The Best Free Language Apps for Learning French

French happens to be the 10th most spoken language in the world, and it’s widely used throughout Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, where about 229 million people use it as their native language. Not only that, but French also happens to be one of the most beautiful languages, so why wouldn’t you want to learn it?

Whether you want to order properly from your favorite Parisian boulangerie or hope to impress the members of the French family you’re marrying into, these free language learning apps will make it a lot easier to study French. They’re also designed to keep language learning fun and interactive so that you’ll actually maybe stick to it. Bonne chance!

Duolingo

As with learning any foreign language, the first step to speaking French is basic memorization. Enter Duolingo, a free language learning app that will get your French learning off to a good start.

Mixing visuals with French words in a gamified platform, you’ll stay motivated with virtual prizes and new levels to unlock as you progress.

Note: The app is free, but you can remove ads and support free learning by opting for Duolingo Plus.

Nemo

Nemo is similar to Duolingo in that you can use it whenever you have a spare moment or two to practice your French studies. Its Speech Studio is especially helpful with pronunciation (particularly hard with French).

Plus, it even offers hands-free lessons, so you learn words and phrases while you’re cooking, running or driving to work.

SpeakEasy

Looking to pick up some common French phrases before jetting off to Europe?

Check out SpeakEasy, which offers flashcards for a combination of greetings, phrases and words dubbed “travel essentials” for the on-the-go French learner.

Le Conjugueur

Conjugations and tenses are one of the most difficult things to learn about the French language.

Le Conjugueur, however, makes it easier, helping you conjugate nearly 9,000 verbs offline.

Busuu

Busuu offers learners four main language skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking — for beginner to upper intermediate level French learners. The best part? You can work with native speakers who will give insightful feedback as your learning progresses.

Note: The app is free, but you can sign up for a Premium membership for advanced features.

Brainscape

Drill yourself on vocabulary, verbs and conjugations with Brainscape’s extensive collection of flashcards that covers four years of French learning.

Note: The first level is free, and then it’s $4.99 a month after that.

Classics2Go Collection

Once you have your vocabulary down a bit, you’ll want to start reading some books in French.

This free app gives you access to lots of French titles from fairytales to more complex reading materials for the more advanced French learner.

HelloTalk

HelloTalk will help you with conversational language learning. It’s basically a chat app with language learners who want to take part in language exchange chats.

So, if you speak English, you can find a person who speaks French, and you both will work together to help each other learn a foreign language. How fun is that?

MosaLingua

OK, this app is not free, but it only requires a one-time fee of $4.99. Then, you have access to more than 3,500 words and phrases as well as exercises to help you with your French language studies.

If you’re ad-adverse, then this is the app for you.