The 11 Best Italian Apps to Become Fluent Fast

Chad Emery Published on July 20, 2021
Italian app guide

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People around the world think of romance, passion, art, history, and food when they think of Italy – It has so much to offer! And these are the reasons many people want to learn Italian. This article can help you choose an app that will help you learn this beautiful language. Although it’s not one of the top languages in the world, it’s still one of the most spoken languages in Europe.

There are a lot of different ways to learn Italian online, but finding the best apps to use can be difficult. Some focus on specific aspects of learning Italian, like grammar or vocabulary, and others try to include everything (but sometimes aren’t very effective). Some apps also try to make language learning fun, like a game, but this can make you learn the language more slowly.

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Fastest Way to Learn Italian: Italian Uncovered
Or visit our Italian Hub to learn more about the language.

The list below shows the best apps to learn Italian online and you can see which skills each app improves. There are well-known brands on the list and some lesser-known apps that are hidden gems.

What Are The Best Apps To Learn Italian?​

To create this list of the best apps to learn Italian, I researched the prices, features, and how helpful the different Italian apps were. I also analyzed reviews from several major websites, including PCMag.com, g2.com, and Trustpilot.com to see what other users think of the apps and to see any common complaints. I also used these apps personally, and I looked closely at what each app offers and how it differenciates itself from other Italian learning apps.

The table below shows the best apps to learn Italian. Scroll down to learn more about each one.

Quick Summary: Our Top Picks for Apps to Learn Italian
IMAGE PRODUCT
Rocket Italian
  • The lessons help you navigate everyday situations (post office, pharmacy, restaurant, etc.)
  • Learn colloquial expressions to speak more like an Italian
  • Rocket Italian uses a voice recognition system that’s very accurate
Try for Free →
Mondly
  • Complete the lessons in whatever order you want
  • Entertaining activities that teach you the basics of Italian
  • You can learn Italian from any language, not just English
Try Now →
Babbel
  • Babbel stands out because of its Italian grammar lessons
  • The app is easy to use and navigate
  • There are many different activities so you never get bored
Try for Free →
Pimsleur
  • The course is mainly audio so you can take it anywhere
  • Focus on becoming conversational
  • The lessons are easy to follow so you don’t get overwhelmed
Try for Free →
LingoPie
  • Large selection of entertaining shows
  • Easy to use features
  • Automatically create flashcards and useful vocabulary lists
Try for Free →
Ouino Languages
  • Take lessons in any order you want
  • Improve all language skills
  • Many practice activities
Try for Free →
MosaLingua
  • There’s a lot of material and activities you can complete
  • You can find beginner Italian reading material
  • MosaLingua saves you time from searching for resources
Try for Free →
ItalianPod101
  • Access lessons and podcasts on mobile, tablet, and online
  • Includes a word bank, key phrases, flashcards, lists of common words, and other tools
  • Depending on your subscription, you can get feedback from Italian tutors to improve your skills even faster
Try for Free →
italki
  • Choose tutors based on price, availability, languages they speak, and other characteristics
  • You can choose 1-hour, 45-minute, or 30-minute lessons
  • Customize what you want to learn with your tutor
Try Now →
Drops
  • It has a different Italian vocabulary list for topics like sports, medical emergencies, and many more
  • Compared to the generic vocabulary in other apps, the Drops vocabulary lists stand out
  • It has a really sleek user experience and the graphics are amazing
Try for Free →
Duolingo
  • Duolingo is simple and fun
  • You can start as a complete beginner or take a placement test to see which level you’re at
  • There are forums where you can ask questions to other language learners and teachers
Try for Free →

Rocket Italian

Overall Best App to Learn Italian

Rocket Italian Overview
Rocket Italian has detailed audio lessons that walk you through Italian step by step. Hear conversations between native speakers and learn about Italian culture.
Rocket Languages logo
Best for Overall Learning
Price $149.95
Free trial 7 days
Try Rocket Italian

If you want to learn the most important building blocks of Italian, Rocket Italian is the best app for you. It’s broken down into bite-sized, 30-minute lessons, which you can listen to whenever you want – even while commuting to work.

The quality of the lessons is excellent when compared to other apps, and the content is useful for helping you speak Italian in everyday situations. Try Rocket Italian for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Rocket Italian review.

Key Features

  • The lessons help you navigate everyday situations (post office, pharmacy, restaurant, etc.)
  • Learn colloquial expressions to speak more like an Italian.
  • Rocket Italian uses a voice recognition system that’s very accurate.

Pricing

Rocket Languages Italian offers three different levels, each of which costs $149.95 for lifetime access. You can also buy two levels for $299.90 or all three levels for $449.85. Rocket Italian doesn’t offer a monthly subscription, but it does offer a 7-day free trial, so it’s worth signing up to try it yourself.

Mondly

Best Beginner Italian App

Mondly Overview
Mondly uses unique technology like AR and VR lessons that make learning the basics of Italian fun and interactive.
Mondly logo
Best for Beginners
Price $9.99/month
Free trial 7 days
Try Mondly

Mondly is the best beginner Italian app thanks to its one-of-a-kind combination of chatbots, augmented reality (AR), and simple course materials. The lessons are short and provide useful tips and hints along the way. 

Where Mondly really stands out is how it tracks your learning statistics. Especially for beginners, seeing how much you’ve learned can be motivating. Try Mondly for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Mondly review.

Key Features

  • Complete the lessons in whatever order you want.
  • Entertaining activities that teach you the basics of Italian
  • You can learn Italian from any language, not just English
  • Contains a lot of useful phrases you’ll need at the beginning

Pricing

Mondly offers a free trial that includes six core lessons, a chatbot conversation, one vocab section, and one real conversation.

If you’re interested in Mondly Premium, there are a few different options: $9.99 per month or $47.99 for one year for access to only Italian, or $89.99 for a lifetime subscription to all languages. The Premium version includes 36 vocab builders to develop a “feel” for Italian, 30 conversation exercises, and 250 lessons about specific topics. 

Babbel

Best App to Learn Italian Grammar Online

Babbel Italian Overview
Babbel offers a comprehensive Italian course that teaches you grammar and vocabulary. It reinforces what you learn with practice activities.
Babbel logo
Best for Learning Italian Grammar
Price $17.95/month
Free trial 1 lesson
Try Babbel Italian

The Babbel app teaches the Italian language by displaying vocabulary and grammar rules, then asking you questions to reinforce what you learned. Babbel’s Italian lessons are perfect for beginners and intermediate learners who want to start communicating quickly in Italian. 

The study materials are also more in-depth than other Italian apps, making Babbel an especially good app to learn Italian grammar. Try Babbel for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Babbel review.

Key Features

  • Lessons cover content appropriate for A1 to B2 learners.
  • Babbel stands out because of its Italian grammar lessons.
  • The app is easy to use and navigate.
  • There are many different activities so you never get bored.

Pricing

The first lesson in every course offered by Babbel is free. If you enjoy it and would like to purchase a premium subscription, it costs between $8.95 and $17.95 per month, depending on which subscription you buy.

Pimsleur

Best App for Italian Pronunciation

Pimsleur Overview
Pimsleur’s goal is to get you conversational as quickly as possible. The audio lessons teach you correct Italian pronunciation and cover the most important topics.
pimsleur logo
Best for Pronunciation
Price $14.95/month
Free trial 7 days
Try Pimsleur

The Pimsleur Italian course focuses on listening and speaking skills to help you communicate from the beginning. The courses will take you from the basics to having full conversations.

It’s one of the most convenient courses to take because it’s completely audio-based. You can listen to the lessons anywhere. They also don’t overwhelm you with complicated grammar explanations. The focus is on getting you speaking quickly. Try Pimsleur for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Pimsleur review.

Key Features

  • The course is mainly audio so you can take it anywhere
  • Focus on becoming conversational
  • The lessons are easy to follow so you don’t get overwhelmed
  • Useful topics that cover everyday situations

Pricing

The Pimsleur Italian app costs $14.99-$20.99 per month and it comes with a free 7-day trial. You can also pay for the course upfront instead of subscribing to the app. This costs between $150.00 and $550.00 depending on how many levels you buy.

LingoPie

Best App for Italian Immersion Online

LingoPie Overview
LingoPie has a large selection of shows and podcasts in Italian that keep you engaged while you learn. 
lingopie logo
Best for Italian Immersion Online
Price $12/month
Free trial 7 days
Try LingoPie

Lingopie lets you watch shows and listen to podcasts as a way to learn a language. Each show has subtitles and you can click on words that you don’t know to automatically create a vocabulary list you can study later. There is a ton of content available so you’re sure to find a show or podcast that interests you.

Try LingoPie for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this LingoPie review.

Key Features

  • Large selection of entertaining shows
  • Easy to use features
  • Automatically create flashcards and useful vocabulary lists
  • Adjust each show to fit your level

Pricing

Lingopie costs $12.00 per month or $67.00 per year ($5.60 per month). There is also a family plan that costs $99.00 per year and lets 4 people use the account. You can try LingoPie for free with a 7-day trial.

Ouino Languages

Best for Flexibility

Ouino Languages Overview
Ouino Languages has interactive lessons that you can take in any order you want.
ouino logo
Best for Flexibility
Price $12.99/month
Free trial Yes
Try Ouino Languages

Ouino Languages is a comprehensive computer and mobile platform designed to be an all-in-one stop to learn Italian. It focuses on the most important language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It’s useful for beginners because you start from the basics and gradually increase your level as it fits your schedule.

It’s flexible because you can choose what lessons you want to take and in what order. The lessons are interactive and have many practice activities. There are 5 different types of lessons, that cover grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. You can try each of the 5 types of lessons for free to see if you like Ouino Languages.

Key Features

  • Take lessons in any order you want
  • Improve all language skills
  • Many practice activities

Pricing

The price depends on how long you want to access Ouino. A 3-month subscription costs $12.99 per month and can go as low as $6.99 per month for a 12-month subscription. There’s also the option to get lifetime access for one payment of $95.76.

MosaLingua

Best App to Read Italian Online

MosaLingua Overview
Mosalingua’s Italian language resources offer a ton of content to help immerse you in Italian. Improve your reading, watch videos, and listen to audio.
mosalingua logo
Best for Reading Italian Online
Price $4.99/month
Free trial 15 days
Try MosaLingua

Mosalingua’s Italian language resources use a wide variety of methods to help you learn to read Italian and improve your reading comprehension skills. MosaLingua offers a combination of flashcards, videos, audio, and even complete ebooks to help you study Italian online. The platform is a completely self-directed resource, so you can choose the activities and topics you want to study.

The amount of content MosaLingua offers is impressive, and it completely immerses you in the Italian language. Try MosaLingua for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this MosaLingua review.

Key Features

  • There’s a lot of material and activities you can complete. There’s something for everyone.
  • You can find beginner Italian reading material or watch native Italian videos with a transcription and translation.
  • MosaLingua saves you time from searching for resources so you can spend your time studying.

Pricing

MosaLingua Italian is affordable and costs $4.99 per month for the web version or $9.49 per month for the app. If you subscribe for a year, you pay $59.90. There is a 15-day free trial, so it’s worth giving it a try to look through all of the Italian content available.

ItalianPod101

Best Italian Podcast App

ItalianPod101 Overview
ItalianPod101 has hundreds of podcast-style lessons that let you listen to how Italians really speak.
ItalianPod101 logo
Best for Italian Podcasts
Price $8/month
Free trial 7 days
Try ItalianPod101

If you’re looking for the best podcast to learn Italian, look no further than ItalianPod101. It’s an excellent way to improve your Italian language skills because of the huge amount of lessons voiced by native speakers. It’s helpful for beginners to advanced learners, as well as for people looking for a flexible learning tool. 

Try ItalianPod101 for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this ItalianPod101 review.

Key Features

  • Access lessons and podcasts on mobile, tablet, and online.
  • Includes a word bank, key phrases, flashcards, lists of common words, and other tools
  • Depending on your subscription, you can get feedback from Italian tutors to improve your skills even faster.

Pricing

ItalianPod101 has three subscription options to choose from: Basic, Premium, and Premium Plus. You can choose a subscription length of 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 months for all options.

The Basic plan costs between $4.00 and $8.00 per month. This package includes complete, in-depth lesson notes and a few other extras. The Premium plan costs between $10.00 and $25.00 per month. This option offers premium access across devices, HD video access, some of the best Italian language podcasts, 2000 core phrases and words, and clearly presented audio dialogue.

Premium Plus includes targeted assignments with feedback from a teacher, a plan that’s structured by the teacher according to your individual needs, goals, and level, and an ongoing professional assessment. It costs between $22.88 and $47.00 per month.

italki

Best Italian App for Speaking

italki Overview
italki is an online platform that can connect you with an Italian tutor. Take live classes to practice speaking and conversation.
italki logo
Best for Speaking Practice
Price Varies
Free trial N/A
Try italki

italki is a language tutoring platform with over 1,000 online Italian teachers and tutors. The italki platform is well-known, trustworthy, and the best platform to practice speaking Italian online.

You can work with a native Italian speaker one-on-one, and lessons are provided directly through the italki app or through other popular video conferencing services like Skype or Zoom. Try italki for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this italki review.

Key Features

  • Choose tutors based on price, availability, languages they speak, and other characteristics
  • Most tutors offer trial lessons at discounted rates to make sure the tutor is a good fit for you.
  • You can choose 1-hour, 45-minute, or 30-minute lessons
  • Customize what you want to learn with your tutor

Pricing

Tutors on italki set their own prices, including any discounts on lessons. Prices per hour for Italian teachers on italki range from $6.50 to $74.00, and the average price per hour is around $12.00. The prices are lower for general conversation practice and are higher for more experienced and specialized teachers.

Drops

Best App to Learn Italian Vocabulary Online

Drops Overview
Drops is an interactive way to learn Italian vocabulary. Its sleek design and custom animations give it an excellent user experience.
Drops language app logo
Best for Italian Vocabulary
Price $13.00/month
Free trial 5 mins/day
Try Drops

Drops Italian is a functional and effective tool for learning Italian vocabulary, from the basics to more advanced and specialized words.

The Drops app uses different activities to help you remember the words more effectively. You can also choose the length of your study sessions. It includes over 2,000 Italian vocabulary words and flashcards, so it’s the perfect tool to learn useful words quickly.

Try Drops for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Drops review.

Key Features

  • It has a different Italian vocabulary list for topics like sports, medical emergencies, family members, holidays, and many more.
  • Compared to the generic vocabulary in other apps, the Drops vocabulary lists stand out.
  • It has a really sleek user experience and the graphics are amazing.
  • It’s best if you use it as a complement to more well-rounded apps like Babbel or Rocket Italian.

Pricing

Drops has three subscription options: monthly, yearly, or lifetime. The monthly price is $13.00, the yearly price is $69.99, and a lifetime subscription is $159.99. Before you buy, you can try Drops for free for 7 days and access all of its content. There’s also a free version that lets you study for 5 minutes each day.

Duolingo

Best App to Learn Italian for Free

Duolingo Overview
Learn Italian with Duo, the green owl. The lessons are short and fun so you can do multiple lessons every day.
Duolingo logo
Best for Learning Italian for Free
Price Free
Free trial N/A
Try Duolingo

The Duolingo Italian course uses easy activities to help you learn the Italian language. It’s the best app to learn Italian for free because it’s easy to use and requires little commitment. Additional free features include Duolingo Italian Stories, a scoreboard to see your friends’ progress, and more.

Try Duolingo for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Duolingo review.

Key Features

  • Duolingo is simple and fun.
  • You can start as a complete beginner or take a placement test to see which level you’re at.
  • There are forums where you can ask questions to other language learners and teachers.
  • Add your friends on the app to learn a language together.

Pricing

Duolingo is completely free, although it is ad-supported. The free version gives you access to study materials, rewards, and podcasts. It’s a good deal if you don’t mind the ads every few minutes.

There’s also a premium version called Super Duolingo that lets you download study materials for use offline and offers progress tests, an ad-free experience, unlimited test-outs and hearts, and a streak repair on a monthly basis.

Why You Should Use Apps To Learn Italian

The first thing you should think about is why you want to learn Italian. Are you taking a trip to Italy? Do you want to study there someday? Or maybe you want to become fluent to speak with your in-laws. Figuring out why you’re interested in the language and what your goals are can help you choose which app to use. You’ll have a clearer idea of what to focus on, and achieving your goals will give you the motivation you need to keep moving forward.

How To Use Apps To Learn Italian

Although Italian is considered an easy language for English speakers to pick up, learning a new language online can be intimidating at first. There’s a lot of freedom that comes with using an app to learn Italian. You can focus on the topics that are most interesting to you and go at your own speed. They can also be used alongside other learning methods such as an Italian book or an online Italian course.

Best Apps To Learn Italian: Final Thoughts

There are a lot of language learning apps out there, but not all of them are good. If you want to become fluent, it’s important to find the best app to learn Italian that works for you. Looking at what skills an app can help you improve, how easy it is to use, and how much it costs are three things you should compare when you look for a language app.

Best Apps To Learn Italian: FAQ

What is the best app to learn Italian?

There are a lot of different apps out there, but Rocket Languages is the best app to learn Italian. It offers a comprehensive course that improves the main communication skills – reading, speaking, writing, and listening. The content in the app is useful for everyday situations and can help you learn Italian online quickly and effectively.

How can I learn Italian online for free?

There are a lot of ways to learn Italian online for free, but the best ways are self-directed study and using free apps like Duolingo. It can teach you the basics of grammar and vocabulary and get you off to a great start learning Italian online for free. There are many Italian newspapers, podcasts, and videos available for free, and some even have transcripts and translations to help you learn the language.

What is the best free app to learn Italian?

Duolingo is the best free app to learn Italian because it offers a comprehensive course that includes vocabulary, grammar, and all communication skills. It’s ad-supported, and sometimes the ads can interrupt your learning, but it’s a great app overall. Duolingo also offers free podcasts, stories, and other features that can enhance its Italian course.

What is the best website to learn Italian?

The best website to learn Italian is MosaLingua because of its content, quality, and overall effectiveness. MosaLingua offers a huge variety of flashcards, videos, music, and complete ebooks to help you learn Italian online. There’s also a free MosaLingua plugin that lets you take your language learning to every other site on the internet. This is another reason it’s the best website to learn Italian.

How can I learn Italian by myself?

It’s difficult to learn Italian by yourself, but it’s possible with a good combination of apps and motivation. A lot of apps, like Busuu and Babbel, can take you from complete beginner to conversational with their Italian courses. You can study alone with these apps and improve your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills by yourself.

Can I learn Italian in 3 or 6 months?

You can learn Italian in 3 months if you are very focused, consistent, and dedicate a lot of time to studying the language. The best way to learn Italian in 3 months is with a private tutor who can help you learn the language efficiently. If you want to learn Italian in 6 months, using an app is the best method because they offer guidance, structure, and practice activities that focus on the areas you need to study most.

To see how long it will take you to reach your Italian learning goals, check out our fluency calculator.

Chad Emery

Chad is the founder and editor of Langoly. He was a TEFL-certified English teacher for many years and has been an active language learner for many more. His articles have been featured around the web by organizations like the Government of Canada's Translation Bureau and Simon & Schuster. In his free time, Chad is an avid traveler and loves running in new places. Connect with Chad on LinkedIn.

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2 Comments

  • I have been using the Duolingo app for three years. I find the gameification of learning somewhat distracting.
    Duolingo has ended the user forum and has recently changed much of the app’s format. All changes that I am not sure are wise choices for duolingo. Duolingo was a good starting point for me, however, with these changes I Can no longer recommend them, even for beginners.

    I am actively seeking an alternative to this app. and am finding your review very helpful.

  • Excited to improve my Italian speaking skills.