# DW Learn German vs Der Kestner

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DW Learn German at none against Der Kestner's 9. DW Learn German also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). Der Kestner's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 16 months) and review sentiment (73% vs 45%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Der Kestner sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. DW Learn German asks for nothing beyond the download.

DW Learn German ships an update every 16 months, Der Kestner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DW Learn German | Der Kestner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (131 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dw-learn-german/id1224076534/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **131** | — |
| Positive reviews | 44.9% of reviews | **73.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Deutsche Welle](https://appshunter.io/developer/305630107) | [Verlag Karin Kestner GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1673366576) |

## What reviewers say

### DW Learn German

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dw-learn-german/id1224076534)

Master German with engaging videos, news, and music. Offers courses for all levels, from beginner to advanced, with interactive exercises and vocabulary training. Includes a placement test to find your ideal course and materials for teachers.

**Highlights:** Placement test for level assessment, Courses for all levels (beginner to advanced), Interactive exercises, Vocabulary training and word explanations, Grammar and regional studies, Materials for teachers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Der Kestner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/der-kestner-dgs/id6445823997)

This app is a comprehensive dictionary for German Sign Language (DGS), offering over 29,000 terms and 400 sign videos. It includes learning tools, custom list creation, and image editing for educational materials. Accessible across devices with regular updates.

**Highlights:** Extensive DGS vocabulary with over 29,000 terms, 400+ sign language videos, Vocabulary trainer and custom list creation, Image editor for creating educational materials, Search and filter functions, Cross-device accessibility (app and web)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basis | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium | $6.99 | per month |
| Für Familien | $11.99 | per month |
| Veraltetes Abo | $14.99 | per month |
| Stufe 5 | $39.99 | per month |
| Basis | $44.90 | per year |
| Premium | $69.90 | per year |
| Für Familien | $119.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DW Learn German free?

DW Learn German is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Der Kestner free?

Der Kestner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do DW Learn German or Der Kestner have ads?

Neither DW Learn German nor Der Kestner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DW Learn German or Der Kestner?

DW Learn German ships an update every 16 months, and Der Kestner every 3 weeks. Most recently, DW Learn German was updated on October 24, 2026 and Der Kestner on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*