Comparison

Russian Readers vs Learn Russian (Beginners)

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

Head to head
About

Russian Readers

Learn Russian through engaging stories narrated by native speakers. Each word is highlighted as it's read, with English translations available to help you build vocabulary. Challenge yourself by hiding translations as you progress.

Highlights
  • Learn Russian with stories
  • Native speaker narration
  • Word highlighting
  • English translations
  • Adjustable translation visibility
  • Vocabulary building
Features
Read full description

Learn Russian with stories read by native Russian speakers and professional storytellers! Our stories are written for learners of all ages and abilities! Each word is highlighted as it is read, allowing you to easily follow along with the narrator. Learn new words and vocabulary! Every Russian word is translated to English, so you’ll never feel lost when enjoying a new story. Feel like a challenge? The English translation on each page can be hidden with the tap of a button! Give Russian Readers a try with your 7-day free trial! There are two types of “subscriptions” available: · The Monthly Subscription gives you an ongoing monthly subscription that is renewed automatically. · The Yearly Subscription gives you an ongoing annual subscription that is renewed automatically. The cost of the subscription will be debited from your iTunes account after the purchase is confirmed. The renewal can be deactivated at any time in your iTunes settings. To prevent the subscription is renewed automatically, it is necessary to cancel the renewal at least 24 hours before payment is due. If the renewal is active, it will be debited within 24 hours of the previous subscription ending. It is not possible to cancel a subscription for the period underway once it has been activated or renewed. Our website: https://russianreaders.com/ Privacy policy: https://russianreaders.com/policies/privacy-policy Terms of service: https://russianreaders.com/policies/terms-of-service Contact us: luke@russianreaders.com

About

Learn Russian (Beginners)

This app offers a comprehensive Russian language course designed for beginners. It covers the alphabet, vocabulary, reading, writing, and listening skills with native audio. Learn independently at your own pace, with offline access and interactive exercises.

Highlights
  • Learn alphabet, vocabulary, reading, writing, and listening
  • Native audio recordings with adjustable speed
  • Offline course access
  • Interactive exercises with images
  • Review mode for reinforcement
  • Weekly user rankings
Features
Read full description

Want to learn Russian in an easy and flexible way? With over 30 million downloads worldwide, the BNR Languages apps help you study Russian in a practical, simple, and independent way. The complete course allows you to start from scratch, learn the alphabet, build your vocabulary, and practice reading, writing, and listening with native audio recordings. Study on your own, at your own pace, with no daily limits, and use the review mode to reinforce everything you've already learned. Perfect for anyone who wants to learn Russian quickly — whether for travel, study, work, or to communicate better with family and friends. Find out why our app is the ideal choice to study anytime, anywhere: - Offline Russian course — from beginner to advanced levels. - Study independently, at your own pace, without the need for teachers. - No time limits or daily activity restrictions. - Interactive exercises with images that make learning easier. - Review mode to practice and refresh the content. - Native audio recordings with adjustable playback speed. - Different types of exercises: reading, writing, and listening. - Intuitive and easy-to-use interface for all ages. - Join the weekly ranking and compete with other users. - The app works completely offline — no internet connection needed. - All content is available for free. Download now and start learning Russian in a simple, practical, and flexible way — at your own pace! Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Russian Readers4 screens
Learn Russian (Beginners)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Learn Russian (Beginners) at free with in-app purchases against Russian Readers's subscription. Learn Russian (Beginners) also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Russian Readers's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (587 vs 133). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Russian Readers sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Learn Russian (Beginners) sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Russian Readers against 4.7 for Learn Russian (Beginners). Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 587 and 133 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Russian Readers's written reviews are positive against 82% of Learn Russian (Beginners)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Russian Readers ships an update every 3 months, Learn Russian (Beginners) monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Russian Readers versus Learn Russian (Beginners): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRussian ReadersLearn Russian (Beginners)
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (587 ratings) — better4.7 (133 ratings)
Positive reviews88.3% of reviews — better81.7% of reviews
Number of ratings587 — better133
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB170 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperRussian ReadersBNR LANGUAGES INC.

Customer experience

Russian Readers

All ratings586 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral1.7%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews171 reviews
Positive88.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative8.2%

Learn Russian (Beginners)

All ratings125 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral3.2%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive81.7%
Neutral11.7%
Negative6.7%

Bugs and requests

Russian Readers

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Some users reported issues with accessing content after subscription
  • Occasional crashes or freezes reported by a few users

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add a pause/repeat button for audio
  • Implement a dark mode option
  • Provide more advanced-level content
  • Allow users to save/bookmark favorite words

Learn Russian (Beginners)

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Russian Readers

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription!7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription!7 Days trial$69.991 Year
8 purchases

Learn Russian (Beginners)

Subscriptions6
  • Premium$1.991 Month
  • Unlock all categories$3.991 Month
  • Unlock all categories$5.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium$19.991 Year
  • Unlock all categories$24.991 Year
  • Unlock all categories$44.991 Year
One-time2
  • Unlock categories - lifetime$59.99
  • Unlock categories - lifetime$69.99

Questions

Is Russian Readers free?
Russian Readers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Learn Russian (Beginners) free?
Learn Russian (Beginners) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Russian Readers or Learn Russian (Beginners)?
Russian Readers is rated higher. Russian Readers averages 4.7 out of 5 from 587 ratings, while Learn Russian (Beginners) averages 4.7 from 133 ratings.
Do Russian Readers or Learn Russian (Beginners) have ads?
Learn Russian (Beginners) shows ads; Russian Readers does not.
Which is updated more often, Russian Readers or Learn Russian (Beginners)?
Russian Readers ships an update every 3 months, and Learn Russian (Beginners) monthly. Most recently, Russian Readers was updated on November 3, 2026 and Learn Russian (Beginners) on November 7, 2026.

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