after your free trial. Try it now.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to find French tutors
11. italki
Italki is a language platform that connects language learners and teachers through video chat. It’s so easy to book a lesson that you might end up with multiple teachers – one for conversation classes, the other for reading lessons, and another for grammar drills. That’s part of what makes italki such a popular app for French learners.
On Italki, you’ll find community tutors and professional tutors. Lessons are typically conducted via Skype and they begin from $4, though most French tutors charge between $10-$20 an hour.
As a new user, you’ll also get three trial lessons at reduced prices. Whatever you need help with, Italki is a fun way to learn from the native speakers themselves! Try it!
Read Hey Explorer’s dazzling review of Italki here.
What I like about italki:
- Learn French pronunciation and accents from native speakers
- You can choose from community tutors and professional teachers
- Lessons that fit your schedule and budget
Price: Lessons often start from $4-$8/hour depending on the tutor’s prices. Find a French tutor now.
Devices: iOS and Android
12. Preply
Another tutor platform worth checking out is Preply. With over 2,000 French tutors here, you can easily find a tutor who’ll help you advance in your studies.
Preply has experienced and highly-rated French tutors who can teach the essentials and boost your conversational skills. But if you’re looking for specialized teaching such as Business French, Canadian French, French literature, or even French for dyslexic students, that’s possible too!
To find a French tutor on Preply, simply browse through the detailed tutor profiles. You can further filter the results by setting your budget, the tutors’ country of birth, other languages they can speak, and their availability. Preply will find the best match for you but if you’re unsatisfied, they’ll find a replacement for free.
What I like about Preply:
- Plenty of expert French tutors to choose from
- Emphasis on improving conversational skills while also targeting specific needs
- Budget- and schedule-friendly
Price: Many tutors charge around $20 per lesson but discounts are available.
Devices: iOS and Android
13. Lingoda
Lingoda gives you the option of signing up for private, one-on-one coaching or small group sessions. You get different benefits for each; the private classes lend extra focus and intensity while group classes give you more opportunities to interact with fellow learners.
Ultimately, Lingoda’s aim is to help learners get access to lessons that’ll take them from A1 to C1 (CEFR standards) from the comfort of their homes. Teachers mainly speak French throughout the sessions so you’ll get more comfortable with the language.
What’s more, you’ll receive personalized feedback from your tutor as well as additional resources such as annotated PDFs, homework, and more.
What I like about Lingoda:
- Option for private or group class
- Native-speaking tutors who can give cultural context to the lessons
- Well-rounded lessons that cater to beginners and advanced learners alike
Price: Five classes cost $79.99 or $16 per class but signing up for more classes gives you discounts. Check Lingoda promos here.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to start speaking French
14. Lingopie
Do you love watching French TV shows and movies? Why not use this hobby to improve your French language skills?
On Lingopie, you can watch great French shows and films like Lupin, Inhuman Resources, Lost Bullet, The World is Yours, and more — and learn from them! The shows come with subtitles and every word, phrase, or slang is clickable to give you an instant translation and pronunciation guide.
After watching an episode, you can easily review the new words and grammar rules you learned with our built-in flashcards and word lists!
What I like about Lingopie:
- Lots of great TV shows and movies to learn French from in an entertaining way
- Innovative built-in learning tools
- Ideal for learning real-life vocabulary
Price: Starts at $5.99/month on the annual plan. Try it free for 7 days!
Devices: iOS and Android
15. Rosetta Stone
Remember those old Rosetta Stone commercials in the early 2000s?
Rosetta Stone is an educational software company that develops language and literacy software, and its award-winning language programs make it one of the best apps to learn French quickly.
Rosetta Stone is the best French immersion-based app that teaches French grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, and it is hailed for its ability to help people learning to speak French retain their language skills in a shorter period of time.
Be aware though – six hours of lessons will set you back $124, but it is well worth the money.
What I like about Rosetta Stone:
- Dynamic Immersion method forces you to learn from context
- Excellent speech recognition engine
- Ideal for honing pronunciation
Price: Starts at $11.99/mo for 3 months. Check out the latest discounts here.
Devices: iOS and Android
16. Glossika
Learning French on Glossika is a fun and unique way to master the language. Here, you’re not learning individual words and phrases. Instead, you’ll be learning thousands of French sentences!
Glossika’s unique approach to language learning is based on real-life content, which helps learners absorb the language naturally. The method involves learning thousands of sentences that gradually get more difficult, and audio from native speakers that helps build listening and speaking skills.
It is a bit more challenging but this method allows you to get full context for learning vocabulary and grammar. Plus, the app’s spaced repetition training builds up your understanding of the language and gain confidence in using it.
What I like about Glossika:
- Learning French from thousands of full sentences
- Natural acquisition of vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking skills
- Hands-free option
Price: Starts at $16.99/month. Check out the latest Glossika discounts here. If you’d like to support Learn Languages From Home, make sure to complete your purchase through the Glossika website (not the mobile app). You can sign up and use whatever platform you want, but if you make the purchase using the website, I make a small commission. Thanks!
Devices: iOS and Android
17. FrenchPod101
A personal favorite of mine, FrenchPod101 is a listening-based app that provides fun, relevant, and holistic lessons that focus on proper pronunciation, grammar, and sentence structure. It also introduces you to French culture in different countries worldwide which gives you a more rounded introduction to the language as a whole.
There is also a large collection of videos and podcasts with lesson notes and transcripts that often include vocabulary lists and grammar tips. Frenchpod101 is the best app to learn French for anyone who is a total beginner to the language because it does a very comprehensive job of introducing you to conversational French.
Your subscription even includes a feature where you will get a daily email with the word of the day. This includes a list of phrases and sentences where you would see the new word. It’s also a convenient way to learn French – I often listen to podcasts while I drink my morning coffee or while I’m commuting to work.
What I like about FrenchPod101:
- A huge library of audio and video content
- Emphasis on vocabulary and conversational skills
- Lots of supplementary materials on the website and YouTube channel
Price: Premium starts at $10/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
18. FluentU
FluentU is a wonderful immersion app. It turns music videos, news, commercials, and more into French learning experiences. By teaching common French expressions and slang, it helps you practice conversational French as if you were practicing with real people in real life.
Worried that you wouldn’t be able to understand the videos? FluentU has got you covered; all videos have interactive subtitles to help you through the process, and you can even pause the video to find definitions and useful examples of the words you are having trouble with.
Like FrenchPod101, FluentU is an incredible way for you to have an immersive experience when you are learning to speak French. I would even argue that it’s the best app to learn French in terms of listening comprehension and becoming truly conversational in French.
What I like about FluentU:
- Learning from content that interests you
- Interactive interface that you can use at your own pace
- Ideal for intermediate and advanced learners
Price: $30/month or $240/year. Get it free for 14 days now.
Devices: iOS and Android
19. HelloTalk
Find language exchange partners on HelloTalk
HelloTalk is one of the best apps to learn French for free, calling itself “The Ultimate Language Exchange.” Founded in 2017, the app helps you acquire conversational French skills by connecting you with French speakers all over the world. It creates a unique, virtual language exchange where users can teach each other their native language.
It also helps individuals achieve fluency through a series of engaging tools, including video chat and text chat. When you’re learning to speak French, one of the hardest things to master is French pronunciation, making Hellotalk an incredible tool to have in your toolbox.
Be careful though – the app does not have a rating system for its users so it’s vital to exercise caution when using its social networking features.
What I like about HelloTalk:
- Social way of learning French
- Learn the language and culture
- Interactive built-in tools for networking, correction, and translation
Price: Free; monthly in-app purchases start from $8.99
Devices: iOS and Android
20. LingQ
It’s easy to like LingQ for its lessons and vocabulary-building capabilities. The tools that are at your disposal are very effective for obtaining a basic understanding of French. Anyone new to learning to speak French will find it a valuable asset to have in your arsenal.
It is a lovely French app for kids, too. Not only does it track your language learning progress and allow you to add new flashcards to a personalized deck, but it gives you an adorable avatar that you can personalize.
As you continue learning with LingQ, you earn virtual coins that you can use to buy items for your avatar. Monthly community French challenges set targets for how much reading and listening you should do in order to keep earning coins for your avatar.
Whether you’re an adult or searching for resources for a young learner, this is hands down the best app to learn French if you are looking for a personalized game to stay engaged in an incredibly fun way! On top of that, LingQ’s customer support is excellent.
What I like about LingQ:
- Access to personalized decks
- Balance of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation-focused lessons
- Competitive interface to keep you motivated
Price: $12.99/month for the premium package.
Devices: iOS and Android
21. HiNative
HiNative is a Q&A app for people learning to speak French. Language learners can log onto the app and ask questions that are answered by native speakers, making it the best app to learn French and practice conversational French skills if you are someone who learns best in a Q&A format.
The app has multiple features, including reading and writing assistance and audio recordings for natives to check your French pronunciation.
What I like about HiNative:
- A huge community of native speakers
- Get quick help with word usage and pronunciation
- Learn authentic expressions
Price: Free to use but premium access costs $5.68/month
Devices: iOS and Android
Top tips for learning French
Learning a new language doesn’t have to be hard. Even if you aren’t in Paris or Quebec right now for the complete cultural immersion, don’t let that stop you from taking control of your language dreams.
Here are some quick tips and tricks to keep in mind to be successful:
Invest your time into other resources
Learning French is incredibly fun and fulfilling when you are taking full advantage of your resources.
Online courses such as those offered by Rocket French expose you to structured lessons, but content like French books, podcasts, Netflix shows, and music videos are all enjoyable ways to practice French while doing things you enjoy. You can check more French learning resources here.
French isn’t easy to learn, but it doesn’t have to be hard
Anglophones like you have a relatively easy time learning French, with the average learner achieving fluency after roughly 220 hours of language practice. It is, in fact, one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become fluent in French.
Keep daily contact with the language!
If there is only one thing that you take from this article, let it be this: The best way to learn a language as quickly as possible is to have constant contact with your target language.
Whether you sit down for a lesson, read a French novel, or listen to a French podcast while you’re having your morning coffee, the most essential part of your language learning journey will be consistent exposure.
Are you ready to start your French language journey? Toutes nos félicitations, you’ve already taken the first step by getting to know your options. Good luck, and happy learning!
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