Learning Yoruba opens a door to a rich culture, full of history, traditions, and incredible stories. And the best part? There are plenty of apps to learn Yoruba out there that cover everything you need as a beginner or intermediate learner.
We created this guide to help learners decide which apps work best for them. The top apps for Yoruba out there in 2026 are Ling, Memrise, Drops, Cudoo, iTalki, and Bluebird.
Keep reading to learn about their features, pricing, and which one stands out in particular!
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Best Apps To Learn Yoruba: Let’s Compare
| App | Best for | Key feature | Platforms | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ling | All-around | Conversations | iOS, Android, Web | Free trial / Paid |
| Memrise | Listening | Native videos | iOS, Android, Web | Paid |
| Drops | Vocabulary | Visual learning | iOS, Android | Free / Paid |
| Cudoo | Self-paced | Online courses | Web | Paid |
| iTalki | Speaking | Live tutors | iOS, Android, Web | Per lesson |
| Bluebird | Custom learning | Personalized courses | iOS, Android, Web | Free / Paid |
1. Ling – Best For Spoken Yoruba And All-Around Learning
Ling is the top choice for learning Yoruba because it combines vocabulary, listening, and speaking through structured lessons and interactive conversation practice.
Each course in Ling focuses on specific topics, which are useful in daily interactions with locals and make you travel-ready. You can use Ling to practice everyday Yoruba phrases that can be heard in real-life conversations.
What Ling Is Best For
- Speaking and pronunciation
- Learning useful vocabulary and real-life conversations
- Improving pronunciation with native-speaker audio
- Gamified, short lessons
Key Features
- Structured lessons with exercises presented as mini-games
- Native-speaker audio that helps improve pronunciation
- An interactive dialog feature for real-life conversation practice
- Gamified quizzes and streaks
- Several review features, like flashcards, tests, and a personal vocabulary bank
- Instant feedback on pronunciation
- Points, achievements, reminders, and leaderboards to keep you motivated
- And much more
Specific Examples
Each section in the Ling app gives you useful words and phrases. For example, a beginner lesson first introduces you to some basic words and phrases like:
- Obìnrin kan – Woman
- Ọkùnrin kan – Man
- Obìnrin ni mi – I am a woman
- Ọkùnrin ni rẹ – You are a man
The app also offers quizzes where you match words to pictures or build sentences you just learned word-for-word, which helps you remember these words and phrases through repetition. At the end of each section, you get to practice a short, useful dialog. For example:
- A: Ẹ káàṣán – Good afternoon
- B: Ẹ káàṣán – Good afternoon
- A: Bawo ni o ṣe wà? – How are you?
- B: Mo wà dáadáa – I’m fine
- B: Ẹ yin náà nko? – And you?
- A: Mo wà dáadáa – I’m fine
- A: O ṣeun. Ó dàbọ! – Thank you. Bye!
- B: Máa tii yín láláìpẹ́ – See you later!
After you finish four lessons in each section, you get to take an exam for practice, and also make use of the review tool, which stores all the vocabulary you learned.
And when you’re done mastering the basics, there are plenty of other topics like numbers, family, activities, food, ordering in a café, places, navigation, workplace, shapes, objects, colors, clothing, date, time, traveling, and many more.
Who Should Use Ling?
Ling is an app for beginners and those who already have a bit of knowledge, as it offers everything from beginner to more advanced topics. It’s the best fit for:
- Learners who prefer structured lessons over random words, since they benefit most from Ling’s guided learning path.
- Learners who enjoy gamified learning: Research shows that features like points, levels, and progress tracking help learners stay motivated, feel more engaged, and feel less anxious while learning a new language.
Pricing Options
- Monthly price: $16.99
- Six-month price: $64.99
- Annual price: $89.99 (with 7-day free trial)
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2. Memrise – Best For Exposure And Vocabulary
Memrise is a language app with native-speaker videos, which is perfect for listening and repeating. The app uses a technique called spaced repetition that helps you remember vocabulary.
Memrise shows how to use common phrases in short video clips. Furthermore, learners can choose the topic they want to focus on, like greetings, numbers, daily activities, and other basic expressions, without following a fixed learning path.
What Memrise Is Best For
Listening, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Key Features
- Short videos with native speakers
- Spaced repetition system
- Themed lessons focused on practical words and phrases
Specific Examples
When you start a beginner course in Memrise, you’ll see new words introduced one by one, with a short video of a native speaker saying the word and its translation below. In Yoruba beginner lessons, you’ll first learn basic vocabulary like:
- Ẹ káàrọ̀ – Good morning
- Ẹ kú ọdún – Happy celebration / Happy holiday
- Ẹ káàṣán – Good afternoon
After watching the clip or hearing the speaker say the word, the app lets you do short exercises, such as selecting the correct translations or typing the word you hear. Memrise also has a feature where you watch videos of conversations in specific situations, like shopping. It then helps you remember words related to this topic, such as:
- Àwọ̀ – Colour
- Ìmìí – Another one
- Apamọwọ́ – A handbag
- Tún tún – New
- Rá – To buy
- Èyíì – This one
Who Should Use Memrise?
Memrise works great for learners who want to learn Yoruba vocabulary from true native speakers. If your goal is speaking in full sentences or practicing real conversations, Memrise works best alongside a more structured app.
Pricing Options
- Monthly: $14.99
- Annual: $61.99
- Lifetime: $199.99
3. Drops – Best For Visual Learning
Drops is an app that teaches vocabulary through colorful visuals and short daily lessons. With Drops, you can learn Yoruba basics like colors or everyday objects. The app uses illustrations and designs to help you remember new words by making visual associations.
What Drops Is Best For
Vocabulary, visual memory, and short daily practice.
Key Features
- Colorful design and illustrations
- Short lessons to fit learning into a busy schedule
- Immediate feedback on exercises
- Rewards, streaks, and gamified elements to stay motivated
Specific Examples
In a beginner Yoruba lesson, the app introduces you to common words with bright icons. The first words you will learn are basic everyday vocabulary, like:
- Ọ̀mi – Water
- Búrẹ́dì – Bread
- Àpùlù – Apple
Since every word comes with an illustration. You tap or drag to match the word to the correct image, listen to its pronunciation, and sometimes spell it by connecting letters or choosing the right picture.
After you’ve seen new vocabulary a few times, Drops begins to add some other short phrases, like:
- Ẹ káàṣán – Good afternoon
- O ṣeun – Thank you
- Ẹ jọ̀ọ́ – Excuse me, sorry
After the basics, you can focus on more advanced words for things like travel, work, shopping, and emergencies. A big setback is that Drops doesn’t teach full sentences or offer conversation practice, but focuses mainly on words.
Who Should Use Drops?
Drops is great if you’re a visual learner and don’t enjoy long grammar lessons. It works if you want to quickly expand some basic vocabulary or fit language practice into a tight schedule. If you’re looking for structured conversation practice, then combine Drops with another app like Ling.
Pricing Options
- Free version with limited features
- Monthly subscription: $13.25
- Yearly subscription: $71.38
- Lifetime access: $163.18
4. Cudoo – Best For Flexible And Self-Paced Learning
Cudoo is best for learners who enjoy studying through online courses. The website lets you learn Yoruba and many other skills, and you can focus on lessons when it fits your schedule.
With bundles, you can explore multiple topics in one purchase, so it’s also a great opportunity to combine learning a language with anything else that you might be interested in.
What Cudoo Is Best For
Vocabulary, self-paced learning, immersion.
Key Features
- Over 1,300 courses covering Yoruba and other subjects
- Video lessons and quizzes
- Flexible course structure
- Affordable pricing and bundle deals
Specific Examples
There are three levels for Yoruba on Cudoo right now. As a beginner, you should start with level one, and there you will find vocabulary organised by topics.
At the first level, you start with greetings like Ẹ káàrọ̀ (Good morning), Ẹ káàṣán (Good afternoon), and simple questions such as Báwo ni o ṣe wà? (How are you?)
Then you learn how to introduce yourself, talk about colors, numbers, and ask basic questions about countries and professions. Here are some simple phrases you take away from the course:
- Orúkọ mi ni… – My name is…
- Níbo ni o ti wá? – Where are you from?
- Kí ni iṣẹ́ rẹ? – What do you do?
Lessons have native-speaker audio, translations, and short exercises to help you remember what you learn.
Who Should Use Cudoo?
Cudoo is ideal for self-starters who prefer choosing their own pace and topics rather than a fixed path. Some Cudoo reviews mention that the platform could use more interactive elements and direct instructor feedback, but for self-paced learning, it’s a great option.
Pricing Options
- Single course: starting at $4.99
- Bundle deals: up to $199
- 14-day money-back guarantee included
5. iTalki – Best For Personalized Speaking Practice
iTalki is best for learners who want one-on-one lessons with actual tutors, and focus on speaking, listening, and real-life conversations.
With iTalki, you can book a session to practice introducing yourself, ordering food, asking for directions, or any other topic you want to practice in Yoruba. There are also group classes if you want to practice conversations with other learners.
What iTalki Is Best For
Speaking, listening, and conversation practice.
Key Features
- One-on-one lessons with native Yoruba speakers
- Pick a tutor based on experience, rates, and teaching style
- Lesson at times that work for you
- Community features like group classes
Specific Examples
With iTalki, you can choose what specific topics you want to focus on. Each teacher will tailor the session to your level and goals. If you take a beginner lesson, you will probably focus on simple greetings and how to introduce yourself.
There are tutors who like to focus on pronunciation or cultural topics. You can take a trial lesson to find the best fit.
Who Should Use It
iTalki is best for learners who want personalized speaking practice and instant feedback from native speakers. It works well for anyone who wants flexible lesson times and real conversations.
Pricing Options
- Lessons start at $4 per hour, depending on the tutor
- Some tutors offer discounted packages for multiple lessons
- Flexible enough to fit most budgets and schedules
6. Bluebird – Best For Multilingual And Personalized Learning
Bluebird is a language learning app that lets you listen, repeat, and speak through audio lessons. The learning starts off simple and gradually introduces practical phrases and real-life dialogues.
You can practice at your own pace, follow a personalized path, and even use the app offline, which makes it great to fit language learning into your day.
What Bluebird Is Best For
- Vocabulary
- Speaking
- Immersion
- Personalized learning
Key Features
- Human audio in every lesson for accurate pronunciation
- Bilingual subtitles, flashcards, and pronunciation feedback
- Build unlimited custom courses and study guides tailored to your goals
Specific Examples
You can start lessons in Bluebird with core vocabulary such as art, animals, buildings, business, and more. But if you want, you can also move on to essential verbs, creating sentences, and simple conversations right away. You practice by listening to native speakers and repeating phrases until they feel natural.
For example, a basic conversation you can hear in the app goes like this:
- Ẹ n lẹ́ o – Hello
- Ṣé dáadáa ni? – How are you?
- Dáadáa ni, adúpẹ́, ẹyin nko? – I’m fine, thank you, and you?
- Dáadáa ni, adúpẹ́ – I’m fine, thank you
- Kí ni àgọ́ wí? – What time is it?
- Àgọ́ kan àbọ̀ ni – It is one o’clock
- Ẹ ṣé – Thank you
- Kò tọ́pé – You’re welcome
Who Should Use Bluebird
Bluebird works well for learners who want personalized, self-directed learning and accurate pronunciation. It’s also great if you’re looking to learn more languages at once or create your own study path.
Pricing Options
- Free version with daily lessons (ad-free)
- One-time rapid test purchase: $26.59
- Unlimited languages (1 month): $12.71
- Unlimited languages (1 year): $132.99
- Lifetime access: $231.29
Why Do These Apps Matter?
Studies on learning Yoruba show that more and more people around the world are interested in learning the language, especially outside Africa, often because of culture, heritage, or everyday communication.
And that is why language learning apps are so important today. Learning Yoruba can be tough without proper guidance or the right tools. Each app that teaches Yoruba focuses on specific skills, and each brings something learners can use.
Here are the main takeaways for each app:
- Ling helps learners work on speaking, listening, and vocabulary through structured lessons.
- Memrise uses native speaker videos to reinforce learning.
- Drops teaches vocabulary quickly using fun visuals.
- Cudoo lets learners study at their own pace.
- iTalki connects learners with native tutors.
- Bluebird offers personalized courses with human audio practice.
FAQs: Best Apps To Learn Yoruba
What Is The Best App To Learn Yoruba?
The best app to learn Yoruba right now is Ling, because it offers structured lessons, native-speaker audio, and real-life conversation practice.
Can I Learn Yoruba On Duolingo?
No, Yoruba is not available on Duolingo.
Where Can I Learn Yoruba For Free?
Bluebird and Drops offer limited free options, while Ling provides a free 7-day trial with full access.
Final Takeaway: Which Is The Best App To Learn Yoruba?
For Yoruba learners in 2026, we believe Ling is the most balanced choice. It covers speaking, listening, vocabulary, and real-life conversation practice, making it ideal for beginners and intermediate learners.
Use this guide to match your goals with the app that suits you best. Each app is great in its own way, but if you want learning with native-speaker audio, short, interactive lessons, and conversation practice, Ling is the top pick.
If your focus is vocabulary, visuals, or personalized lessons, then apps like Memrise, Drops, Cudoo, iTalki, and Bluebird can complement your learning journey as well.
Start Learning Yoruba With Ling
Ling is a language-learning app that helps beginners and early learners speak Yoruba through structured lessons, native-speaker audio, interactive exercises, and conversation practice.
You can start with a 7-day free trial to explore all features and see how it fits your learning style. It’s available on Google Play and the App Store and has over 10M downloads worldwide.
So go ahead, try the Ling app for free for a week and start learning Yoruba today!
