Overview

If you’re ready to pick a French studying app and actually make progress, this guide gives you a lean app stack, clear pricing/trial expectations, and a way to measure results. The bottom line: pick one core app plus one support tool, test them against your goals for two weeks, and track CEFR-aligned progress with simple diagnostics.

We favor an evidence-first approach. CEFR (A1–C2) levels are defined by the Council of Europe. The DELF/DALF exams are administered by France Éducation International.

TEF and TCF evaluations used for immigration and professional purposes are detailed by CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF) and France Éducation International (TCF). For pronunciation, the International Phonetic Association explains IPA, which we’ll use to pinpoint French sounds.

Throughout, you’ll see how to trial, what to measure, and how to avoid app overload.

How to choose a French studying app

Choosing a French studying app should start with your goal, level, time, and constraints—then end with a 14-day test. The key takeaway: match the app’s strengths to your outcome (e.g., speaking confidence, exam prep, admin survival), and reject anything that adds friction without results.

Start by anchoring to CEFR. If you’re A0–A1, pick structured input and pronunciation help. By A2–B1, you need grammar plus conversation tasks. At B2+, you need authentic media and targeted feedback.

Confirm that the app fits your constraints—offline access, low data, privacy, accessibility—before you fall for gamification. Then set a pass/fail trial.

After two weeks, can you understand a 60–90 second clip with transcripts and produce a 60-second monologue on a familiar topic at your level? If not, switch.

Quick picks by goal and level

Here’s a fast way to shortlist without reading the whole internet. The principle: pick one core app for skill-building, then add one support app for either SRS vocabulary or authentic input.

Travel and short stays

You want polite phrases, survival listening, and quick recall—offline. The fastest path is an audio-led core plus a compact phrase SRS.

Do one Pimsleur lesson (30 minutes) on the go, then 5–10 minutes of SRS for menu, transport, and direction phrases. Practice identifying liaison in set phrases (e.g., “vous avez” → /vu‿zave/) and prioritize “can-do” sentences you will actually say.

Immigration/admin survival

Your focus is predictable bureaucracy tasks (prefecture, landlord, doctor) and clear question-answer patterns. Combine structured dialogues with authentic, graded content.

Create mini-scripts you can adapt: identity details, appointment booking, housing issues, and medical symptoms. Rehearse with a tutor for role-plays and keep printed or offline checklists of key sentences and documents.

Business and professional communication

You need formal email tone, meeting language, and polite disagreement. Choose structured dialogues plus targeted live feedback.

Focus on formulaic openings/closings, “vous” register, and mitigation phrases (je me permets de…, serait-il possible de…). Practice delivering a 90-second project update with signposting (“tout d’abord… ensuite… enfin”).

Kids and teens

Safety, clarity, and short sessions matter most. Choose moderated or teacher-curated content and keep community features tightly controlled.

Keep sessions 10–15 minutes, prioritize captions and clear audio, and avoid unmoderated chats. Use parental controls and turn off public profiles where available.

Accent reduction and listening

If your goal is clean vowels/nasals and better comprehension, pick an app with robust audio and pair it with IPA-based drills.

Record yourself, compare to native audio, and track recurring errors (e.g., de-voicing final consonants). Rotate one vowel set per week and revisit in different words and sentences.

Pricing, trials, and ROI

Don’t overbuy features you won’t use in your next 60 days. The most reliable path to ROI is to trial two complementary apps in parallel for 14 days with clear success criteria. Then commit for a quarter.

Most mainstream French learning apps run on subscriptions with monthly or annual discounts. Some offer limited free tiers with ads, while lifetime licenses are rarer.

Evaluate cost per effective study hour, not per feature count. Before paying, confirm offline access on your devices. Check whether speech recognition, community feedback, or full lesson libraries are gated.

Free vs paid feature gates

Free tiers are fine for exploration, but many hide key features behind paywalls. Expect limits on offline downloads, larger lesson libraries, and speech recognition quality in free versions.

Community feedback (e.g., native corrections) and full placement testing can also be restricted. During trials, attempt your real goal—recording feedback, downloading offline units, or completing exam-style tasks—so you’re not surprised later.

Best-value picks by level

At A0–A1, you’ll get the most value from structured audio with a basic SRS tool. At A2–B1, add graded dialogues and writing practice with feedback. At B2, redirect spend to authentic media and tutoring.

Reassess quarterly: if a feature doesn’t meet a weekly goal, drop it and consolidate.

Refund policies and trial optimization

Stack trials back-to-back and set a 14-day test: one speaking benchmark, one listening benchmark, and one writing prompt. Check app stores for refund windows and vendor money-back guarantees.

Calendar your cancellation date on day 10. Export any notes or decks, and keep screenshots of progress for your records.

Offline, platform coverage, and sync reliability

Offline claims vary wildly. Some apps cache only partial lessons or audio, while others allow full unit downloads.

To avoid frustration, test offline on airplane mode before paying. Verify progress sync across phone, tablet, and web.

True offline typically means you can complete whole lessons, record speech, and save progress without data. Partial offline means limited drills or audio playback only.

If you commute underground or travel often, prioritize true offline on both iOS and Android. Test sync after reconnecting.

True offline vs partial offline

A quick test: download a full unit, toggle airplane mode, and complete a lesson that includes listening, speaking, and writing. After reconnecting, check if progress, streaks, and SRS intervals updated across devices.

If any of those fail, treat the app as partial offline and plan accordingly.

Low-data study strategies

Pre-download audio and video over Wi‑Fi, keep image-heavy features off, and rely on SRS with local decks (e.g., Anki) when you’re on mobile data. Export vocabulary in batches to avoid constant sync and turn off auto-play videos unless you’re on Wi‑Fi.

Device support and sync reliability

Before you commit, install on all your devices and complete one session per device in the same day. Look for duplicated reviews, lost streaks, or unsynced recordings.

Keep one “source of truth” for vocabulary (e.g., Anki) to prevent fragmenting your review history across multiple apps.

Pronunciation that sticks: speech recognition, IPA, and minimal pairs

Speech recognition can build awareness, but it isn’t a pronunciation teacher. The takeaway: use it as a mirror, not a judge, and pair it with IPA-backed minimal pairs and human checks.

Most consumer apps’ speech engines struggle with non-native accents and short utterances. They may pass incorrect sounds or fail on near-correct attempts.

For beginners with an English accent, Rosetta Stone’s engine is often stricter but consistent. Busuu and Duolingo vary by device environment. Pimsleur emphasizes production without strict grading, which can reduce anxiety.

Use speech scoring to spot gross errors, then confirm with a native or tutor.

Limits of speech recognition

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) isn’t designed to diagnose mouth position or airflow. It can’t directly fix /y/ vs /u/ or nasalization.

Expect accent bias and background-noise sensitivity. When in doubt, record a short sentence, compare your waveform to the model, and ask a native to evaluate intelligibility and stress placement.

IPA-based training and minimal pairs

IPA gives you a precise target for each French vowel and nasal. Train with minimal pairs (tu /ty/ vs tout /tu/, beau /bo/ vs beaufs /bof/) and cycle them in short, frequent drills.

Keep a small deck with audio and IPA, mark common confusions, and re-check them in phrases (e.g., une rue /yn ʁy/ vs une roue /yn ʁu/). For definitions and symbols, see the International Phonetic Association.

Vocabulary that lasts: SRS, custom decks, and Anki integration

Spaced repetition multiplies retention by reviewing just before you forget. The simplest system: keep one master deck and avoid duplicating words across multiple French learning apps.

SRS works because memory follows a predictable forgetting curve. Spacing reviews expands retention intervals efficiently.

Use an app’s built-in review if you’re keeping your words there, but export to a central deck if you switch apps. Keep items short: one meaning, one example sentence, and audio.

Import/export with Anki or custom decks

Use a CSV with fields like Expression;Meaning;Example;Audio. In Anki, create a custom note type with fields for audio and IPA, and tag by topic (prefecture, logement, santé).

To stay organized and troubleshoot, refer to the Anki Manual. When you trial a new app, export new words weekly and import them to your master deck so SRS intervals don’t reset.

Efficient deck workflows and avoiding app overload

Cap daily new cards (e.g., 10–15), and follow a one-in, one-out rule: only add a word you’ll actually encounter this week. Keep review sessions to 10–15 minutes and stop when accuracy drops below 80%.

If you use a secondary SRS like Memrise or Clozemaster, schedule it as optional, not mandatory, to avoid fatigue.

Real-life practice: native feedback, tutoring, and admin scenarios

Algorithmic feedback catches typos and large pronunciation errors, but real-life tasks need human nuance. The fastest skill gains come from mixing app drills with brief, targeted human feedback on your biggest bottlenecks.

Apps with community corrections (e.g., Busuu) can validate grammar and phrasing in short bursts. Use them for routine practice and to identify patterns.

For higher-stakes tasks—prefecture interviews, landlord calls, medical appointments—book 25–45 minute tutoring sessions to role-play and refine scripts.

In-app corrections vs human feedback

Use in-app corrections for low-stakes writing prompts and to confirm set phrases. Switch to a tutor when you need: pragmatic tone (polite vs direct), register choices (tu vs vous), or task rehearsal under time pressure.

Keep a shared doc with your corrected phrases and add them to your SRS.

1:1 tutoring integration and pricing

One live session per week can replace hours of unfocused self-study. On marketplaces like italki, French tutors commonly range from budget community tutors to professional teachers.

Prices vary by credentials and time zone. Bring a focused brief: your goal, three sample sentences to fix, and one role-play. Track outcome: what you can now say or understand that you couldn’t last week.

Role-play for prefecture, landlord, and doctor

Prepare a one-page sheet per scenario with ID info, appointment details, and 6–8 likely Q&As. Rehearse mini-dialogues (“Je viens pour… J’ai apporté… Pourriez-vous…”) and practice follow-ups for when you don’t understand (“Pourriez-vous répéter plus lentement, s’il vous plaît ?”).

Record a final run-through and add any improved phrases to your SRS.

CEFR alignment and exam prep

Apps can move you through content, but exams test integrated tasks. Align your study with CEFR descriptors and train like the exam you’ll take.

CEFR describes what you can do at each level; refer to the Council of Europe’s level descriptions when setting goals. DELF/DALF tasks (listening/reading/writing/speaking) are standardized by France Éducation International.

TEF/TCF formats differ in timing and scoring. Every two weeks, run a short diagnostic: a timed listening segment and a one-minute speaking monologue recorded for feedback.

Placement tests you can trust

In-app placement tests are useful for course routing, but validate with an external CEFR-aligned check. TV5MONDE offers level-based tests that map to CEFR; try the TV5MONDE placement tests to benchmark.

Use this as your baseline, then re-check at weeks 4, 8, and 12.

DELF/DALF task mapping and timelines

Map your drills to exam tasks: note-taking from audio for listening, email/complaint for writing, and structured monologues for speaking (introduction → development → conclusion).

For an 8–12 week B1→B2 push, spend 60% on input (news clips with transcripts, graded articles), 20% on targeted writing with corrections, and 20% on speaking simulations. Use model answers from official exam guides to calibrate tone and structure.

TEF/TCF strategies

TEF/TCF emphasize speed under pressure, especially in listening and speaking. Practice with timed audio, learn to skip-and-return for reading, and rehearse structured responses to common prompt types.

Keep a phrase bank for argumentation (“à mon avis… d’une part… d’autre part… en conclusion…”), and drill 60-second answers with a timer.

Authentic media and interactive subtitles

Authentic media accelerates listening and vocabulary—especially when paired with transcripts or interactive subtitles. The goal is to move from graded content to native-level clips with support that you gradually remove.

Use TV5MONDE for graded news and exercises; it’s teacher-built and CEFR-aware. Add a subtitle platform like Lingopie or FluentU to binge short shows or clips with clickable words, then export key phrases to your SRS.

Once a week, watch without subtitles to test real comprehension.

TV5MONDE pedagogy

TV5MONDE’s “Apprendre le français” offers videos at A1–C1 with ready-made activities and transcripts, which keeps study focused and credible. It’s ideal for building a current-events vocabulary and hearing multiple accents.

Start with CEFR-tagged lessons, then rewatch the same video note-free to consolidate.

Lingopie vs FluentU workflows

Lingopie shines for entertainment-first series with interactive subtitles and pause-and-repeat; it’s great for motivation and accent variety. FluentU structures clips more like lessons, with built-in quizzes and vocabulary scaffolding.

If you struggle with motivation, pick Lingopie. If you prefer guided drills and vocabulary tracking, pick FluentU. Either way, export 8–12 phrases per week to your SRS.

Privacy, ads, and parental controls

Privacy and safety differ widely: ad-supported free tiers can include trackers, while subscription apps typically reduce ads but may still collect usage data. If you’re choosing for kids or prefer minimal data collection, read the privacy policy and disable social features.

Look for: no or minimal third-party ads, clear data-retention policies, and the ability to set private profiles or restrict community interactions. For family use, prioritize moderated environments and disable messaging where possible.

Test any “community corrections” feature with a parent account first to confirm moderation speed and tone.

Accessibility and inclusive design

Accessibility features can be the difference between quitting and consistency. Check for adjustable text size, dyslexia-friendly fonts, high-contrast mode, full captions/transcripts, variable audio speed, and keyboard navigation on web.

For general accessibility principles, consult W3C’s WCAG guidance. Before paying, run a 10-minute accessibility test: can you complete a lesson with larger text and captions?

Does audio slow down without distortion? Are color-only cues avoided? If an app fails these basics, choose another—your energy is a finite resource.

Sample weekly plans that combine two apps

A good plan protects your time and keeps each app in its lane. The pattern: one core skill-builder, one support tool, and a short feedback loop to measure progress.

30-minute/day maintenance plan

Outcome: maintain and gently grow at A2–B1 without burnout. Key takeaway: 20 minutes of core work, 10 minutes of SRS, five days per week.

Do three days of core app lessons (e.g., Busuu dialogues with one writing prompt) and two days of authentic media with transcripts (TV5MONDE or a short Lingopie clip). Each day, add 8–12 SRS reviews and 2–3 new cards.

On Friday, record a 60-second monologue summarizing a clip. On Sunday, rest or do a light Anki session.

8-week DELF B2 sprint

Outcome: push from solid B1 to B2 exam readiness in 8 weeks. Key takeaway: simulate exam tasks weekly and double down on feedback.

Weeks 1–2: diagnose with a placement test and write two 180–200 word tasks for correction. Weeks 3–6: four days input (news clips, transcripts), one day writing with corrections, one day speaking simulations, daily SRS (15 minutes).

Weeks 7–8: full mock tasks under time limits twice weekly. Refine template intros/conclusions. Align practice with official DELF/DALF task formats.

Switching from Duolingo without losing momentum

Outcome: move to a deeper stack without losing your habit. Key takeaway: keep your streak time but swap in higher-impact work.

Export a list of words/phrases you actually use, recreate 10–15 in Anki, and replace one Duolingo session per day with Busuu writing prompts or a Pimsleur lesson. Keep a minimal Duolingo streak (5 minutes) for the habit if you like, but schedule your new core session first.

After two weeks, drop the streak if it crowds your focus time.

Brand snapshots: Duolingo, Busuu, Memrise, Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone, TV5MONDE, Lingopie, FluentU

These mini-reviews highlight where each brand fits in a lean app stack. Use them to pick one core and one support tool that match your goal, level, and constraints.

Duolingo

Strengths: fun, low-friction daily habit, broad beginner coverage, and quick exposure to vocabulary and basic sentence patterns. Limits: limited speaking depth, variable CEFR alignment, and ad load in the free tier; offline is partial and lesson types are simplified. Best use: A0–A1 motivation and a light warm-up; supplement with speech-focused or feedback-based tools. Privacy: free tier includes ads; set a minimal daily goal if you use it only for momentum.

Busuu

Strengths: CEFR-informed pathways, writing and speaking prompts with native-speaker community feedback, and practical dialogues. Limits: advanced content can feel thin for B2+, and offline functionality depends on pre-downloading lessons. Best use: A1–B1 core, especially for admin/business communication and feedback without pay-per-lesson. Note: human feedback is included within the subscription via the community, making it a strong value pick.

Memrise

Strengths: efficient SRS with audio and video snippets, quick custom course creation, and offline downloads on paid plans. Limits: grammar depth is limited; it’s best as a vocabulary accelerator, not a complete course. Best use: Support tool at all levels, especially A0–B1 for high-frequency words and phrases. Tip: keep decks small and situation-based (travel, landlord, doctor) to avoid bloating reviews.

Pimsleur

Strengths: audio-first speaking drills, strong pronunciation habits, and true hands-free lessons—ideal for commutes. Limits: limited reading/writing and less explicit grammar, especially at higher levels. Best use: A0–A2 speaking confidence and listening; pair with an SRS deck and a light grammar source. Offline: robust when lessons are pre-downloaded; great for low-data use.

Rosetta Stone

Strengths: strict listen-and-repeat “immersion” approach with a consistent speech engine; helpful for beginners building phonetic awareness. Limits: slower grammar explanations and less real-world context for admin/business tasks. Best use: A0–A1 for pronunciation and basic structures; supplement early with real-life phrases. Consider it if you want an app that enforces a lot of listening and production.

TV5MONDE

Strengths: official, teacher-made exercises with authentic French across CEFR levels; excellent for news and cultural context. Limits: not a gamified app and requires self-direction; you’ll need your own SRS to retain vocabulary. Best use: A2–C1 input with transcripts, particularly for exam prep and real-world listening. Start with CEFR-tagged lessons and test progress via their level checks.

Lingopie

Strengths: interactive subtitles and bingeable series that keep motivation high; great for accent variety and real colloquial French. Limits: not a full course; requires discipline to export vocabulary and review it. Best use: A2–C1 listening and vocabulary in context; export phrases weekly to SRS and do occasional no-subtitle rewatching.

FluentU

Strengths: video-based lessons with built-in quizzes, transcripts, and vocabulary scaffolding for a more structured feel than pure streaming. Limits: smaller entertainment catalog than streaming-first platforms; still not a full grammar course. Best use: A2–B2 for guided, transcript-led input with measurable review; ideal if you want more structure than free-form watching.

A few quick answers to common decisions:

Finally, keep your system lean: one core app for structured progress, one support tool for SRS or authentic input, and a weekly feedback loop tied to CEFR tasks. With that, your “French studying app” stops being a distraction and starts delivering results.