What we cover
Every course and tool the calculator can recommend, with what each one is wrong for. We earn a commission on some of them and nothing at all on others, and both are listed the same way.
Paid
- Rocket Languages
Learners who want one structured course covering grammar explicitly, bought once rather than rented.
Structured self-study course · supports up to B2 · about $260 once
- Babbel
Commuters and anyone with fifteen spare minutes a day who wants to start speaking early.
App only · supports up to B1 · about $14/month
- Pimsleur
Learners who want to speak from the first lesson and can give it thirty focused minutes of audio a day, hands-free.
Structured self-study course · supports up to B1 · about $150 once
- italki
Learners who need a real person to correct their pronunciation, and anyone with an exam date.
1-on-1 tutor · supports up to C2 · about $60/month at a normal cadence
- Preply
Learners who want human lessons on a tight budget and are willing to try a few tutors.
1-on-1 tutor · supports up to C2 · about $40/month at a normal cadence
Free
We earn nothing on these.
- Anki
Anyone who needs to retain vocabulary — free, and better at spaced repetition than every paid app.
Structured self-study course, App only · supports up to C2 · free
- Language Reactor
Intermediate learners who want native input from video with dual subtitles, at no cost.
Structured self-study course, Living in-country · supports up to C1 · free
Not sure which applies to you? Work out what your target actually takes and the shortlist comes with it.