Best Apps to Learn German [Free + Paid]

Best Apps to Learn German in 2024 [Free + Paid] - Live In Germany

Living in Germany, you will probably learn the German language soon. It is the best and the easiest way to learn any language. If you have the opportunity to move to Germany or want to improve your curriculum vitae, you can learn German through an app. You can also use these learning apps even if you already live in Germany. These apps give you more support daily and can boost your confidence to live a better and more confident life in Germany.

Do You Know About Integration Course in Germany?

In the dynamic and multicultural society of Germany, the Integration Course (Integrationskurs) serves as a pivotal platform for immigrants and newcomers to familiarize themselves with the nation’s language, culture, legal system, and societal norms. Embarking on a journey that aims to weave the threads of social cohesion and mutual understanding, participants delve into the intricacies of the German language while also exploring the values, history, and daily life in the country. The course, typically consisting of a language and an orientation component, not only paves the way for effective communication in everyday situations but also ensures that immigrants are well-versed in the principles of democratic society and the legal system of Germany. Through this multifaceted educational initiative, participants are empowered to navigate through their new surroundings, contributing to and benefiting from the rich tapestry of German society.

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Looking for Information about Integration Course

Check out our detailed article on Integration Course in Germany [ncluding Personal Experience.

Why learn the German Language

Learning the German language offers several benefits to people living in Germany or out of Germany. These benefits include;

  • Learning German opens the door to economic powers.
  • Provide students with access to top-ranked universities in the world
  • Gives opportunity to business professionals to expand their services in Germany
  • German is an easy language for native English speakers because 60% of the vocabulary is the same in both languages
  • Education is economical in Germany
  • Most commonly and widely spoken language in Europe

Can You Choose Two Different Apps to Learn German?

Every person has different learning capabilities. Few can easily learn through reading or writing a language, but others learn better by listening and speaking. Most people can read and understand a language more than they can write or speak because writing and speaking a new language requires some skills. Reading and listening are comparatively easy.

Once you know how to read, write, listen, and speak, you are fully mastering the language you were trying to learn. Some apps focus on all four areas of learning a new language, while others only focus on one or two areas. You can choose one or more apps to learn German according to your understanding level and ease.

Best Free / Paid Apps to Learn the German Language

There are apps where you can learn a language easily and build your strengths in a new language. Once you learn the German language, you will have apps to work on the areas in which you are weak. Please choose two or more apps to learn a language in a better way. Later, you can finalize one or two apps that suit you best in learning.

There are hundreds of thousands of free and paid apps that can provide you support to learn German. Here is the list of apps available on the Google Play Store and iOS.

Application Short Description German Level Paid or Free
Memrise Quick learning platform and improves vocabulary Beginner Free
Drops Best for visual learners to improve vocabulary Beginner Free
Babbel Train all skills including business German Intermediate or Advanced Free
Yabla Learning by watching interactive videos Intermediate or Advanced Free
Preply Connects language learners with tutors All levels Free / Paid
Mosa Lingua Personalized study platform with flashcards All levels Paid
Der Die Das Learning of three German articles Intermediate or Advanced Free
Basuu Social network with personalized feedback Beginner or Intermediate Free
Pimsleur Offers five levels of learning German Intermediate or Advanced Paid
Lingopie Learning through video-based TV shows Intermediate or Advanced Paid
Tandem Connect with other Tandem user Intermediate or Advanced Free

Important Instructions

While learning German through an app, you must look for the progress you are making daily. If you think you are not getting benefits and not improving with every passing day, you must carefully consider the app you have chosen for your learning process. Choose an app that gives you fun during your learning process, so your motivation level allows you to continue the learning process.

These apps offer both free and paid versions. Detailed information about these apps is given below;

Memrise

Memrise is a vocabulary improvement app that offers its users much more. This app is built on the repetition scenario of words and phrases so you may never forget them. With the repetition of words and phrases, your memory will remember them and improve with time.

What we like
  • Colorful flashcards make learning more fun and enjoyable
  • Video clips improve users' listening skills
  • Teaches both single words and phrases
  • Seven different levels for users at various stages
  • Multiple courses to choose based on interests
  • Provides pronunciation help with native speakers
  • Lessons are based on real-life situations, like ordering food or buying tickets
What we did not like
  • Only aids in study, doesn't make students fluent in German
  • Lacks focus on speaking skills and grammar
  • Needs to be used alongside other apps to learn German fully
  • Not suitable for professional and advanced learners
  • Most lessons are geared towards beginners

Pricing

This app offers both free and paid versions. The paid version of this app starts from Euros 8.99 each month. The basic free version provides limited features and content, but the premium version provides access to enhanced features and more content.

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Check out "Memrise" to Learn German

Drops

Drops is an app that focuses on vocabulary and offers to learn through visualization. In this app, the user will match the given word with the relevant image, making learning easy and the process fun.

What we like
  • Helps learners remember words by linking them with images
  • Reminds users to study for at least five minutes daily
  • Allows online access and listening tests anytime
  • Attractive and user-friendly interface
  • Fun and relaxing games for learners
  • Simple, understandable, and easy-to-use app
  • Lessons fit easily into daily routines alongside other tasks
  • Lessons cover real-life topics like food, travel, work, and shopping
  • Mixed learning approach with audio, text, and pictures for easy learning
What we did not like
  • Focuses only on phrases and vocabulary, lacking grammar and speaking improvement
  • Not suitable for full German language learning
  • Some images are difficult to match with words
  • Limited variety of games

💰Pricing

The app offers a five minutes play time with the free version of this app. You can get a premium version, too, in which users can play for an unlimited period. The premium version of this app starts at Euro 5 per month.

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Check out "Drop" to Learn German

Babbel

This app is specifically for professionals and asks for quizzes before you register yourself for a course. The app tries to know your level through their quizzes and tests and registers you in a more suitable course. The app has a trainer with whom you can practice your course and speak the German language anytime. You can improve your accent and speech with the help of an assigned trainer.

Babbel has introduced their live classes at the end of 2021, making them more interactive and interesting for sincere learners.

What we like
  • Offers a business German language course for advanced learners
  • Helps business professionals achieve their goals
  • Includes speech recognition technology
  • Uses repetition to help remember words and phrases
  • Provides detailed grammar explanations in practice exercises
  • Focuses on grammar, speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills
  • Offers live classes with up to 8 participants for a more interactive experience
What we did not like
  • No interaction with trainers or teachers for conversational practice
  • Most exercises focus on phrases over vocabulary
  • Lacks interaction features with other users, trainers, and learners

💰Pricing

This app offers free and paid versions starting from 8 Euros per month.

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Check out "Babbel" to Learn German

Yabla

Yabla is an app that lets its users learn German through video sessions. You choose videos according to your interests. There are several topics and different language levels.

Yabla Popular App to Learn German with pros and cons
What we like
  • Allows video slow-down for better understanding and clarity
  • Clickable words for instant translation
  • Fun games available to track learning progress
  • Downloadable video transcripts for later practice
  • Subtitles available in both German and English
  • Offers various exercises, including multiple-choice questions and writing tasks
  • Engaging video content designed for learners
  • Videos sorted by difficulty level for appropriate learning stages
What we did not like
  • Some videos are outdated and may lack interest
  • Lessons lack a structured and organized format
  • Challenging for beginners needing more guidance
  • Outdated website design lacking modern appeal
  • Does not focus on improving speaking skills

💰Pricing

This app offers a 15-day free trial to the users. The paid version starts from 11.95 Euros per month.

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Check out "Yabla" to Learn German

Preply

Preply is an app that connects language learners with tutors through video calls. You can choose a tutor per your needs, requirements, country of origin, specialty, coaching prices, and timings. This all varies for each tutor. If your tutor is from Germany, you will have to pay between 20 to 50 Euros for their charges.

What we like
  • Offers trial lessons with selected tutors to customize timing, duration, and pricing
  • Ability to change tutors and request refunds if progress is lacking
What we did not like
  • Limited lesson packages available
  • Placement test not favored by all learners

💰Pricing

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Check out "Preply" to Learn German

MosaLingua

Millions of users use this app for language learning. 

What we like
  • Provides an easy, quick, and affordable way to learn the language
  • Offers expert guidance and advice through the app
  • Team of 30 experts from different nationalities
  • User-friendly interface with easy access to content and features
  • Repetition methodology helps learners remember flashcard content
  • Premium version includes advanced features like e-books, short stories, videos, German music, and audiobooks
  • Well-structured lessons for quick and easy learning
What we did not like
  • Design and interface not as attractive as competitor apps
  • Premium version focuses mainly on listening, grammar, and vocabulary
  • Multiple programs can confuse beginners when selecting the best fit

💰Pricing

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Check out "Mosalingua" to Learn German

Der Die Das

If you have a goal to learn the three German articles, then you would love to sign up on this app.

What we like
  • Simple design with a user-friendly interface
  • Ability to search for difficult words to repeat
  • Learn basic rules of articles
  • Understand the use of each article, though examples for clarity are lacking
What we did not like
  • No translation for complicated words
  • Missing plural forms
  • Numerous ads in the app; ad-free version requires payment

💰Pricing

This app is completely free for its users.

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Check out "DerDieDas App" to Learn German

Busuu

This is a detailed app that focuses both on grammar and vocabulary. It includes writing, speaking, and listening exercises. It only requires 5 to 20 minutes a day. A native German speaker will check your spoken and written exercises right after submitting them.

What we like
  • Real-life conversation style design
  • Real feedback from native German speakers for writing and speaking exercises
  • Grammar and vocabulary improvement through various exercise types (fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, true/false, puzzles)
  • Choice of lessons and exercises based on various topics
  • Level assessment available through tests
  • Offers live classes
  • User-friendly, attractive, and simple interface
  • Progress report to track new words learned
What we did not like
  • Lacks entertaining games compared to competitor apps
  • Fewer grammar explanations compared to other apps
  • No fun games to enhance the learning experience
  • Some exercises lack explanations for incorrect answers
  • Certain exercises have no translation for the content

💰Pricing

It is a free app in which you first give an assessment test of almost 10 minutes to know your level and then get access to the exercises.

Premium plus version is also available in which you can plan your study according to your plan and with ease. You can download all lessons for repetition through the premium plus version of this app. The cost of the premium plus version is around 6.66 Euros.

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Check out "Busuu" to Learn German

Pimsleur

This audio app offers only five levels of the German language. This app has 80 hours of listening courses and exercises. One lesson in this app is 30 minutes only. As this is an audio app, you do not need to write words. You only have to listen and repeat them to complete an exercise during the language learning process.

What we like
  • Great for improving listening and speaking skills
  • Focus on grammar and vocabulary
  • Up-to-date and modern dashboard
  • User-friendly, easy, and simple interface
What we did not like
  • More expensive compared to other apps
  • Limited reading practice exercises

💰Pricing

This app offers only one free lesson. After the first lesson, users have to pay 21,99 Euros monthly.

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Check out "Pimsleur" to Learn German

Lingopie

This is also a video-based app to learn German but doesn’t have old videos. It has a huge collection of TV shows, real-life videos, and movies. This gives the best experience, just like Netflix. You can spend your free time watching videos on the Lingopie app rather than on Netflix.

What we like
  • Suitable for all learning stages with adjustable play speed
  • Option to watch videos with English or German subtitles
  • Ability to mark words and save them on flashcards
  • Available on desktop, Apple, and Google Play stores
  • Thousands of TV shows for learners to choose from
  • Access to various languages
What we did not like
  • Missing latest, familiar, and popular shows
  • Fewer opportunities for speaking practice

💰Pricing

There is a 7-day free trial, and the paid version starts from 10.89 Euros per month.

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Check out "Lingopie" to Learn German

Tandem

This unique app doesn’t provide you with the exercises and the courses for the language learning process. It connects you to another Tandem user, usually a native German speaker. You have to set up your profile on the app and find a suitable language partner according to your interests, location, and language level. 

What we like
  • Interact with other users via chat, live messages, and video calls
  • Real conversations with people enhance confidence and reduce fears
  • Teach your native language to other users
  • Offers translation and spell-check tools for fast learning
What we did not like
  • Not recommended for beginners; best for advanced learners
  • Lesson plans are not well-structured, requiring use of other apps
  • Premium version is relatively expensive

💰Pricing

This app is free, and if you want to be a tutor, you must have the paid version.

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Check out "Tandem" to Learn German

Conclusion

So, this is it! Now you know the language learning apps that are amazing to use. You can learn a language anytime by registering yourself. You might find yourself uncomfortable with a few apps, so it would be best if you choose an app according to your need, level, and choice for maximum output and progress.

**Source: Translation vector created by pch.vector – www.freepik.com


Jibran Shahid

Jibran Shahid

Hi, I am Jibran, your fellow expat living in Germany since 2014. With over 10 years of personal and professional experience navigating life as a foreigner, I am dedicated to providing well-researched and practical guides to help you settle and thrive in Germany. Whether you are looking for advice on bureaucracy, accommodation, jobs, or cultural integration, I have got you covered with tips and insights tailored specifically for expats. Join me on my journey as I share valuable information to make your life in Germany easier and more enjoyable.

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