French isn’t the easiest language to master, especially not if you’re more natively geared toward Russian and Ukrainian. The language doesn’t always sound like it’s spelled, which makes phonetic pronunciation challenging.
However, I love French food (I’m a big foodie), and I found that using French recipes and watching French cooking shows helped tremendously.
Fortunately, French is widely available for learning via books, YouTube channels, language apps, and more. There’s also no shortage of French translated materials to help you make the transition from your native language to French or from English to French.
Since French is the fifth most spoken language on the planet,
it’s a beautiful language that’s well worth learning. You’re sure to find French speakers everywhere, and the culture is worth discovering for a wholesome experience.
I love these apps to help you master French like a pro.
The Uniqueness of the French Language
Aside from French being considered a “love language,” it’s based on Latin writing, yet it sounds very different to English, Spanish, and other Latin-based languages.
I remember one of my early teachers telling me that to speak French was to whisper to the gods, which is why I had to practice speaking with a candle flame before my lips. If I spoke it well, the flame would dance, not sputter.
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An Overview of the Important Features of French
French has some unique features and characteristics, such as:
When a word has a letter “h” in it, it’s always a silent h.
If a word ends on -er, the r is always silenced.
The French speak rapidly, and it’s not uncommon to have them swallow vowels, making the language hard to articulate (and understand).
French words are gendered, so the word “table” is seen as female, while a “bucket” is male.
French pronunciation stresses the last syllable of words.
French words, especially words with the letter “r”, are often quite nasal in pronunciation, which gives the language a peculiar sound.
Is It Difficult to Learn French?
French is considered a category one language, but to speak it truly well requires sensitivity to the nuances of the language. Mastering the object pronouns and diverse past tenses and understanding how a sound can change the meaning of the word can be challenging.
My Experience with French Language-Learning Apps
I love how apps can help you master languages, and since French is such a popular world language, it’s available on many language learning apps.
Here are my favorite apps and why I’d consider each to teach me French:
Highly Recommended Apps
Babbel: Using Babbel comes with a focus on speaking the language in practical scenarios, which helps you quickly form associative learning and memories.
- Mondly: Immersive learning doesn’t get better than with Mondly, where augmented reality and virtual reality features help you wrap up in the language. It’s also useful as you don’t have to go look for someone who speaks French when you don’t live in a French-speaking country.
- Italki and Preply: A human tutor is significantly beneficial to language students. Having a native French speaker help you overcome your pronunciation issues and word choices can help you learn in massive leaps.
- Langster: Uses real stories and news articles to convey authentic French in real-life contexts.
- Xeropan: Combines pop culture videos with reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises, making the learning process both entertaining and practical.
Recommended but Average Apps
Memrise: Learn on Memrise with a focus on remembering words, phrases, and concepts.
- Rosetta Stone: Immersive learning helps you adopt a language without having to translate it first. This approach of Rosetta Stone is successful and can help you learn and overcome fear of speaking a native language.
LingQ: Add your own French content for learning to the LingQ database to learn socially.
- FunEasyLearn: Advanced resource of audio files to help with pronunciation.
- FluentU: Learn French with a list of curated TV shows, movies, music, and more, with a helpful quiz to track your progress.
- MosaLingua: The MosaLingua app has many unique resources and conversational French that teaches in short 10 minute lessons.
- Learn French for Beginners: Offers a simple introduction to learning French with over 10,000 words and a focus on grammar. Advanced learners might find it too basic, and it does not include conversation practice.
- Gymglish: Combines short, entertaining lessons with cultural highlights and a focus on practical learning.
Less Recommended Apps
- Duolingo: If you prefer to focus on fun while learning, then Duolingo is excellent with its gamified approach.
- Frantastique: This app offers fun, personalized lessons that focus on modern French and cultural topics. It is expensive and not ideal for beginners.
- Studycat: Studycat is designed for children and provides offline lessons that are easy to use on your own. It does not focus on grammar, and you can go through the content quickly.
- PORO: Offers over 6,000 words with audio and visual help to make learning fun and varied. However, it focuses almost only on vocabulary, and grammar is hardly covered.
18 Tested Apps for Learning French
I’ve tried and tested many language-learning apps. When I tested the apps, I looked at various factors, such as the teaching approach, user-friendliness of the app, costs, user reviews, and overall strengths and weaknesses.
Here are the best ones you can use to teach you French.
Read more about language learning apps in my comparison reviews:
1. Babbel - The Best App Overall
Babbel is one of my favorite language-learning platforms because it focuses on developing your conversational skills. While I’m all for focusing on the other language skills too, I’m sure you’ll agree that when you travel and interact with the locals, you need to talk with them.
Babbel is an effective tool to help you learn active vocabulary while boosting your confidence and improving your listening, comprehension, and speaking skills so you can interact with natives when the time comes.
Why Learn French with Babbel
- Practice-oriented language training so you can use the French you learn.
- Diverse and effective lessons you can complete in 10-15 minutes a day.
- Memory training exercises to help you remember and recall what you learn.
Costs
Use Babbel’s free trial to see how it teaches French, and consider a subscription:
- Babbel Self-Study at US$13.95 per month.
- Babbel Live at US$99.00 per month.
2. Mondly - The Best for Intuitive Learning
Mondly uses the best technology to teach you intuitively and via immersion. While you complete interactive lessons, you can also practice your conversation skills with Mondly’s AI chatbot and engage in French with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) worlds.
You’ll mostly develop your speaking, listening, and reading skills with the app, but there’s some writing exercises, too. I really like that Mondly has business-specific topics, ideal if you require French for business interactions.
Why Learn French with Mondly
- Daily lessons, weekly quizzes, and monthly challenges to keep learning fresh and interesting.
- Learn useful French expressions you can use in everyday life.
- Complete vocab and grammar specific lessons.
Costs
Use the limited free version to get a feel for how Mondly teaches, or subscribe to Mondly Premium:
- Monthly plan costs US$9.99.
- Yearly plan costs US$47.99.
3. Duolingo - The Best for Fun and Free Learning
Duolingo isn’t always the most effective app, but it’s free. And learning any of the 40+ languages on Duolingo is fun – that is why I recommended Duolingo because the game-like interface, rewards, and daily streak feature help ensure you’ll engage with French every day. After all, a lesson on Duolingo takes as little time as 3-5 minutes.
There’s lots of content for the French course, so Duolingo works perfectly as an additional learning resource.
Why Learn French with Duolingo
- Learn via the interactive lessons, fun challenges, and Duolingo French podcast with 100+ episodes.
- User-friendly interface, ideal for kids and adults.
- Practice your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
Costs
You can complete the whole French course on Duolingo for free. But for an ad-free experience and access to Premium features, subscribe:
- Super Duolingo costs US$7.99 per month.
- Duolingo Max costs ±US$30 per month.
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4. Preply - The Best for Teacher/Tutor-Supported Learning
Preply connects French students with tutors from all over the world. You can use the search parameters to filter the tutors via country of origin, cost of the lessons, and other criteria to find the ideal person you’ll connect with.
What I like is that you can book a trial lesson at a reduced fee to “test drive” the tutor. Ideally, you want a teacher who matches your learning style and whom you like – making the lessons more effective for both parties.
Why Learn French with Preply
- Mostly to practice your conversation skills, but the tutors can help you improve your vocab, grammar, reading, listening, and writing skills too.
- Use the forum to ask questions and get responses from natives.
- Learn at your pace since you can book lessons as often as you’d like.
Costs
You’ll pay per lesson if you choose to learn French with Preply.
The 25-minute trial lessons with a tutor are generally cheaper than the regular ones, but overall, expect to pay US$5 to US$100 per 50-minute lesson.
5. Memrise - The Best for Playful Vocab Learning
Memrise is an effective language-learning tool, and I especially like that you see videos of natives pronouncing the French words and expressions. While just hearing a foreign word is great, seeing how someone pronounces it and what their facial expressions are adds insight into the language and culture. That’s exactly what you get with Memrise.
The app also helps you memorize and retrieve what you’ve learned so you can use the language with ease.
Why Learn French with Memrise
- Playful learning elements that make learning French an adventure.
- Diverse learning content so you can practice all the language skills.
- Complete the official Memrise French language course, or choose from one of many that the community members developed.
Costs
Memrise has a free trial so you can see if you like the platform. If you do, subscribe:
- Pro Plan costs US$27.99 per month or US$130.99 per year.
- Lifetime plan costs US$199.99.
6. LingQ - The Best for Interactive Lessons
LingQ makes it easy to learn French, and the app is suitable for all students, no matter their proficiency level. Learn via videos, podcasts, news articles, and books in French, or upload your own content and turn it into a lesson.
The lessons are interactive and you engage with authentic language material. There’s a community forum, too, so you can connect with natives.
Why Learn French with LingQ
- Track your progress with clear goals and feedback on how well you’re learning.
- Lessons are adapted to your current language level.
- Loads of audio lessons, making LingQ great for auditory students.
Costs
LingQ has a limited freemium version. If you like how the app teaches French, subscribe:
- Premium subscription costs US$9.99 per month for the annual plan.
- Premium Plus costs US$36.99 per month for the annual plan.
7. Rosetta Stone - The Best for a Dynamic Learning Experience
If you want a truly immersive way of learning French, sign up to Rosetta Stone. While many other apps teach you via memorization and translation, you’ll learn French in French on Rosetta Stone, meaning it’s up to you to figure out what the audio, images, and words mean.
Essentially, you’ll learn French as you learned your native tongue when you were a child.
This is a highly effective way of learning a new language, but a lesson doesn’t take only 10 minutes. You’ll need to invest time to learn French and connect the dots.
Why Learn French with Rosetta Stone
- Practice your French pronunciation with Rosetta Stone’s state-of-the-art speech recognition software.
- Interactive lessons to keep you engaged.
- Loads of extra resources to help supplement your learning.
Costs
There’s no free trial with Rosetta Stone, but you can request your money back within 30 days of subscribing.
Here’s how much a Rosetta Stone subscription costs:
3-month plan costs US$47.97.
12-month plan costs US$126.00.
You can also do live lessons, but you’ll pay extra for these.
8. FluentU - The Best for Learning via Authentic Videos
You’ll mostly learn French on FluentU by watching videos, such as movie scenes, music videos, and TV show clips, and interacting with the subtitles. Once you’re done with the video lesson, you can take a quiz for extra practice.
The platform has a curated library with content tailored to your learning level.
Why Learn French with FluentU
- Variety of learning content, like the video dictionary and interactive lessons.
- Create your own flashcards to help you learn.
- Get personalized quizzes to help you improve weak areas.
Costs
You can access a 14-day free trial before subscribing.
Here’s how much a subscription costs:
- Monthly plan costs US$29.99 per month.
- Yearly plan costs US$359.99 (once-off).
9. FunEasyLearn - The Best for French Vocab
When learning a new language, you always start with vocabulary and then build on that to learn expressions and develop your language skills. With FunEasyLearn, you learn French vocabulary in context, meaning you can actually use what you learn.
The app is fun to use with the interactive exercises and rewards.
Why Learn French with FunEasyLearn
- Exposure to authentic French pronunciation via the crystal clear audio files recorded by natives.
- Learn 11,000 French vocabulary in a fun way.
- Choose from 60+ source languages, so you don’t just have to speak English to learn French.
Costs
FunEasyLearn has a limited freemium version, but you can see how the app teaches French.
If you like what you see, subscribe to the Premium plan:
- For 1 language course, pay a once-off US$16.99 for 3 months.
- For 34 languages, pay a once-off US$30.99 for 3 months.
10. italki - The Best for Personal French Lessons
italki is similar to Preply – you learn French via personal lessons with teachers or tutors. I like that I can choose my teacher/tutor and book lessons that suit my schedule and budget.
While you can use the search filters to find the perfect tutor match, you can also look at each tutor’s bio, rating and reviews, and book a trial lesson to see if they are right for you.
Why Learn French with italki
- Match with a tutor that speaks the French dialect you’d want to learn.
- Learn according to your proficiency level and focus on the language skills you need to develop.
- Do your lessons on your smart device or computer.
Costs
On italki, you pay per lesson, which can cost as little as US$4 or as much as US$80+ per hour.
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11. MosaLingua - The Best for Practical Learning
MosaLingua has various tools to help you learn. There are flashcards, interactive lessons, MosaStories, MosaDiscovery, and MosaChat-AI to help you develop and practice your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
You also learn the most useful French words and expressions first, and you’ll practice these since you can apply and use them in real-life situations.
Why Learn French with MosaLingua
- Personalize your language goals.
- Compact, 10-minute lessons, so you can learn French every day.
- Employs the MosaLearning Method, where you learn, review, and process new language in multiple steps.
Costs
MosaLingua has a 15-day free trial. If you like how the app teaches you in a practical manner, subscribe:
- Annual Sale costs US$59.90 per year.
- Lifetime Access costs US$4,090.00 (watch out for discounts!).
Excited to learn more about lenguages? Here are my articles listed below:
12. PORO - French Vocabulary
PORO offers more than 6,000 words with native speaker audio and clear visual aids. The app has a simple design so you can start learning right away. Lessons cover 10 everyday topics, which is helpful if you’re getting ready for exams like the DELF.
The flashcard system is a real plus. You can adjust the speed and match words with images, making it feel more like a game than studying.
Why Learn French with PORO
- Easy Review: Quickly revisit words and topics with flashcards, quizzes, and listening tests.
- Effective Learning: The app uses spaced repetition to help you keep vocabulary in your long-term memory.
- For All Levels: Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or expert, the app adjusts to your learning level.
- Large Vocabulary: With over 6,000 words, each paired with images and native speaker pronunciation, learning becomes engaging and clear.
Costs
The app can be downloaded for free, but you can buy extra features and content inside to boost your learning.
- Monthly Subscription: $1.49
- Annual Subscription: $13.99
- Silver Package Upgrade: $5.99
13. Xeropan
Xeropan is not just any language app—it uses pop culture to make learning fun. Imagine learning French while watching music videos or short movie clips. The app even offers translations in over 17 languages, so you can see French in real-life context.
The course works for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, the lessons build your grammar and vocabulary at a natural pace.
I especially like the variety of activities. You get to read, write, listen, and speak, which keeps the learning interesting. The AI chatbot is a real bonus, letting you practice real conversations in French. It feels great to see my progress.
Why Learn French with Xeropan
- Gamified Learning: The app combines learning with playful elements that make the process motivating and fun.
- Extensive Content: It offers over 3,000 lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, and speaking for a complete learning experience.
- Pop Culture Videos: The pop culture videos include clips from music and movies, which help you learn everyday language naturally.
Costs
- Monthly Subscription: $11.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $24.99
- 6-Month Subscription: Approximately $42.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $64.99
- Lifetime PRO Subscription: Approximately $139.99
Xeropan gives you a 7-day free trial so you can try out all its features before signing up for a subscription.
14. Learn French for Beginners
Learn French for Beginners promises to kickstart your French in just 31 days, and the best part is that it’s completely free and works offline. This means you can study anytime and anywhere, even with just a basic “Bonjour” in your vocabulary. The lessons are split into easy, daily chunks that focus on building your vocabulary, making it very accessible for beginners.
The app includes over 10,000 words and covers grammar from simple pronouns to more complex sentence structures. I enjoyed the interactive, game-like activities that make learning feel fun and engaging. However, keep in mind that this app is really designed for beginners. If you’re aiming for advanced French, you might find it a bit repetitive and lacking features like progress tracking or real-world scenario challenges.
Why Learn French with Learn French for Beginners
- Perfect for beginners: This app is made for those who are just starting out, with a clear and simple learning path that’s easy to follow.
- Comprehensive practice: It mixes reading, writing, and speaking exercises to help you learn effectively.
- Effective Vocabulary Learning: With over 500 words complete with images and audio, you can build your basic vocabulary in a fun and lasting way.
Costs
- 100% free access to lessons and resources.
15. Langster
I’ve found Langster to be a great tool for my French practice. It turns real-life stories into lessons that make learning both practical and fun. I especially enjoy listening to native speakers, which really helps with my pronunciation, and I like that I can tap any word to see its translation and grammar details.
Of course, it’s not perfect. Langster focuses on popular languages and requires a subscription for full access, and I’ve encountered a few bugs. Still, with fresh stories added daily, it keeps me motivated to keep improving.
Why Learn French with Langster
- Diverse Content: Over 2,000 engaging stories and news articles at A1–B2 levels keep learning interesting.
- For All Levels: Ideal for beginners with basic skills and advanced learners wanting to deepen their knowledge.
- Comprehensive Support: Enjoy grammar guides, full verb conjugations, and an integrated vocabulary trainer for effective, straightforward learning.
Costs
- Monthly Subscription: $12.99
- Annual Subscription: $59.99
- Lifetime Premium Access: Approximately $99.00.
Langster gives you a 7-day free trial so you can try out all its features before you decide to subscribe.
16. Gymglish
Have you ever tried learning French through quirky stories and a touch of humor? That’s exactly what Gymglish does. Instead of just memorizing words, you follow fun characters in odd situations that make the experience enjoyable. I found the app really easy to use, with a clean, straightforward interface that lets you jump into 10-minute lessons tailored to your level and interests. Plus, it offers lessons in several languages, which is great if you’re exploring more than one.
What really impressed me was the AI-powered interactions with characters—they made the learning experience feel personal and lively, even if it’s mostly text-based. On the downside, if you’re an absolute beginner, the pace might feel a bit fast at first. Also, after the free trial, there’s a subscription fee, and some interactive features need an internet connection to work properly.
Why Learn French with Gymglish
- Short and Effective: Just 10 minutes a day can lead to real progress.
- Wide Selection: Hundreds of varied lessons suit every learning level.
- Cultural Immersion: Each episode gives you authentic insights into language and culture with dialogues, videos, and quizzes.
- Custom Revision: Mark key vocabulary to review later in your lessons.
- Interactive Content: Conversations with characters make learning lively and fun.
- Personalized Feedback: Get detailed corrections, explanations, and vocabulary tips for the best learning experience.
Costs
- Basic 12 months Plan: $31.00/month
- Premium 12 months Plan: $38.00/month
- Premium 24 months Plan: $32.00/month
- Premium 36 months Plan: $27.00/month
17. Studycat
Studycat brings language learning to life with colorful, engaging activities—all in French for full immersion. My kids loved it! They quickly picked up everyday words and phrases, which boosted their confidence. I also noticed that the variety of voices and accents really helped improve their listening skills.
What stands out most is its thoughtful design by language experts, guiding kids step by step. The app is user-friendly, works offline, and is ad-free, making it great for road trips. However, it focuses mainly on vocabulary with little grammar, and some games can be a bit too complex for younger users.
Why Learn French with Studycat
- Rich Vocabulary: Kids learn 200 words and phrases in a fun and lasting way.
- Extensive Content: Enjoy 70 lessons organized into 12 exciting thematic courses.
- Age-Appropriate Design: Created by language educators specifically for children aged 3 to 10.
- Perfect for Young Learners: Ideal for preschoolers and early learners to dive into a new language in an enjoyable way.
Costs
- Annual Subscription for One Language: $49.99 (available for languages like English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese).
- Annual Subscription for All Five Languages: $99.99.
18. Frantastique
Frantastique feels like a creative French classroom. After a free level assessment, lessons are tailored to your skills, whether you’re refreshing your French or polishing your business vocabulary. Its quirky approach—learning with characters like Victor Hugo or even friendly aliens—along with cultural touches from French songs and films, makes the experience both fun and memorable.
Daily lessons last just 10 to 15 minutes, so they fit easily into a busy schedule and help keep your momentum. However, the app is a bit pricey and may not be ideal for complete beginners who need more introductory support.
Why Learn French with Frantastique
- Modern and Practical French: Perfect for mastering contemporary French and business vocabulary.
- Personalized Lessons: Daily content tailored to your level and goals, with exercises, videos, and real-life topics—all delivered with humor and effectiveness.
- Cultural Diversity: Explore the French-speaking world through the 21st-century adventures of Victor Hugo, featuring stories, quotes, movie clips, and songs.
- Risk-Free Trial: Try Frantastique free for 7 days and discover how enjoyable and rewarding language learning can be.
Costs
- Basic Plan: Approximately $16/month (billed annually).
- Premium Plan: Around $22/month for 12 months or $17/month for 24 months.
- Free Trial: 7-day free trial available.
My Final Thoughts About the Best Apps to Learn French
f you want to learn French in simply the best or the “le meilleur” way, it’s important to know what type of learning style suits your needs best.
I believe in the benefits of immersive learning, and whether that means you sign up to an app like Rosetta Stone or dive head first into all the seasons of Dans la Nuit or enjoy the reality of The Parisian Agency, surrounding yourself with French is the best way to learn.
Don’t put all your croissants in one basket – sign up for more than one app, watch French TV, and listen to French music. Become French, and your lips will follow.
Happy studying, mon ami.
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Disclaimer: I select and review independently. If you buy through affiliate links, I may earn commissions that help support my testing at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure for more information.
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