If you want to start learning a new language: there are plenty of language learning apps out there, both for iOS and Android.
Although Dutch may not be as popular a language to learn as some other languages, like English or Spanish, there’s still a good selection of Dutch language apps.
So if you’re thinking about visiting, living or working in the Netherlands, here’s Remitly’s guide to learning Dutch as a foreign language.
Duolingo
When you think of the phrase “language learning app,” chances are that Duolingo is the first name that springs to mind. It’s the world’s most downloaded educational app, with over 21.4 million daily active users.
While English is still the most popular language among Duolingo users, the app offers over 40 languages, including Dutch.
Duolingo’s trademark is its gamified approach. Learners enjoy bite-sized, interactive lessons covering vocabulary, verb conjugation and pronunciation.
It features a personalized learning path, learning “streaks” to encourage daily practice and instant feedback on lessons.
A premium subscription without ads is available for additional features, such as offline lessons.
Why choose Duolingo?
- Free option available
- Fun, engaging approach keeps learners motivated
What are the drawbacks of Duolingo?
- Can become repetitive
- Limited grammatical explanations: grammar is only taught in context
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is widely used by educational institutions, corporations, and individual language learners. Now it’s available as an app on both the Apple Store and Google Play.
Dutch is one of the 25 languages available on Rosetta Stone.
The app offers a free trial, with a monthly subscription charged at $15.99, plus an option to upgrade to lifetime access.
It’s structured, with Level 1 courses aimed at absolute beginners and subsequent levels at more advanced learners. The Dutch option has three levels.
Why choose Rosetta Stone?
- Available on a range of devices, not just mobile
- Real-time pronunciation feedback
What are the drawbacks of Rosetta Stone?
- There’s no free app
- No explicit grammatical explanations, which can be problematic if you’re learning Dutch for academic purposes
Busuu
Busuu, founded in 2008, now has over 120 million registered users worldwide.
There are 14 languages available on the app, including Dutch, which has 30,000 users. It features bite-size lessons, quizzes, AI-powered grammar training, and the opportunity to practice with and receive feedback from native speakers.
Over 600 global organizations also use Busuu to provide employee language training.
Busuu offers a limited free version and a premium subscription which unlocks all features, including grammar lessons, vocabulary builder, and official certificates.
It uses a spaced repetition technique to help you remember the new words and grammar you’ve learned. Subscription prices in 2024 are $13.90 monthly, $50.70 for six months, and $83.40 annually.
Why choose Busuu?
- Lessons use the internationally recognized Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for language learning, so you know what standard you’ve reached
- Access to a community of native speakers worldwide
What are the drawbacks of Busuu?
- It’s a free language app, but the free version has limited functionality
- Only available via mobile app; no desktop version
Memrise
Memrise markets itself as a language learning app for serious learners. Founded in 2010, it now boasts 65 million registered users.
There are official courses for 23 languages, and you can choose a free plan or a paid plan, starting from $22.99 a month, with annual and lifetime subscriptions.
The pro version is ad-free and includes access to all learning features.
You’ll learn Dutch through video clips of native speakers, supplemented by flashcards and quizzes.
Memrise offers videos based on a learner’s specific interests and an AI language tutor so you can practice your conversational Dutch before talking to native speakers.
Why choose Memrise?
- Real-life video content featuring native speakers in context
- Both mobile and web app available
What are the drawbacks of Memrise?
- Limited free content
- Strong focus on memorization, which may not suit everyone
Babbel
Babbel claims to be the “most-sold language learning platform.” With over 16 million subscriptions and 14 languages on offer, it’s one of the best-known language learning apps.
There are three subscription options: Babbel Complete, Babbel Lifetime and Babbel as a Gift.
Pricing starts from $13.45 a month for a six-month subscription. In addition, there’s an option called Babbel Live, which requires a separate subscription and gives you unlimited online classes.
Babbel emphasizes that you’re paying for expertise, but there’s a free trial available which entitles you to the first lesson in every course.
Features include “Everyday Conversations” (simulated dialogues on everyday topics), vocabulary review, a grammar guide and podcasts.
Why choose Babbel?
- Structured courses, designed by experts
- Strong emphasis on practical conversation skills for real-life situations
- Uses speech recognition technology in conversational learning
What are the drawbacks of Babbel?
- No free version
- Everyday conversations are currently only available at A1/A2 levels in a limited range of languages, which include Spanish and German, but not Dutch
If you’re keen to learn other languages, check out our guides on top language apps for learning Spanish and English.
And there’s no need to stop there: why not explore learning Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic or Polish? There are even apps to learn Latin.
Don’t forget that traditional language courses, or a language exchange, can help you develop your language skills further. Good luck with learning Dutch!
Also Read: Top Apps for Learning Portuguese in 2024
FAQ
Why should I learn Dutch?
If you’re learning a new language, you might think it is more useful to learn a widely-used European language such as French, German, Portuguese or Spanish, or even a global language like Chinese, Japanese or Korean.
However, there are many reasons to learn Dutch. You might be working or studying in the Netherlands or Belgium.
Perhaps you have Dutch-speaking friends and want to communicate with them in their native language.
Let’s not forget the influence of social media and streaming platforms. Maybe you’ve stumbled across a Dutch film or TV show and want to understand the dialogue without using subtitles!
Also, some people like to learn a foreign language just for fun, or to keep their brain active. Learning different languages also helps you make friends, as many apps allow you to chat to native speakers.
Is it difficult to learn Dutch?
This depends on how much effort you put in, what your native language is, and whether you’ve learned any other languages before.
But Dutch is linguistically similar to English, as both languages are part of the West Germanic linguistic family. And 90% of Dutch people can speak English, so if you get into difficulties in the Netherlands, they’ll be happy to help you out.
How long does it take to learn Dutch?
The good news is that, according to the Foreign Service Institute of the US Government, Dutch is classed as a Category 1 language alongside Danish, French, Italian, Norwegian, Romanian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.
That means it’s one of the easiest languages for a native English speaker to learn and you can expect to reach general proficiency in 24–30 weeks, the equivalent of 600–750 class hours.
What’s the best language learning app for Dutch?
There’s no single best app for learning Dutch. It depends very much on how you prefer to learn, so take a look at our list above and work out which app is right for your learning style and aims.
Are there any other language learning apps that I can use to learn Dutch?
We’ve picked some of the most well-known and widely available apps on the app store and Google Play.
There are others to consider if you’re looking for a different learning experience; Pimsleur, for example, is heavily audio-focused.