
Top 10 Language Apps Every Aspiring Polyglot Should Know
In today’s hyper-connected world, becoming a polyglot is more achievable than ever. Whether you want to master French, dabble in Japanese, or learn Turkish from scratch, language learning apps can give you access to immersive, fun, and structured experiences right at your fingertips.
To help you on your journey, here are 10 language learning apps every aspiring polyglot should know, each offering unique features that cater to different learning styles and goals.
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Start Practicing NowTOP 10 LANGUAGE LEARNING APPS
1. Duolingo
- Best for Beginners and gamified learning
- Languages 40+ (including Spanish, Japanese, Hindi, Navajo)
Duolingo is a household name in the language learning world—and for good reason. Its colorful, game-based approach turns learning into a habit-forming challenge. You earn XP, unlock levels, and maintain streaks while practicing reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Although it's ideal for beginners, its gamification might not satisfy advanced learners looking for deeper grammar explanations.
Free with ads; Duolingo Plus removes ads and adds offline access.
Download Duolingo Language App
2. Babbel
- Best for Practical conversations and grammar
- Languages 14 (including German, Italian, Dutch)
Babbel excels at teaching real-life conversations through grammar-integrated lessons. Unlike Duolingo’s bite-sized game approach, Babbel’s lessons are built by language experts to simulate natural dialogues and teach you how to actually use the language in context. The app also tailors content based on your native language, helping you make connections more effectively.
Paid subscription, with some free content.
3. Memrise
- Best for Vocabulary building and real-life phrases
- Languages 20+ (including Icelandic, Mongolian, Korean)
Memrise uses spaced repetition and video clips of native speakers to help you learn authentic vocabulary. Its strength lies in helping you develop listening and memorization skills using mnemonics and real-world context. It’s perfect for learners who want to absorb natural speech and avoid overly formal textbook phrases.
Free version available; Pro offers advanced features.
4. LingQ
- Best for Immersive reading and listening practice
- Languages 40+ (including Latin, Ancient Greek, Ukrainian)
LingQ allows you to learn through immersion by reading and listening to real-world content like news articles, podcasts, and audiobooks. As you read, you can click on unknown words to get instant translations and create flashcards for later review. It's ideal for intermediate and advanced learners looking to expand their vocabulary in context.
Free to start; subscription required for full access.
5. Pimsleur
- Best for Audio-based learning and pronunciation
- Languages 50+ (including Arabic, Tagalog, Swahili)
Pimsleur is built on the principle of auditory learning. Each 30-minute lesson is designed to be listened to daily, with a focus on pronunciation, comprehension, and response. It's great for busy learners who want to study hands-free during commutes or workouts. However, it’s more audio-heavy and lacks visual cues.
Free trial available; then requires a paid plan.
Download Pimsleur Language App
6. HelloTalk
- Best for Language exchange with native speakers
- Languages 150+ (almost every spoken language)
HelloTalk connects you with native speakers around the world for text, voice, and video exchanges. You can correct each other’s messages, ask questions, and even get feedback from language coaches. It’s essentially a global chatroom for language lovers, and a perfect complement to traditional study apps.
Free with premium features available.
Download HelloTalk Language App
7. Tandem
- Best for One-on-one conversation practice
- Languages 160+ (widely spoken and regional dialects)
Similar to HelloTalk, Tandem matches you with language partners for conversation practice. What sets it apart is its vetting process, better profile matching, and optional access to professional tutors. It's especially helpful for building confidence in speaking and learning cultural nuances.
Free with optional in-app purchases and tutor fees.
8. Clozemaster
- Best for Expanding vocabulary through sentence context
- Languages 60+ (including Czech, Finnish, Esperanto)
Clozemaster is for learners who’ve graduated from beginner levels and want to dive into vocabulary acquisition in real-world sentence contexts. You fill in the blanks in sentences, focusing on grammar and word usage. It’s a great companion to Duolingo or Memrise for intermediate learners who want to level up.
Free with a Pro version offering more features.
Download Clozemaster Language App
9. Anki
- Best for Custom flashcard learning
- Languages All (user-generated content)
Anki is a powerful, open-source flashcard app using spaced repetition. While not a language app per se, it's beloved by serious learners for its flexibility. You can create your own decks or download shared ones (such as 10,000 Japanese sentences or Core 2k/6k decks). Perfect for drilling vocabulary, kanji, or grammar points.
Free on desktop and Android; paid app for iOS.
10. Busuu
- Best for Structured courses with feedback
- Languages 12 (including Portuguese, Chinese, Turkish)
Busuu offers complete language courses, from beginner to upper intermediate levels, designed by linguists. A standout feature is the ability to submit writing and speaking exercises for review by native speakers in the community. You get real corrections and can even earn a certificate upon completion.
Free basic plan; premium adds grammar reviews and offline access.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to language learning. Some learners thrive on structured lessons, while others prefer real-world immersion or social interaction. Try mixing and matching a few of these apps to find what works best for you. For example, pair Duolingo with HelloTalk, or LingQ with Anki, to reinforce learning through multiple channels.
REMEMBER Consistency is key, not perfection. With the right tools and mindset, your journey to becoming a polyglot will be both rewarding and transformative.