With over a decade of frequent business travel to Italy, I’ve grown enamored by its culture and slowly grasped the vocabulary. While language proficiency takes time, apps help learn the basics, especially for daily conversations with locals.
In my initial trips, I tried over 22 popular Italian learning apps, evaluating aspects like teaching methods, lessons and content quality, ease of use, and hands-on experience as a beginner, I cherrypicked the top 10 apps for the job.
So, are you ready to start?
Top 10 Apps for Learning Italian [Android & iOS]
At first, I was sceptical about using apps for learning this language. However, after using them for a while, I discovered their effectiveness and convenience. Based on my experience as a now intermediate Italian speaker, I compiled this list with both free and paid options.
The apps I recommend not only teach vocabulary and phrases but also sentence construction. This allows you to gain the skills needed to converse fluidly.
Let’s begin without further ado!
1. Learn Italian for Beginners
At the top, there’s an app that is completely free to use and aimed at those who are just starting with the language. The app uses a mix of images, flashcards, and games to help you learn the language.
It provides reading, writing, and speaking exercises. There are different topics, and you will be tested on each of them from time to time. The app also comes with audio notes that help you get the pronunciation right.
Furthermore, the app also ensures they’ve used the right accents because accents matter a lot when it comes to the Italian language.
Key Features
- 500+ words with images and audio.
- Tests and exams after each topic.
- Teaches 36 topics spread across 3 levels.
- Ensures you get the accent right.
- The app is completely free.
2. Babbel
Babbel is a popular language-learning app that teaches Italian, as well as 13 other languages including German and French. Babbel is my personal favorite given the clean and swift UI. I also appreciate their quick and well-designed Italian lessons.
Babbel’s course designers have actually given it a lot of thought and they start teaching from the basics and keep building on it. The lessons have a lot of callbacks and repetitions, with regular tests and quizzes.
Key Features
- Clean and easy-to-use UI.
- Comes with situation-based lessons.
- Develop your Italian speaking, writing, and listening skills.
- Tests and quizzes to help you retain better.
- Can be used offline.
3. Busuu
One of the best ways to learn any language is to talk to a native speaker. Busuu gets that right. The app connects you with a native Italian speaker, who would not only help you with your language and vocabulary but also with accents.
The more you converse with them, the better you can get at it. The app also provides a ton of learning material and regularly updates the content to keep you up to date.
I also like their video flashcards, which is one of my favorite features of Busuu. The app also creates notes for you by saving everything you’ve learned in one place so you can quickly refer to it.
Key Features
- Interact with native Italian speakers.
- Content is regularly updated.
- Provides cultural tips and context.
- Get a certificate after learning Italian.
- Teaches 13 other languages including Korean and Arabic.
4. Learn Italian – Speak Italian
Mondly is one of the best free apps that can help you learn Italian. The app helps develop four skills – reading, speaking, listening, and writing.
Mondly also features a dictionary, as well as a verb conjugator which gives detailed grammatical insights.
My favorite feature here is the app that allows you to practice conversations with a chatbot. It also has simple games and daily lessons, as well as provides stats on your progress.
Lastly, a special mention to Mondly’s UI which is quite easy to figure out on the first attempt itself.
Key Features
- Fun games to learn with entertainment.
- Practice conversations with a chatbot.
- Tests that help you learn faster.
- Improves your Italian vocabulary.
- Leaderboard to keep you motivated.
5. Pimsleur
Pimselur provides 30-minute daily language lessons on your phone, like having a personal language coach. The app helps you listen to words, explains meanings, and uses quizzes, flashcards and interactive media to ensure you keep improving.
Pimsleur is also compatible with Amazon Echo devices, which is another pretty neat feature. Besides Italian, the app can also help you learn 50 other languages including Greek, Vietnamese, and Thai. You can even sync your progress across devices.
Key Features
- 30-minutes daily lessons.
- Frequent tests to ensure you retain learning.
- Sync progress across devices.
- Connects with Amazon Echo devices.
- Teaches over 50 languages.
6. Beelinguapp: Language Learning
The idea behind Beelinguapp is to help you learn the Italian language naturally. This app does not enforce a curriculum upon you but instead focuses on natural means such as audiobooks, music, news articles, etc.
It also gives you a phrasebook where you can check out different phrases. There’s also a space where you can practice your pronunciation. It gives you a side-by-side comparison of two languages, which makes learning a very natural experience.
One of my favorite features here is their comprehensive dictionary which gives you meanings and use cases for all the words you search.
Key Features
- Audiobooks and stories.
- Carries a comprehensive dictionary.
- Stories for all ages and interest groups.
- Practice your pronunciation here.
- Monthly subscriptions without long-term contracts.
7. Memrise Easy Language Learning
While I was trying out all the different apps, Memrise was actually one of the first ones I started with. The app focuses on a very practical method of learning where you focus on real-life scenarios.
There are words and phrases which can be used in day-to-day conversations that you can use. The app also carries videos and audio notes from locals pronouncing words the correct way which can help you watch and learn.
Lastly, my favorite feature here is the AI language tutor with whom you can converse in Italian and it will highlight your mistakes and help you correct them. Amazing, isn’t it?
Key Features
- Integrates data from leading language applications.
- Focuses on practical conversations.
- Videos and audio notes from native speakers.
- AI Chatbot to help build conversation flow.
- Quick phrases for real-life use cases.
8. Learn Italian – 11,000 Words
FunEasyLearn is an app that I deliberately included in this list because of one special feature – games. FunEasyLearn focuses its entire language-learning pedagogy around games.
There are 30 types of games, quizzes, and puzzles that you can play in order to learn different topics. The app also makes use of beautifully designed images and illustrations that drive home the point.
It isn’t only about the visuals, as the app has also got you covered on the audio front. There are audio notes recorded by native speakers. The app has multiple difficulty levels which teach you new and more complex things as you progress.
Key Features
- Learn while playing games.
- 30 different types of quizzes, puzzles, and games.
- Audio notes for better pronunciation.
- Great app for kids and young learners.
- The app can be used offline.
9. Wlingua
While we have seen some apps on this list that take a fun-first approach, this one is actually the reverse. Wlingua is a great resource to learn Italian. The app focuses heavily on the rules of grammar as well as sentence structures.
It ensures that you speak textbook Italian. Besides that, it also makes use of voice notes to ensure you know how to pronounce certain words, and more importantly, the accents.
There are multiple grammar exercises on this app as well. Wlingua also provides you with a bunch of vocabulary-building topics. Lastly, the app also provides certificates at the end of each level.
Key Features
- Great app for building strong grammar.
- Build vocabulary and learn new words.
- Audio helps you pronounce better.
- Frequent exercises to check retention.
- Get certificates after every level.
10. Infinite Italian
Infinite Italian is similar to FunEasyLearn because it helps you learn the language with the help of games. However, in terms of game quality as well as UI, I’d rank FunEasyLearn higher.
This app, however, is a good option for people who want to use it as a supplementary app for learning rather than using it as the primary app.
Infinite Italian’s core thought is to teach you Italian without the help of English, but by using pictorial representations. There are multiple levels that you go through, each increasing in difficulty.
Key Features
- Uses games to teach.
- Doesn’t use English – relies on images and audio.
- Tests to check your progress.
- Category-based learning approach.
- 30-second levels for saving time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the language is one of the easiest ones to master – and apps make it even simpler. It’s possible to learn this language in 3 months. Especially if you focus on day-to-day conversations.
Both Duolingo and Babbel are great language learning apps. Duolingo has a better UI, while Babbel has a detailed curriculum. You can choose from either of them. But if I were to pick one, it would be Babbel.
Wrap Up!
I hope that my list helps you learn the intricacies of the Italian language. The idea behind learning a language is not just limited to grammar and vocabulary. You need to go beyond that and understand the cultural contexts and how people respond to different things.
As an additional recommendation, I would also suggest you check out Italian magazines and websites, as well as their movies. Italian cinema is world-class and some of their movies can help you with all the cultural context you’d need.
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