The 10 Best Apps to Learn French

Spoken across five continents, French is a fantastic language if you're looking to open up new educational, professional and cultural opportunities, in addition to broadening your understanding of global history and politics. That being said, it can be frustrating to spend hours drilling vocabulary while only grasping a basic knowledge of the language.

With tech making new languages more accessible, you no longer need to attend a school or stick to rigid schedules to make progress. All you need is a smartphone to start studying wherever you are, thanks to the many apps dedicated to French language learning!

Apps have become part of our everyday life, making it possible to study French at any time of the day. You can review vocabulary while you're relaxing on the sofa, go over grammar during your lunch break, or listen to audio exercises on the bus ride home.

In addition to flexibility, there's an option to suit every level: from casual conversational skills apps, to those that offer more structured grammar drills for learners aiming to reach a high level of fluency.

There are a variety of different learning formats to suit your needs and preferences: language exchanges, podcasts, or a structured learning path with in-depth grammar explanations.

🎯 Key Takeaways – Learning French with Apps

• Flexibility and convenience: Apps allow you to learn French wherever and whenever you want - just 10 minutes a day can make a difference.

• Different approaches for every need: From Duolingo and Memrise for those who want a fun experience, to FindTutors and GoStudent for those looking for serious, personalised lessons.

• Suitable for all levels: Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to perfect your grammar and conversation skills, there’s always an app that matches your level and goals.

• Practise each area of a language: Apps offer a combination of audio lessons, grammar instruction, speaking exercises and writing skills practice.

Apps to Learn French – Which Are the Best Options?

In this article, you’ll find our personal selection of the 10 best apps to learn French – all available on the Play Store and App Store, easy to download and use for mastering the language. Each app has its own unique features, offering a variety of tools and resources to help you learn grammar and vocabulary, and express yourself with ease in a foreign language.

Not all apps are the same: some focus on learning for fun, like Duolingo, which allows you to learn through games. Other apps offer a more structured and guided approach to study, such as FindTutors, which is ideal if you’re looking for a more serious and personalised learning path. Each app has its strengths – discover their individual benefits and choose the one that best suits your learning style!

1. FindTutors – Private Teachers for French Learners

The FindTutors app allows you to contact qualified French teachers ready to help you improve your level – whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner!

You can choose to take French lessons online from the comfort of your home, or opt for in-person classes. Browse tutors qualifications, rates, and availability, together with verified student reviews to find your perfect tutor.

Features:

• Free app (lessons are paid, but prices vary and are flexible)

• Search for online or in-person lessons via an easy to use interface

• Contact multiple teachers through the app chat and arrange free trial lessons

• Detailed tutor profiles including experience, qualifications, and student reviews

• Wide range of teaching approaches adapted to different learning styles

• Suitable for all levels: from absolute beginners starting their language learning journey, to complex grammar lessons for work and study, together with basic vocabulary and conversation practice for travel

Price: Free app. The average price for a French class is £20, varying depending on tutor experience and whether lessons are online or in person.

2. GoStudent – Personalised Learning with a Tutor

The GoStudent app is ideal for K-12 students looking for personalised and flexible online French lessons for academic improvement and exam prep. It allows you to choose from numerous experienced tutors and schedule classes that fit around your commitments.

Lessons are held via video call, so you can speak directly with your teacher, ask questions, and receive feedback in real time. The platform also provides AI lesson summaries, an interactive digital classroom, and many other useful resources, to make your learning even more effective.

Features:

• Free app, with paid lessons available through flexible packages and customisable subscriptions

• Video call lessons with qualified tutors, many of whom are native French speakers

• Flexible scheduling – choose when to study, with the option to reschedule classes

• Tailored support materials and exercises to practise outside class time

• Free trial session to assess your level and set goals with your teacher

Price: Free app. Monthly subscription start at £21.99 per lesson, with customised packages available.

3. Duolingo – Fun for French language learners

Duolingo is a popular language-learning app. Its game-based learning method makes studying fun and engaging, providing quick-fire exercises on French vocabulary and grammar, together with speech recognition technology to improve pronunciation.

Features:

• Free courses with short, dynamic lessons

• Gamified learning system with rewards and challenges

• Available on mobile and web

• Adapt daily learning goals to fit your schedule

Price: Free basic version; Premium versionSuper Duolingo costs £4.99 per month, or £48 per year with an annual subscription

4. Babbel – Structured Lessons for Real-Life Language

Babbel is aimed at those looking for a structured method of learning French. Its lessons are designed by expert linguists, focusing on detailed grammar instruction, pronunciation, and useful everyday vocabulary. The app also features podcasts in the target language.

Features:

• Structured 10–15 minutes lesson

• Method based on spaced repetition to improve memory retention

• Courses adapted to different levels, from beginner to advanced

• Conversation exercises with voice recognition

Price: Varies depending on subscription. A 3-month subscription costs £9.99 per month, through to a 12-month subscription at £5.99. A one-off lifetime payment offers access to all languages.

5. Rosetta Stone – Learn French Through Immersion

Rosetta Stone is a language app that allows you to study French through immersive learning techniques. While you can navigate the app interface in your native language, the approach is based on teaching without translations, using images and context to help students start thinking in French.

Features:

• Exercises based on immersion method without translations

• Interactive pronunciation exercises powered by AI

• Courses for different levels

• Available as a mobile app and via web

Price: Varies depending on subscription. A 3-month subscription costs £32 per month, through to a 12-month subscription at £112. Discounts are available.

6. Busuu – Practise with Native French Speakers

Busuu combines interactive exercises with the opportunity to practise with native speakers through its language-learning community. This app is ideal for those who want to improve their French conversation and comprehension skills for real-life language use.

Features:

• Interactive lessons designed by language experts

• Feedback from native language speakers

• Free to use, with a premium version available for advanced content

• Option to earn official certificates

Price: Premium version prices are not fixed, but start at approximately £9.99 for a monthly subscription.

7. Memrise – Video Learning for French Speaking Skills

Memrise stands out for its method based on videos featuring native French speakers. Listening to French words spoken aloud with a variety of accents helps learners to improve their listening and pronunciation skills, boosting their oral communication in French before a trip or as a study supplement.

Features:

• Learn through videos featuring native speakers

• Spaced repetition to improve vocabulary retention

• Exercises for different ability levels are available

• Offline mode allows for studying without an internet connection

Price: Free basic version. The pro version monthly plan costs £27.99, while the annual plan costs £130.99.

8. Mondly – Learning with Augmented Reality

Mondly uses augmented reality and artificial intelligence technology to create an interactive learning experience. Its method focuses on practical French dialogue that simulates everyday conversations.

Features:

• Practise lessons with the app chatbot and voice recognition technology

• AR and VR modes can boost understanding for visual learners

• Personalised progress tracking features with statistics

• Available for mobile and VR devices

Price: The app costs £9.99 for one-month subscription. A 12-month subscription costs £47.95,while lifetime access costs £88.25. Discounts are available.

9. Clozemaster – Interactive Courses for Advanced Students

Clozemaster is perfect for those who have mastered the basics and want to level up their French proficiency.

The app features exercises that test your understanding of full sentences, making it easier to gain a deeper understanding of context as part of the learning process.

Features:

• Complete sentence memorisation method to reinforce vocabulary and verb conjugation

• Free and premium versions are available

• Compatible with multiple devices

• Listening and writing exercises to improve fluency

Price: Free version available; Pro monthly costs £9.99, while an annual subscription costs £89.99 per year.

10. Pimsleur – Listening and Conversation-Based Method

Pimsleur focuses on auditory learning and the systematic repetition of phrases to improve spoken French fluency. Suitable for French beginners, it’s a good choice for those who prefer to learn through active listening, detailed grammar explanations and vocabulary lists.

Features:

• Audio-based learning method with emphasis on practical vocabulary and conversation

• 30-minute daily lessons

• Resources exploring French culture and history to deepen understanding

• Available on mobile app and web

Price: Monthly subscription of £18.49, with a 7-day free trial available.

Price Comparison Table – Best Apps to Learn French

Which Is the Best App to Learn French?

Selecting the best app to learn French isn’t easy, as each one serves a specific purpose. To help you decide, we’ve grouped the best French learning apps based on their usefulness and features.

Choose according to your needs:

• If you want personalised, expert French language teaching, FindTutors and GoStudent are ideal.

• If you prefer a gamified approach, Duolingo and Memrise are good options.

• If your focus is on improving pronunciation and listening skills, try out Pimsleur or Mondly.

• If you want to chat with native French speakers to boost practical language skills, Busuu could be a suitable choice.

Pick the app that best suits your learning style and start your French language learning journey today! 🚀