French is the 5th most spoken language in the world with over 320 Million speakers. Learning it can not only boost your career but can also open doors to some of the best writing and cinema in the world.
Whether you’re a student or a professional planning a trip to France or have clients from there, the French learning apps can be incredibly helpful. But with so many choices, it can be tough to choose the right one(s).
No worries, this article explores the best platforms based on teaching methods, user reviews and ratings, courses and features offered, and more to help you find the best fit to build French fluency.
Top 10 Apps for Learning French Language
I started learning French some 4 years ago. I have tried as many as 30 apps over the time. It is based on my testing of these apps that this list has been created. I have tried and prioritized the options that are practical and effective, and have a good user interface.
The apps on the list below give a well-rounded picture of the language, covering everything from reading and speaking to even writing. Another thing that I have focused on is the tones, accents, and the pronunciation. That matters a lot in French. So, without further delay, let’s get into it!
1. Best of All: Duolingo
Duolingo’s iconic green owl is a familiar sight among French learners. It offers daily lessons free of cost and allows you to read, write, and speak the language, covering all three important aspects.
Duolingo has a ‘streak’ feature that keeps you motivated to learn daily. I also like the fact that the app helps me pronounce the words correctly with the help of audio notes.
It also tests your knowledge with regular quizzes and helps you build your vocabulary.
Key Features
- Game-like lessons make learning fun
- Designed by experts in learning and French
- Streaks that motivate you to learn every day
- Quizzes and tests to check your progress
- Learn over 40 other languages in the app
2. Best Runner Up: Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone has personalized courses for people depending on their pre-existing knowledge of French. Even if you are a beginner, you need not worry, as the app can teach you things from scratch as well.
Rosetta Stone teaches French with the help of 10-minute lessons. There’s also a phrasebook in the app that helps you learn different commonly used phrases.
My favorite thing about this app is that it comes with an audio companion to help you get your accents and pronunciation right.
Key Features
- Intuitive language learning method
- Helps you improve your pronunciation
- It can be used offline by downloading lessons
- Sync learning progress across devices
- Over 20 languages to learn on the app
3. Best with 30-Minute Lessons: Pimsleur
Pimsleur is created by Simon & Schuster, a well-known publishing house. This gives it instant credibility. The app has a carefully thought-out curriculum around teaching French.
Here, you get 30-minute lessons every day. One thing that I like about the Pimsleur is that it has a lot of audio-based interactive activities.
This means you can use the app while you are doing the dishes or out for a jog. I also love the fact that Pimsleur can be used along with Amazon’s Echo.
Key Features
- Designed by language learning experts
- Amazing UI, easy to navigate
- It can be used while doing other things
- Supports Amazon Echo
- 30-minute lessons on French
4. Best for Travelers: Memrise
Memrise is one of the best-rated apps. This is how I discovered and tried it. My favorite feature of this app is the ability to hear local speakers pronounce certain words.
This helps me ensure that I can modulate my accent according to that, to get the pronunciation right. The app also has another cool feature – an AI language tutor. You can have complete conversations with this AI tutor, and it will keep correcting your mistakes.
Key Features
- Theme-based conversation helpers
- Teaches French with the help of an AI tutor
- Games and flashcards to learn French
- Teaches new vocabulary and phrases regularly
- Gives a practical knowledge of the language
5. Best with Quizzes & Games: Learn French (Beginners)
It takes no genius to assume what the app called “Learn French (Beginners)” does. It is ideal for beginners. The basic idea here is to help you learn while also ensuring you’re having fun with the help of games and quizzes.
These interactive activities help you learn different words and phrases. In the learning section, you can also find different phrases and conversations based on different themes.
I also appreciate the fact that the app keeps giving rewards and achievements after every level, which keeps users motivated.
Features
- Learn French with the help of games and quizzes
- Tests to improve your writing/reading skills
- Listen to local speakers pronounce words
- Learn even without an internet connection
- Teaches specific phrases for different situations
6. Best for Kids: Learn French by Studycat
Studycat’s French language app is a good option, particularly for kids. This is a great app for young learners which makes use of an animated cat to help kids learn French.
The app has many games and quizzes that help kids learn without making it look ‘educational’. There are several games and quizzes that kids can play here while intuitively picking up the French language.
The app also has a section that ensures proper pronunciation. I like this app and would recommend it for kids and school students.
Key Features
- Designed for kids
- Uses games and quizzes to teach French
- Helps improve French pronunciation
- A ‘brain training’ section to develop critical thinking in kids
- It can be used offline
7. Best for Grammar: Wlingua
Wlingua’s approach towards language learning is quite different from other apps on this list. The idea behind this app is to ensure you get a good hold of the basics first.
This app focuses on grammar and ensures you get the grammar right before you head into making complex sentences. It is a step-by-step pedagogical process.
My favorite features of Wlingua are the writing and speaking practices which help ensure you’re getting things right. There’s also a chatbot here where you can practice conversations.
Key Features
- Academic approach to learning French
- Helps improve reading, writing, and listening skills
- Practice conversations with a chatbot
- Easy-to-use UI
- Get periodic progress reports
8. Best for Practice: Tandem
While most other apps themselves teach you languages, Tandem works differently. The app connects you to another person who speaks that language and you can practice it with them.
It is like a social app similar to Wizz, where you can connect with new people and improve your language skills.
Often, they might want to learn your language and you can benefit each other. Tandem is a great app to be used along with a Duolingo or a Rosetta Stone. It allows you to put your learning to actual use.
The app can also translate and correct your messages, a feature I like. Then there is also the option of creating audio chatrooms, much like Clubhouse. You can also make video calls using Tandem.
Key Features
- Helps you connect with a local speaker
- Helps you improve your vocabulary
- Message correction feature improves grammar
- Make video calls to your language-learning partner
- Supports learning of over 300 languages
9. Best for Ease of Use: Busuu
If you are looking for an app that has a great UI, Busuu is the perfect app for you. Busuu helps you learn French from the most basic to advanced levels. It starts with easy interactions and heads into complex conversations.
Busuu features tips from native speakers which give you a lot of cultural context as well. The app rewards you stars after testing you on lessons, which keeps you motivated.
One of my favorite things about this app is that it allows you to set your own goals and learn at your own comfortable speed.
Features
- Earn stars after every level
- Get cultural context on French culture
- Pronounce words correctly with audio notes
- Set your own weekly goals
- Teaches 14 different languages
10. Best Verb Collection: French Verb Conjugator
While I have given priority to apps with a great UI, there’s this one app that doesn’t rank so high there. However, the French Verb Conjugator makes it to this list solely on the basis of its content.
The app showcases nearly 700 French verbs in all 17 tenses. This is one of the biggest problems people learning French tend to have – not knowing the correct verb x tense combination. This app solves that.
A recent update to the app also brings in the audio feature where you can hear the correct pronunciation of every word.
Key Features
- Features over 700 verbs and 17 tenses
- Save your frequently used verbs
- Export lists to other apps
- Audio option to hear the correct pronunciation
- It can be used offline
Frequently Asked Questions
While it depends from person to person, these apps can help you reach some level of fluency in about 3 to 4 months. However, practice is the key here.
Well, it’s much easier than learning Greek, Thai, Korean, and Arabic. In fact, English speakers can master it in a couple of months.
Wrap Up!
People not just in France, but even in other European nations speak French. It is also a commonly spoken language in Africa and Canada. It is a language of global significance. Learning it is not too hard if you can speak English.
The grammar is pretty similar, and so are most of the words. I hope these apps help you master everything else, including the tone and the accents.
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