Comparison

DW Learn German vs Civio

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DW Learn German

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
Read full description

Learn German on the go with DW - for beginners, advanced learners and teachers With exciting videos, informative news and music, we’ll make sure that you’ll find the perfect way to learn German. Start right away, even without any previous knowledge, and improve your German online and on the go, completely free of charge. We offer courses for all levels -and if you're not sure where you stand, our placement test will help you find the perfect course for you - quickly and easily! Our offer includes: - A placement test to help you find the right level - Courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners (from literacy to exam training) - A wide range of interactive exercises - Vocabulary training and word explanations - Grammar and regional studies - Comprehensive materials for teachers Our courses cover all levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. There are also offers for learning the alphabet and language preparation for various jobs. As a teacher, you will also find what you are looking with materials that you can use for your lessons free of charge. Simply download the app and learn German with DW!

About

Civio

Features
Read full description

Civio helps you prepare for the German naturalization test ("Einbürgerungstest" / "Leben in Deutschland" test) — using real questions from the official BAMF question catalog. CONTENT FROM AN OFFICIAL SOURCE Over 420 questions from the official general question catalog published by Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), as of 07.05.2025 — 293 general questions across 10 topics (History, Politics, Law, State, Society & Family, Europe & the World, Federal System & States, Religion & Culture, Education & Work, Economy) plus 128 state-specific questions covering all 16 Bundesländer. HOW YOU LEARN WITH CIVIO • Topic quizzes with instant feedback and explanations • Exam Mode — 33 questions matching the real test: 30 general questions plus 3 from your Bundesland • Spaced repetition (Leitner system) — questions you get wrong come back more often until you master them • Progress tracking — overall and per-category accuracy, history, study streaks • Daily study reminder, if you want a nudge SUBSCRIPTION Full access requires a monthly subscription or one-time lifetime access. Your progress stays on your device; the subscription itself is managed through the App Store. Civio is an independent app and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially endorsed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) or any other German state institution. Content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace official materials. Always verify current requirements directly with the competent authorities. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://civio.istack.ro/de/#privacy

Screenshots

DW Learn German4 screens
Civio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DW Learn German at none against Civio's 2. DW Learn German also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Civio's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 16 months). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Civio sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. DW Learn German asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DW Learn German ships an update every 16 months, Civio daily. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DW Learn German versus Civio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDW Learn GermanCivio
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (131 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings131 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB21 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperDeutsche WelleISTACK DEVELOPMENT

In-app purchases

None

DW Learn German

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Civio

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Subscription$5.991 Month
One-time1
  • Unlimited Pro Access$49.99

Questions

Is DW Learn German free?
DW Learn German is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Civio free?
Civio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DW Learn German or Civio have ads?
Neither DW Learn German nor Civio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DW Learn German or Civio?
DW Learn German ships an update every 16 months, and Civio daily. Most recently, DW Learn German was updated on November 2, 2026 and Civio on October 31, 2026.

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