---
title: "The best apps to learn French (and what they can't do)"
description: "Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu, Anki, Memrise or Rosetta Stone: what each app to learn French is good for, its limits and how to combine them to make real progress."
url: "https://laclassefrancaise.es/en/blog/best-apps-to-learn-french"
lang: "en"
author: "Thierry Gustin"
published: "2026-10-30"
updated: "2026-11-07"
---

# The best apps to learn French (and what they can't do)

> **Key takeaways** — The most useful apps to learn French are Duolingo for building a habit, Babbel and Busuu for structured lessons, Anki or MosaLingua for memorising vocabulary, and the free resources from RFI and TV5MONDE for listening. None of them replaces conversation with a person: they work as a daily complement, not as a complete method.

**Apps to learn French** have made language learning accessible to everyone: ten minutes on the bus are enough to review vocabulary. But many learners come to their first lesson with me after months on an app… unable to hold a conversation. Here is what each one is really good for, and how to combine them.

## Comparison of the best-known apps

**The main apps to learn French**

| App | What it's good for | Its limits | Pricing model |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Duolingo | Building a daily habit, basic vocabulary | Little grammar explanation, almost no real conversation | Free with ads, paid version |
| Babbel | Structured lessons with dialogues and explained grammar | Limited speaking practice | Paid |
| Busuu | Courses by CEFR level and corrections from other users | Corrections depend on the community | Free with paid features |
| Anki | Memorising vocabulary with spaced repetition | You have to create or choose the flashcards; it doesn't teach grammar | Free on computer and Android, paid on iPhone |
| Memrise | Vocabulary with videos of native speakers | Little grammatical depth | Free with paid features |
| Rosetta Stone | Total immersion, no translations | Slow for understanding grammar; no explanations in English | Paid |

Each app's terms and prices change often: check them on their official websites, such as [Duolingo](https://www.duolingo.com/), [Babbel](https://www.babbel.com/) or [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/).

## Free resources I genuinely recommend

Beyond paid apps, there are excellent free resources made by French-language media:

- **RFI's [Journal en français facile](https://www.rfi.fr/fr/podcasts/journal-en-fran%C3%A7ais-facile)**: ten minutes of news in clear French, with the transcript. Ideal from A2 onwards.
- **TV5MONDE Apprendre**: comprehension exercises based on real videos, sorted by level.
- **French radio and podcasts**: [France Inter](https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter) for advanced learners.
- **Online dictionaries** such as [Le Robert](https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/), with examples and the register of each word.

## Can you learn French with an app alone?

You can **start** with an app and learn a fair amount of vocabulary. But an app cannot:

1. **Make you really speak** and react to what you say.
2. **Spot your recurring mistakes** and explain why you make them.
3. **Adapt the content to your goal**: an exam, an interview or a meeting.
4. **Correct your pronunciation** precisely.

That's why apps work best as a **daily complement** to a method with real interaction, as I explain in [how to learn French in 6 steps](https://laclassefrancaise.es/en/blog/how-to-learn-french).

## A combination that works

**How to combine apps and lessons**

| When | Tool | Goal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Every day, 10 min | Anki or Duolingo | Vocabulary and consistency |
| Every day, 10 min | Podcast or radio | Training your ear |
| Once or twice a week | Private lesson | Speaking, correcting mistakes, progressing with a plan |
| Before an exam | Targeted mock exams | Mastering the format and timing |

To prepare for an official exam, general apps are not enough: you need mock exams in the real format. That's why I created [DelfOnline](https://delfonline.es), a platform for preparing the DELF, DALF and TCF designed for Spanish speakers, with mock exams that follow the official timing and marking scales.

> **My advice** — Choose **one** app and use it every day for three months instead of trying five at once. And from the first month, speak with someone at least once a week: that is what turns app vocabulary into real French.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best free app to learn French?

To start with, the free version of Duolingo, plus Anki for vocabulary. For listening, the free resources from RFI and TV5MONDE are of very high quality.

### Is Duolingo good for learning French?

It helps you build a habit and learn basic vocabulary, but it is not enough to speak fluently or pass an official exam.

### Which app is best for preparing for the DELF?

A dedicated platform with mock exams, such as DelfOnline, combined with a teacher's corrections for writing and speaking.

### How long should I use an app each day?

Between 10 and 15 minutes a day is enough if you combine it with listening to real French and conversation.

If you want to move from the app to real conversation, my [French conversation lessons](https://laclassefrancaise.es/en/french-conversation-lessons) are designed for exactly that.

— Thierry Gustin, Profesor nativo de francés · November 7, 2026