The Top Apps for Learning Italian in 2024

Mobile learning has surged in popularity, making knowledge accessible. You can even use mobile apps to master foreign languages like Italian.

Users prefer language learning apps for their flexibility and convenience; you can study at your own pace and practice anywhere, at any time.

So, are you planning to visit, study, or work in Italy as a digital nomad? This guide by Remitly will help you find the best apps to learn Italian before your trip kicks off.

Quick language learning app comparison table

How did we choose the best language apps?

We curated the best Italian language learning apps based on certain key factors, including:

• User-friendliness
• Content quality
• App features,
• User reviews
• Cost

10 great language learning apps for Italian in 2024

Today, there are over 85 million Italian speakers worldwide, and you can be the next. Here are 10 of the top language learning apps for Italian, each offering unique features to ensure fluency.

Duolingo

Italian language learners gravitate towards Duolingo for its bite-sized lessons and gamified learning style.

You can collect experience points, unlock achievements, and earn rewards through its streak system. Known for its memorable branding, the mobile app has a colorful interface, interactive learning tools, and an assortment of online courses.

Key features:

• Interactive exercises
• Progress tracking
• Robust gamification

Pros:

• Adaptive learning technology that fits with your needs.
• Gamified learning tools ensure sustained motivation.
• It’s available on both Android and Apple/iOS.
• The free version offers extensive core features.

Cons:

• The free version has a lot of ads, which can be distracting.
• Some users find it less mobile-friendly than other apps.
• It restricts community interaction.

Babbel

Babbel develops practical Italian language skills through its interactive dialogue feature and speech recognition technology.

Learners can access structured learning material that emphasizes real-world conversations and proper pronunciation.

Key features

• Advanced speech recognition
• Simulated conversation
• Tailored lesson plans
• Cultural insights

Pros:

• Babbel focuses on conversational skills.
• There are plenty of opportunities to practice your pronunciation.
• Virtual flashcards help with vocab review.

Cons:

• It requires a paid monthly subscription.
• The app features fewer gamification components.
• Its free content has several limitations.

Rosetta Stone

Build your Italian vocabulary and improve grammar with Rosetta Stone. The app offers audio lessons and helpful visual cues, plus lifetime access to every language course.

After Italian, you can start learning a new language like Arabic, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish, among others.

Key features:

• TruAccent speech recognition
• Easy offline access
• Extended course lengths
• Extensive language library

Pros:

• It follows an immersive learning methodology.
• Gain lifetime access to language courses.
• It prioritizes correct pronunciation.

Cons:

• It requires a bigger financial investment.
• It could be challenging for beginners.
• It only provides basic grammar explanations.

Memrise

What sets Memrise apart is its focus on memory retention.

The mobile app combines spaced repetition with multimedia material to boost long-term vocabulary recall, no matter the target language.

Key features:

• Video clips of native speakers
• Entertaining quizzes
• Progress tracking

Pros:

• Using flashcards promotes faster memorization.
• Practice using videos created by native Italian speakers.
• You can access both user-created and branded courses.

Cons:

• Its curriculum is unstructured.
• Doesn’t provide much grammar instruction.
• It requires a premium subscription.

Busuu

Busuu provides interactive Italian lessons and personal feedback from native speakers.

The app covers all aspects of learning Italian, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

And suppose you need help with verb conjugation – Busuu guarantees 24/7 support.

Key features:

• Social interaction
• Grammar lessons
• Community support

Pros:

• Receive feedback from native Italian speakers.
• Enjoy in-depth grammar overviews.
• An offline version of the app is available.

Cons:

• Free content is minimal on the mobile app.
• Assessments may vary in quality.
• Some users see the interface as cluttered and confusing.

italki

On italki, professional Italian tutors offer personalized, one-on-one lessons right on your smartphone.

As such, the app ensures a social and educational learning experience. Different languages are also readily available.

Key features:

• Personalized lessons
• Flexible scheduling
• A variety of professional tutors

Pros:

• Join individualized lessons with native speakers.
• Enjoy flexible scheduling options.
• Access a range of tutors and prices.

Cons:

• It’s pricier than self-study apps.
• The experience and quality of tutors vary.
• It requires more time commitment.

Tandem

Meet real-life language partners and expand your speaking skills on Tandem.

You can enjoy Italian language exchanges with native speakers, plus in-app corrections and suggestions.

Key features:

• Native language practice
• In-app corrections
• Cultural exchange

Pros:

• Improve conversational skills with native speakers.
• In-app corrections and suggestions are very accurate.
• There are various cultural exchange opportunities.

Cons:

• The quality of language partners may vary.
• It isn’t as structured as traditional courses.
• It takes time to find a compatible match.

LingQ

LingQ uses real-world Italian content for your learning journey, including Netflix, TV shows, articles, and podcasts.

Thanks to accurate subtitles, you can build a stronger vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Key features:

• Relevant content
• Personalized learning
• Extensive library

Pros:

• Access real-world Italian media content.
• Enjoy a personalized learning experience.
• Learn through a massive library of materials.

Cons:

• The interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
• It requires self-motivation to progress.
• Some features need a premium subscription.

Mondly

Mondly deploys a competent chatbot for interactive Italian lessons and conversational practice.

Depending on your preferred learning style, this app works well for tech-savvy learners on the go.

For example, it incorporates augmented reality plus daily challenges for an engaging and varied learning experience.

Key features:

• Chatbot interaction
• Augmented reality integration
• Daily lessons

Pros:

• Its augmented reality features make learning more interactive.
• You can use the chatbot for conversation practice
• Daily lessons and challenges help you progress faster.

Cons:

• It has a smaller collection of free content.
• Some users report inaccurate translations.
• It isn’t as comprehensive as its competitors.

Rocket

Rocket Italian is an extensive language learning experience with a structured curriculum.

It comes with interactive audio lessons, cultural immersion, quizzes, and flashcards for learning new words. It also has a lifetime access option.

Key features:

• Organized curriculum
• Cultural insights
• Unlimited subscription

Pros:

• It provides structured study plans.
• Learn the Italian language and culture.
• Lifetime access is available.

Cons:

• It has a bigger price tag.
• The app could be more mobile-friendly.
• Community engagement is limited.

Honorable Mentions

Two other apps deserve recognition for their approach to Italian language learning. They are:

• Pimsleur: This audio-based platform specializes in listening and speaking skills. It’s ideal for those trying to improve pronunciation. The algorithm shows the most commonly used vocabulary, helping learners build practical language skills.
• HelloTalk: Learners of all levels collaborate with native Italian speakers for direct communication and cultural exchange. It offers built-in translation and correction features to help improve conversational skills.

Start learning Italian today

These 10 apps represent unique approaches to learning Italian. Whether you like structured courses, casual conversation, or memorizing Italian words with flashcards, there’s a solution tailored to your goals. With these tools at your disposal, achieving Italian fluency is more accessible than ever for both novice and advanced learners. Buona fortuna!

FAQs

What app will make me fluent in Italian?

There are several Italian language learning apps you can choose from, including Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Memrise, and more.

What is the best method for learning Italian?

The best way to learn Italian is by combining interactive lessons with regular vocabulary practice and a focus on conversational skills.

Also Read: 5 Top Language Apps for Learning Dutch and How to Get a Volunteer Visa in Italy: A Step-by-Step Guide