Apps I use to study Russian from zero

When I started learning Russian, I wanted apps that felt light, fun, and actually helpful. Here are the ones I use daily for both conversations and TORFL prep:

Conversation – Chickytutor, HelloTalk

Speaking is always the scariest part when starting a new language. I use Chickytutor to practice speaking sentences whenever I feel like it. It's nice because I don't have to be shy or worry about mistakes with pronunciation. Then I go to HelloTalk when I want to talk with real people. Sometimes I exchange simple phrases about weather or food, sometimes we discuss Russian literature or films. Both apps make it easy to practice without too much pressure.

Cyrillic Script – Russian Alphabet Mastery

Learning Cyrillic felt like decoding secret messages at first, but Russian Alphabet Mastery made it systematic. The app teaches each letter with clear pronunciation and handwriting practice. What I love most is how it groups similar-looking letters and explains the differences. After just one week of daily practice, I could read Russian words even if I didn't understand them yet. The app includes cursive Russian too, which looks completely different from print. I practice for 10 minutes each morning, and now reading Cyrillic feels as natural as Latin script.

Vocabulary & Cases – Drops Russian

Russian vocabulary with its six cases seemed overwhelming, but Drops made it visual and manageable. The 5-minute sessions with beautiful illustrations help words stick in memory. What I love most is how it introduces words in different cases naturally, without making it feel like grammar study. At first, I couldn't understand why words kept changing endings, but seeing patterns visually really helps. I practice during coffee breaks, and slowly my vocabulary has expanded beyond basic tourist phrases. The pronunciation practice with native audio is essential for those soft and hard consonants.

Grammar & Cases – Russian Cases Interactive

When Russian cases drove me to confusion, this app saved my understanding. It turns learning cases into interactive exercises where you see exactly why each case is used. What's brilliant is the color coding system and real-life examples for each case. After weeks of practice, I started intuitively knowing when to use genitive versus accusative. The app explains motion verbs clearly too - finally understanding the difference between идти and ехать was a breakthrough. Five minutes daily has made Russian grammar feel logical rather than random.

TORFL Preparation – Pushkin Institute Online

When I wanted to get serious about TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) certification, the Pushkin Institute's online platform became invaluable. They provide official preparation materials for all levels from A1 to C2. I like how they break down exactly what vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge each level requires. The practice tests mirror the actual exam format perfectly. Working through their exercises daily keeps me focused on systematic progress rather than random learning.

Dictionary – Multitran

A good dictionary is always needed, and for Russian I use Multitran. It's incredibly comprehensive with context from real texts, not just translations. What makes it special is the forum discussions where native speakers explain nuances between similar words. Russian has many words that seem synonymous but aren't, and Multitran clarifies these differences. The example sentences from literature and news show authentic usage. I also like how it includes slang and colloquial expressions with warnings about formality levels.

Reading – RT Learn Russian

To improve my reading, I use RT Learn Russian section daily. They provide news articles with three difficulty levels and built-in translation support. What's helpful is the hover dictionary - I can check words without leaving the article. I start with elementary level articles about culture and lifestyle, then challenge myself with intermediate content. At first, every sentence required multiple lookups, but after some months I could read simple articles without constantly checking words. It's a nice way to practice reading while learning about Russian perspectives on various topics.

YouTube – Listening & Review

I also use YouTube as part of my learning routine. There are so many channels where you can listen to natural Russian conversations, learn grammar, or review pronunciation. I sometimes watch Russian vloggers like вДудь or Юрий Дудь with Russian subtitles, sometimes structured lessons from Be Fluent in Russian or Russian with Max, depending on my mood. Russian subtitles help me connect the spoken sounds with Cyrillic text, which improves both my listening and reading simultaneously. It feels less like studying and more like browsing YouTube normally, but I still pick up colloquial expressions and modern Russian slang every time I watch.