Looking for and finding the best apps for learning German (or any language for that matter) that are worth investing your time and money into isn’t easy. That’s why we wrote this article!
Our aim here is to save you time and money by presenting our expert opinion on the 5 best language apps to use to learn German in 2023. We want to make sure you choose an app that offers the skills you are looking for. That’s actually the first step for you, the language learners, to consider; what is it exactly that you want to learn? Is it,
- German vocabulary
- Basic German phrases
- A complete German course
- German grammar
- German pronunciation
- Speaking German like native German speakers
- All of the above?
Why Learn German?
Did you know German is spoken by more than 130 million people worldwide? Learning German language skills and even basic German words can help you in many places around the world.
German happens to also be very similar to Dutch and surprisingly English. Knowing English will make learning German grammar easier and knowing German will help you learn Dutch more quickly.
So let’s dive into the best German language apps. Remember, each app is good for different reasons and is not presented in any particular order.
5 Best Apps For Learning German
| Apps | Why is it best? | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Ling | Engaging lessons with many fun learning tools | – Free for beginner lessons – Monthly subscription: $8.99 – Yearly subscription: $79.99 – Lifetime membership: $149.99 |
| Duolingo | Fun and interactive | Duolingo Super: $6.99 per month |
| Babbel | Fast learning curve | – 1-month plan: $13.95 – 3-month plan: $29.85 – 6-month plan: $50.70 – 12-month plan: $83.40 – Lifetime plan: $299.99 |
| Pimsleur | Focus on speaking skills | – Buy 1 level for $150 – Buy the complete course (5 levels) for $575 |
| FluentU | Real-life video-based lessons | – Monthly subscription: $29.99 – Yearly subscription: $359.99 |
| Mondly | Bite-sized lessons | – 1-month/1-language plan: $9.99 – 1-year/1-language plan: $47.99 – Lifetime access/41 languages: $1999.99 |
Let’s investigate if learning German with an app is the right choice for you.
Pros Of Using Apps To Learn German
- You can study at your own pace.
- It’s fun and you can do it anywhere anytime.
- While being fun, they’re also efficient and keep you on track.
- They’re less expensive than a private tutor.
- Many apps have a free version or a free trial.
Cons Of Learning The German Language With An App
- Some apps could have a lot of grammatical errors.
- You don’t get a real-life experience.
- Apps for language learning aren’t quite adaptive yet meaning they won’t and can’t automatically adapt to your learning needs like a real German tutor could.
If you discover that using a language-learning app for German has more advantages than disadvantages for you, let’s explore the best apps together!
Ling
Ling‘s lessons have a cool visual style and fun tools to help you quickly improve your German skills! The app has awesome lessons where you listen to native speakers and improve your listening skills. Plus, you’ll also get to practice pronouncing difficult German words correctly. It’s a great way to improve!
Reason to try:
- 200+ lessons covering 50 topics.
- Many fun tools that help boost your motivation.
- Intelligent chatbot designed to improve learners’ conversational skills.
- User-friendly interface.
Pricing
- There’s no charge for beginner lessons. You can also get a monthly subscription for $8.99, an annual subscription for $79.99, and a lifetime membership for $149.99.
Duolingo
Duolingo is the best free app to learn German vocabulary and some basic vocabulary. It’s also great for absolute beginners, however, it isn’t great for advanced learners. Duolingo also includes some listening and grammar activities and is suitable for different learning styles.
Reasons to try:
- Fun and interactive
- Easy to use
- Active track of progress
- Free app
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Pricing: Free version (In fact it’s 100% free)
Babbel
Babbel has become one of the most popular apps to learn German. They promise fast results and their German course has received awards and recognition. The app is very easy to use and aims to teach you conversational German.
Reasons to try
- Autonomy of the learning process
- Cross-device synchronization on unlimited devices
- Fast learning curve
Available on: iOS, Android and Mac
Pricing: 13.95$/month (1 month subscription), 9.95$/month (3 months subscription), 8.45$/month (6 months subscription) and 6.95$/month (12 months subscription)
Pimsleur
Pimsleur recommends a more in-depth amount of study at 30 minutes a day. They include listening and speaking skills, German vocabulary, grammar, conversation and much more. They teach based on the theory of the Pimsleur method which is said to be more effective at teaching new languages. This indicates that Pimsleur is not meant for advanced learners.
Reasons to try
- 30-minute audio lessons are very handy
- As many as 51 languages
Available on: PC, iOS, Android, Mac and Amazon Echo
Pricing: $150 for 30 lessons or $575 for the entire German course
FluentU
Do you want to specifically learn to speak German? FluentU has the goal of making you sound like a German native speaker! If your goal is to sound like a native speaker, then this is the best of the apps to learn German! However, if you’re looking for grammar or vocabulary lessons, please consider a different app.
Reasons to try
- Very complete and proven
- Authentic real-life video-based which is very engaging
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Pricing: 30$/month
Mondly
Mondly is designed by the education group Pearson, so the interface has a gimmicky feel to it and childish look. However, the lessons are supposed to teach only real-life scenarios and give you conversational German speaking skills that are actually relevant today.
Reasons to try
- Once-a-lifetime payment
- Small and interactive lessons
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Pricing: $9.99/month (one language), $47.99/year (one language), $89.99 lifetime access for all 41 languages.
How To Choose An App?
Besides the cost of the German course, there’s another factor to consider: your current German level. So, if you’re new to this, it’s a good idea to go for an app with beginner lessons. But if you’re already pretty advanced, you’ll want to go for an app that offers more in-depth lessons.
In Summary
Which app do you think is the best fit for your lifestyle and German level? Hey, just a friendly reminder that picking the right app can really save you both time and money. So make sure to choose wisely!
If you want to keep learning German without wasting time, it’s best to find an app that suits your needs and stick with it. Constantly switching apps can be counterproductive.
Guess what? We can guarantee Ling App will help you master German in no time. It’s the most interactive language app on the market!
Ling – The Best Option To Learn German Like A Pro
Ling App is a language learning application that will teach you German in a fun and interactive way, using games, quizzes, puzzles and listening and speaking activities. Also, you’ll be able to develop your writing and reading skills!
It’s important as a German language learner to develop writing skills as well. It helps to make even stronger connections in your brain and you can practice writing right on your phone!
The best part is our learning program isn’t time demanding. You can start learning German in as little as 15 minutes per day.
Furthermore, we also offer you a full blog filled with interesting topics that you can explore and learn by yourself! You can learn about how to greet people, how to say thank you, and how to count.
You can download Ling App on iOS and Google Play and have a free go!
Updated content by Mei
