Top 15 Pimsleur Alternatives For All Languages (2024 Research)

Pimsleur is an online language-learning app founded by Dr Paul Pimsleur in 1963. The program first started as an audio-based learning program. It has currently evolved into an online learning program that you can access via a website or app. 

The program offers a 30-minute core lesson that teaches learners the rudiments of the language. Then, it supplements this lesson with extra materials like digital flashcards, voice recognition software to aid pronunciation, games, role-playing, reading sessions, and more. 

If you’re reading this, we assume there is a valid reason for it. Our hypotheses are as follows: 

• Most content on Pimsleur is in audio format and you want to improve aspects like your writing and speaking skills.

• You prefer to learn in an interactive environment with videos and other visual materials. 

• You tried Pimsleur services and it wasn’t what you’d hoped. 

• You found their services to be very expensive. 

• You are comparing options based on pricing or overall service,

In this article, we’ll review the best 15 online language learning alternative companies to Pimsleur, including our own online French teaching company, Get French Classes.

We’ll start by discussing how and why we designed our service by comparing it to what you get from Pimsleur and the other top language learning companies online. You’ll learn how we studied them to design an even better French learning platform for learners such as yourself. 

Let’s get started. 

Why Get French Class is the Best Alternative to Pimsleur for Learning French

The problem with most digital courses and apps, like Pimsleur, is that they teach French in a vacuum. They just have you memorizing words and phrases out of context — literally separated from the real-world situations you’ll actually use them in. 

As a consequence, you might ace the vocabulary modules, listen to the audios, and basically memorize the phrases or sentences you’re hearing them use throughout, but then freeze up when a native speaker starts chattering at full speed.

Here's what some of our learners say:

We’ve heard so many of our learners with experience learning French online complain about this. And we are now happy to say that we’ve cracked the code on how to achieve real conversational fluency through an engaging online program, Get French Classes. 

Here is how our curriculum unfolds and the program helps you improve your writing, speaking, reading, and listening skills.

Our curriculum focuses on practical, situational learning from the very start. 

Our bite-sized video lessons break down things like greetings, asking directions, ordering food, and making small talk. You'll learn the exact phrases the French use day-to-day, not just textbook vocabulary.

After watching a 5-minute video, you'll complete written and speaking exercises that reinforce the lesson. 

No mindless flashcard drills here — the assignments put you in realistic scenarios to practice using what you just learned. You have to demonstrate understanding before moving on to having one-on-one sessions and group classes with your tutors and peers.

Inside the videos, there are Notes, Remarks, and nice-to-know stuff. But you can also take your own notes. We keep it all simple so that at the end of every video lesson, you should normally be able to tell the ONE thing you took away from the lesson and how to apply that in real life. 

Our program lets you practice with coaches and peers through spoken and written assignments

We know that video lessons alone aren’t enough. To achieve true mastery, you need feedback and opportunities for live conversation practice. That’s where our private tutoring and group classes come in.

And yes, it’s not an extra service like you might see on platforms like Pimsleur. You get it as part of the package you signed up for. 

Twice a week, you’ll video chat one-on-one with a professional French tutor who is a native speaker. They'll review your assignments, clear up any areas of confusion, and role-play conversations with you to build your skills. 

The idea behind our tutoring sessions is to ensure you have plenty of chances to speak and receive personalized coaching. Then twice more per week, you'll join a small group video session with 5 other learners at your level. 

These classes are entirely on conversation and debate, with your tutor moderating as you discuss set topics. Not only will this force you to practice speaking in a low-pressure setting, but your peers will provide feedback on things like pronunciation and grammar.

Here are some of our french tutors:

Our accountability buddy system and milestone badges and certificates ensure you don’t lose your momentum

To make your learning experience even more engaging and interactive, you'll be paired with an accountability buddy who is also taking the course. You two can practice together, share tips, and motivate each other to stick with it.

As you make progress, you’ll unlock achievement badges to celebrate your milestones. And when you’ve completed the full curriculum — including all assignments and speaking evaluations — you’ll receive an official proficiency certificate. 

Understand this is not a certificate to attest to your course completion but rather your mastery. So, when you see someone with a certificate from Get French Classes, it verifies that they’ve genuinely mastered French through our program.

Our program is available at one flat fee. You get the best return for your money. 

We know there are tons of language apps and courses out there. But our program stands out by combining everything you can get learning a language online with a motivating social experience. 

It’s the fastest, most effective way to go from struggling with French to speaking it comfortably in real-world situations.

The best part is that you get unlimited access to our full library of video lessons, private tutoring, group classes, and all courseware for one flat subscription fee. No calculating fees per session or instruction hour. It’s all included so you can learn at an affordable rate.

Best 15 Online French Learning Alternative Services to Pimsleur

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning French

Live Lingua

• Available through: Website, live online platforms (one-on-one tutoring)

• Best for: Personalized French learning with a native speaker

• Trustpilot ratings: 4.9 stars out of 5 for 157 review ratings . 

• Course details: Live Lingua offers private French lessons tailored to your learning style, goals, and proficiency level. They match you with a certified, native French-speaking tutor who creates a personalized learning program for you. You get the lessons online via live video sessions, and you can choose the duration of each lesson (30 minutes to 2 hours). The tutor covers all aspects of the language, provides homework, and offers feedback on your progress. You will receive a personalized report to track your performance.

• Pricing details: $35 per hour

What we think about the service:  

Live Lingua is an excellent choice for learners who prefer one-on-one interaction with a native French speaker. The personalized approach allows the tutor to focus on your specific needs and goals. This ensures that you progress at a pace that suits you best. 

Also, the flexibility to choose lesson durations and schedule classes at your convenience is a significant advantage. However, the cost per hour is higher compared to other self-paced or group learning options. 

Moreover, the effectiveness of the lessons largely depends on the quality of the tutor assigned to you. Also, you don’t get as many practice exercises, and learning materials as you would with platforms like Get French Classes. 

Brainscape

• Available through: Website, iOS app, Android app

• Best for: Learning French through flashcards

• Trustpilot ratings: 4.6 stars out of 5 for a total of 47 review ratings. 

• Course details: Brainscape offers a French course tailored for five language levels: French Level 0, French Level 1, French Level 2, French Level 3, and French Level 4. The program presents questions on one side of a flashcard, and users click on the other side to reveal the answer. Consistently engaging with the flashcards helps words stick faster to memory. Users can also create their own flashcards and collaborate with friends to enhance the learning experience. The platform uses spaced repetition to optimize studying by repeating harder concepts at the perfect intervals for maximum memory retention.

• Pricing details:

• 1-month plan: $19.99 per month

• Semester plan: $9.99 per month or $59.94 every six months

• Annual plan: $7.99 per month or $95.88 every 12 months

• Lifetime plan: $199.99

What we think about the service: 

Brainscape is a good choice for learners who prefer a self-paced, interactive approach to learning French. The adaptive flashcard system ensures that you focus on the concepts you find most challenging, making your study time more efficient. 

The ability to create custom flashcards and collaborate with others adds a social element to the learning process. However, the lack of a structured curriculum or live interaction with a tutor means that you will not have the same outcome as with Get French Classes.

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning English

Voice of America (VOA) Learning English

• Available through: Website (text, audio, and video lessons)

• Best for: Learning American English at various proficiency levels

• Ratings: N/A.

• Course details: VOA Learning English offers lessons for learners of all levels, from beginner to advanced. The lessons, led by the teacher Anna, are available in text, audio, and video formats. The content covers topics like health, science, technology, and more. Learners can also find targeted lessons on specific aspects of the language, such as grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The idea is to help users comprehensively build their English language skills.

• Pricing details: All lessons are free for users.

What we think about the service:  

VOA Learning English is an excellent resource for those looking to improve their American English skills. The multimedia format of the lessons (text, audio, and video) caters to different learning styles and preferences. 

Also, the fact that the lessons are free is a significant advantage, making it an affordable option for language learners. 

Cambridge English

• Available through: Website (free online resources, activities, and exam preparation materials)

• Best for: Improving English skills and preparing for Cambridge English exams

• Trustpilot ratings: 2.1 stars out of 5 for only 11 review ratings.

• Course details: Cambridge English offers free resources to help learners improve their English skills. The program provides over 176 activities that target core aspects of the English language: writing, speaking, listening, and reading. These activities vary in topics and complexity levels to cater to learners at different proficiency levels. Also, learners can access free resources like games, quizzes, and vocabulary lists to enhance their English skills. Cambridge English also offers exam preparation courses to help learners ace exams like the IELTS.

• Pricing details: The online resources and activities are free. Exam preparation courses may have associated fees.

What we think about the service:

Cambridge English is a fantastic resource for learners looking to improve their English skills at their own pace. The extensive horde of free activities and resources covering key aspects of the language makes it a comprehensive learning platform. 

The exam preparation courses are particularly useful for those targeting specific English proficiency tests. However, there is no structured curriculum or personalized feedback from a tutor and you’ll need to be self-motivated and disciplined to make the most of the resources.

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning German

Deutsche Akademie

• Available through: Online courses and live lessons

• Best for: Learning German through a variety of online resources and live classes

• Ratings: 4.8 stars out of 5.0 to a total of 1,084 ProvenExpert reviews

• Course details: Deutsche Akademie offers online German courses and resources. The program provides free learning materials, including audio courses to improve listening and speaking skills, over 170 coursebooks for self-study, and numerous exercises covering more than 150 grammar topics and vocabulary. Learners can also enroll in live lessons with native-speaking teachers and a maximum of 11 other students. These live classes are available in various formats (intensive, semi-intensive, weekend, phonetics, and writing classes). 

• Pricing details: The pricing for live lessons varies depending on the course you choose. But there are free learning resources available.

What we think about the service:  

Deutsche Akademie is a good choice for learners looking for a comprehensive German learning experience. The extensive collection of coursebooks, audio materials, and exercises provides ample opportunity for self-study and reinforcement of language skills. 

The live classes offer a more interactive and immersive learning environment, with the added benefit of personalized attention from qualified teachers. 

Memrise German

• Available through: Website, iOS app, Android app

• Best for: Learning German vocabulary and pronunciation

• G2 ratings: 4.6/5.0 (based on 177,000 reviews)

• Course details: Memrise offers a German course with over 900 lessons focusing on vocabulary development on topics like travel, work, activities, basics, and education. The course includes more than 11,000 words pronounced by native speakers and over 600 videos to help learners get accustomed to different accents and improve their pronunciation. Memrise also provides 75+ AI conversations to practice speaking skills, although user reviews suggest that this feature may not be as effective as expected.

• Pricing details: Memrise offers a free version with limited features and a Pro subscription with additional features and benefits.

What we think about the service: 

Memrise’s extensive collection of lessons, words, and videos provides ample opportunity to learn and practice. The app’s user-friendly interface and gamified learning approach make it engaging and enjoyable for learners. 

However, it may not be the best choice if you want to develop your grammar skills or gain conversational fluency, as user reviews suggest that the AI conversation feature is as effective as advertised. 

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning Italian

Wyzant

• Available through: Website, online platform connecting learners with tutors

• Best for: Learners who want personalized Italian lessons with a private tutor

• Ratings: N/A. 

• Course details: Wyzant connects Italian language learners with private tutors. Learners choose their tutor based on factors such as background, availability, and budget. The tutors work on various aspects of the Italian language, including grammar, conversation, vocabulary, and culture. The specific curriculum and lesson structure will depend on the individual tutor and the learner’s needs and goals.

• Pricing details: Tutors set their own rates, with prices starting from around $10 per hour. The exact cost will vary depending on the tutor’s experience and qualifications.

What we think about the service: 

Wyzant can be a good option for learners who prefer a personalized, one-on-one approach to learning Italian. The platform offers flexibility in terms of choosing a tutor that aligns with your learning style, schedule, and budget. However, the quality of the learning experience will vary significantly depending on the individual tutor. 

Online Italian Club

• Available through: Website (free exercises and resources), affiliated website (NativeSpeakerTeachers.com) for online lessons. 

• Best for: Learners seeking free Italian exercises and resources, with the option for paid online lessons with native speakers. 

• Ratings: N/A.

• Course details: Online Italian Club provides free Italian exercises that cover grammar, pronunciation, dialogues, listening practice, verbs, and vocabulary. The platform releases 2-3 new exercises each week. While the exercises are free, they partner with NativeSpeakerTeachers.com to offer paid online lessons with native Italian speakers. These Zoom or Skype lessons last 30 minutes each. Learners can choose the number of lessons they wish to attend based on their learning goals and budget.

• Pricing details:

• Free exercises and resources on Online Italian Club

• Online lessons through NativeSpeakerTeachers.com:

• One 30-minute lesson: £22

• Five 30-minute lessons: £105

• Pricing varies based on the number of lessons purchased

What we think about the service: 

Online Italian Club offers a unique resource for learners looking to improve their Italian skills through regular practice. The free exercises provide a solid foundation for self-study. 

The platform’s partnership with NativeSpeakerTeachers.com offers learners the opportunity to complement their self-study with personalized lessons from native speakers, which can be particularly beneficial if you want to work on your speaking and listening skills. 

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning Korean

GenkiKoreans

• Available through: Website (free learning resources and games)

• Best for: Learners who want a fun and interactive approach to learning Korean

• Ratings: N/A. 

• Course details: GenkiKoreans offers a unique approach to learning Korean through games and interactive content. The program encourages learners to make mistakes and learn from them. The learning material covers the Korean alphabet (Hangul), numbers, useful phrases, ordering food, occupations, telling time, and more. The games are designed to help learners master sets of words and phrases through repetition and trial and error. The website also provides hints and tips and materials to help learners improve their Korean language skills while having fun.

• Pricing details: It’s free.

What we think about the service: 

GenkiKoreans is a great resource for Korean learners who prefer a more playful and interactive approach to language learning. The game-based method encourages you to engage with the language without fear of making mistakes, which can be particularly beneficial if you’re a beginner. 

The variety of topics covered in the games ensures that you are exposed to vocabulary and phrases that are useful in everyday situations. 

However, remember that while the games can be an effective supplement to language learning, they can’t provide a comprehensive curriculum on their own. So, you’ll have to complement your learning with other resources.

Loecsen Korean

• Available through: Website (free learning resources), Android and iOS apps

• Best for: Beginners looking to learn the basics of the Korean language

• Ratings: 4.8/5.0 (based on 668 ratings and 67 reviews)

• Course details: Loecsen offers a free Korean language learning program suitable for beginners. The curriculum covers essentials like the alphabet (Hangul), basic vocabulary, grammar fundamentals, and proper pronunciation. The lessons are organized into themes, such as greetings, numbers, colors, time, family, feelings, and various everyday situations. Learners can access these lessons through the website or mobile apps.

• Pricing details: It’s completely free.

What we think about the service:  

Loecsen’s focus on the basics like the alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, provides a solid foundation for learners to build upon. The thematic organization of the lessons also makes it easy for learners to find and study the most relevant content for their needs. 

The fact that the resources are free and accessible through both the website and mobile apps makes Loecsen a convenient and cost-effective option for language learners. 

But Loecsen is the same as GenkiKorean in that they’re both starting points, you’ll need to consider hiring a private Korean tutor to bring your efforts home and practice to excellently. 

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning Portuguese

FluentU

• Available through: Website, iOS app, Android app

• Best for: Learners who prefer an immersive approach to learning Portuguese through authentic video content

• Ratings: N/A. 

• Course details: FluentU offers a unique approach to learning Portuguese by using real-world videos, such as TV shows, movie scenes, music videos, and more. The platform curates a library of authentic Portuguese videos suitable for learners of all levels. Each video comes with interactive captions and instant word definitions to help you better understand the content and expand your vocabulary. The captions are available in both Portuguese and English. After watching a video, you can take a personalized quiz to test your understanding. The platform also offers spaced repetition flashcards to help learners retain new words more effectively.

• Pricing details: FluentU costs $29.99 per month.

What we think about the service:  

FluentU’s use of real-world videos provides learners with exposure to a wide range of accents, dialects, and cultural contexts, which is essential for developing a well-rounded understanding of the language. 

The interactive captions and instant word definitions make it easier to comprehend the content and expand your vocabulary. The personalized quizzes and spaced repetition flashcards are effective tools for reinforcing learning and ensuring long-term retention.

Busuu Portuguese

• Available through: Website, iOS app, Android app

• Best for: Learners who want a comprehensive Portuguese course with a focus on practical communication skills

• Ratings: N/A.

• Course details: Busuu offers two main Portuguese courses: Complete Portuguese and Portuguese for Travel. The Complete Portuguese course covers all language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and takes learners from beginner to upper-intermediate level. The course is structured with bite-sized lessons that include grammar explanations, vocabulary practice, and conversation exercises with native speakers. Learners can also take regular checkpoint tests to assess their progress and use the personalized revision tool to focus on areas that need improvement. The Portuguese for Travel course is designed for learners who want to acquire essential vocabulary and phrases for traveling to Portuguese-speaking countries.

• Pricing details: Busuu costs $13.90 per month.

What we think about the service: 

The app’s bite-sized lessons and clear learning path make it easy for learners to progress at their own pace and stay motivated. The grammar explanations and conversation exercises with native speakers ensures that learners develop a solid foundation in the language while also practicing real-life communication. 

The Portuguese for Travel course is a valuable addition for learners who have specific goals related to traveling. The Busuu community provides learners with opportunities to receive feedback on their speaking and writing, as well as to help other learners, fostering a supportive learning environment. 

Top 2 Pimsleur Alternatives for Learning Spanish

BaseLang

• Available through: Online platform (Zoom)

• Best for: Learners who want personalized, one-on-one Spanish lessons with native speakers

• Trustpilot ratings: 4.3 stars out of 5 for a total of 94 total review ratings.

• Course details: BaseLang offers two main programs for learning Spanish: Real World and Grammarless. The Real World program focuses on helping learners become conversational through flexible, personalized lessons. Learners can choose their lesson topics, bring their own materials, and engage in conversation practice. There are classes every day from 6 am to midnight EST, and you can book classes up to five days in advance or even last minute. The Grammarless program is an intensive, 80-hour course that aims to take you from zero to conversational in one or two months. This program emphasizes learning through pattern repetition and practice rather than grammar concepts and examples.

• Pricing details:

• Real World program: $179 per month

• Grammarless program: $1,200 (one-time payment) or four monthly payments of $325

What we think about the service: 

BaseLang offers a unique approach to learning Spanish via personalized, one-on-one lessons with native speakers. The flexibility of the Real World program allows you to tailor the learning experience to your specific needs and goals, while the Grammarless program provides you with an intensive, immersive option to progress quickly. 

Also, the availability of lessons from early morning to late evening, seven days a week, makes it easy for learners to fit classes into their busy schedules. 

Lingoda Spanish

• Available through: Online platform

• Best for: Learners who want structured Spanish courses aligned with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

• Ratings: 4.4 stars out of 5 for 4790 reviews . 

• Course details: Lingoda offers Spanish courses for learners at levels A1 to B2 according to the CEFR. The lessons are designed to gradually increase in complexity. A1 learners work on basic words and phrases, A2 learners work on simple interactions, B1 learners focus on everyday conversations, and B2 students deal with more complex topics. The program provides two types of classes: Flex and Sprint. Flex classes are one-on-one sessions with a native-speaking teacher, while Sprint classes are group lessons with a maximum of five students and a native teacher. Both class types aim to improve your conversational skills, grammar knowledge, and reading comprehension, and provide opportunities for practice exercises. Lingoda also offers extra learning resources like flashcards, quizzes, and more.

• Pricing details: The pricing varies depending on the number of classes you choose to attend. You’ll have to reach out to them to get a quote. 

What we think about the service: 

The program’s division of courses into levels A1 to B2 ensures that learners progress systematically, building upon their skills as they advance. 

The availability of both one-on-one and group classes means that you’ll get the best experience for your preferences and budgets. 

Also, the supplementary learning resources are a valuable addition to reinforce their knowledge outside of class.

Get French Class Teach you French and Achieve your Learning Goals

Our teaching approach doesn’t solely rely on some audio content or teaching French through conversations. As mentioned earlier, we believe in improving all your language skills, whether writing, listening, speaking, or reading. 

We take the time to understand your learning goals and tailor our teaching approach to each individual. And we can achieve your French learning goals. 

So, if you're looking for a personalized and effective online French learning service, Get French Class is the best alternative to Pimsleur. With our service, you can say goodbye to:

• Non-engaging French learning session

• Non-personalized teaching approach

• Ineffective instructional materials

• Unfulfilled French learning goals

• and more

Our teaching approach is more targeted and our focus is on quality service that ensures that you get the most out of your investment.