Learning apps have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look to improve their skills and knowledge through their mobile devices. With so many options available, it can be tough to determine which learning app is truly the best. Here is an in-depth look at some of the top contenders for the title of best learning app in the world.
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Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the most popular and widely used language learning apps. This free app offers courses in over 30 languages, with fun, game-like lessons that help you build vocabulary and grammar skills. Duolingo uses spaced repetition to help reinforce what you learn, and lessons are bite-sized so you can fit them into small pockets of free time. The app is incredibly accessible to use, with a smooth, intuitive interface.
One of the best features of Duolingo is that it adapts to your learning style, emphasizing areas you struggle with and testing you less on concepts you’ve mastered. The app also has a social element, allowing you to compete against friends. While Duolingo may not take you to full fluency in a language, it’s an excellent starting point and a handy supplemental learning tool.
Babbel
For those looking to develop stronger conversational skills in a new language, Babbel may be a better choice than Duolingo. Babbel offers courses in 14 different languages, each developed by language learning experts. The lessons focus on practical, everyday language used in real-world situations. There are advanced speech recognition features to ensure you are pronouncing words correctly, along with lots of listening and speaking exercises. Babbel starts with a language learning assessment so it can identify the areas you most need help with, and target lessons accordingly.
One advantage is that Babbel’s courses are much more comprehensive than Duolingo’s, taking you to an intermediate level and covering speech, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. The app does cost money, with subscription plans starting around $12/month. But for serious language learners, the expertise and immersive content may be worth the price.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is one of the biggest names in language learning, and its acclaimed immersion method is now available as a mobile app. Like Babbel, it uses speech recognition to provide feedback on pronunciation. Rosetta Stone lessons focus on conversational scenarios and tend to provide greater cultural context for the language. One advantage is that Rosetta Stone’s approach requires no English translation – everything is taught directly in the target language, helping you think in that language.
The mobile app makes Rosetta Stone’s language learning content more accessible and flexible than ever. However, it is significantly more expensive than competitors like Duolingo and Babbel. Lifetime unlimited access costs around $200. Rosetta Stone may not be the most cost-effective choice, but it provides high-quality, immersive language instruction.
Wondrium
Formerly known as The Great Courses, Wondrium offers engaging, university-level video lessons delivered by world-class professors and experts. The Wondrium app gives you access to over 10,000 lectures across a huge range of academic subjects, including history, science, business, photography, cooking and more. If you want to pursue lifelong learning and expand your knowledge, Wondrium is an excellent on-the-go option.
Courses are divided into short, manageable lessons, with accompanying notes to reinforcing learning. Wondrium really shines in that experts are directly delivering these video lessons in their own words. The app does require a monthly or yearly subscription fee, but is arguably worth it for the top-notch instructors and wealth of subjects covered. This is an app for serious, self-motivated learners who want to keep enriching their minds.
Brilliant
For anyone looking to sharpen their math and science skills, Brilliant is a smart digital learning tool. Brilliant offers Daily Challenges to exercise your problem-solving abilities, as well as guided courses that illuminate the underlying mathematical concepts. The courses cover foundational math, computer science, and natural sciences, delving into subject areas like algebra, calculus, biology, and chemistry. Brilliant’s approach is very interactive, encouraging you to be an active participant rather than passive reader or viewer.
The app aims to build your conceptual understanding and computational thinking skills. Brilliant also cultivates a community, allowing you to connect with and learn from fellow science/math enthusiasts. Premium subscriptions provide access to all course content, but the free version still offers a lot for users to benefit from. For STEM students and hobbyists, Brilliant is an engaging way to build vital skills.
Blinkist
Don’t have time to read that enormous personal development book? Blinkist can help. This app provides condensed versions of bestselling nonfiction books, summarizing key ideas and takeaways in short “blinks” you can read or listen to in under 15 minutes. Blinkist covers books in categories like productivity, management, communication skills, and more, letting you sample texts to decide which are worth a full read.
If you’re short on time but want thought-provoking ideas from leading business and self-help authors, Blinkist is an excellent app. However, some argue that Blinkist oversimplifies complex books and removes too much context when condensing them down. But its sheer convenience and range of titles make it a powerful tool for continuous learning and growth.
MasterClass
For truly unique, inspiring learning experiences, MasterClass offers virtual classes taught by experts at the absolute top of their fields. We’re talking Gordon Ramsay teaching cooking, Helen Mirren teaching acting, Malcolm Gladwell teaching writing, and many more illustrious names from a diverse range of disciplines. Each class includes video lessons and a downloadable workbook, adding up to over 20 hours of content.
MasterClass classes give you remarkable access to leaders in their profession, providing motivation, insight, and problem-solving ideas you won’t find anywhere else. One drawback is the limited interactivity – this is a one-way learning experience without student-instructor dialogue. Additionally, MasterClass has one of the highest subscription costs among learning apps. But for especially passionate learners, the star power and production quality may justify the price.
Khan Academy
When it comes to mastering academic subjects, Khan Academy is hard to beat – especially for high schoolers and test prep. This free app offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and dashboard analytics for a wide range of classes including biology, physics, economics, SAT prep, LSAT prep, and more. Content is clearly presented in brief video modules, and the app provides feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
If you want targeted instruction framed around typical school subjects and standardized tests, Khan Academy is an excellent route. It’s less helpful for learning practical skills or exploring esoteric interests. But as a supplemental study aid, Khan Academy is free and effective.
HelloTalk
Among language learning apps, HelloTalk stands out for facilitating conversations with native speakers. The app matches you with language partners around the world, allowing you to chat using text, audio messages, doodles, and voice calls. Conversations happen in two languages – each person speaks and helps teach their native tongue. This immersive approach accelerates learning.
HelloTalk also makes the experience social, helping you meet new people while practicing a language. Downsides are that chats are asynchronous (not live), so conversations can move slowly. There are also occasionally mismatchings where language partners don’t invest equal effort. But overall, HelloTalk provides an incredibly helpful language practice environment centered around meaningful conversations.
EdApp
For flexible, customizable learning, EdApp delivers. This microlearning platform allows businesses and teams to create branded lessons and training content delivered in short, game-like modules. Module topics can range from customer service skills to sales techniques to workplace diversity and beyond.
Learners then access these modules via the app, with spaced repetition reinforcing retention. Admins can track employee progress and performance to gauge training program effectiveness. EdApp makes it simple to educate your workforce at scale. The app experience itself is also stellar – fun, fast-paced learning nuggets keep users engaged. This is an ideal mobile training solution for ongoing employee development.
Udemy
Boasting over 180,000 online courses, Udemy has earned a reputation as a premier online learning marketplace. While not exclusively a mobile app, Udemy does offer iOS and Android apps so learners can take courses on-the-go. Course topics span just about every work and personal skill imaginable – marketing, photography, music, programming, yoga, and much more.
Udemy’s massive library is one of its biggest assets, providing learners with myriad options. Courses are taught by independent instructors, not all of whom have official teaching credentials. So quality control is left up to student reviews. While some courses get rave reviews, others are poorly made. But with refund guarantees and frequent discounts, Udemy offers an unparalleled breadth of learning content.
YouTube
While not an app solely dedicated to education, YouTube is the world’s largest video platform – making it a go-to learning resource for many. Just about any how-to, tutorial, lecture, or educational content imaginable can be found on YouTube. The platform’s recommendation algorithm can even curate a personalized feed of instructional videos tailored to your interests and past viewing history.
However, content creators on YouTube range from amateur hobbyists to trained professionals. So again, quality control and credibility assessments are left up to the viewer. Additionally, YouTube’s loose content monitoring has allowed misinformation to spread on the platform. But its accessibility and sheer volume of educational videos cannot be ignored. Many learn vital skills simply by launching the YouTube app.
Skillshare
For learners interested in developing creative and entrepreneurial skills, Skillshare aims to educate and inspire. This subscription-based app features thousands of video courses teaching skills like illustration, graphic design, writing, branding, and more. Teachers are working creative professionals lending insight into real-world projects and experiences. Their lessons dive into both craft and career.
One helpful element of Skillshare is its structured learning paths that guide you through step-by-step training in a creative field. These paths take you from beginner to intermediate to pro. Skillshare is also an affordable app, with annual memberships starting around $100. While less robust in academic subjects, for creatives Skillshare hits the mark.
LinkedIn Learning
Developing skills that drive professional success and advancement is the goal of LinkedIn Learning. Offering over 16,000 courses, this app enables users to build in-demand workplace abilities. Course topics range from leadership and management training to mastering software programs and tools.
The flexible video lessons fit into busy schedules, and many courses offer certificates upon completion. As a Microsoft product, LinkedIn Learning integrates well with Office products and other work tools. The app ties into your LinkedIn profile, aiming to generate tangible career growth. While subscription costs deter some learners, the investment may pay dividends in earnings and promotions down the line thanks to skills acquired. For professional development, LinkedIn Learning is a go-to.
Pluralsight
Pluralsight calls itself the technology workforce development company, and it delivers well on that promise. With over 1,500 courses on deck, this app specializes in tech-focused content spanning software development, IT ops, data, machine learning, and much more. Course instructors are qualified industry practitioners.
For businesses, Pluralsight offers skills assessments, role IQs, certification prep and other tools to strengthen teams tactically. For individuals, subscriptions provide access to the full course library. With technology advancing so rapidly, Pluralsight is a boon – helping tech professionals master emerging tools. The app experience is smooth, and course quality is reliable. For tech-driven organizations and workers, Pluralsight boosts capabilities.
Coursera
Founded by professors at Stanford, Coursera partners with 200+ leading universities and companies to offer world-class learning curated into 3,800+ courses. Coursera covers arts, humanities, data science, programming, business, and many other subjects. Notably, a number of Coursera’s courses are completely free, removing typical paywalls.
Many courses produce shareable Certificates upon completion, which you can highlight on your resume or LinkedIn profile. Coursera also offers affordable online degrees in fields like public health, computer science and education. For learners seeking a more comprehensive, university-style experience, Coursera hits the mark. The sheer scope of its course catalog is stunning. While pricing varies, the volume of free content alone makes Coursera invaluable.
EdX
Another provider of free online courses created by universities is EdX. Offerings stem from institutions like Harvard, MIT, Columbia, UC Berkeley and more. Currently over 3,000 courses are available spanning topics like software development, engineering, humanities, mathematics, business, and quantum mechanics. Most courses run 4-12 weeks long, with video lessons, assignments, exams, and some level of instructor interaction/support.
Certain courses offer certificates of completion or badges you can share publicly. EdX is similar to Coursera in providing a quality higher education learning portal online. However, EdX appears to have fewer language learning and personal development offerings. The tech and academic content is excellent but not as broadly diverse. Still, for high caliber university-level classes, EdX grants valuable access.
Busuu
For a unique language learning model based on two-way teaching, Busuu aims to stand out. Courses are centered around collaborative dialogue – you learn from native speakers who in turn want to learn your native language. Lessons are built around useful real-world conversations like introducing yourself, ordering food, making travel arrangements, and more. Vocabulary, grammar, listening, and pronunciation are all tightly integrated.
As you complete course modules, your language skills are assessed by AI bots and fellow learners. This interactive element makes Busuu more engaging than passive apps. However, feedback from fellow learners may be hit or miss. And some criticize the app for prioritizing broader vocabulary over conversational fluency. But the reciprocal teaching approach is innovative and well-designed.
Memrise
Memrise adopts unique memory techniques like flashcards, mnemonics and repetition to help cement new language vocabulary and grammar. The app makes learning feel more like a game, adding points, leaderboards and bonus challenges to incentivize you. Their customized memory system reduces the monotony that often comes with flashcard drilling.
Memrise courses were co-developed with language experts to ensure their educational value. However, lessons tend to prioritize individual words over full sentences and conversations. So functional, real-world language use may require supplemental methods. But Memrise is excellent for nailing down core vocab and phrases through fun, engaging activities. As far as memorizing words goes, it’s one of the best in the app store.
Tandem
Connecting language learners for reciprocal teaching, much like HelloTalk, Tandem makes chatting with native speakers key. You’re matched with partners based on learning goals and interests, then can text, voice chat, video chat, and correct each other’s sentences. This social approach lets you practice languages in contextualized dialogue. Learning together and immersing in another culture breeds excitement.
However, some users complain about uneven partnerships where one learner invests more effort. But overall, interacting with real teachers accessible worldwide is invaluable. Unlike one-way apps, Tandem offers exposure to slang, conversation flow, and speech patterns critical for fluency. For authentic language exchange, Tandem delivers.
Mondly
Mondly concentrates on conversational aspects of language learning, getting you speaking and understanding faster. The app uses speech recognition so you can practice proper pronunciation immediately. Mondly maintains a catalog of practical real life conversations that immerse you in everyday situations like shopping, directions, food, family, travel and more.
The dialogue-focused approach is less overwhelming than traditional vocabulary drilling. Mondly tracks your progress and trouble spots, personalizing lessons accordingly. However, the speech recognition technology can be glitchy at times. And beyond conversational topics, academic language instruction is limited. But for traveling abroad and nailing down speaking fundamentals, Mondly excels in an accessible, compact package.