📱 My Language App Tier List

One is overpowered, another is headache inducing and the rest fall somewhere in between

A few weeks ago, langstudies shared an ultimate language app tier list. I’ve never ranked the language apps I’ve used before, and I thought this would be fun for all language learners to join in!

If you’re also a language learner, I tag you to make your tier list. I used tiermaker to create mine by uploading the logos of the language apps I’ve used. Shea shared her tier lists in two parts (part 1 & part 2).

The Tier List

My tier list reflects my personal experiences with each app. To determine where each app belongs in the tiers, I considered the following questions:

• Do I still actively use the app?

• Did I enjoy using the app when I used it?

• Does the app support learning multiple languages?

• If the app focuses on one language, does it effectively fulfill its intended purpose?

• Is the app free? Does it have a lifetime option if paid?

This list isn’t final as I may encounter new apps or reassess my feelings toward current ones. As of now, this is my ranking.

Ranking Criteria

• Everything I need and more: Self-explanatory; the apps in this tier provide an immersive language learning experience with abundant additional features to aid learning. Bonus points if they support multiple languages.

• Good stuff: Enjoyable to use; I eagerly return to learn with each app in this tier.

• Gets the job done: While I may not use these apps as frequently, they show me noticeable progress in my language development.

• Average: Less likely to be used frequently; these apps feel repetitive and lead to boredom.

• Heading-inducing: Causes headaches when using.

My Ranking

I ranked a total of 23 language apps. One fell into the "Everything I need & more" tier, six in "Good stuff," seven in "Gets the job done," eight in "Average," and one unfortunate app ended up in the "Headache-inducing" tier.

If you were to rank the same apps, would your ranking look the same?

Explaining my ranking

Everything I need & more: Languageplayer.io!

• Languageplayer is my app of choice when I want to immerse and learn at the same time.

Good stuff: Pleco, Ylhýra, Kaards (review), JPDB.io, Anki & Italki

• All of these apps except for Italki are vocabulary apps. I find them great for quickly creating custom cards or for using premade cards. Italki stands out for its ability to connect me with teachers who align with my learning style, especially for speaking practice.

Gets the job done: Journaly, Memrise, Apprendre le français (TV5MONDE), Satori Reader, DuChinese, Tandem & Mauril

• These apps are all great at what they aim to do. If I need corrections on my writing, Journaly is where I can go to get feedback from native speakers or other learners. If I want to work on my reading in Japanese or Mandarin, Satori Reader & DuChinese is there for support while Tandem is great for language exchange through speaking or writing.

Average: Lingq, Lingodeer, Bussu, Mango Languages, Skritter, Clozemaster, Drops & Speakly

• These apps fall into the “average” tier because after using them for a while, I quickly forget about them. In the case of Bussu & Speakly, I found it hard to continue using the app as the free versions didn’t offer much.

Headache inducing: Duolingo

• Duolingo gives me headaches. That’s all.

This list isn’t comprehensive as I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few apps. I’ve also not included apps I’ve never used even if they are well-known apps.

If you're interested in reviews for any of these apps, feel free to reach out!

Some apps in my tier list were mentioned in this post about listening and this post about reading in Mandarin.

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