The 15 Best Apps to Learn Spanish

Being bilingual can offer many advantages, including richer travel experiences, a wider social network and professional opportunities across a range of industries.

Spanish is spoken by over 600 million people, making it a wonderful language to learn for anyone looking to connect with a variety of new cultures. 

While dedicating time is an important part of learning a new language, it isn't always possible to sign up for intensive Spanish classes three times a week. Language learning apps allow you to practise your grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills on your own time - even 15 minutes per day can be enough to make progress!

Contents

• Key Takeaways
• GoStudent
• FindTutors
• Rocket Languages
• Bilinguapp
• LingoPie
• Tandem
  
• Italki
• Duolingo
• FluentU
• Memrise
• Rosetta Stone
• Pimsleur
• Mondly
• Babbel
• Busuu
• Quick Overview: Which App is Right for Me?
• Make Learning Spanish an Adventure

Key Takeaways

• Spanish is a global language with millions of speakers

• Apps can offer flexible, accessible language training to fit busy schedules and a variety of budgets

• Some language apps focus on key skills such as listening or speaking, while others provide a 360-degree approach to acquiring Spanish

• Understanding your personal goals and learning style is key to finding the most suitable language app

With so many choices available, it can be difficult to know which app is the right one to help you learn Spanish. We've rounded up 15 top mobile apps available via GooglePlay and the Apple Store that can kickstart your language journey - let's take a look!

1. GoStudent

The GoStudent app is a fantastic option for K-12 students looking for a personalised learning experience, offering access to highly qualified Spanish tutors who can provide bespoke language study plans and exam revision support.

GoStudent has also developed GoMigo a cutting-edge AI-powered language app that optimises the learning process, and which can be used by itself or as a supplement to private classes.

Pros:

• AI lesson summaries allow students to review tailored learning materials

• Expert tutors adapt learning materials to each individual student's needs and preferences

• Private teachers are highly familiar with the UK exam system, ensuring efficient test prep

• Interactive digital classroom feature provides a dynamic and secure learning environment

Cons:

• GoStudent focuses on improving academic performance, which may not be suitable for casual language learners

Price: The app is free to download. Learning packages start at £21.99 per month. A 14-day free trial is available for the GoMigo app.

Best for: Younger learners who want tailored structure and guidance to reach their full potential

2. FindTutors

The FindTutors app allows learners of all levels to browse experienced Spanish tutor profiles for their ideal in-person and online private classes. Tutors set their own rates, with a wide range of prices to suit a variety of budgets.

Pros:

• Suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced

• Spanish lessons can be personalised to individual learning styles

• A range of different study options, from exam preparation to casual conversation practice

Cons:

• May not be suitable for learners looking for short daily language lessons

Price: The app is free to download. The average cost of a one-hour Spanish lesson is £19.

Best for: Students looking for flexible study options

3. Rocket Languages

Rocket Languages offers a Spanish course with life-time access, covering both casual and formal Spanish for a range of social situations. Learners can join community forums to ask questions and share language-learning advice and experiences.

Pros:

• Comprehensive audio lessons help to improve listening skills

• Cultural resources offer deeper insight into the language

• Interactive flashcards and dialogue exercises

Cons:

• Main focus is on listening, with less emphasis on reading and writing skills

Best for:

Price: Free, with limited access to level content. Spanish Level 1 costs approximately £115. Levels 1 and 2 combined cost around £230, with Levels 1, 2, and 3 costing about £345 in total.

Best for: Students who want to increase their listening comprehension in Spanish

4. Bilinguapp

Bilinguapp teaches Spanish through stories, news and songs, with learners reading parallel language texts and listening to audio recordings. The app features a wide variety of bilingual content, including well-known fairytales for children.

Pros:

• Reading a familiar story in Spanish can help learners to commit new words and phrases to memory

• Dual language side-by-side text format can speed up Spanish vocabulary acquisition

• Combining reading and listening exercises help to strengthen both skills at the same time

Cons:

• Format may be too advanced for beginner Spanish learners who need more detailed grammar explanations

Price: Free with ads and limited content access. A monthly subscription costs £4.99, and an annual subscription costs £39.99.

Best for: More advanced learners who enjoy using literature as a way to pick up new languages

5. LingoPie

Drawing on a large video library, the LingoPie app is a great way to learn Spanish by watching your favourite shows, including content from Netflix. The app also features subtitles in both languages, flashcards and pronunciation feedback.

Pros:

• Focus on video content can be an effective study method for visual learners

• Personalised progress tracking feature

• One-to-one tutoring options are available for additional support

Cons:

• Lack of in-depth grammar explanations may result in a weaker understanding of Spanish language structures

Price: The 3-month plan costs £9.99 per month. An annual subscription is £4.99 per month. A lifetime subscription costs £169. A 7-day free trial is available for all subscription options.

Best for: Learners looking for a fun approach to learning Spanish, or a supplement to structured grammar classes

6. Tandem

The Tandem app allows learners to practise with native Spanish speakers via video and audio calls, and texts. It allows people to connect with others who share similar interests, providing the chance for grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary feedback in real time.

Pros:

• Learners can join a diverse Spanish-speaking community

• The conversation-based format can work for people who want to learn to speak Spanish for travel or social purposes

• Native speakers can introduce learners to a wide variety of different accents

Cons:

• Language exchange partners may not be able to explain complex linguistic concepts as effectively as a professional private tutor

Price: A monthly subscription costs approximately £8. The annual subscription costs approximately £5 per month.

Best for: Those who want to immerse themselves in real-world Spanish

7. Italki

Italki gives Spanish learners access to a network of Spanish tutors, offering both one-to-one and group classes. The app combines live lessons with a digital notebook feature, which allows you to write in your target language and receive correction notes from other Italki community members.

Pros:

• Flexible lesson scheduling can suit those studying Spanish while travelling

• Meet other learners to practise with and exchange study tips

• Language level placement tests are available

Cons:

• Lack of a standardised curriculum may not be suitable for students seeking exam prep support

Price: The app is free to download. The platform uses a pay-as-you go system for lessons, with no subscription fees. Teachers set their own rates.

Best for: Those who would like to study Spanish as part of an online group class

8. Duolingo

Duolingo is a popular learning app that introduces learners to the basics of a new language through quick reading, speaking, writing and audio exercises. Users can compete to rise through league tables by meeting their daily study goals and maintaining practice streaks.

Duolingo ABC helps young learners to pick up Spanish through stories suitable for children.

Pros:

• Gamified learning approach helps to boost study motivation

• Advanced voice recognition for Spanish words and phrases

• Customisable daily learning goals range from 'basic' through to 'intense', allowing you to adapt your study schedule to fit in with other comittments

Cons:

• Content is aimed at beginners, and may not be challenging enough for advanced learners of Spanish

Price: The basic version of the app is free; The premium version, Super Duolingo, costs £4.99 per month, or £48 per year for an annual subscription. Duolingo ABC is free.

Best for: New learners looking to gain an idea of basic Spanish pronunciation and grammar

9. FluentU

FluentU provides learners with a variety of resources for learning Spanish, including personalised quizzes and downloadable video transcripts. The app's personalised spaced repetition feature helps to optimise vocabulary memorisation.

Pros:

• Video subtitles are shown simultaneously in Spanish and English

• Learners can filter content by areas of interest, studying Spanish through topics that they enjoy

• Video dictionary allows users to search content for specific words

Cons:

• The app does not provide exercises to develop Spanish speaking skills

Price: A monthly subscription costs approximately £23.62, with an annual plan ranging from £9.45 to £15.73 per month

Best for: Film enthusiasts who want a fun way to expand their Spanish skills

10. Memrise

Memrise teaches Spanish using videos exercises that feature native speakers. Learners can select different scenarios, such as meeting someone's family, a job interview, or exploring a new city, to learn specific phrases and cultural tips to fit their situation.

Pros:

• Targeted approach means less time spent reviewing material that may not be useful

• The MemBot chat feature allows learners to practise Spanish at anytime

• The app's challenges and leaderboards can help to maintain motivation

Cons:

• User-generated content can vary in quality

Price: Free basic version. The pro version monthly plan costs £47 while the annual plan costs £93

Best for: Learners, including professionals, who need to concentrate on situation-specific vocabulary

11. Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone app teaches Spanish without using translations. Learners study the language in context through videos and images to support understanding. The latest version of the app includes an AI-powered pronunciation feature.

Pros:

• Suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced

• Live language coaching sessions are available

• TruAccent feature provides immediate pronunciation feedback

Cons:

• Lesson structure can be repetitive for some users

Price: Varies depending on subscription. A 3-month subscription costs £32 per month, through to a 12-month subscription at £112. Discounts are available.

Best for: Those seeking a fully immersive learning experience

12. Pimsleur

The Pimsleur app offers a traditional method of learning Spanish through audio recordings, repetition and vocabulary lists. Many lessons are designed to be listened to while doing other activities, such as exercising or cooking, which can make it a good choice if you're looking to study on the go.

Pros:

• Pronunciation coaching feature helps learners to develop their accent in Spanish

• Lessons are 30-minutes, making them easy to slot into a daily schedule

• Active recall prompts develop independent thinking

Cons:

• Content tone is formal, which may not be helpful for building everyday conversation skills

Price: Monthly subscription of approximately £19.45, with a 7-day free trial available.

Best for: Busy learners who prefer to follow a more conventional study program

13. Mondly

Mondly is a language app that uses AR and VR to enhance lesson content for learners. It allows users to practise everyday Spanish phrases through simulated conversations, which can help to reduce speaking anxiety.

Pros:

• Integrated progress tracking features

• Compatible with mobile and VR devices

• App chatbot allows for practice sessions at anytime

Cons:

• Subscriptions are limited to one language, which can be restrictive for some learners

Price: The app costs £9.99 for one-month subscription. A 12-month subscription costs £47.95,while lifetime access costs £88.25. Discounts are available.

Best for: Tech fans looking to boost their ability in spoken Spanish

14. Babbel

Babbel draws on expertise from professional linguists to create learning content, offering structured Spanish programs with detailed grammar and vocabulary explanations. It incorporates methods from cognitive science to enhance retention, and its speech recognition tool provides instant feedback.

• Targeted review feature allows learners to go over challenging concepts at their own pace

• The app features Spanish podcasts with transcripts for all levels

• Progress is automatically synced across multiple platforms

Cons:

• Limited free content available

Price: Varies depending on subscription. A 3-month subscription costs £9.99 per month, through to a 12-month subscription at £5.99. A one-off lifetime payment offers access to all languages.

Best for: Learners looking for an app that can strengthen their memorisation

15. Busuu

Busuu gives users the opportunity to join a global community of language learners, allowing them to practise Spanish with native speakers. Completetion certificates are available for each leve of studyl.

Pros:

• AI Smart Review optimises vocabulary study

• The app provides cultural as well as linguistic understanding

• Lessons are available in offline mode with the premium version of the app

Cons:

• A Premium, or Premium Plus plan is required to access many of the app's features

Price: Premium version prices are not fixed, but start at approximately £9.99 for a monthly subscription.

Best for: Learners looking to study Spanish through real life conversations

Quick Overview: Which App is Right for Me?

Make Learning Spanish an Adventure

Finding the best way to learn Spanish can take some time and exploration. Whether you're looking to pass exams, communicate with collegues or simply order the right dish off the menu, trying out different apps can help you find the perfect match and gain the confidence you need to connect with an amazing global language!