NeutralPickHow to choose the best language learning app for you: what to check before you sign up
There is no single best language learning app. The best one is the one that teaches the language you want from the language you speak, matches your goal and level, and that you will actually keep using. This guide lists what to look up for each app you are considering, before you pay, so you can compare them in the same way.
In this guide, a language learning app is a phone or computer app that teaches a language through short lessons, exercises and audio.
Why the adverts and the app store are not enough
Language app adverts show the best result an app can reach. The detailed terms often say something different. For example:
- An app may be excellent for one language but have a much shorter course for another.
- Claims such as "fluent in weeks" are not measured in a way you can check.
- A free trial may turn into a yearly subscription automatically.
So check the same things for every app, using its own course pages and free lessons, for the exact language you want to learn.
Before you look at any app
Write down your answers to these four points. They decide which checks in the list matter most to you.
- Your languages. The language you want to learn, and the language you want to learn it from.
- Your goal. Travel, talking with family, work, an exam, or reading and watching things in that language.
- Your level. Complete beginner, some basics, or returning after a break.
- Your time. How many minutes a day, and where: commuting, at home, offline.
The checklist
The checks are in three groups. Must have means a problem here can stop the app from getting you to your goal, or cost more than expected. Nice to have means it makes a real difference for many people. Optional means it only matters to some people. When you open the checklist in NeutralPick, you can move any check to a different group to match your answers above.
- Must have
- Teaches your language from your languageDoes it have a full course for the language I want, taught from the language I speak, and how far does that course go?Courses differ a lot between languages. Some are only available from one starting language, or stop at a beginner level.
- Matches your goal and levelDoes it teach what I need for my goal, such as conversation, reading, or a specific exam, at my level?Some apps are best for vocabulary, others for grammar or speaking. Check the course outline.
- Speaking and listening practiceDoes it give real speaking and listening practice, such as speaking exercises with feedback, audio from native speakers, or conversations?Many people can read after an app but struggle to speak. Speaking practice needs to be part of the course.
- A price you know after any trialWhat will I pay after the trial, monthly and yearly, does it renew automatically, and how do I cancel?Many apps start a yearly subscription when the trial ends. Write down that date. Deleting the app doesn't cancel; if you paid through an app store, cancel there.
- Enough free lessons to judge itCan I try enough lessons for free, in my language, to judge whether the teaching suits me?Try the same lessons in each app, for up to a week, before paying.
- Nice to have
- Explains grammar clearlyDoes it explain grammar and why things are said that way, or only show examples to repeat?Some people learn well from examples alone; others need explanations.
- Brings back what you are forgettingDoes it bring back words and phrases just as I am about to forget them (often called spaced repetition)?Reviewing at the right time helps you remember with less study.
- Works offlineCan I download lessons and use them without an internet connection?Useful for commuting and travel.
- Not interrupted by adverts or pressureDoes the free or paid version show adverts, or use pressure, such as warning that I will lose my streak (my count of days in a row), to push me to pay?Streaks and rewards help some people and stress others. Check how the app uses them.
- Optional
- Live tutors or classes, if you want themDoes it offer live lessons with a tutor or a group, and what do they cost?Live practice helps with speaking, but usually costs extra.
- Works on your phone and computerDoes it work on my phone and computer, with my progress kept on both?Useful if you study at a desk sometimes.
The button opens this checklist in NeutralPick. There you can:
- Remove the checks that don't matter to you, add your own, and move checks between groups.
- Add each language app you are considering.
- For each language app, fill in what you found on its website, its app store page, its price page and in its free lessons.
- See every language app side by side.
Want to see what a finished comparison looks like first? See an example comparison with three made-up language learning apps.
Claims to look at carefully
Adverts and product pages often describe the points below in vague terms. When you see one, look for the specific information shown here. If you cannot find it, assume the answer is "no" or "only partly".
- "Fluent in weeks" or similar. Look for the course outline and the level it reaches, for your language pair.
- "Learn dozens of languages". Look for the length and level of the course in the language you want.
- "Free". Look for adverts, limits, and which features need payment.
- The price. Look for the price after the trial, monthly and yearly, and how to cancel.
What to do with what you found
- Put all the apps side by side.
- Look at the Must have checks first. If one gets a No on one of your must-haves, remove it, however good the rest looks. Look closely at any Partial.
- Use the free lessons of each one left, for up to a week or as far as they go, and note which you actually opened every day.
- If you pay, note the renewal date, and add practice with real people when you can.
Why use NeutralPick to compare language learning apps
- The same checks for every language app. You fill in the same checklist for each language app you are considering, so you compare them in the same way.
- Everything in one table. You see every language app side by side, check by check, instead of switching between shop pages and notes.
- Nobody can pay to influence it. There are no adverts, no paid placements and no "featured" products. No maker or shop can pay to be shown to you or placed higher.
- Free, with no account. You don't need to sign up or pay anything.