Language Learning Apps to Try in 2025

Babbel offers a traditional yet effective method for language learning, guiding users through various levels and gradually introducing new phrases and vocabulary. As you progress, the app unlocks additional vocabulary, making the learning experience both structured and rewarding. Its lessons are designed to be straightforward and pressure-free, allowing learners to listen to real-life conversational phrases, while also encouraging them to practice their spelling skills to enhance their writing abilities.

Similar to other apps, Babbel provides regular lessons that escalate in complexity, ensuring that you build on your previous knowledge. Recognizing the effectiveness of classroom-style learning, Babbel offers live lessons with qualified tutors, allowing you to join small groups of fellow learners. These interactive sessions are tailored to your proficiency level and can be scheduled at your convenience, making it a flexible learning option.

For those who prefer a more solitary approach, Babbel’s AI conversation partners offer a unique way to practice. I personally enjoyed crafting stories in Spanish with the AI, using prompts that increased in difficulty with each interaction. Additionally, Babbel’s podcast selection was instrumental in honing my listening skills, immersing me in the culture associated with the language I was learning.

Babbel allows users to sample the first lesson of every course for free and even join one live session before committing. The monthly subscription starts at $18, but longer-term plans offer better rates; for instance, a 12-month plan is approximately $9 per month, totaling around $108 for the year. For dedicated learners, the personalized attention from a live tutor can justify the investment.

For many, starting a new language can be thrilling, but it’s not uncommon to lose motivation soon after. Duolingo addresses this challenge by gamifying the learning experience, ensuring you stay engaged and motivated. The app tracks your progress and attendance, sending gentle reminders to encourage daily practice and maintain your learning streak.

The free version of Duolingo offers a variety of ways to learn, with each new level presenting a fresh challenge. You start each session with five hearts, gaining experience points (XP) for mastering new words while losing hearts for mistakes. Additionally, you can challenge friends, adding a competitive element that can drive motivation. I often found myself returning to the app, motivated by the notifications reminding me to keep my streak alive and learn phrases like “déjame quieta.”

The friendly characters within the app helped foster a sense of connection, making me eager to impress the AI chatbot, Lily, with my Spanish skills. However, while engaging, the interactions with the chatbot felt somewhat brief and left me wanting more depth in conversation.

Duolingo also allows you to start at an intermediate level after completing a skill assessment, which can be beneficial for those who find beginner levels too easy. This feature made me feel accomplished and challenged right from the start.

While Duolingo is free, the ad-free Super Duolingo subscription costs $13 per month or $84 per year. For those seeking more advanced features, Duolingo Max includes an AI chatbot for $30 a month or $168 annually, offering enhanced practice opportunities.

If you’ve ever been curious about the lyrics of a new Shakira song or any favorite tracks, Lirica is the app that can help you unlock the meanings behind the words while learning a new language. This innovative app utilizes song lyrics as a teaching tool, offering a unique and enjoyable way to comprehend vocabulary and grammar through music. Each lesson takes you through a song line by line, enhancing your understanding of its context and meaning.

Lirica goes beyond just teaching you the lyrics; it helps you learn how to apply the vocabulary in real-life situations. For instance, one lesson utilized Nicky Jam’s “Hasta el Amanecer” to teach me how to ask questions in Spanish, making it easy to remember phrases for everyday use. This creative approach makes learning both fun and practical, putting catchy tunes to good use.

Available for just $9 a month or a more affordable $25 per year, Lirica grants you access to its entire song library, allowing you to download lessons for offline learning. However, it’s worth noting that the library is somewhat limited, featuring only three languages and a restricted selection of songs. While the annual cost is budget-friendly, the app would greatly benefit from collaborations with platforms like Spotify to expand its offerings.