Best Apps To Learn Spanish (And How To Use Them So You Actually Improve)

Duolingo

Best for: building the daily habit (and warming up your brain).

• Use it like this: 5–10 minutes as a warm-up, then do something “real” (speaking, reading, tutoring).
• Watch out for: thinking streaks = fluency. (Cute lie. Still a lie.)

Hands-on takes: TechRadar’s Duolingo review and The Verge’s guide to learning with apps.

Spanish you’ll use today: Hoy voy a practicar 10 minutos. (Today I’m going to practice 10 minutes.)

Babbel

Best for: structured lessons that feel closer to “real sentences” than mini-games.

• Use it like this: finish one lesson, then record yourself saying the dialogue out loud (yes, really).
• Nice bonus: it’s been pushing more speaking/AI conversation-style practice in newer features.

Deep dives: Wired’s best language apps roundup and Tom’s Guide on Babbel’s AI speaking experience.

Spanish you’ll use today: ¿Puedes repetirlo, por favor? (Can you repeat it, please?)

Busuu

Best for: a course-like path plus feedback from other humans.

• Use it like this: do writing prompts, then ask for corrections and save the fixed version.
• Why it’s different: you’re not only tapping answers—you’re producing Spanish.

Good context: Android Authority on Duolingo alternatives and TechRadar’s best language learning apps list.

Spanish you’ll use today: ¿Me corriges, por favor? (Can you correct me, please?)

Memrise

Best for: vocabulary + hearing real people (great for accent exposure).

• Use it like this: do a small set, then immediately say each phrase out loud without looking.
• Good fit if: you’re bored by “textbook voice” Spanish.

Context: Android Authority’s alternatives roundup and TechRadar’s best apps list.

Spanish you’ll use today: Otra vez, más despacio. (Again, slower.)

Pimsleur

Best for: speaking and pronunciation by repeating full sentences (audio-first).

• Use it like this: do lessons while walking/commuting, and answer out loud even if you feel silly.
• Perfect for: “I can understand, but I freeze when I speak.”

See where it’s usually ranked: TechRadar’s roundup and The Verge’s app-based learning guide.

Spanish you’ll use today: ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)

Language Transfer (Complete Spanish)

Best for: understanding how Spanish works (without drowning in grammar jargon).

• Use it like this: pause, think, answer out loud. Don’t just listen like it’s a podcast.
• Huge win: it’s free and surprisingly effective if you actually participate.

Start here: Language Transfer: Complete Spanish.

Spanish you’ll use today: Déjame pensar. (Let me think.)

SpanishDict

Best for: the “I need this word now” moments (dictionary, conjugations, example sentences).

• Use it like this: look up a verb, copy 3 example sentences, then say them out loud.
• Power move: learn accent marks early—SpanishDict will nudge you to stop ignoring them.

Reviews: SmarterLanguage’s SpanishDict review and FluentU’s SpanishDict review.

Spanish you’ll use today: ¿Cómo se dice “schedule” en español? (How do you say “schedule” in Spanish?)

Anki

Best for: spaced repetition (keeping words in your brain longer than 36 seconds).

• Use it like this: add cards from your real life: texts, shows, work phrases, travel needs.
• Rule: cards should be short, clear, and based on sentences—not lonely words.

One review angle: Anki review (language learning).

Spanish you’ll use today: Tengo que repasar mis tarjetas. (I have to review my cards.)

Drops

Best for: quick vocabulary when your attention span is… delicate.

• Use it like this: learn a set, then write 5 sentences using those words (SpanishDict helps).
• Don’t do: vocab-only forever. Vocabulary needs sentences to become usable.

Often included in roundups like TechRadar’s best apps list.

Spanish you’ll use today: Estoy aprendiendo palabras nuevas. (I’m learning new words.)

Mondly

Best for: beginner-friendly lessons when you want something lighter than a full course.

• Use it like this: keep it short, then do one “output” task (voice message, tutor, or a mini journal).
• Pair with: HelloTalk or Preply to get actual speaking time.

Usually listed in roundups like TechRadar’s best apps list.

Spanish you’ll use today: Estoy empezando desde cero. (I’m starting from zero.)

HelloTalk

Best for: real conversations with real humans (the scary part that makes you better).

• Use it like this: send short voice messages and ask for corrections.
• Safety tip: keep it language-first; use boundaries like a grown-up.

Good overview: The Verge’s guide.

Spanish you’ll use today: Busco a alguien para practicar español. (I’m looking for someone to practice Spanish.)

Preply

Best for: 1-on-1 speaking with feedback (aka the fastest way to notice your patterns).

• Use it like this: choose a tutor from Mexico if you want Mexican Spanish, and ask for “more speaking, less English.”
• Pro tip: bring a topic list so you don’t spend 20 minutes discussing… the weather.

If you want another “real world interaction beats app-only” perspective, The Verge’s guide makes that point clearly.

Spanish you’ll use today: ¿Podemos hacer una videollamada? (Can we do a video call?)

LingQ

Best for: reading and listening to a lot of Spanish (the “input” that builds intuition).

• Use it like this: pick content you can mostly understand, save unknown words, review later.
• Great for: getting comfortable with natural speed Spanish.

One detailed review: All Language Resources: LingQ review.

Spanish you’ll use today: Quiero entender sin traducir todo. (I want to understand without translating everything.)

Clozemaster

Best for: practicing lots of sentences quickly (especially when you’re beyond absolute beginner).

• Use it like this: focus on typing/recall modes and say the full sentence out loud.
• Good for: leveling up vocabulary in context.

Review: Fluent Language: Clozemaster review.

Spanish you’ll use today: Me falta vocabulario. (I’m missing vocabulary.)

Bonus: Keep An Eye On Google Translate “Practice”

Best for: quick speaking drills if you already use Google Translate a lot.

This is a newer direction Google has been testing for language practice inside Translate. If you’re curious, here’s the write-up: The Verge on Google building language learning into Translate.

Spanish you’ll use today: Quiero practicar para un viaje. (I want to practice for a trip.)