A review of the best app for learning Spanish

The classroom or study abroad are no longer the only place to learn Spanish. A plethora of new language-learning apps has made it easy for even a brand new beginner to learn on their own time. Some of them are so polished and interactive, it’s like having a private tutor in the palm of your hand. But if you pick one that doesn’t match your learning style, you’ll feel like you’re beating your head against a wall.

What is the best app for learning Spanish?

When it comes to mobile apps for learning Spanish, Babbel and Rocket Language are two of the most prominent names that come to mind. Both have an extremely strong track record in the industry. Babbel in particular seems to have taken off in recent years. We’ve seen their advertisements all over the internet, and even heard them on podcasts and local radio. There is no doubt that their service has become increasingly popular in recent history.

Rocket Languages, however, has also helped thousands of people learn Spanish, and also boats thousands of extremely positive reviews online. What, then, is the best app for learning Spanish quickly, more efficiently, and retaining your skills for longer? Read on for our review of Babbel vs. Rocket Language for learning Spanish.

For full transparency: Affiliate links are in use on this page, meaning that this site may be compensated if you decide to make a purchase of either app. We strive to make an honest and unbiased assessment based on a variety of criteria.

First of all, what are the criteria for a good Spanish learning app?

• Ease of use – how hard is it to navigate the app, complete Spanish lessons, track your progress, etc?
• Engagement – is it fun? The more you enjoy using the app, the less it feels like a chore or homework. This makes it more likely that you will spend more time with each use, and stick to it for longer overall, increasing your likelihood of success.
• Effectiveness – do the lessons actually help you learn and retain information?
• Real-world use – does the app help you practice and understand contextual Spanish that will actually be useful in your daily life? For most learners, utilitarian, conversational Spanish is more useful than textbook Spanish. Would what you are learning help you while studying or traveling abroad?

I personally have used a myriad of different learning apps throughout the years. I was originally trained in Spanish in middle and high school. I also went on to major in Spanish at University, and I also participated in a 5-month immersive study abroad experience in the south of Spain. So, I will admit that I never thought that I would ever find myself needing a language learning app. But as time went on and I was further out of school, life got in the way. Between work, kids, and social life, I had essentially no time at all to practice. There were no other Spanish speakers, native or otherwise, in the town where I moved for work. I slowly found my language skills slipping away. One year we took a vacation to Mexico, and I was astonished at how much I had lost. I was unable to understand much of what was being said to me (despite learning Castilian Spanish, I was still fairly adept at understanding almost any accent or dialect at the peak of my abilities), and struggled to find words that previously would have been second nature. It was alarming, and I took it as a wake-up call. I had spent years and thousands of dollars perfecting my Spanish skills, yet here I was letting it slip away.

To stem the atrophy, I decided to use a few different Spanish language learning apps to see which I liked the best. I wanted to see which were the most intuitive and comfortable to use, but more importantly, which helped me retain and further develop my language skills the fastest. My wife, who had never previously learned Spanish, decided to join me so that we could get a beginner’s perspective as well.

Throughout this experience of trial and error, we learned a lot about which Spanish language learning app was the best for us. We decided to share this information to help others that are trying to decide which app they want to use to learn Spanish. A quick Google search will show you that there are a lot of different options out there, and it can be overwhelming to choose – especially if you are going to spend money. We hope that this review helps you choose the right app for you.

If the program offers an affiliate link, we’ve included it. That means that we get a small commission if you decide to try one out using our link. That helps us keep this site running, but it doesn’t impact our review. We hope that this is a valuable resource in selecting the Spanish learning app that is right for you.

Which app is the best for learning Spanish? (comparison table)

Best app for learning Spanish

Image	Title	Platforms	Techniques	Pros	Cons	Free trial?	Price	Off-line access (use without WiFi)	Learn more
	Duolingo	Website, iOS, Android	Gamification	Great for vocabulary, simple conjugation, and basic listening skills	Great for conversational Spanish but you will need to upgrade when you get more advanced	Free (ad-supported version)	$9.99 a month for Duolingo Plus (ad-free and unlocks some extra features)	No - Some lessons are available offline in the app for Duolingo Plus subscribers only	Learn more
	Rocket Languages	Website	Interactive audio lessons	Reinforcement activities with real-world Spanish conversations		Yes, try 3 lessons risk-free (no time limitation)	$149.95 for one level or three levels for $275	No	Learn more
	Rosetta Stone	iOS, Apple Watch, Android, Samsung	Completely immersive language learning experience.	Rosetta Stone has been around for a long time, is a household name, and has a time-tested track record	The fully-featured version is upwards of $199.99.	Yes, 7-day free trial	3 months: $35.97, 1 year: $170, 2 years: $249, lifetime: $299	Yes	Learn more
	Busuu	Website, iOS, Android	Community-oriented app	Connects native English speakers looking to learn Spanish with native Spanish speakers who are looking to learn English	You have to start with their speech recognition tool unless you want to pay for real native speakers	Yes, free speech recognition tool	€6.66 (approximately $8) per month	Yes, WiFi is not required	Learn more
	Brainscape	Website, iOS, Android	Spaced repetition	You can rate your self-confidence for each concept and the app learns how often it needs to repeat a lesson		Yes, unlimited flashcards for free	$9.99 per month or $129.99 for lifetime subscription (access to premium content and features)	You need WiFi or 4F to create or edit flashcards. Once they are downloaded to your device, an internet connection is not required	Learn more
	Babbel	Website, iOS, Android	Real human voices and speech recognition	Rather than focusing on repetition or memorization, it helps you make sense of Spanish in a natural way	You have to pay up-front, although you can get a refund if you decide to cancel	20-day money back guarantee	$13.95 per month or $6.95 per month if you buy a year	Yes, WiFi is not required	Learn more
	Memrise	iOS, Android	Video clips, games, and quizzes		Free content is great to get you started, you will eventually hit a paywall	Yes, 7-day free trial, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee	$8.99 per month or $7.50 per month if you buy a year	Yes, WiFi is not required	Learn more
	Fluentu	iOS, Android	Personalized language lessons based on real-world videos	All of the videos are actual music videos, movie trailers, news clips, and speeches, so the language you learn is practical and relevant		14-day free trial	$30 per month or $20 per month if you buy a year	No, although you can download audio clips, quizzes and PDF transcripts for offline use	Learn more

New: Take a short quiz to determine the right Spanish app for you. 

Spanish learning apps FAQ

What is the best free app for learning Spanish

In our experience, you get what you pay for – and Spanish apps are no exception. It’s not that there aren’t any great free Spanish language learning apps out there, but the paid versions tend to be a little bit more comprehensive. The paid apps are able to dedicate their budget to paying good developers, working out bugs, and adding features. We are of the mind that if you are going to spend a lot of time and effort learning Spanish, you may better off investing in an app that can get you proficient faster. But, if you do need a budget option, here are some of the best free Spanish apps:

• LingQ – provides real-world, immersive context and mini-stories narrated by real native Spanish speakers.
• Duolingo – gamified lessons in 26 languages (of which Spanish is the most popular option). You set personalized goals and then participate in interactive lessons. It’s free with ads, of you can pay $9.99 a month for Duolingo Plus (ad-free and unlocks some extra features).
• MosaLingua – review common Spanish vocabulary and phrases in a digital flashcard form.
• Conjugato – primarily a quizzing tool for various conjugations of the 1000 most common Spanish verbs.

Can you really learn Spanish from an app?

This is an easy one, a wholehearted and resounding YES. Most of these apps have extensive testimonial sections where you can read reviews of people that have successfully learned Spanish using the app. If you don’t trust the testimonials provided by the app (which at the very least might be liberally cherry-picked), check out the 3rd party reviews and forum posts. You will hear a lot of people talking about how relatively quick and easy it was to learn Spanish with the app.

There are a few reasons why these apps work so well for learning Spanish.

• since you’re not in a classroom, it doesn’t feel like work. You can do the app’s lessons and exercises from the comfort of your bed in your PJs. This makes it feel like less of a chore and will lead to you being more likely to stick it out.
• you can go at your own pace. Rather than sitting in Spanish class for 45 minutes straight, you can practice on a language app for a few minutes at a time whenever you have them free. This reduces burnout and probably actually ends up being more practice time in the aggregate, anyway.
• it mimics real interactive practice. Most Spanish classes incorporate a lecture component but also have a heavy focus on interactive practice, and for good reason. Speaking Spanish aloud with a partner has been shown to be much more effective than book learning or lectures. Most of these Spanish apps are designed to mimic this type of learning with speech recognition and other features, helping you learn the language faster.
• they are fun, which is motivating!

What is the best website to learn Spanish?

Apps are great for learning Spanish because you can take them on the go. With a pair of earbuds, public transit can be your classroom. Or you can do some language comprehension exercises while you do laundry or dishes. But if you don’t have access to apps, or just don’t want to, there are also plenty of great websites for learning Spanish. Many of the apps even have a web component as well. Here is a list of some of the best websites for learning Spanish:

• Speaking Latino – resources are organized by the specific country you would like to travel to.
• SpanishDict – free online dictionaries, translation, language learning tools, and a comprehensive online forum.
• Forvo – listen to Spanish words pronounced by native speakers.
• Memrise – learn Spanish faster by connecting your memories and life experiences to the educational content.
• Coffee Break Spanish – Low-cost subscription or free two-minute challenges, and other activities.

Can I use a Spanish language learning app to learn Spanish while driving?

Probably, but most of the apps do require some degree of interactivity. Instead, check out our article on the best free ways to learn Spanish while driving. You absolutely don’t want to be distracted while driving, it is dangerous and illegal.

Can I use a Spanish language learning app to learn Spanish while running or exercising?

Same answer as above. Instead, check out the best ways to learn Spanish while running. Just remember to be alert and stay safe.

Can I use a Spanish language learning app to learn Spanish while commuting?

Yes, public transit is a great place to learn Spanish with an app. Rather than sitting there twiddling your thumbs (I, like many people, can’t read a book while I’m moving without getting sick) or wasting time on a mobile game, you could put that time to good use learning a language. Underground without an internet connection? These Spanish learning apps don’t require WiFi or 4G, making them great for using on the subway:

Spanish learning apps that don’t require WiFi (Language learning apps with offline mode)

• Fluentu
• Memrise
• Duolingo
• Busuu
• Mondly

What is the best Spanish learning app for kids?

• Spanish school bus app
• Duolingo for kids – a stripped-down version of the grown-up Duolingo app that removes some of the references to more “risque” real-world situations, like flirting and drinking at bars.
• Fun Spanish by StudyCat
• LinguPinguin
• FabuLingua
• Kinder Lingo

How can I learn Spanish by myself?

Use an app! Even if you don’t have a communication partner, these apps often simulate real-world conversations using pre-recorded messages, artificial intelligence (AI), and other methods. There are also a lot of places where you can connect virtually o a real-life Spanish coach or native speaker.

How long does it take to learn Spanish with an app? Can I become fluent with an app?

The estimates range, but many experts agree that at a pace of 1 hour per day practicing Spanish, you should be able to attain conversational fluency within 8 to 12 months or approximately 250 to 350 hours of total time spent. If your daily pace is more aggressive, the duration may be shorter. If you’re only dedicating 30-minutes a day, it may drag out longer. Many of these apps claim to shorten the time it takes to learn Spanish – the real trick is finding the app that meshes best with your particular learning style.

Is Duolingo free forever?

It is 100% free (ad-supported) to use Duolingo. You can upgrade to their Plus version at any time to remove ads if you wish.