Alternatives to Pimsleur
An audio-first language-learning app built around 30-minute spoken lessons for conversational practice. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Pimsleur
An audio-first language-learning app built around 30-minute spoken lessons for conversational practice.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Pimsleur.
Rosetta Stone
An immersion-based language-learning app with pronunciation feedback, conversation practice and flashcards.
Rosetta Stone is also a paid subscription but uses immersive, speaking-focused lessons with speech recognition feedback instead of 30-minute audio-first lessons designed for hands-free listening.
Babbel
A subscription language learning app built around structured lessons focused on everyday conversation.
Babbel is a paid subscription with structured, conversation-focused lessons on Android, iOS and web, but it is not built around hands-free audio listening.
Speak
A language learning app that uses an AI tutor for spoken conversation practice.
Speak offers spoken practice with an AI tutor on Android and iOS, with a free tier, but covers a limited set of languages compared with 51 in Pimsleur.
Duolingo
A language-learning app with short game-like lessons, plus courses in subjects such as chess.
Duolingo is freemium with short game-like lessons and streaks on Android, iOS and web, which is lighter than a structured audio course.
Busuu
A language learning app with short expert-made lessons and feedback from native speakers.
Busuu is freemium with short lessons, pronunciation feedback and corrections from native speakers, on Android, iOS and web, with full courses requiring payment.
Memrise
A language learning app with courses built around spaced repetition and videos of native speakers.
Memrise is web based and uses spaced repetition with videos of native speakers, focusing on vocabulary and listening rather than audio-only conversation lessons.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Tandem
A language exchange app that pairs you with native speakers who want to learn your language.
HelloTalk
A language exchange app for chatting with native speakers, with built-in translation and correction tools.
Language Reactor
Browser extension and toolbox for learning languages from native videos on Netflix and YouTube.
LingQ
A language learning service built around reading and listening to real content such as books and podcasts.
