Ranked 5 of 7 in best language learning apps
Audio lessons that work hands-free, offline and in the car, with strong recall practice. It has no free tier beyond one lesson, so it costs more to start than the free apps above.
Best for Listening and speaking practice on the move
About Pimsleur
Pimsleur's method runs in three steps: a learner listens to a lesson, recalls words and phrases from memory, then builds confidence with real-time pronunciation feedback. Lessons run about 30 minutes. Reading lessons, digital flashcards and speed rounds support the audio course, and roleplay with a transcript helps with conversation.
Access comes through All Access, which covers more than 50 courses, or a Premium subscription for one language. A free lesson is offered, and the site lists a 30-day no-risk guarantee. Pimsleur is strongest for listening and speaking on the move. Its trade-off is an audio focus, so reading and writing get less practice than in a textbook course.
Strengths
- Lessons designed to be heard hands-free
- Offline lessons and car playback through CarPlay or Android Auto
- Real-time pronunciation feedback
- A free lesson before paying
Limits
- Subscription only, with no free tier listed
- Audio-first, so reading and writing get less practice
Where Pimsleur ranks
| List | Rank | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Language learning apps | 5 of 7 | 81.5 | Listening and speaking practice on the move |
Questions about Pimsleur
- Is Pimsleur free?
- Pimsleur is a paid product (subscription). All Access and single-language Premium subscriptions; one free lesson.
- Is Pimsleur open source?
- No. Pimsleur is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does Pimsleur support?
- Pimsleur is available on: Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Pimsleur best for?
- Listening and speaking practice on the move. In our ranking of language learning apps it is number 5 of 7 with a score of 81.5.
- What are the best alternatives to Pimsleur?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Duolingo, Busuu, Memrise, Clozemaster.