Full guide: learning the Dutch language with an app
Going on holiday soon and want to be able to get by, at least a little, in the language spoken at your destination? Or do you simply enjoy learning words from another language? Then try one of the many general apps available for learning a new language. Since there are quite a lot of these types of apps, we can well imagine that it’s hard to see the wood for the trees. That’s why we’ve highlighted a selection of general language apps for you here.
Top 5 apps for learning a new language
Memrise
With the Memrise language app, you learn a new language in a fun and playful way. You can watch videos of native speakers saying things in the language you’re learning and also play games. This interactive method of learning helps keep things interesting. Words and phrases are repeated frequently so they really stick.
Pros:
+ 8 languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish
+ Reward system to keep you motivated
+ Plenty of variation in learning methodsCons:
- Not much focus on grammar
- Repetitiveness can make learning feel a bit monotonous
- Some features are only available in the paid versionCategory Information Developer Memrise Free Yes Premium version €4,99 per year Android app 
Google PlayiOS app 
App StoreWebsite Website Contact Contact Babbel
Not a fan of learning a new language by playing games? Then Babbel’s language app might be more your style. This app teaches you a foreign language in a way similar to traditional methods. As the lessons are often no longer than 15 minutes, you can easily fit one in every day.
Pros:
+ 13 languages: Danish, Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish
+ Lessons take 10 to 15 minutes
+ Automatically adjusts to your experience and progressCons:
- Only the first lesson of each course is free
- The ‘old-fashioned’ approach may quickly become boringCategory Information Developer Babbel Free First lesson of each course Premium version €33,36 for 6 months
€59.40 for 12 months
€299.99 for lifetime accessAndroid app Google PlayiOS app App StoreWebsite Website Contact Contact Duolingo
If you’re proficient in Dutch and want to learn English, German or French, you can use Duolingo. If you’re proficient in English, you can learn more than 30 different languages using the app. The lessons are interactive, so you learn in a playful way. You earn points for completing lessons, which helps you climb the leaderboard. This keeps you motivated to continue learning a foreign language.
Pros:
+ Rewards help keep you motivated
+ You decide how long to learn each day: minimum of 5 and maximum of 20 minutes
+ Lessons are offered in many different categoriesCons:
- Only three languages available when learning from Dutch: English, German and French
- Free version contains ads
- You need a profile to save your progressCategory Information Developer Duolingo Free Yes Premium version 1 month: €16.99 per month
12 months: €7.49 per month
Family plan: €10.24 per monthAndroid app Google PlayiOS app App StoreWebsite Website Contact Contact Mondly
If Dutch is your base language, Mondly gives you the opportunity to learn more than 30 foreign languages. The lessons in this app focus on improving your vocabulary, grammar and conversation skills. The themed lessons you follow are based on everyday situations, so they are immediately useful.
Pros:
+ The lessons are interactive, making language learning enjoyable
+ In between exercises, you can learn verb conjugations
+ You begin with a short tutorial to understand how Mondly worksCons:
- The free version offers limited progress in language development
- You can only choose lesson categories with a subscription
- The ‘help’ offered by Mondly during lessons is only available in EnglishCategory Information Developer Mondly Free Maximum of 8 exercises + the daily lesson Premium version 1 month: €9.99 per month (1 language)
12 months: €4.00 per month (1 language)
12 months: €4.00 per month (33 languages)Android app Google PlayiOS app App StoreWebsite Website Contact Contact LinguaLift
For those who are serious about learning a foreign language, LinguaLift is ideal. The courses offered in this language app place emphasis on a deeper understanding of both the language structure and the culture of the country where the language is spoken. You are also paired with a real mentor, who gives you tips and answers any questions you might have.
Pros:
+ Comprehensive language courses
+ Support from mentors
+ Lessons include cultural elementsCons:
- Limited selection: only French, Japanese, Russian and Spanish
- Only the first lesson is free
- Learning is intensive and time-consumingCategory Information Developer LinguaLift Free Only the first lesson Premium version 1 month: $19.99 per month
3 months: $16.99 per month
6 months: $14.99 per month
12 months: $12.99 per monthAndroid app Google PlayiOS app App StoreWebsite Website Contact Contact
More apps for learning a new language
It’s entirely possible that the language apps in the top 5 above are not quite what you’re looking for. Fortunately, there are plenty of other apps available to help you learn a foreign language. We’ve highlighted them for you below with a brief description.
Rosetta Stone
Unlike many other language apps, Rosetta Stone doesn’t focus on building a large vocabulary. Instead, the emphasis is on speaking and pronunciation. Pronouncing words correctly helps you express yourself clearly in a foreign language. With this app, you can learn over 20 languages, including German, Chinese, French, Spanish and Japanese.
Google PlayApp StoreTandem
When learning a foreign language with Tandem, you do so together with someone else. This app lets you connect with a native speaker. Once matched, you can send each other both text and voice messages. Video calls are also possible. Because Tandem uses native speakers, the app supports learning more than 160 languages.
Google PlayApp StoreHiNative
Through the HiNative online platform, you can ask a native speaker questions about a language and/or culture. Most of the time, you receive a quick reply. In addition to text messages, users can also respond to your question with an audio message, helpful if you want to know how to pronounce a word or phrase. The HiNative app supports more than 110 languages.
Google PlayApp StoreGoogle Translate
Need to quickly translate a word or phrase? Then Google Translate is the perfect solution. Choose the language you want the app to translate into and enter your text. The app uses machine learning to instantly show the meaning of the word or sentence in the target language. Thanks to the speech function, the app can also read the translation aloud. Google Translate is available in more than 100 languages.
Google PlayApp StoreDrops
For people who don’t have much time to learn a new language, Drops is ideal. This app lets you learn for just 5 minutes a day. The method is interactive: sometimes you arrange letters in the correct order to form a word, and other times you answer true or false questions. With Drops, you can learn over 40 different languages.
Google PlayApp StoreSayHi
Are you in a different country and want to say something or make yourself understood to a local? Then SayHi offers a solution. Simply speak a phrase in your own language and the app instantly translates it into the desired language. You can then play the translation aloud. Both the original spoken phrase and the translation are also shown as written text in the app. SayHi supports more than 100 languages.
Google PlayApp StoreHelloTalk
Anyone looking to learn a foreign language with a native speaker can use HelloTalk. You can send and receive text/voice messages and also make video calls. The app includes a correction and translation function, so you can quickly learn from any mistakes. HelloTalk supports more than 150 languages.
Google PlayApp StoreAnki
Anki is ideal for those who want to expand their vocabulary in a foreign language. In this app, you create digital flashcards with words you want to learn. You can then test yourself using these cards. By repeating the words frequently, you remember them more quickly. The app tracks which words you already know and how long it’s been since they were last reviewed. Anki supports virtually every language, but you’ll need to add your own flashcards in the target language.
Google PlayFluentU
If you enjoy learning a foreign language by watching videos, FluentU may be the right app for you. The videos come with subtitles, helping you expand your vocabulary in your chosen language. In addition to watching videos, you can also play games to reinforce your learning. With FluentU, you can learn Spanish, English, French, Chinese, German and Japanese.
Google PlayApp StoreMeetup
Meetup is an online platform for finding events and social gatherings near you. Through the app, you can join groups of people who want to learn a language together. You can also organise your own (virtual) meet-up if you’re looking to master a foreign language. The languages you can learn through Meetup depend on the events taking place in your area.
Google PlayApp StoreBusuu
With the Busuu language app, you can improve both vocabulary and grammar in a foreign language by taking structured courses. You can also complete exercises to test your knowledge. The app allows you to connect with native speakers around the world who can help you on your language learning journey. With Busuu, you can learn Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese and more.
Google PlayApp StoreBeelinguapp
Beelinguapp aims to make learning a foreign language as easy as reading your favourite book. So it’s no surprise that this app teaches languages through reading. By reading a text in your native language side by side with the same text in a foreign language, you expand your vocabulary and learn to recognise grammar structures. The app also lets you listen to books in many different languages. With Beelinguapp, you can learn English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Hindi, Swedish and more.
Google PlayApp StoreMosalingua
Looking for a language coach you can access anytime? Then Mosalingua might be just right for you. The app focuses on expanding your vocabulary and forming sentences. You learn through practical flashcards and quiz-based exercises. Mosalingua keeps track of what you do and don’t know, so you gradually and steadily improve in your target language. With Mosalingua, you can learn German, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, Russian and more.
Google PlayForvo
Pronouncing words correctly in a foreign language can be a challenge. To make sure people understand you, use Forvo. This extensive language guide is used by countless native speakers around the world. That’s why you can hear the correct pronunciation of words and phrases in more than 375 languages. You can also help others by recording the pronunciation of words and phrases in your own language using the app’s recording function.
Google PlayApp StoreClozemaster
With Clozemaster, you build your vocabulary in a specific language by filling in the missing word in example sentences. The app can offer multiple-choice options, or you can type in the word yourself. Repetition is provided at optimal intervals using the Spaced Repetition System (SRS), allowing you to expand your vocabulary quickly and effectively with this language app. Clozemaster offers more than 50 languages and is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners. The app also includes audio exercises to help improve your listening comprehension.
Google PlayApp StorePimsleur
Want to improve your speaking and listening skills in a particular language? Pimsleur can help! In its 30-minute lessons, the app actively encourages you to participate. It uses repetition and simulated conversations to do so. Your pronunciation of words and phrases is analysed using AI-powered speech recognition. Based on this, you receive feedback to help you gradually master the foreign language. With Pimsleur, you can learn over 50 languages. The app even includes a hands-free mode, so you can learn while driving.
Google PlayApp StoreLingvist
Already know a fair number of words in a foreign language, but struggling with pronunciation? Lingvist helps you improve your speaking skills step by step using AI-driven conversations. You’ll engage in interactive dialogues with virtual characters, making learning fun. You can even practice specific scenarios, like travel or business conversations. Lingvist gives you immediate feedback – not only on pronunciation, but also grammar and word choice. The app provides a personalised learning experience by adjusting the lessons to your level and personal goals.
Google PlayApp StoreReadlang
While many language apps focus on improving speaking or listening, ReadLang is all about reading comprehension. After selecting one of over 40 target languages, you can read various texts in that language. Don’t know a word? Simply click on it and the app instantly shows a translation. ReadLang saves all clicked words in a word list, which you can later use to create flashcards for additional practice. You can work with the app’s built-in texts or upload your own. ReadLang also offers subtitled videos to further improve your language skills.
Google PlayApp Store