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There’s nothing to stop you from wow-ing everyone by suddenly becoming a fluent Italian speaker. You’re ready for that, aren’t you? All you need to get started is determination and some apps to learn Italian.
But which ones offer the best services? Value for money? The best range of lessons on everything from Italian vocabulary to Italian grammar? Sit tight, we’ve got the answers.
Top picks
One thing you should know before we get started is that the market is saturated when it comes to Italian learning apps. And unfortunately, they’re not all made equal.
Before you get swamped by all the options, here are my all-round favorites.
- Develop conversational skills quickly with Pimsleur
- Listen on-the-go with the podcast Coffee Break Italian on Spotify
- Get a comprehensive Italian course through Rocket Languages
And without further ado, here are the best apps to learn Italian!
Overall best apps to learn Italian
1. Babbel
Our number one favorite app to learn Italian is Babbel. It’s suitable for everyone since it covers all manner of subjects, levels of proficiency, and interests.
With Babbel, you get what you pay for: high-quality and in-depth lessons at a reasonable price. I’d also say that this is the best app to learn Italian for travel – the beginner’s lessons cover everything you need to know for your trip to Italy.
Why you should try Babbel:
- Easy to use and user-friendly
- Top-quality teaching methods and resources
- Offers specialized courses for grammar, refreshers, beginners, intermediates and advanced learners
- Synchronized progress across devices
Pricing: Flexible rates starting at $6.95/month. Check out the latest Babbel promo here!
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Mondly
Mondly is a great option for beginners.
This app uses fun, bite-sized lessons that are focused on conversations. Not only do you get to build a strong vocabulary, but you will also have fun while doing so. There’s even a chatbot feature for you to practice your Italian if you’re self-teaching.
You can also train your ears by listening to recordings of native speakers. This way, you’ll get fluent faster!
Why you should try Mondly:
- Free to use
- Easy to navigate and highly interactive
- Content is accurate and has a broad range
- Practice pronunciation with chatbot and audio recordings of native speakers
Pricing: Free! But the Premium version that comes with more features is absolutely worth it. Here’s the latest Mondly promo.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Duolingo
Duolingo is a great starting option if you’re low on funds but high on motivation.
With a wide range of lessons available, this is one of the best apps to learn Italian. You can take gamified lessons for as short as five minutes per day. While you’ll be mostly putting together a vocabulary arsenal, through continuous practice you’ll be learning grammar, too.
My only criticism of Duolingo is that it gets repetitive very quickly and you may feel that your progress is capped as a result. And the ads get infuriating after a while.
Why you should try Duolingo:
- It’s free
- Fun and easy to use
- Lessons are organized by subject and proficiency level
- The content is occasionally very amusing (ever wanted to learn how to say “the bear is a vegetarian in Italian?” Me neither!)
Pricing: The app itself is completely free. You can upgrade to get rid of pesky advertisements.
Devices: iOS and Android
Fun and interactive apps to learn Italian
4. Ling App
Ling Italian is designed to make learning as easy and enjoyable as possible. In as short as 10 minutes per day, you’ll be immersed in fun games, innovative challenges and puzzles, and strengthening your grasp of Italian along the way.
Regardless of your fluency level, you’ll find Ling App valuable. Through its interactive content, you’ll improve your Italian reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. And you won’t get bored!
Why you should try Ling App:
- Engaging games to learn Italian
- Chatbots for pronunciation practice
- Grammar tips and explanations
- Teaches poractical vocabulary
Pricing: Free version has lots of useful content. Upgrade to the Pro version for more lessons. It costs $4/month on the yearly plan.
Devices: iOS and Android
5. Busuu
Like Ling, Busuu promises to take only 10 minutes of your day. And with an app as robust as this, you can expect to progress quickly.
This app gives you access to feedback from native speakers so you can develop your conversational skills. It also offers topic-based lessons that are both insightful and entertaining, while teaching you vocabulary and grammar.
If you thrive in a structured type of learning environment, this app is also recommended. Busuu has a Study Plan feature that helps organize your time for you so you can study at a schedule that suits you.
Why you should try Busuu:
- Well-designed app
- Mixed-approach teaching (not just memory drills)
- Material is always relevant
- Active app community and feedback from native speakers
Pricing: $9.99 for a monthly subscription; $79.99 for an annual subscription; $89.99 for Premium Plus. Check out the Busuu premium plans here.
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Drops
Fellow puzzle nerds, I raise you Drops. This app is a lot of fun and it teaches you new vocabulary at the same time. A blend of word and memory games, Drops’ approach is to have its users enjoy themselves and pick stuff up along the way.
I have to say, this is a great app to take the sting off of grammar drills. It’s beautifully designed, intuitive, and addictive!
Why you should try Drops:
- Innovative and challenging puzzles to stimulate learning
- Has a great visual dictionary
- Plenty of content (although the free content is limited)
Pricing: Premium add-ons start at $9.99. A premium account that allows you unlimited access to all languages offered by Drops costs $79.99. See the latest promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Memrise
If you’re after an immersive experience, you’ll love Memrise. One of the most engaging apps to learn Italian, it contains images and video clips of native speakers, which is great for learners looking for an inclusive Italian course.
Memrise places emphasis on getting you to talk first without sounding like a textbook. This means you’ll be learning real-life vocabulary and developing the confidence to converse. Don’t expect grammar lessons though.
Why you should try Memrise:
- Has seven courses available for different proficiency levels
- The user creator content is even more helpful than the actual program (and there’s tons of it!)
- Immersive learning techniques
Pricing: Some content is free to access. Paid subscriptions start at $5/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
8. MosaLingua Italian
This is another app for people who want to keep all their learning in one place.
MosaLingua is a great option for learners who need variety and like repetition. Traditional methods meet new approaches and you can customize pretty much every feature to suit your goals.
Love flashcards? Then this is the app for you. Curate your own Italian flashcards ensemble and use them to practice in your downtime.
Why you should try MosaLingua:
- Caters for 10 levels of difficulty
- Has an initial assessment test for accurate placement
- Plenty of bonus materials and sub-categories to explore
- Uses a blend of flashcards and audio clips
Pricing: One-off initial payment of $4.99. You can pay an additional $4.99 a month for access to all features. Try it now.
Devices: iOS and Android
Best apps to learn how to speak Italian
9. Pimsleur
Try Pimsleur Italian absolutely FREE today
Pimsleur is an audio-based course that can be accessed via its app or website. It’s based on the Pimsleur Method, which is designed to get you speaking, understanding, and reading new languages quickly.
The course comprises 30-minute audio lessons that introduce core vocabulary in the context of conversations.
Following the lesson, you can dive into the bonus learning materials such as digital flashcards, games, and quizzes to review the vocabulary and test your skills.
Here’s an offer for you: Try Pimsleur Italian absolutely FREE today!
Why you should try Pimsleur:
- Tried and tested favorite (it’s been around for decades)
- Effective at delivering Italian lessons without overwhelming you
- Perfect for people who want to learn to speak Italian quickly
Pricing: Pimsleur subscription is $14.95/month for Audio-Only; $19.95/month for Premium (with Bonus Materials), or $20.95/month for All Access.
Devices: iOS and Android
10. Spotify
Learn Italian with Coffee Break Italian
You didn’t even imagine that Spotify might be all you need to learn Italian, did you?
Instead of your favorite bops, tune in to Coffee Break Italian on Spotify and get fun and exciting snippets of the Italian language on your drive. It’s innovative and I can promise you’ll find out tons of stuff you won’t learn through other mediums.
Need more Italian podcast inspiration? Head to our full list of the 16 best Italian podcasts for beginners and beyond.
Why you should try Spotify/Coffee Break Italian:
- Makes the most out of your Spotify subscription
- Turns lessons into fun conversations and trivia facts
- Makes learning enjoyableOffers a different perspective on learning Italian
Pricing: Good news, you don’t need to pay for Spotify. If you already have a subscription, you’re allowed to be a bit smug that you’re using your account to learn a new language.
Devices: iOS and Android
Apps that deliver comprehensive Italian courses
11. Rosetta Stone
Learn Italian with Rosetta Stone
Trusted by language learners and organizations for over 25 years, Rosetta Stone is one of the most exhaustive apps to learn Italian. This solid app lets you study Italian in as short as 5-10 minutes a day through its dynamic features.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to pick up vocabulary and basic expressions beyond ‘ciao’ or an advanced learner mastering verb conjugations, Rosetta Stone will be helpful. Plus, the examples are all based on real-life conversations.
Rosetta Stone also expertly teaches Italian diacritics, accents and pronunciation (which can be tricky for beginners), and even etiquette! No wonder this one’s award-winning! Sign up now.
Why you should try Rosetta Stone:
- Established and reputable program
- Learn Farsi words and phrases in context
- Become a confident speaker
Pricing: From $7.99/month. Find the latest Rosetta Stone Italian promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
12. Rocket Languages
Learn Italian with Rocket Languages
Drivers, beginners, and especially self-learners, you need Rocket Languages. It’s technically a course rather than an app, but members get access to the app too.
Rocket Italian offers audio courses with each lesson capped at just 20 minutes. The app and forum are invaluable sources for commuters and all levels of Italian learners.
You get a good balance of vocabulary and grammar lessons here. There are even essential cultural points to help you understand the nuances of the language and the local way of living!
Why you should try Rocket Languages:
- Great content delivered in well-structured chunks
- Easy to follow
- Progress is tracked
- Can be linked to Alexa and Google devices to continue your lesson at home or work
Pricing: This course is expensive but extensive. Courses start at $99.95. Try it now.
Devices: iOS and Android
Apps to find Italian tutors
13. italki
Learning vocabulary and grammatical structures will help you learn Italian. But in our opinion, the best way is always to speak the language you’re learning. italki can help you there.
italki is a digital service that links learners with tutors via Skype, Zoom, or its exclusive Virtual Classroom. It’s by far the easiest and most affordable online tutoring service out there. Also, this is a service that will help you learn to speak Italian, not just read or write in it.
You can choose Italian community tutors or professional teachers by browsing the tutor profiles. You can also sign up for trial lessons first before committing to a teacher.
Why you should try italki:
- High-quality teacging
- Reasonable prices
- Highly motivating sessions with tutors who know how to teach
- Great for any level learner to practice Italian face-to-face
- Convenient – you can schedule your lessons for when it suits you
Pricing: Each session starts from as low as $4. You’ll probably spend around $10 to $30 on average, though. Read our review of Italki or find a tutor now.
Devices: iOS and Android
14. Preply
Preply is an alternative app to italki. It’s another one that will help you to actually learn to speak Italian. Pick a tutor and get the ball rolling – it’s easy to use and great for improving pronunciation.
This app is a great window into the world of conversational Italian, as you’ll be learning it from someone who speaks it every day. You can also request customized lessons from your Italian tutor.
Why you should try Preply:
- Great tutors at reasonable prices
- Convenient and easy to use
- Highly recommended by users
- You don’t have to include video for your call if you prefer to remain anonymous
Pricing: Same range as Italki. The average Italian lesson on Preply will cost around $10-30.
Devices: iOS and Android
Unconventional apps to learn Italian
15. HelloTalk
A cross between a language learning app and a social network, HelloTalk lets you learn a language for free by chatting with native speakers around the world.
HelloTalk is an awesome online community where you can get Italian native speakers to teach you. At the same time, you can teach the language you speak. You can choose to learn via chatting only or by doing voice or video calls.
Practice what you’ve learned through other apps or books and you can let the conversation flow on this app. It’s an awesome way of tracking progress.
Why you should try HelloTalk:
- Great way to meet like minded people + new friends
- Excellent platform for practicing your skills
- Built-in aids for translation, pronunciation, transliteration, and corrections
- Free to use!
Pricing: If you can’t stand ads you can upgrade to the paid version for $6.99 a month.
Devices: iOS and Android
16. LingQ
Tired of conventional methods? LingQ was made for those of us who can’t bear another grammar quiz. Using content from popular culture, LingQ delivers Italian lessons that inspire and pique your interest.
With LingQ, you’ll be learning Italian from news articles, books, podcasts, or interviews. The audio and video contents have transcripts or subtitles that aid learning. You’ll be immersing yourself in the content you like while learning through context. Great for intermediate learners looking to spice up their lessons.
Why you should try LingQ:
- No two lessons are the same
- Huge variety of source material available (Netflix, newspaper articles, radio excerpts, etc.)
- Excellent for intermediate beginners and beyond (contains challenging but rewarding lessons)
- Beginners will enjoy this as a supplement app to Italian learning books and other reading materials
Pricing: Registration is free but costs $12.99 a month for the premium package.
Devices: iOS and Android
17. WordReference
Learn Italian with WordReference
Most of us will recognize the agony inflicted by trying to translate just one word on Google Translate. Sometimes it works, other times your gut feeling says “that word can’t possibly mean “hot air balloon disposal”.
Luckily, WordReference is one of the best multi-lingual apps on the market right now and I would recommend it to all language learners. Trust me, it saves a lot of embarrassment.
Why you should try WordReference:
- Easy and quick translations
- Includes idioms and turns of phrase
- Much more accurate than other similar apps
Pricing: WordReference is 100% free to download and use.
Devices: iOS and Android
18. Speechling
Learners who don’t or can’t invest in an online tutor might find Speechling especially helpful. Users of Speechling learn Italian by mimicking phrases delivered by the app. Therefore, this app is best for practicing speaking Italian out loud.
However, I would only recommend this to intermediate or advanced learners because beginners need to have some knowledge of Italian pronunciation in order to benefit from it.
Why you should try Speechling:
- Builds great speaking-out-loud habits
- The paid-for version allows you to get feedback from real Italian speakers who listen to your recordings and correct you
- Teaches through doing rather than memory or listening
Pricing: The basic package “forever free” is free to download and use. The paid-for version costs $19.99 a month.
Devices: iOS and Android
Why use language apps to learn Italian?
If you need persuading that going digital is the right way to go, consider this.
You almost always have access to your smartphone. This means you can learn anywhere, and at any time. In addition, most apps offer tracked progress and catered lessons for your level. Many even will help you find out where you are on your language journey so it minimizes the risk you’ll be overstretched or underwhelmed.
Of course, you will progress faster if you complement your Italian learning apps with other resources to learn Italian, such as books, podcasts, tutors, online courses, YouTube videos, and so on. These Italian learning habits can also help.
Are paid-for apps to learn Italian better?
Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t. You’ll notice that we give you an overview of app features and what we think of them, including price. We’ll always try to let you know who the app is best for in terms of skill level.
One thing is certain, though. Money shouldn’t be a reason you give up on your dream to learn Italian.
And that’s all from us for this time! If you have any advice for fellow Italian learners you’d like to share, put it in the comments sections below.
Hopefully, you feel ready to start learning Italian using some apps, but if you need more of a poke in the right direction, be sure to read our mega-article: Learn Italian: 50+ Apps, Podcasts, Books, and Online Courses