Comparison

Fluent Forever vs Michel Thomas Language Library

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

Head to head
About

Fluent Forever

This app uses a science-backed method to help you learn and retain new languages. It focuses on pronunciation, vocabulary through images, and natural grammar acquisition via personalized stories. Achieve fluency faster by hacking your memory.

Highlights
  • Pronunciation training with videos
  • Vocabulary learning via images
  • Spaced repetition system
  • Personalized flashcard creation
  • Natural grammar learning through stories
  • Immersive mobile experience
Read full description

................... "Never before have I seen a method that syncs up so perfectly with our current scientific understanding of how memory works." - Scientific American Mind ................... LANGUAGES Spanish (Latin American & Castilian), French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Dutch, & Hebrew. ................... WHAT IS FLUENT FOREVER? A revolutionary language learning method developed by Gabriel Wyner, an opera singer who needed to learn multiple languages quickly and retain them forever. Fluent Forever's products have evolved from pronunciation trainers into a bestselling book and now into the most crowdfunded app in history. Discover the immersive mobile experience designed to rewire your brain into fluently speaking any new language and hack your memory to remembering it forever. ................... HOW IS FLUENT FOREVER BETTER? Rather than distract or briefly entertaining you like other "gamified" language apps out there, Fluent Forever doesn't waste your time with inefficient "bite size" lessons - instead, it immediately gets you correctly pronouncing and hearing the sounds of your target language, then efficiently has you learn the most frequently used words and push them into your longterm memory, and finally has you naturally build sentences using words you know and practice your speech to fluency. In short, if you're serious about speaking a new language, Fluent Forever will get you there faster. ................... FLUENT FOREVER'S METHOD The foundation of our proven method, as detailed in Gabe's bestselling book, is based on the principles of personalized flashcard creation and spaced repetition, extremely powerful learning tools that optimize your brain’s memory abilities. So not only will you learn a language quickly, you’ll never forget it. 1. Train Your Ears With Pronunciation Lessons You need to learn what a language sounds like before you can learn how to speak it. Our powerful tools like detailed instructional videos, mnemonic imagery and minimal pair tests will train your ears in the sound system of your new language. 2. Learn Vocabulary Through Images Instead of Translations Within weeks you will understand the sounds of your new language, and you can begin learning words. By creating personalized flashcards using our memorable word association system, you will rapidly learn the most used words in your new language. You will then push these new words into your long term memory by reviewing your flashcards using our automated spaced repetition system. 3. Learn Grammar Naturally Through Stories Relevant To You Once you learn the most used words in your language you can begin learning sentences. By visualizing how your new words fit into sentences about topics you’re interested in, you will naturally learn grammar through immersive stories, as opposed to boring lessons or complex conjugation tables. You will never be forced to learn words or grammar you don’t need or want to learn. ................... Try our revolutionary new app now to start your journey to real fluency. ................... MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION The monthly subscription that can be purchased on the app lets you fully use our app to learn one language. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. We don't offer an iTunes free trial. Our trial period will continue even if you purchase a subscription. PRIVACY POLICY: https://fluent-forever.com/privacy-policy TERMS OF SERVICE: https://fluent-forever.com/terms-of-service

About

Michel Thomas Language Library

Learn languages naturally through an audio-based method without books or memorization. This app guides you from beginner to confident speaker by actively participating in simulated live lessons, building a solid foundation and speaking in full sentences from the start.

Highlights
  • Audio-based lessons
  • No books or memorization required
  • Learn from simulated live lessons
  • Active participation
  • Speak in full sentences from the start
  • Learn at your own pace
Features
Read full description

*****‘A great app and a wonderful teacher…Best way to learn a language by far’ – Ethicos *****‘His method is just genius! It works so well around a busy life’ – Kim s *****‘I could not believe how quickly I was able to learn a language’ – Laurie 1954 The Michel Thomas Method Languages app makes language learning easy! Go from absolute beginner to confident speaker – all without books, homework or having to memorize anything. The stress-free Michel Thomas Method teaches you a foreign language in weeks, not years. Trial 20 minutes of any language for FREE (no card details required). You’ll stick with it because you’ll love it. HOW TO GET STARTED 1. Choose a language from our website to trial for free, or purchase, and sign up for an account. 2. Download the free Michel Thomas Method App. 3. Sign into the app with your account, download your course and start learning! Ready to move up to the next level? Find your next course on our website and continue learning! THE METHOD THAT WORKS WITH YOUR BRAIN 'What you understand, you know; and what you know, you don't forget.' – Michel Thomas Based on Michel Thomas’s 25 years of extensive research on how the brain best learns and retains information, and perfected over another 25 years of teaching with students, academics, professionals, politicians and Hollywood stars. The highly acclaimed Michel Thomas Method courses provide an accelerated method for foreign language learning that will have you speaking a language in whole sentences right from the start. You will quickly build a solid foundation and gain a deep understanding of the language, and be motivated to carry on due to your phenomenal progress. HOW DO THE COURSES WORK? ‘All stress inhibits true and effective learning’ – Michel Thomas During your course, you will join a Michel Thomas Method teacher and two students in live lessons, learning from both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. You, as the learner, become the third student and participate actively in the class. Within the very first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases by listening and thinking out answers for yourself without the pressure of writing, or stress of having to memorize. You will learn at your own pace, pausing and repeating where necessary. Michel Thomas Method courses are the perfect foundation for anyone looking to start their language learning journey, continue their journey, or for those who have failed to learn a language in the past or lack confidence speaking. We offer courses from beginner to high intermediate level. The courses make it easy and convenient to fit language learning into your daily routine in whatever time you have. Let go of the tensions and anxieties traditionally associated with language learning, and enjoy it. WHY IS IT SO EFFECTIVE? You will learn the language naturally, as you learned your own, by listening and speaking, rapidly building your confidence and improving your fluency. The language is broken into essential building blocks which you reconstruct to create sentences, absorbing the vocabulary and grammatical structures almost effortlessly, to say what you want, when you want. You will enjoy the language learning process as it creates real excitement – you’ll speak the language immediately and experience a constant sense of progress through your new understanding. LEARN UP TO 19 LANGUAGES: Arabic (Egyptian) Arabic (MSA) Danish Dutch French German Greek Hindi Irish Italian Japanese Korean Mandarin (Chinese) Norwegian Polish Portuguese Russian Spanish Swedish Join 5 million people who have learned a language with the Michel Thomas Method and achieve your goal to speak a new language today! Any questions? Contact us at support@michelthomas.com Michel Thomas Method® is a registered trademark of Michel Thomas, used by Hodder & Stoughton Limited (a division of Hachette UK) under exclusive license.

Screenshots

Fluent Forever4 screens
Michel Thomas Language Library4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Michel Thomas Language Library at 4.2 against Fluent Forever's 3.7. Fluent Forever's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 156). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Fluent Forever sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Michel Thomas Language Library sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Michel Thomas Language Library holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fluent Forever has 1.2K ratings behind it against 156, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Fluent Forever's written reviews are positive against 41% of Michel Thomas Language Library's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fluent Forever ships an update every 3 weeks, Michel Thomas Language Library every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Fluent Forever versus Michel Thomas Language Library: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFluent ForeverMichel Thomas Language Library
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (1.2K ratings)4.2 (156 ratings) — better
Positive reviews43.4% of reviews — better40.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better156
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB97 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperFluent Forever, Inc.Hachette UK (Holdings)Limited

Customer experience

Fluent Forever

All ratings1,209 ratings
Positive65.3%
Neutral7.0%
Negative27.7%
Written reviews542 reviews
Positive43.4%
Neutral11.8%
Negative44.8%

Michel Thomas Language Library

All ratings156 ratings
Positive78.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive40.8%
Neutral6.1%
Negative53.1%

User reviews

Fluent Forever

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Effective language learning method
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Streamlined flashcard creation process
  • 💡 Ability to customize flashcards with personal images
  • 🚀 Efficient pronunciation training

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches causing app crashes and data loss
  • 🔍 Limited vocabulary and sentence options
  • 🔍 Lack of grammar explanations
  • 🔍 Difficulty in accessing and reviewing past progress
  • 🔍 Inconsistent audio quality and pronunciation

Michel Thomas Language Library

From 156 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🧠 Excellent language learning methodology
  • 🎯 Effective speaking-focused approach
  • 📱 Convenient offline access to lessons
  • ⏱️ Flexible short lesson format
  • 🚗 Great for learning while driving

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
  • ⏸️ Play/pause button unreliable
  • 💰 High pricing compared to competitors
  • 🔐 Account access and login issues
  • 📉 Poor customer support responsiveness

Bugs and requests

Fluent Forever

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues and billing problems
  • Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent behavior when marking flashcards
  • Images not loading or disappearing from flashcards

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline mode for flashcard review
  • Ability to add custom vocabulary and sentences
  • More detailed grammar instruction
  • Progress tracking and analytics dashboard
  • Support for additional languages

Michel Thomas Language Library

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App crashes on login
  • App crashes when opening audio files
  • Pause/play button unresponsive when phone locked
  • Pause button skips back 30 seconds
  • Progress bar out of sync with audio
Show 11 more
  • Audio tracks fail to play despite downloading
  • Auto-play between tracks not working
  • App minimizes unexpectedly
  • Incompatibility with iOS 13+ updates
  • Sign-up button non-functional on iPad
  • Downloaded content shows 'coming soon' indefinitely
  • Purchased courses inaccessible after app updates
  • Device limit restrictions blocking legitimate users
  • App blocks access after multiple reinstalls
  • Slow loading screens for simple operations
  • Inconsistent play/pause icon display

Requested features

11 requests
  • Bookmark/progress saving functionality
  • Lesson completion tracking
  • Better pause/play button responsiveness
  • Improved UI design with larger control buttons
  • MP3 file access for external players
Show 6 more
  • Subscription option for all courses
  • Spaced repetition reminders
  • Real-time speaking feedback
  • Consistent track numbering with PDF booklets
  • Better integration with lock screen controls
  • Dark mode option

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Fluent Forever

Subscriptions14
  • 1 Month Subscription$4.991 Month
  • 1 Month Subscription$5.991 Month
  • 1 Month Subscription$6.991 Month
Show 11 more
  • 1 Month Subscription$7.491 Month
  • 1 Month Subscription$8.991 Month
  • 1 Language for 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • 1 Language for 1 Month14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 Month Subscription$9.991 Month
  • 1 Month Subscription$11.991 Month
  • Full app access for a year$47.991 Year
  • Full app access for a year$57.991 Year
  • Full app access for a year$66.991 Year
  • Full app access for a year$71.991 Year
  • Full app access for a year2 variants$95.991 Year
4 purchases

Michel Thomas Language Library

One-time4
  • Pack of 11 Credits$10.99
  • Pack of 12 Credits$11.99
  • Pack of 90 Credits$89.99
Show 1 more
  • Pack of 100 Credits$99.99

Questions

Is Fluent Forever free?
Fluent Forever is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Michel Thomas Language Library free?
Michel Thomas Language Library is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Fluent Forever or Michel Thomas Language Library?
Michel Thomas Language Library is rated higher. Fluent Forever averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Michel Thomas Language Library averages 4.2 from 156 ratings.
Do Fluent Forever or Michel Thomas Language Library have ads?
Neither Fluent Forever nor Michel Thomas Language Library shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fluent Forever or Michel Thomas Language Library?
Fluent Forever ships an update every 3 weeks, and Michel Thomas Language Library every 4 months. Most recently, Fluent Forever was updated on September 22, 2026 and Michel Thomas Language Library on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons