How to Learn French for Free: the 6 Best Apps
Choose the best app to learn French with these 6 honest reviews
As a French learning coach, my biggest recommendation is always: use what works for you.
I rarely recommend apps specifically, because these aren’t my focus. I focus on helping English speakers learn French by developing a winning mindset and efficient strategies. Using an app that you love can be part of the strategy that will work for you.
These eight apps offer French, and several other languages. Try them out, and see what works for you. Ready to dive in?
Duolingo
Probably the most popular language learning app available, Duolingo won Apple’s iPhone App of the Year. The free version is easy to use and offers a choice of 43 different languages. When you set up your profile, the app will ask you how much time you want to spend per day learning your chosen language. You can choose from 5 to 20 minutes. But be careful not to over commit because the app will send notifications to your phone to remind you to do the work. They also have a web app available for you to study on any device, which automatically syncs to your phone.
Key Features:
- Read, Listen and Speak
- Game Features
- In Lesson Grading
- Motivational Push Notifications
- Easy to Use
- Web and Mobile App
Memrise
Using the free version of this app will start you off with some basic words and phrases. As the phrase appears on the screen, you will also hear the words being spoken. The cool thing about this app is that is comes with a help me remember button. When you click on it, images appear that help you to visualize the word. These are added by other users and are quite amusing. You can add your own as well. If you decide to upgrade to the paid version, you have access to chatbots and a variety of games to enhance your learning experience.
Key Features:
- Read and Listen
- Online Community
- Daily Goals
- Web and Mobile App
- Added Premium Membership Features
Learn French +
If you want to learn conversational French for traveling, Learn French + (Apple devices only) is a great choice. It provides 101 lessons for practical situations like getting through airports, asking for directions and checking into a hotel. Students will like the edgy lessons you won't find in other apps like Limousines, In the Hot Tub, Pick-up Lines and Rejections. There are over 4,000 interactive exercises that make the app fun to use. Master pronunciation using advanced voice recognition. Achieve your daily goal and Pingo the panda will do a little dance to celebrate.
Key Features
- Practical & Fun
- Interactive Exercises
- Voice Recognition
- Track Progress
- Learning Companion
- Daily Phrases
Busuu
The great feature of Busuu is that it allows you to gain McGraw-Hill Certification. It also gives you accent training and tips on grammar. There are 14 major languages available with a range of levels from basic to fluent. Busuu has created a worldwide community that gives you the opportunity to practice your vocabulary with native speakers. It also has a web app so you can use it on any device. As you study you earn booster berries as rewards for your progress, which acts as a motivational tool.
Key Features:
- Read, Listen and Speak
- Online Community
- Certified Course
- Web and Mobile App
- Added Premium Membership Features
Lingvist
Lingvist is a cutting-edge language learning platform designed for the modern learner. Using AI technology, it provides an efficient learning experience that adapts to your individual learning pace and style. With its adaptive algorithms, personalized content, and real-life language lessons based on real-world conversations and situations, Lingvist can help you reach your language goals faster.
Lingopie
Can you learn French by watching videos? Liñgöpie is an interactive video platform aiming to help you do just that, and is a great way to get your Daily French Bath!
When you subscribe, you choose your preferences so Liñgöpie will show you genres you like to watch. This is content made by French people for French people, so you’ll learn about French culture and French slang.
Liñgöpie is most effective for the Immersion part of the SAIS method - it’s a fun and easy way to improve your listening skills.
Your next steps
If you like this way of learning French, you will love to learn with me as a student or client. Please check out:
- My 1-1 coaching program, The French Transformation, if you need to improve your French fast.
- My group program, The French Fluency Accelerator, if you’d like to join a community of students from all over the world. We have weekly practice calls together and the best online video library to learn French.
Pro tip: you don’t need to choose!
All my 1-1 clients are invited to join the French Accelerator free of charge.
Feel free to book a call with me now to discuss options.
If you liked this, here's some more:
How to learn French with LingoPie - Honest Review
How to learn French with Ling app - Honest Review
About the Authors
Angel Pretot is a French learning coach. He works online with English speakers from all over the world, helping them learn French fast and become fluent.
You can work with him, in his one-on-one program the French Transformation, or join a global community of French learners in his group program the French Fluency Accelerator.
Linda Unger is an avid French Learner who dreams of having a stone house in Bretagne someday. She also loves writing, knitting and dogs. She joined the French Fluency team as a writer in 2020.