🇫🇷 13 Must-Try French Learning Apps
(with Reviews & Comparison Table)
Whether you dream of sipping coffee at a Parisian café, exploring the lavender fields of Provence, or watching French films without subtitles, learning French opens up a world of experiences. But with so many language apps out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—where should you even start?
The good news? You don’t need to choose just one perfect app. Different tools suit different learning styles, goals, and moments in your day. Some apps are great for building vocabulary, others for improving listening or mastering grammar.
In this guide, I’ve rounded up 13 of the best apps to learn French—each with a quick overview, pros and cons, and tips on who it’s best for. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to brush up your skills, you’ll find something here to fit your routine and your style.
Let’s dive in and find the right fit for your French journey.
🌐 How to Choose the Best French App for You
- Do you learn better by reading, listening, speaking, or watching?
- Are you starting from scratch or brushing up?
- Do you prefer structured lessons or flexible, immersive content?
Understanding your preferences will help you make the most of each app. Let’s look at the top picks!
🌟 Top 13 Best Apps to Learn French in 2025
📈 App-by-App Reviews
🇫🇷 Babbel — Structured & Practical Learning for Everyday French
Babbel is a well-rounded language learning app that focuses on real-life conversations and grammar essentials. Designed by a team of language experts, it offers structured lessons that build progressively, helping you feel more confident with each session. With a focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing, it’s great for learners who like a balanced, methodical approach.
✅ Pros
- 🕒 Short, focused lessons (just 10–15 minutes) — perfect for busy schedules.
- 🧱 Strong emphasis on grammar and sentence structure — ideal for building a solid foundation.
- 🗣️ Speech recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation.
- 🌍 Lessons tailored to your native language, offering a more personalized experience.
⚠️ Cons
- 🚫 Not ideal for full immersion or free-form learning styles.
- 💰 Limited free content — a subscription is required for full access.
- 🎭 Less cultural content compared to some competitors.
🎯 Who it’s for
Babbel is ideal for beginners to lower-intermediate learners who enjoy a structured, logical learning path and want to make steady progress.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Babbel, you’ll gain confidence in everyday conversations, master essential grammar, and learn to form your own sentences — not just repeat phrases. It’s like having a personal French tutor in your pocket, guiding you one step at a time.
Curious about alternatives? Read our detailed comparison Babbel vs Duolingo to see which app fits you best.
📚 Beelinguapp — Learn French Through Stories Side-by-Side
Beelinguapp takes a unique, story-based approach to language learning by letting you read French texts side-by-side with your native language. Whether it’s fairy tales, news articles, or classic literature, you’re learning French in context, supported by engaging content and audio narration.
✅ Pros
- 📖 Bilingual reading format helps you instantly understand tricky sentences.
- 🧠 Great variety of content—from beginner stories to more advanced articles.
- 🔊 Audio narration by native speakers improves listening and pronunciation.
- 👓 Ideal for bookworms and visual learners!
⚠️ Cons
- 📘 Doesn’t offer much in terms of grammar instruction or structured lessons.
- 🧭 May not suit learners who prefer guided, progressive learning paths.
- 🔒 Some content locked behind a premium subscription.
🎯 Who it’s for
Ideal for curious, independent learners who enjoy reading and want to naturally build vocabulary and comprehension.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Beelinguapp, you’ll expand your vocabulary, sharpen reading and listening skills, and gain more confidence navigating real French texts. It’s a relaxed, immersive way to surround yourself with the language—one story at a time.
🌐 Busuu — Structured Learning Meets Real-Life Interaction
Busuu is a comprehensive language learning app that blends interactive lessons with a supportive community of native speakers. It covers vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and writing through bite-sized units—and even lets you practice with real people for feedback. It’s like a global language exchange, right in your pocket.
✅ Pros
- 🧭 Clear, structured lessons that follow CEFR levels (A1–B2).
- 📅 Personalized study plans to fit your goals and schedule.
- 🗣️ Speaking and writing exercises reviewed by native French speakers.
- 📶 Offline mode available—learn anytime, anywhere.
⚠️ Cons
- 🧍 Limited conversational practice unless you engage with the community.
- 📘 Some grammar explanations are a bit light.
- 💳 Full access requires a subscription.
🎯 Who it’s for
Great for motivated learners who enjoy a guided path but also want real interaction with French speakers.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Busuu, you’ll build a well-rounded understanding of French, develop real communication skills, and feel more confident using the language in everyday situations. And with feedback from native speakers, you’ll never feel like you’re learning alone!
Discover how Busuu compares in our guide to Busuu vs Duolingo.
🟩 Duolingo — Gamified French Learning That Sticks
Duolingo is probably the most recognizable name in language learning apps—and for good reason. With its fun, game-like approach, it turns studying French into a daily habit. You’ll learn vocabulary, basic grammar, and useful phrases through quick, interactive exercises that feel more like a quiz than a lesson.
✅ Pros
- 🏆 Super engaging format with rewards, streaks, and bite-sized lessons.
- 💸 Free to use (with optional premium upgrade).
- 🗂️ Covers a wide range of vocabulary and everyday topics.
- 📅 Great for building consistency with daily practice.
⚠️ Cons
- 🧩 Grammar explanations are minimal or sometimes unclear.
- 🎙️ Limited focus on conversation and pronunciation.
- 🔁 Can feel repetitive over time, especially at beginner levels.
🎯 Who it’s for
Perfect for beginners or casual learners who want to ease into French in a fun, low-pressure way.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
Duolingo helps you build vocabulary, get familiar with sentence structure, and form a consistent learning habit. While it won’t take you to fluency on its own, it’s a fantastic first step—and honestly, it’s pretty fun.
Curious about how Duolingo stacks up against other tools? Read our detailed comparisons like Babbel vs Duolingo, Rosetta Stone vs Duolingo, and more to find your perfect learning app.
Alongside apps, you can boost your progress with free online French lessons available on the web.
🎬 FluentU — Learn French Through Real-World Videos
FluentU takes a unique approach by teaching French through real-world videos—think movie clips, music videos, news segments, and inspiring talks. Each video comes with interactive subtitles, vocabulary definitions, and quizzes, helping you learn naturally in context—just like immersion.
✅ Pros
- 🎥 Authentic content makes learning feel natural and engaging.
- 💬 Interactive subtitles with instant translations and example sentences.
- 👂 Great for improving listening comprehension and cultural understanding.
- 🧠 Personalized quizzes reinforce what you’ve learned from each video.
⚠️ Cons
- 🚫 Not ideal for absolute beginners—grammar support is limited.
- 💰 Can feel pricey for budget-conscious learners.
- 🧭 Less structured than traditional language courses.
🎯 Who it’s for
Best for intermediate learners who want to improve listening skills and absorb how French is really spoken in the wild.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With FluentU, you’ll sharpen your ear for native pronunciation, build confidence understanding spoken French, and learn authentic vocabulary in real contexts. It’s like streaming your way to fluency—entertaining and effective.
🧠 FunEasyLearn — Visual Vocabulary Builder with a Massive Word Bank
FunEasyLearn is a vocabulary powerhouse, offering an enormous library of French words and phrases organized into practical topics. With colorful illustrations, native audio, and gamified quizzes, it helps you memorize and retain vocabulary in a fun, bite-sized way. Especially great for visual learners and repetition fans!
✅ Pros
- 📚 Massive database — over 6,000 words and 5,000 phrases.
- ✍️ Covers reading, writing, listening, and even handwriting.
- 🎨 Beautiful illustrations help with visual memory.
- 📴 Available offline, and supports 60+ interface languages.
⚠️ Cons
- 📘 Limited grammar explanations and no structured sentence practice.
- 🔁 Focus is mostly on vocabulary—not a full course.
- ⏳ Some repetition can feel monotonous over time.
🎯 Who it’s for
Ideal for beginners and travelers who want to build a strong vocabulary base quickly and love visual learning.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With FunEasyLearn, you’ll stock your brain with thousands of useful words and phrases, giving you the confidence to understand and be understood in everyday situations. It won’t teach you to debate politics in French—but it will get you talking fast!
📺 Lingopie — Binge-Watch Your Way to Better French
Lingopie is a binge-watcher’s dream turned language learning tool. It lets you watch French TV shows, movies, and documentaries with interactive subtitles, turning screen time into productive learning. You can click on any word for a translation, create flashcards, and rewatch scenes to lock in vocabulary and expressions.
✅ Pros
- 🎭 Real French content with native accents, slang, and culture.
- 💬 Interactive subtitles let you learn without breaking the flow.
- 🎞️ Great variety of genres—from dramas to comedies and kids’ shows.
- 🗂️ Built-in flashcards and review tools to reinforce what you watch.
⚠️ Cons
- 🚸 Less helpful for total beginners—it assumes some base knowledge.
- 📚 Limited grammar explanations and structure.
- ⏱️ Requires focus and time—less effective for passive viewing.
🎯 Who it’s for
Best for intermediate learners and up who want to improve listening skills and sound more natural in conversation.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Lingopie, you’ll train your ear to understand real spoken French, pick up authentic expressions, and enjoy French culture along the way. It’s immersive learning made entertaining—you’re not just watching TV, you’re absorbing the language.
🧩 Memrise — Master Vocabulary with Native Video & Repetition
Memrise blends spaced repetition with video-based learning, helping you memorize vocabulary and phrases while tuning your ear to real French as it’s spoken on the street—not just in a classroom. The app features short video clips of native speakers, so you’re not just reading words—you’re seeing and hearing them in context.
✅ Pros
- 🧠 Excellent for vocabulary retention thanks to spaced repetition.
- 🎥 Real-life video clips with native speakers boost listening skills.
- 🗣️ Includes slang and informal speech—very practical!
- 🎮 Fun, fast-paced lessons that feel like a game.
⚠️ Cons
- 🧾 Light on grammar and sentence structure.
- 🧭 Less structured—some courses feel a bit random.
- 📦 User-generated content can vary in quality.
🎯 Who it’s for
Great for beginners to intermediate learners who want to build vocabulary and understand natural, conversational French.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Memrise, you’ll quickly grow your French vocabulary and get used to hearing it in real-life contexts. It’s perfect for prepping for a trip or just sounding more like a local. If you’re tired of textbook French, this is your go-to app.
Want more choices? Take a look at our breakdown of Memrise vs Duolingo.
🎧 Pimsleur — Learn to Speak French with Just Your Ears
Pimsleur is all about speaking and understanding spoken French—no screen required. Its audio-based method gets you talking from the very first lesson, using spaced repetition and a question-response format that mimics real conversations. It’s like having a personal language coach whispering in your ear.
✅ Pros
- 🗣️ Strong focus on pronunciation, listening, and speaking.
- 🚶♂️ Hands-free learning—great for commuting or walking.
- 💬 Builds confidence in forming sentences early on.
- 🧭 Lessons follow a clear, logical progression.
⚠️ Cons
- 📖 Little to no reading or writing practice.
- 🐢 Slower pace may not suit fast-track or visual learners.
- 💸 Subscription cost can be a bit steep.
🎯 Who it’s for
Ideal for auditory learners and anyone who wants to start speaking French naturally—especially on the go.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Pimsleur, you’ll develop a solid accent, learn how to build your own sentences, and gain the confidence to speak French aloud in real situations. Perfect for travelers or anyone who wants to sound good speaking without needing to look at a screen.
For audio learners, see how the two stack up in Pimsleur vs Duolingo.
🏛️ Rosetta Stone — Think in French Through Full Immersion
Rosetta Stone is a classic in the language learning world, known for its no-translation, immersive method. It teaches French the way we learn our first language—through images, repetition, and context, with zero reliance on your native tongue. The goal? To help you think in French, not just translate it.
✅ Pros
- 🌍 Full-immersion method builds intuitive understanding.
- 📐 Clean, consistent structure with a clear beginner-to-intermediate path.
- 🗣️ Excellent pronunciation practice with TruAccent speech recognition.
- 🧠 Great for developing long-term memory and recall.
⚠️ Cons
- 🔁 Can feel repetitive or slow-paced for some learners.
- 📚 Lacks grammar explanations—may frustrate analytical learners.
- 🗨️ Less useful for advanced learners or those focused on slang/conversation.
🎯 Who it’s for
Perfect for beginners who want a deep, immersive learning experience and aren’t in a rush to speak fluently overnight.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Rosetta Stone, you’ll internalize vocabulary and sentence structure, improve pronunciation, and begin to think in French—without falling back on translation. It’s a time-tested method for building lasting, natural language skills.
Another popular matchup is Rosetta Stone vs Duolingo—check out our comparison to help you decide.
🎭 Frantastique — Learn French with Humor, Stories & a Dash of Quirk
Frantastique stands out with its quirky, story-based lessons and a touch of classic French humor. Each daily lesson is personalized and follows an ongoing comic-style storyline, blending grammar, vocabulary, listening, and cultural nuggets. It feels more like a fun mini-series than homework—and it’s tailored to your level.
✅ Pros
- 🧠 Personalized lessons that adapt to your progress and mistakes.
- 🎬 Offbeat, engaging storytelling keeps learning entertaining.
- 🇫🇷 Strong grammar and cultural components—very French!
- ⏱️ Quick daily lessons (10–15 minutes) with instant feedback.
⚠️ Cons
- 🤷 Humor and style might not be for everyone.
- 💳 Not free—offers only a short trial before subscription.
- 👨🏫 More suited to adults than younger learners.
🎯 Who it’s for
Ideal for intermediate to advanced learners who love clever storytelling and want both language depth and cultural insight.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Frantastique, you’ll refine your grammar, expand your vocabulary, and get a solid grip on authentic French—from idioms to cultural quirks. It’s perfect for those ready to go beyond the basics and enjoy being entertained while challenged.
🗂️ Anki — Flashcard Powerhouse for Serious Learners
Anki isn’t your typical language learning app—it’s a powerful flashcard system that uses spaced repetition to help you memorize just about anything, including loads of French vocabulary. You can create your own decks or download pre-made ones, and its smart algorithm ensures you review terms just before you’re likely to forget them.
✅ Pros
- 🧠 Extremely effective for long-term vocabulary retention.
- 🛠️ Fully customizable—add audio, images, example sentences, and more.
- 📚 Huge library of shared decks (many built for French learners).
- 💻 Totally free on desktop, with mobile apps available.
⚠️ Cons
- 📉 Steep learning curve—it’s not plug-and-play.
- 📖 No grammar explanations or structured lessons.
- 😐 Can feel dry or repetitive without variety.
🎯 Who it’s for
Great for focused, independent learners who want to build a strong, memory-based foundation in French—especially vocab and verb forms.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Anki, you’ll lock in vocabulary like a pro, master tricky verb forms, and keep your knowledge fresh over time. It’s not flashy, but it’s a secret weapon for learners who value efficiency and control.
🎧 Français Authentique — Natural French, No Drills Required
Français Authentique is more than just an app—it’s a philosophy of learning French naturally, without grammar drills or memorizing lists. Created by Johan Tekfak, a native French speaker, it offers podcast-style lessons, slow speech, and explanations entirely in French, making it ideal for training your ear and understanding real, everyday language in context.
✅ Pros
- 🗣️ 100% in French—excellent for immersion.
- 🐢 Clear, slow speech helps train your ear to understand spoken French.
- 💬 Focus on natural, everyday language—not textbook phrases.
- 💡 Includes mindset tips and personal development themes to keep you engaged.
⚠️ Cons
- 🔤 No beginner-level explanations in your native language.
- 📚 Limited grammar and vocabulary structure.
- 🧩 Best used as a complement, not a full beginner course.
🎯 Who it’s for
Best for motivated intermediate learners who want to improve listening and gain exposure to authentic, unscripted French.
🏆 What you’ll achieve
With Français Authentique, you’ll learn to understand French as it’s naturally spoken, without translating in your head. You’ll build fluency, improve pronunciation, and absorb real-life expressions. It’s like learning from a thoughtful, encouraging French friend.
Still undecided? Here’s a side-by-side look at the apps to help you compare features, focus areas, and which level of learner each one fits best.
🔢 Comparison Table: Features, Levels & Strengths
| App | Description | Level | Strengths |
| Babbel | Structured lessons with grammar focus | Beginner–Intermediate | Everyday conversation, grammar |
| Beelinguapp | Bilingual reading with audio | Beginner–Intermediate | Vocabulary, reading comprehension |
| Busuu | Structured lessons + native speaker feedback | Beginner–Intermediate | Speaking, grammar, vocabulary |
| Duolingo | Gamified vocabulary and grammar drills | Beginner | Vocabulary, sentence structure |
| FluentU | Real-world videos with subtitles | Intermediate–Advanced | Listening, real-life usage |
| FunEasyLearn | Vocabulary builder with visuals | Beginner | Word and phrase retention |
| Lingopie | TV shows and movies with interactive subtitles | Intermediate–Advanced | Listening, vocabulary, slang |
| Memrise | Video-based vocabulary with spaced repetition | Beginner–Intermediate | Vocabulary, listening |
| Pimsleur | Audio-based conversational method | Beginner–Intermediate | Speaking, pronunciation |
| Rosetta Stone | Immersive visual learning | Beginner–Intermediate | Thinking in French, pronunciation |
| Frantastique | Story-based personalized lessons | Intermediate–Advanced | Grammar, culture, listening |
| Anki | Customizable flashcards with spaced repetition | All levels | Vocabulary retention |
| Français Authentique | Natural French listening and comprehension | Intermediate–Advanced | Listening, fluency |
So which app should you choose? Here’s what I recommend based on your learning style and goals.
🏅 Top Picks by Learning Goal
Looking for the right app for your specific learning style or goal? Here are our top recommendations:
- 🟢 Best for Beginners: Duolingo
A fun, low-pressure way to build a daily habit and start learning from scratch. - 🗣️ Best for Speaking: Pimsleur
Perfect for developing conversational skills and confident pronunciation—hands-free! - 👂 Best for Listening Comprehension:
Français Authentique Immerse yourself in slow, clear, natural French without translations. - 📚 Best for Vocabulary: Anki
Powerful spaced repetition system for mastering words and tricky verb forms. - 🎬 Most Entertaining: Lingopie
Binge-watch your way to fluency with TV shows, movies, and clickable subtitles.
🟩 Final Recommendations
There’s no single “best” app for learning French—what matters most is finding the one that keeps you coming back. If you’re just starting out, an app like Duolingo or Babbel can help you build a solid foundation. Want to boost your speaking skills? Pimsleur is a great choice. Love French cinema or music? Lingopie or Français Authentique will make your practice feel like a treat.
In fact, the best strategy is often to combine two or three tools. For example, use Anki for vocabulary, Busuu for structure and feedback, and FluentU to tune your ear to real-life French.
Most importantly, pick tools that you enjoy using—because consistency is key. A few minutes a day, every day, will take you much further than long, stressful cram sessions.
Want a more structured approach? Check out our guide to the best online French courses for comprehensive learning paths.
Bonne chance, et amuse-toi bien ! 🇫🇷✨