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Free language learning apps

The most useful free language learning apps are Duolingo for a daily habit, Anki and Clozemaster for vocabulary, Busuu and Memrise for their free tiers, and Tandem or HelloTalk for speaking.

Some are free outright; others have a free tier with the rest behind a subscription. Each listing says which.

Checked October 2026 · 21 listed

Ranked, our picks first

  1. Duolingo#1 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web

    The easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it.

    Free tiervocabularygrammar
  2. Anki#2 · app · A1–C2 · iOS, Android, Web

    The best free memory tool at any level; bring your own material.

    Free tiervocabulary
  3. Clozemaster#3 · app · A2–C1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Thousands of fill-the-gap sentences, free, good for volume from A2.

    Free tiervocabularygrammar
  4. Busuu#4 · app · A1–B2 · iOS, Android, Web

    A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier.

    Free tiergrammarvocabularyspeaking
  5. Memrise#5 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Native-speaker clips for beginners; a supplement, not a course.

    Free tiervocabulary
  6. KwizIQ#6 · website · A1–C1 · Web

    Finds and fixes grammar gaps, in the language or Spanish; no help with your ear.

    Free tiergrammar
  7. Speechling#7 · app · A1–C1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Record sentences, get a human coach's pronunciation notes; free to start.

    Free tierspeaking
  8. HelloTalk#8 · app · A2–C2 · iOS, Android

    Free text and voice exchange with native speakers; not a course.

    Free tierspeaking
  9. Tandem#9 · app · A2–C2 · iOS, Android

    Free conversation partners, screened at sign-up; unstructured by nature.

    Free tierspeaking
  10. Beelinguapp#10 · app · A1–B2 · iOS, Android

    Parallel-text audiobooks with narration; easy reading-plus-listening practice.

    Free tierlisteningvocabulary
  11. Drops#11 · app · A1–A2 · iOS, Android

    Fast, pretty vocabulary games for beginners; no grammar, no sentences.

    Free tiervocabulary
  12. DuoCards#12 · app · A1–C1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Save words from videos and articles and review them; free to start.

    Free tiervocabulary
  13. Forvo#13 · website · A1–C2 · iOS, Android, Web

    The quickest way to hear how one word is really pronounced.

    Free tierspeaking
  14. Language Transfer#14 · course · A1–A2 · iOS, Android, Web

    Free audio course that teaches you to build sentences by thinking, not memorising.

    Free tierspeakinggrammar
  15. Mango Languages#15 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Check your library first: free there, and a solid beginner course.

    Free tiergrammarvocabularyspeaking
  16. Pod101#16 · app · A1–C1 · iOS, Android, Web

    A huge library of short lessons in 40+ languages; a free account lets you sample it.

    Free tierlisteningvocabulary
  17. Praktika#17 · app · A1–C1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Daily AI speaking practice with instant corrections; not a real conversation.

    Free tierspeaking
  18. Promova#18 · app · A1–B2 · iOS, Android, Web

    An all-in-one beginner app with AI speaking practice; the core is free.

    Free tierspeakingvocabularygrammar
  19. Quizlet#19 · app · A1–C2 · iOS, Android, Web

    Quick flashcards for a class word list; not a way to learn a language on its own.

    Free tiervocabulary
  20. Readlang#20 · website · A2–C1 · Web

    Read any text, click to translate, and review the words as flashcards.

    Free tiervocabulary
  21. Talkpal#21 · app · A1–C1 · iOS, Android, Web

    Ten free minutes of AI conversation a day; Premium removes the limit.

    Free tierspeaking

How we rank

We rank apps by who they genuinely suit, what they cost, and how much they help with the skill learners neglect most: understanding the real spoken language. Every price and fact was checked on the product's own site or app store listing on the date shown; where a price is not published we say so and what is free. Nobody pays to be listed or ranked, and there are no affiliate links. More about this site.

Questions

What is the best free app for French?

Duolingo, where every course is free, for a habit. For listening, TV5MONDE's Apprendre le français is free from A1 to B2.

Is Anki free?

Anki is free on desktop, the web and Android. AnkiMobile for iOS costs $24.99 once.

Can I practice speaking French for free?

Yes, with a language exchange on Tandem or HelloTalk, or with Speechling's free pronunciation feedback. A paid tutor is more structured.

Are free tiers enough to reach B1?

With discipline, yes, if you combine a course app, a vocabulary tool and plenty of real listening. Most people add a tutor somewhere along the way for speaking.

See also