Comparison

Busuu vs Airlearn

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

Head to head
About

Busuu

Learn new languages through bite-sized lessons and interactive exercises. Connect with native speakers for feedback and practice, and track your progress with personalized study plans and official certificates.

Highlights
  • Learn up to 14 languages
  • Connect with native speakers
  • Expert-designed courses
  • Personalized study plans
  • Smart review for vocabulary and grammar
  • Official language certificates
  • Specialized courses
Features
Read full description

Busuu helps you communicate with confidence from day one. Combine expertly designed language lessons with feedback and tips from our global community of native speakers and harness the power of learning together. Looking for the best way to learn a new language on your phone? You’ve just discovered it, with Busuu, a Chegg service – we’re the app that makes learning new languages easier, more fun and more effective for all. Whether you’re learning to get confident having new conversations, for a higher grade, a career boost, or for mind-blowing travel experiences, Busuu’s got your back. We’re already helping millions of people overcome their learning struggles, from lack of time and motivation to problems with grammar and vocab. We help our learners achieve their goals, one milestone at a time – and we want to do the same for you. DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW FOR FREE LANGUAGE LEARNING ================ How are we doing this? We’re glad you asked. Whether you’re learning on your iPad or iPhone, Busuu helps you… – Learn up to 14 languages That’s right, 14! We’ve got complete courses in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Polish, Russian, Arabic, Dutch or Turkish with Busuu. – Master languages with real people You want to learn the relevant language, right? You’re in luck: we’ll connect you with our community of native speakers so you can get localized language knowledge and support. Feel even better when you help other learners in return. – Learn from the experts Busuu’s online courses are created by our ingenious language experts. Learn step-by-step with bite-sized lessons, plenty of practice and lots of opportunities to test your progress. – Say hello to useful language skills Learn the language that will really take you places! With regularly updated content, video flashcards featuring real people and useful cultural tips, you’ll be fully immersed in no time. – Kiss goodbye to stressful timetabling We’re serious. We organize your learning time for you with a personalized Study Plan. Simply tell us when you want to study and for how long, and we’ll send you notifications to keep you on track. – Revise with ease There’ll be no forgetting on our watch. Smart Review cleverly saves all the grammar and vocab you learn in lessons and stores them in one handy place, so you can make those tricky words and rules stick. – Show off achievements with official certificates With our Busuu language certificates, you’ll have actual proof of your language capabilities. – Access specialized courses for language lovers You’ve learned the basics, and now you’re hungry for more. Learn about manga, advance your pronunciation or add travel-specific phrases to your skillset, plus much more. ================ DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT. See what others have to say about Busuu: ● EDITOR RATING: EXCELLENT - PC MAG ● Named 'Best Buy' language learning app by the Independent in 2021 ● Language Learning App of the Year at the EdTech Breakthrough Awards 2020 ================ PLEASE NOTE A lot of the features are free, but you will need a subscription in order to get access to all features of this app. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current payment period. Your iTunes account will be automatically charged at the same price for renewal within the 24-hour period prior to the end of the current payment period unless you change your subscription preferences in your Account Settings. You can manage your subscriptions through your Account Settings after purchase. Privacy policy: https://www.busuu.com/en/privacy/ Terms of Service: https://www.busuu.com/en/terms/

About

Airlearn

Master over 25 languages with concise lessons, cultural insights, and practical dialogues. Engage in weekly leagues and track your progress to achieve fluency. Start learning for free today.

Highlights
  • Master 25+ languages
  • Concise grammar and vocabulary lessons
  • Rich cultural insights
  • Practical dialogues and real-life situations
  • Spaced repetition for memory retention
  • Weekly leagues and XP for motivation
  • Progress tracking with daily goals and streaks
Read full description

Master 40+ languages fast! Learn Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Dutch, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Turkish, Swedish + English fluency courses for Hindi, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese speakers. Start free today! OUR APPROACH • Learn First, Practice Next: We teach key grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context before you dive into quizzes. Gain real understanding instead of guessing. • Rich Cultural Insights: Explore history, customs, and local expressions. Language is more than words - Airlearn helps you appreciate its cultural essence. • Clean & Minimalist: No overblown gamification or cluttered screens. Lessons stay focused, so you can learn at your own pace without distractions. • Weekly Leagues & XP: Motivate yourself by competing with others studying the same language. Earn XP from each lesson and climb the leaderboard for extra fun. WHY AIRLEARN • Concise Lessons: Each module covers grammar rules, vocabulary, and examples in bite-sized slides. • Practical Dialogues: From casual greetings to deeper conversations, practice relevant situations. • Spaced Repetition: Lock new words into long-term memory with our smart revision approach. • Track Progress: Daily goals, streaks, and achievements keep your momentum alive. • Community Feel: Join like-minded learners, share study tips, and celebrate mutual achievements. DIVE INTO 12 LANGUAGES 1. Spanish: Vibrant dialogues for travel, work, or fun. 2. German: Master precise grammar for Europe’s economic hub. 3. French: Absorb its romantic flair and cultural legacy. 4. Italian: Savor the melodic flow and culinary charm. 5. Dutch: Expand career options in a globalized world. 6. Portuguese: Explore Brazil’s rich diversity or Portugal’s historic roots. 7. Japanese: Conquer kanji, hiragana, and katakana with confidence. 8. Korean: Learn Hangeul, K-pop phrases, and daily expressions. 9. Chinese: Build listening and reading skills in one of the world’s most spoken tongues. 10. Hindi: Unlock India’s cultural treasure, cinema, and business potential. 11. English: Hone global communication for travel, work, or personal growth. 12. Russian: Tackle Cyrillic and immerse in a language of literary tradition. HOW IT WORKS 1. Install Airlearn: Begin with the basics or jump into advanced modules anytime. 2. Learn: Study essential grammar and vocabulary in short, clear lessons. 3. Practice: Tackle engaging quizzes and drills to reinforce your knowledge. 4. Compete: Earn XP and measure your progress in our fun Weekly League. 5. Flourish: Speak, read, and write with newfound fluency and cultural understanding. WHAT SETS US APART • Genuine Learning: We prioritize understanding over memorization. • All Levels Welcome: From novices to pros, our modules adapt to you. • Regular Updates: New lessons and features keep it fresh. • Lifestyle Friendly: Learn anytime - during breaks, commutes, or weekends. GET STARTED FOR FREE Airlearn transforms language study into an immersive experience. Whether you’re planning a trip, boosting your résumé, or simply curious about global cultures, we’ll guide you step by step. Enjoy short lessons that fit smoothly into your day, gather XP, and watch your language skills skyrocket. Join thousands of motivated learners worldwide. Download Airlearn now for Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, English, or Russian. Experience the spark of real progress, gain cultural know-how, and feel the thrill of community-powered learning. Go beyond translations - master languages in a way that truly sticks. With Airlearn, you’ll open doors to new friendships, opportunities, and an expanded worldview. Welcome to your next adventure in language mastery!

Screenshots

Busuu4 screens
Airlearn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Airlearn at none against Busuu's shown. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Busuu sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Airlearn sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 Busuu against 4.8 for Airlearn. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 101K and 47K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Busuu's written reviews are positive against 82% of Airlearn's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Busuu ships an update weekly, Airlearn every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 3, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 10 level
Busuu versus Airlearn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBusuuAirlearn
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (101K ratings)4.8 (47K ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.4% of reviews — better81.9% of reviews
Number of ratings101K — better47K
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#69 — better#134
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size267 MB598 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperBusuu LimitedUNACADEMY INC

Customer experience

Busuu

All ratings100,939 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral3.6%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews5,445 reviews
Positive85.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative8.8%

Airlearn

All ratings46,584 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews4,430 reviews
Positive81.9%
Neutral7.0%
Negative11.0%

User reviews

Busuu

From 101K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Best resource for learning
  • 🎓 Structured lessons and review
  • 👥 Helpful community feedback
  • 🎨 Engaging visuals and content
  • 🗣️ Realistic native speaker audio

Room to improve

  • 🤖 Inconsistent AI-generated corrections
  • 🔒 Limited access without premium
  • 🔀 Difficulty navigating between lessons
  • 📚 Lack of advanced content and review
  • 🔊 Issues with audio and pronunciation

Airlearn

From 47K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and learn
  • 🚀 Effective language learning
  • 💡 Explains grammar and culture
  • 🎨 Beautiful art and visuals
  • 🗣️ Good pronunciation practice

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Limited free lessons per day
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
  • 📚 Lacks more language options
  • 🔍 Needs better review/progress tracking

Bugs and requests

Busuu

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incorrect or missing translations
  • Inconsistent lesson progress tracking
  • Bugs with voice recognition and feedback

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to learn multiple languages simultaneously
  • More detailed grammar explanations and practice
  • Customizable review and flashcard features
  • Improved community features and messaging
  • Offline access to downloaded lessons

Airlearn

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Lessons getting stuck on certain questions
  • Words/sentences not registering correctly
  • App freezing or crashing after completing lessons

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more languages like Korean, Portuguese, Italian
  • Implement spaced repetition for better vocabulary retention
  • Allow users to toggle romaji/kana display for Japanese
  • Add placement tests to determine starting level

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Busuu

Subscriptions9
  • Monthly Subscription$6.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium Plan$23.491 Month
Show 6 more
  • 12 Months Premium$70.001 Year
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • 14 Day Trial - Premium Plus14 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • 12 Months' Premium7 Days trial$138.991 Year
  • 12 Months Premium7 Days trial2 variants$138.991 Year
  • 12 Months Premium Plus7 Days trial2 variants$139.991 Year
15 purchases

Airlearn

Subscriptions14
  • Pay monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pay monthly (7 days free)7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Monthly plan$4.991 Month
Show 11 more
  • Pay 6 months (14 days free)14 Days trial$24.996 Months
  • Pay 6 months (14 days free)14 Days trial$29.996 Months
  • Pay for 1 year$39.991 Year
  • Pay yearly (14 days free)14 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Annual Plan$39.991 Year
  • Pay yearly (14 days free)14 Days trial2 variants$47.991 Year
  • Airlearn Pro - Family Plan14 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Airlearn Pro - Family Plan$49.991 Year
  • Pay yearly (14 days free)14 Days trial$74.991 Year
  • Annual Plan$79.991 Year
  • Pay yearly (7 days free)7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pay for 5,000 coins$1.99

Questions

Is Busuu free?
Busuu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Airlearn free?
Airlearn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Busuu or Airlearn?
Airlearn is rated higher. Busuu averages 4.7 out of 5 from 101K ratings, while Airlearn averages 4.8 from 47K ratings.
Do Busuu or Airlearn have ads?
Busuu shows ads; Airlearn does not.
Which is updated more often, Busuu or Airlearn?
Busuu ships an update weekly, and Airlearn every 4 days. Most recently, Busuu was updated on October 3, 2026 and Airlearn on October 3, 2026.
Which is more popular, Busuu or Airlearn?
Busuu currently peaks at #69 in the App Store charts, and Airlearn at #134. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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