Best Language App

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.8 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated September 2026

Duolingo is the household name in language app, but it's far from the only option. We track 250+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Language App (September 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Duolingo: Learn LanguagesDuolingo: Learn LanguagesFree4.7★ (5.5M)YesYesOct 2026
2Babbel - Language LearningBabbel - Language LearningFree4.7★ (755K)YesYesOct 2026
3Pimsleur | Language LearningPimsleur | Language LearningFree4.7★ (30K)YesYesOct 2026
4Airlearn - Language LearningAirlearn - Language LearningFree4.8★ (47K)NoYesOct 2026
5Memrise: Language Learning AppMemrise: Language Learning AppFree4.8★ (217K)YesYesOct 2026
6Speak: Language LearningSpeak: Language LearningFree4.8★ (63K)YesYesOct 2026
7HelloTalk - Language LearningHelloTalk - Language LearningFree4.6★ (44K)YesYesOct 2026
8Busuu: Language Learning AppBusuu: Language Learning AppFree4.7★ (101K)YesYesOct 2026

Top Picks for Language App

Duolingo: Learn Languages#1

Duolingo: Learn Languages by Duolingo, Inc

Spanish, French, Chess & Math
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.7😊(5.5M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#1in Education
Duolingo: Learn Languages screenshot 1
Duolingo: Learn Languages screenshot 2
Duolingo: Learn Languages screenshot 3
Duolingo: Learn Languages screenshot 4
Duolingo: Learn Languages screenshot 5
Duolingo: Learn Languages screenshot 6

Learn languages, math, music, and chess through fun, bite-sized lessons. Build vocabulary, grammar, and real-world skills with a science-based methodology. Track progress and stay motivated with a global community.

What We Love

  • 🤩 Fun and entertaining learning experience
  • 🎉 Motivating streak and league features
  • 🎨 Cute and engaging animations
  • 📚 Effective for learning vocabulary and basics
  • 🤖 Useful AI-powered features like voice lessons

Room to Improve

  • 🤖 Issues with voice recognition and pronunciation feedback
  • 🤑 Aggressive monetization tactics and paywall for key features
  • 🤯 Frustrating heart/health system that penalizes mistakes
  • 🤔 Lack of grammar explanations and focus on just memorizing phrases
  • 🤷‍♀️ Inconsistent app experience across platforms
Babbel - Language Learning#2

Babbel - Language Learning by Babbel GmbH

Learn Spanish, French & more
Strong Contender
📚 Education
4.7😐(755K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#11in Education
Babbel - Language Learning screenshot 1
Babbel - Language Learning screenshot 2
Babbel - Language Learning screenshot 3
Babbel - Language Learning screenshot 4
Babbel - Language Learning screenshot 5
Babbel - Language Learning screenshot 6

Master a new language with expert-designed, bite-sized lessons that fit your schedule. Build conversational confidence quickly through interactive practice and a smart review system. Learn Spanish, French, German, and more for travel, work, or fun.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Excellent structured learning
  • 🚀 Effective vocabulary and grammar teaching
  • 👍 Helpful pronunciation guides
  • 👍 Engaging and practical lessons
  • 👍 Useful review and repetition features

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent voice recognition
  • 🐛 Lack of flexibility in lesson progression
  • 🐛 Confusing user interface and navigation
  • 🐛 Overly strict scoring and lack of forgiveness for minor errors
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
Pimsleur | Language Learning#3

Pimsleur | Language Learning by Simon & Schuster

Practice Daily. Speak Fluently
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.7😊(30K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#6in Education
Pimsleur | Language Learning screenshot 1
Pimsleur | Language Learning screenshot 2
Pimsleur | Language Learning screenshot 3
Pimsleur | Language Learning screenshot 4
Pimsleur | Language Learning screenshot 5
Pimsleur | Language Learning screenshot 6

Master over 50 languages with daily 30-minute audio lessons. Achieve native-like fluency through a scientifically proven method focused on speaking and pronunciation, even offline. Perfect for busy adults seeking flexible, effective language learning.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great for speaking and listening practice
  • 👍 Effective for learning pronunciation and conversational skills
  • 💡 Convenient to use while doing other activities
  • 👍 Structured lessons build language skills progressively

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional app crashes and bugs
  • 🔍 Limited content for some languages
  • 📚 Lacks written materials and grammar explanations

More Language App apps to explore

FAQ about Language App

What is the best language app for iPhone?
Duolingo: Learn Languages tops our language app ranking as of September 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 5.5M App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top language app we rank are free to download, including Duolingo: Learn Languages and Babbel - Language Learning.
Duolingo: Learn Languages shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of September 2026.
We track 250+ language app on the iOS App Store as of September 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.

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