Language Learning

The 5 at a glance

Our 5 picks, ranked

1. Rank 1

   Babbel

   Practical, conversation-first lessons you can finish in minutes.

   Best forBeginners who want to start speaking quickly

   What it does

   Babbel is a language app with short lessons built around real-life conversations, grammar tips and speech practice, in more than a dozen languages.

   Strengths

   • Short lessons that fit a busy day
   • Conversation-first approach
   • Covers many popular languages
   • First lesson is free to try

   Good to know: It is a paid subscription after the first lesson, and longer plans cost far less per month than short ones.

2. Rank 2

   Lingoda

   Live small-group classes with certified teachers, on your schedule.

   Best forLearners who want structure and live speaking practice

   What it does

   Lingoda runs live online classes in small groups, or one-to-one, that follow a clear level system from beginner to advanced.

   Strengths

   • Live classes with certified teachers
   • Small groups for real speaking practice
   • Clear levels from beginner to advanced
   • Many class times to choose from

   Good to know: It costs more than apps because you are paying for live teaching, and prices vary by language and number of classes.

3. Rank 3

   italki

   Find a private tutor to fit almost any budget.

   Best forLearners who want one-to-one speaking practice

   What it does

   italki is a marketplace of language tutors and teachers. You choose a person you like, book a time and pay per lesson, with no subscription.

   Strengths

   • Tutors for a very wide range of languages
   • No subscription; pay only for lessons you book
   • Casual conversation partners and professional teachers
   • Low-cost trial lessons

   Good to know: Quality depends on the tutor you pick, so read reviews and try a trial lesson first.

4. Rank 4

   Preply

   One-to-one online tutoring with tutors you can compare and choose.

   Best forLearners who want a personal tutor and flexible scheduling

   What it does

   Preply matches you with online tutors for private lessons. You filter by language, price and availability, try a trial lesson, then book regular sessions.

   Strengths

   • Large choice of tutors in many languages
   • Filter by price, schedule and reviews
   • Trial lessons to test a tutor
   • No long contract required

   Good to know: Lesson prices vary a lot between tutors, so compare a few before settling on one.

5. Rank 5

   Rocket Languages

   Audio-first courses that train you to actually speak.

   Best forSelf-study learners who like listening and speaking practice

   What it does

   Rocket Languages offers structured courses built around audio lessons, with voice recognition so you can practice pronunciation, plus reading and writing exercises.

   Strengths

   • Audio-first lessons that build listening and speaking skills
   • Voice recognition to practice pronunciation
   • A one-time payment option for lifetime access
   • Lessons can be used offline

   Good to know: It covers fewer languages than Babbel, and the one-time price is higher upfront than a monthly app.