7 French Learning Apps for Structure, Listening, and Speaking

Yes. French was listed in Duolingo's official course selector on August 8, 2026. The catalogue can change, but French remains one of its most developed course choices.

French has no shortage of apps. The hard part is finding the missing skill. Do not buy another general course when the actual problem is fast listening, verb forms, or answering without a script.

Audit one minute of French

Record yourself explaining yesterday, listen to a new A2 clip, and write five sentences. Mark where meaning breaks. Choose the next tool for that weakness.

1. Duolingo

Duolingo French offers a long guided path with short lessons and frequent review. It is useful for consistency and broad beginner practice.

Its internal score is not proof of spontaneous conversation. Complete weekly tasks outside the app and add native listening.

2. Babbel

Babbel French uses sequenced short lessons, practical dialogues, native audio, grammar guidance, and review. It suits learners who want a paid course with more direct explanation.

Repeat dialogues with changed details. A correct app response can still be memorized rather than productive.

3. Busuu

Busuu French currently offers a Complete French path from A1 to B2 plus pronunciation, travel, business, and life-in-France material. Some exercises can receive community feedback.

Check which features require a paid plan. Community responses vary, so seek a teacher for corrections that affect formal writing or assessment.

4. Pimsleur

Pimsleur French uses audio prompts that make you retrieve and say a response. It is valuable for learners who know grammar but hesitate during basic exchanges.

The audio-first approach needs separate reading, writing, and explicit grammar work. Confirm the current course and subscription terms before paying.

5. TV5MONDE

TV5MONDE's French learning site offers thousands of free video-based exercises organized from A1 through B2. It is one of the best choices here for training comprehension with authentic reports and programmes.

Choose material at a level where you can follow the main idea. Completing quizzes without replaying and summarizing the clip limits the benefit.

6. Lawless French

Lawless French provides free explanations and lessons across grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, and level-guided study. It works well as a reference when a specific French form is blocking you.

Reference reading can become passive. Write three original examples, check them, and return to listening or conversation.

7. ChickyTutor

ChickyTutor French practice can rehearse a specific interaction privately after a lesson. State your approximate level and, when it matters, the French-speaking region relevant to your goal.

It is not a sequenced French course or an authority on accent, regional usage, formal writing, and disputed corrections. Verify important feedback with a teacher or trusted reference.

Roleplay rescheduling a medical appointment in polite A2 French. Begin after I say “Bonjour, je voudrais reporter mon rendez-vous.” Ask for my name, current appointment time, and two possible new dates. Keep replies short. End with three corrections that affected clarity or politeness.

Buy less, measure more

Keep one guided course: Duolingo, Babbel, or Busuu. Add Pimsleur only for oral recall, TV5MONDE for listening, and Lawless French for precise questions. Use ChickyTutor or a French speaker for a weekly unscripted check, then repeat the one-minute audit after two weeks.