The 10 best Busuu alternatives: Language learning apps ranked

Busuu is a popular language learning app, offering structured lessons, grammar explanations, and community feedback. For many learners, it can be a helpful entry point into a new language - but it isn’t always the best long-term solution.

Most language learning apps rely heavily on: bite-sized lessons, mobile gaming mechanics, and automated exercises. While this can serve as an introduction for early lessons, many serious language learners eventually want more human interaction, real conversational practice, and feedback from fluent speakers.

In this article, we'll explore the 10 best Busuu alternatives for language learners looking to build lasting linguistic skills. Let's take a look at some of the best language learning apps!

Key takeaways

• FindTutors and GoStudent match language learners with vetted, qualified private teachers

• HelloTalk and italki can work for students who enjoy chatting with new people

• Memrise and Duolingo can be good for learners seeking rapid practice sessions

• FluentU and Rosetta Stone boost language acquisition through immersion

• Preply and Lingoda offer advantages for professionals wanting to improve their international networking skills

FindTutors – personalised language learning for all levels

Best for: Learners who want tailored, one-to-one lessons
Price: App free to download; no subscription costs; average tutor rates between ~£12-£30
Format: Online and in-person tutoring options

FindTutors connects you with experienced tutors who adapt every lesson to your goals - whether you looking for casual conversational practice or advanced exam prep. The app utilises a unique two-way search system that allows you to post a student ad outlining your learning needs, preferences, and objectives.

FindTutors also allows you to filter by language, budget, availability, and tutor experience, making it easy to find the perfect private tutors in minutes - even if you’re juggling multiple languages!

Key features of FindTutors

• Fully personalised content for language lessons

• Real conversation with vetted tutors who are native speakers

• Human feedback and motivation

• Ideal for beginners and advanced learners alike

• Wide range of European languages, in addition to other global languages

• Classes adapted to individual learning paces

GoStudent – structured one-to-one learning for academic improvement

Best for: School students who want improve their academic language skills
Price: App free to download; subscription packages start at ~£28.00 per lesson
Format: Online private lessons

GoStudent pairs learners with qualified private teachers who provide structured lessons aligned with the UK national curriculum. Clear goals are established from the first lesson: exam prep, building vocabulary, or improving listening and reading skills. Tutors combine traditional didactic approaches with innovative digital learning tools in order to optimise the learning process.

Unlike purely app-based learning, GoStudent offers detailed feedback and progress tracking, in addition to commitment accountability - an excellent choice for serious language learners!

Key features of GoStudent

• Qualified, Enhanced DBS-checked tutors

• Structured lessons based on target grades and exam technique development

• AI-powered lesson summaries to ease homework routines

• Parental collaboration for comprehensive progress reporting

Duolingo – building daily habits through fun

Best for: Casual learners and beginners
Price: App free to download; premium subscription for Super Duolingo costs ~£10.99 per month
Format: App-based

Duolingo is a popular language learning app. Its gamified features blend language learning exercises with mobile gaming, encouraging users to practise for a few minutes a day to build a study routine.

Duolingo can be a good option for early language lessons that cover basic phrases, and vocabulary. It may lack the complex grammar notes, writing exercises, and meaningful conversation suitable for more advanced learners, however.

Key features of Duolingo

• Free plan offers extensive core content

• Bite-sized lessons and speaking exercises

• Competitive league tables to boost motivation

HelloTalk – an international language app

Best for: Practising with native speakers
Price: App free to download. A three-month subscription costs ~£35.00
Format: Chat, voice notes, calls

HelloTalk connects you directly with native speakers for language practise. The app lets you exchange messages, voice notes, and calls in your target language, permitting other users to provide feedback and correct your mistakes.

Key features of HelloTalk

• Meet new people as part of your language learning journey

• Natural conversational practice with slang and idioms

• Explore aspects of different cultures from around the world

Preply – language coaching for business

Best for: Professionals learning a language for work purposes
Price: App free to download; classes vary in price between £13-£50
Format: Online tutoring

Preply offers acess to tutors who can provide grammar explanations, listening comprehension classes, and exam prep advice. It also offers corporate language training for professionals seeking to enhance their cross-cultural communication skills.

The platform lets you choose tutors based on price, schedule, and teaching style. You can focus on one language or switch between other languages as needed.

Key features of Preply

• Customised language courses

• Popular and niche languages available

• Suitable for all learning levels

italki – build language skills on a casual schedule

Best for: Conversation-focused learners
Price: App free to download; classes range from ~£4-£60 per hour
Format: Live lessons

italki connects you with both professional teachers and community tutors. The platform can be a good option for learners who already know basic vocabulary and want to become more fluent speakers.

Instead of clicking and swiping correct answers on a screen, you practise real speech through paired discussions and group frums, allowing you to build confidence and refine key phrases.

Key features of italki

• Live conversations

• Immediate corrections

• Flexible scheduling

• Pay-as-you-go lessons

Memrise – learning new vocabulary with videos

Best for: Visual learners and travellers
Price: App free to download; Monthly Pro plan costs ~£20-£30 per month
Format: App-based

Memrise focuses on learning vocabulary through and short videos of native speakers. Leveraging a spaced repetition system, it's a useful app for remembering all the words you encounter in daily life when exploring new countries.

Key features of Memrise

• Exposure to realistic speech

• Short clips for fast practice sessions

• Users can create and store mneumonics to help them retain new words

Rosetta Stone – immersive language learning

Best for: Students wanting to try natural language acquisition
Price: App free to download. A three-month subscription costs £14.95 per month for a single language. Lifetime membership is available for £199, with access to all languages.
Format: App and desktop

Rosetta Stone skips translations, instead teaching users new languages through images and context. Its immersion method mimics travelling within the target language's country (or countries) helping learners to think directly in their new language.

Rosetta Stone offers limited interaction and relies heavily on automated voice recognition compared to some other apps.

Key features of Rosetta Stone

• Highly visual learning approach

• Structured, easy-to-follow lessons

• Reduced dependence on translations

Lingoda – live classes in small groups

Best for: Language students who prefer classroom-style learning
Price: App free to download; class bundles vary by price and target language selected
Format: Group classes

Lingoda offers live group language classes led by teachers that allow you to speak, listen, and participate with other learners.The app is suitable for students who thrive in social learning environments and who prefer group classes over solo study sessions.

Key features of Lingoda

• Live interaction

• Regular learning schedule

• Speaking practice in every class

FluentU – Best for real-world content

Best for: Those who want to learn languages through world news and events
Price: App free to download; ~£22 per month. A 14-day free trial is available prior to subscription purchase
Format: Multimedia app

FluentU teaches through YouTube videos, interviews, and clips, transforming these materials into interactive lessons. Each of the words within the app's digital resources are clickable, offering pronunciations and guidance that help learners to build listening skills and understand grammar in context.

Key features of FluentU

• Authentic language input

• Context-rich learning

• Less rigid than some other more structured courses

Which Busuu alternative is right for you?

Most learners start their language adventures with the most basic apps - however, real progress comes from genuine interaction, feedback, and active use of the language.

If you’re learning a new language and want faster, deeper progress, there are plenty of strong Busuu alternative options available. From free language learning apps to tutor-led platforms, these tools support different learning styles - whether you’re a visual learner, an auditory learner, or someone who learns best by speaking:

• Choose FindTutors for fully personalised learning with real private teachers

• Try GoStudent for structured, qualified tutor-led courses

• Consider HelloTalk and italki for conversation practice with native speakers

• Explore apps like Duolingo and Memrise for quick study sessions

Whether you’re learning Spanish for fun, exploring a new language for work, or simply curious about how many languages you can acquire, the fastest way to learn a language is to use it. These Busuu alternatives can help you do just that!