Benji and Soren sitting at the restaurant, Benji says “¿puedes traerme unos tacos, por favor?”

Learning a new language can seem like a daunting experience, where you'll have to invest a lot of your time and money to reach fluency. But, the truth is, that with enough motivation and consistency, learning the Spanish language can be a fun and exciting way to broaden your horizons.

So, if you're ready to start learning something different from your native language but you're tired of the same old textbook, why not try something new? There are dozens of apps that can help you learn Spanish from the comfort of your home and without the old and boring approach that relies on memorization. Plus, with an app, you’ll be free to learn at whatever pace suits your lifestyle,

Who knows, maybe you will even end up ordering your tacos in Spanish on your next trip to Mexico or asking for help from native speakers when visiting Spain. Keep on reading, and discover the best Spanish learning apps in 2023.

Why Should You Use an App for Learning Spanish?

Before diving deep into the apps themselves, let’s talk about all the benefits of using an app to learn Spanish.

Accessibility

Learning Spanish through an app is convenient because you can study whenever and wherever you want, as long as you have a mobile device and an internet connection. This means you can practice your target language at any time, whether you are on the bus, waiting in line, or just relaxing at home.

Soren at the bus stop, smartphone in hand, repeating “las rosas son rojas, las violetas son azules…”

Also, Spanish learning apps are typically straightforward and easy to use, which means you won't have to spend a lot of time or effort trying to understand how to use the software. You can just jump in and start learning Spanish!

Flexibility

The best apps to learn Spanish also allow you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. You can choose when and for how long you want to practice Spanish, which can be particularly helpful if you have a busy life.

Different from a traditional Spanish course, these lessons are very short and focused, so you can take them on the ride home from work and make the most out of your commute time.

Interactivity

Many Spanish learning apps offer interactive features such as quizzes, games, and conversation practice with native speakers, which can make learning more engaging and enjoyable.

For example, the app Ling has a chatbot that lets you speak Spanish and record yourself, so you can improve your pronunciation and diction even if you don’t have a conversation partner.

Personalization

If you decide to use an app to learn the Spanish language, you should know that some of them use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to personalize your learning experience.

This way, you'll get better recommendations based on your proficiency level, interests, and learning style.

Cost-Effectiveness

Many apps for learning Spanish are free or offer a free trial, which makes them an affordable option compared to traditional language courses or private tutors.

And, whenever you feel ready to step up your game, you can always access their pro versions, with more features available to help you become fluent and speak Spanish in the shortest time.

Access to Native Speakers

Many language learning apps provide access to native Spanish speakers for conversation practice, giving you the opportunity to practice your speaking and listening skills with someone who speaks the language fluently.

5 Apps to Master the Spanish Language Today

Learning a new language can be a challenging and rewarding experience, and if you're looking to learn Spanish, you're in luck.

In today's digital age, there are a variety of Spanish learning apps available that can help you achieve your goals. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, these apps can provide you with the tools and resources you need to improve your Spanish skills in the fastest way possible.

Here's our top 5 best Spanish apps, so you can choose the one that's the perfect fit for you.

Langster

Looking for a Spanish-learning app that advances your skills using real-life materials? Then, Langster is the perfect choice for you. This free app uses interesting short stories as source materials to teach you vocabulary in your target language.

Plus, the app does not demand an excessive time commitment: each story lesson can be completed in 15 minutes or less.

Langster customizes the target vocabulary to align with your skill level, gradually increasing the story difficulty and Spanish grammar features to ensure a simple yet effective learning experience. As a result, you'll learn new Spanish vocabulary and grammar rules in context instead of just memorizing random phrases.

the picture of a smartphone’s screen showing Langster for Spanish learners.

You can even choose whether to listen to the stories at a regular or reduced pace, allowing you to learn how the words sound without effort.

And finally, after each story, you'll find short quizzes that assess your comprehension, measure your progress, and reveal how much you have learned during a particular time frame.

Pros

  • Learn the language with stories.
  • Engaging, real-life materials.
  • Creative flashcards to remember vocabulary.
  • New stories added every day.

Cons

  • Aimed at beginners and intermediate learners only.

Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most famous language-learning apps for a reason: it uses game-like lessons and quizzes to help you learn a new language, making it a fun and entertaining experience.

Their bite-sized lessons cover a range of language features – including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure – that revolve around a certain topic (like food, the family, and so on). Each lesson is designed to be engaging and interactive, and it builds on what you've learned before.

Duolingo uses a game-like approach to language learning, which can make the process more enjoyable and motivating. For example, you can earn points, badges, and rewards as you progress through the Spanish lessons, which can be a fun and rewarding experience.

And, you won't only be working with grammar and vocabulary: this Spanish app offers a variety of exercises that focus on listening and speaking practice, too.

Pros

  • A fun way to remember new words
  • Exercises are interactive and varied
  • Daily reminders to be consistent
  • Well-defined lessons.

Cons

  • Too much focus on vocabulary.
  • Exercises can turn repetitive after some time.

Drops

If you're a visual learner and have difficulty remembering new terms and phrases, then Drops can become your best ally. It uses visual and interactive methods, like short videos and illustrations, to help you build your Spanish vocabulary.

Drops categorizes vocabulary by topic, including food, travel, and everyday conversations, so you can learn words that are relevant to your needs.

And in addition to seeing beautiful illustrations that depict concepts, you'll also find interactive exercises that help you practice and reinforce new vocabulary. These exercises include matching games, word order puzzles, and pronunciation practice.

Drops also includes audio recordings of native Spanish speakers pronouncing words and phrases, which can be helpful for improving your pronunciation and listening skills.

Italki

Looking for the best way to learn Spanish with a native-speaking tutor? Use Italki! This is an online platform that connects students with professional Spanish tutors from around the world. Whether you're a beginner or advanced learner, you'll find one-on-one or group lessons that suit your needs.

Benji using his laptop, Soren is on the screen (they are in an online Spanish lesson).

You'll be able to schedule your Spanish lessons at a time that's convenient for you. Whether you prefer to study early in the morning, in the evening, or on the weekends, there surely is a tutor available to fit your schedule.

The best thing about Italki is that it offers a unique opportunity to practice your Spanish conversational skills with a native speaker. You can choose to focus on a specific topic, such as travel or business, or let the teacher do the planning.

Pros

  • Great for visual learners
  • Access to recordings by native speakers
  • Flexible learning experience
  • Free and premium plans are available.

Cons

  • Grammar explanations can be a bit scarce
  • The free version is only available for 5 minutes a day.

Pimsleur

If you'd like to focus exclusively on learning how to speak Spanish, then you should go for Pimsleur. This app follows an original approach to help you develop conversational skills by listening and repeating spoken phrases.

Benji at home, smartphone in hand and headphones, repeating “Hola, ¿como estás?

Pimsleur prioritizes spoken language over written language, which means that you will spend most of your time listening to and speaking Spanish rather than reading or writing it. This can be especially helpful for people who want to become comfortable using the language in real-world conversations.

Pros

  • A practical approach to learning.
  • Available for different devices.
  • Great digital flashcards.
  • Very fast-paced.

Cons

  • You'll only practice speaking and listening
  • The free version is very limited.
  • Premium plans are expensive.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, learning Spanish has never been easier. With so many options available, all that’s left is to download the Spanish app that suits your needs and learning style best.

With real-life materials, enough practice, and a lot of motivation when using an app such as Langster, soon you’ll find yourself using Spanish as fluently and accurately as a native speaker!

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Daniela

Daniela brings over a decade of expertise as a university-level ESL instructor, guiding students from diverse global backgrounds in learning both English and Spanish languages. Beyond her pedagogical pursuits, Daniela's passions extend to writing, painting, and cooking delicious Argentinian dishes. With boundless enthusiasm, she endeavors to impart her wealth of knowledge on languages and cultures, inviting you to learn more!