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Lingopie Review: Is It Really Worth It? (Plus Cost & Alternatives)

Chad Emery Published on October 21, 2021
Lingopie review
6.5 TOTAL SCORE

Entertaining way to immerse yourself in a language

Lingopie is the Netflix of language learning. It has a large selection of shows and podcasts in each language that keep you engaged while you learn. The best feature of Lingopie is the flashcards it automatically creates from each show’s subtitles. Click words you don’t know and Lingopie helps you study them later. Overall, Lingopie provides a lot of value for its price.

LANGOLY'S REVIEW 8.6

User Experience 9
Quality of Content 8
Features Available 8.5
Value for Money 9

USER REVIEWS 4.3

User Experience 1
Quality of Content 7
Features Available 7
Value for Money 2

PROS

  • Large selection of entertaining shows
  • Features are easy to use
  • Automatically create flashcards with useful vocab
  • Easily adjust each show to your level

CONS

  • Subtitles aren’t always 100% accurate
  • Some languages have more content than others
Disclaimer: Langoly selects and reviews products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions that help support our testing at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Languages Available on Lingopie:

Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, English

Lingopie Overview

I believe that immersing yourself in a language is the best way to learn. There are a lot of high-quality language apps out there that can help you become conversational, like Babbel and Pimsleur. But to become completely fluent, you need to practice listening and communication with native speakers.

The best way to do this is to find an online tutor on italki or Preply, but there are other ways, too. You can find and watch content in your target language. Whether it’s TV shows, movies, podcasts, or books, immersing yourself in authentic content will improve your communication skills.

Lingopie makes this easy by compiling tons of different content into an easy-to-use platform.

Lingopie is similar to Netflix, there are even some Netflix shows available on the platform. Once you log in, you can browse a large variety of shows in your language of choice. Some of the categories include new releases, documentaries, beginner-friendly shows, strong women leads, and more. The layout is similar to Netflix, so it’s easy to navigate.

Lingopie can help you improve your language skills no matter what level you are. From beginners to advanced, you can find something you’ll like. There are also several features within Lingopie that make the shows accessible to different levels. These features are one of the reasons I enjoy using Lingopie to practice.

Lingopie Price

A Lingopie subscription costs $36.00 for 3 months or $72.00 per year. If you choose the yearly subscription, the cost of Lingopie is only $6.00 per month (a discount of 55%). If you want to use Lingopie without worrying about renewing your subscription, you can purchase their lifetime plan for $199.

LingoPie price 2024

Most language apps charge similar prices. Some more expensive apps like FluentU offer more advanced features. Cheaper apps like MosaLingua offer fewer features, but can still help you learn quite a bit. Compared to its competitors, Lingopie sits right in the middle and offers a lot of value for its price.

Lingopie Free Trial

If you want to try Lingopie before subscribing, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial to try out the platform. The free trial gives you access to all the content for every language. You can take advantage of Lingopie’s additional features, like flashcards. This will give you a clear idea of whether or not Lingopie is a good choice for you.

Lingopie Review: Features

When you subscribe to Lingopie, you can watch different shows and practice what you’ve learned with a few features that are pretty cool. Lingopie isn’t perfect, but it does offer quite a bit for the price you pay. Let’s take a look at some of the main features of the platform.

Lingopie for Netflix

This is a new feature that Lingopie introduced in 2023. They offer selected Netflix movies and TV shows with all the language-learning features of Lingopie on your favorite Netflix shows. While you watch, you get instant translations, dual subtitles, speed adjustment, word saving, and practice features. Any word you save on Netflix will be added to your Lingopie account so you can practice later.

Lingopie on Netflix

Only certain Netflix movies and shows have these features, but they are some of the most popular options out there like Squid Games, Money Heist, Alice in Borderland, and Lupin. There are currently 10 to 15 options available for each language. This feature only works if you have both a Lingopie and Netflix account.

Lingopie Shows

In addition to the options available on Netflix, there are hundreds of shows and movies available on the Lingopie platform. You can also find podcasts for some of the more popular languages, like Spanish.

When you open Lingopie, you have the option to continue watching the show you watched last time. If you want to find something new, you can scroll through different categories like Viewers’ Choice, New Releases, and Popular Now.

Examples of Lingopie Shows

The platform shows you which country each show is from while you’re scrolling, which is helpful if the language you’re learning has different dialects and accents.

Built-In Playback Features

Lingopie is different from other streaming services because you can completely customize your viewing experience. You can choose which subtitles you want to use by toggling English and your target language on and off. You can rewind or fast-forward to different captions if there is something you want to listen to again.

There’s a “Practice Comprehension” feature that puts captions on repeat and you can also use the “Learn to Pronounce” feature to practice pronouncing the captions yourself.

The most innovative feature is the level setting. No matter what you’re watching, you can adjust it to your level by speeding it up or slowing it down. This is helpful for beginners and intermediate speakers. You can choose a variety of speeds from 0.5x to 1.0x (full speed).

Lingopie Subtitles and Scripts

The subtitles in the Lingopie shows themselves are pretty standard. I did notice that they aren’t always 100% accurate, which can be a little frustrating. I’ve run into the same problem with Netflix and other streaming platforms, as well. Overall, Lingopie’s subtitles are still useful.

Lingopie Subtitles Screenshot

In addition to the subtitles, you can also choose to follow along with the script of the show you’re watching. This is helpful for practicing your reading skills and also for remembering what the characters already said. If you click a word or phrase in the script, Lingopie will automatically play your show from that word or phrase.

Lingopie Flashcards

If there’s a word or phrase you don’t understand while watching a show in Lingopie, you can click on it in the subtitles. This will show you the translation and give you an audio pronunciation of the word.

Lingopie automatically creates a flashcard for words you click on. After you’re finished with your episode or movie, you can study the words you didn’t know by using the flashcards.

They flashcards are standard but can help you remember what you’ve learned. I wish Lingopie included spaced repetition for practicing the flashcards. Other apps like Drops and Busuu use this method to show you previously-learned words at strategic intervals so you’re exposed to them again before you forget what it means. Lingopie is improving its platform, so hopefully, this will be included in the future.

LingoPie AI-Powered Grammar

In 2024, LingoPie introduced a new AI-powered feature called “Grammar.” It gives you detailed explanations of words and sentences as you watch the show. In full disclosure, this is a new feature that I haven’t tested. But as someone who always likes to know the “why” of language, this tool could be very useful.

LingoPie grammar feature

Lingopie Languages

Lingopie offers content in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and English. The best part is that you get access to all languages when you sign up. Other apps like Rocket Languages and Rosetta Stone only give you access to one language unless you pay more.

The content for each language in Lingopie varies, so I wanted to take a closer look at each one to see what exactly you get.

Lingopie Spanish Review

Spanish is one of the most popular languages to learn, so I was hoping Lingopie would have a lot of Spanish content – and it does! In addition to TV shows and movies, you can listen to Spanish-language podcasts on Lingopie. There are also documentaries, short films, and even kids’ shows.

Lingopie has Spanish content from all many different countries. You can find shows from Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, and more.

LingoPie Spanish options

If you’re interested in exploring more ways to learn the language, you can check out other Spanish learning apps.

Lingopie French Review

Lingopie offers quite a bit of content in French, ranging from cartoons and short dramas to LGBTQIA+ shows and sci-fi movies. All of the content comes from France, so if you want to learn a different variation like Canadian or Belgian French, Lingopie may not be the best option. Still, it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language and practice listening to spoken French.

LingoPie French options

To practice your speaking skills or brush up on French grammar, there are a lot of other French apps you can use along with Lingopie too.

Lingopie German Review

The German content on Lingopie includes genres like Nature and Adventure, Animation, and Historical Moments. There aren’t as many shows and movies as other languages like Spanish and French. Even so, Lingopie is helpful for improving your German comprehension skills, and the extra features of the app justify the price. You can also explore other German learning apps that can complement Lingopie.

Lingopie German options

Lingopie Italian Review

Lingopie has Italian content for everyone, from nature and food shows to suspense series and comedies. There are also quite a few shows for beginners. Using the app is an excellent way to learn how Italians speak because the shows and movies are recent. In general, Lingopie offers more Italian content than competitors like FluentU. It’s also cheaper. But there are still better apps to learn Italian out there, especially if you’re a beginner.

LingoPie Italian shows

Lingopie Portuguese Review

Lingopie has an impressive amount of Portuguese content available. It’s suitable for both Brazilian and European Portuguese learners. Most of the shows and movies are from Brazil, but there’s also a good selection of European Portuguese series. Lingopie stands out from competitors because it has a section dedicated to Brazilian culture, which is something most other apps ignore. For the price, I think Lingopie is worth it if you’re learning Portuguese.

LingoPie Portuguese review

If you’re just starting out, it can also be helpful to use other Portuguese apps to build a foundation in the language. Following a more structured course and practicing with Lingopie can help you become conversational in Portuguese quickly.

Lingopie Russian Review

There’s not a lot of Russian content available on Lingopie at the moment. Most of what’s available seems to be in the crime, war, and drama genres. It’s important to note that you’ll already need to know the Russian (Cyrillic) alphabet before using Lingopie because the subtitles and scripts are written in it. There are plenty of Russian apps that can teach you to read first.

LingoPie Russian options

Lingopie can be a nice supplement to other language apps, but I don’t think there’s enough content on Lingopie to justify the cost if you’re only learning Russian.

Lingopie Review: Overall Learning Experience

I’m learning Spanish and I enjoy using Lingopie. I’m happy with the amount of content available and I think the user interface is easy to use. Even though it doesn’t have an actual app, you can still use Lingopie on your phone or tablet without any problems.

I hope Lingopie keeps growing in the coming years because I think it has a lot of potential. Its features are useful and add a lot of value to the platform. You can tell that the Lingopie team developed them with language learners in mind. Overall, I highly recommend Lingopie if you’re learning a language.

Lingopie Review: Areas of Improvement

Even though I enjoy Lingopie, it still has some areas for improvement. The main one is the amount of content available for certain languages. I’m happy with the number of series and movies it offers for languages like Spanish, Portuguese, and French, but there aren’t many options for languages like Italian and Russian.

Another improvement I think could add more value to Lingopie is the flashcards. They’re easy to create and review, but I would like to see them use spaced repetition to help me study them over time. It’s common technology at this point (even free apps like Clozemaster use it). Hopefully, it’ll be added in the future.

Lingopie Review: Alternatives & Competitors

Lingopie is a creative way to practice languages, but it’s not one-of-a-kind. It has a few notable competitors. The main Lingopie alternatives are FluentU and Yabla. Each app has its own pros and cons and offers different languages. For common languages like Spanish and French, I think Lingopie offers the most value for its price, especially when compared to FluentU. Here are some comparisons between Lingopie and its alternatives.

Lingopie vs FluentU

FluentU App Homepage

Lingopie and FluentU both offer authentic content in a variety of languages, but there are some key differences. FluentU has shorter videos, like advertisements and music videos. Lingopie focuses on longer content like series and movies. FluentU’s features are a little more developed than Lingopie’s, but its price is a lot higher. Between the two, I think Lingopie is the better option. FluentU has a free 14-day trial, so you can try it yourself and see which you prefer, or read more about it in this FluentU review.

Lingopie vs Yabla

Yabla Homepage

Lingopie and Yabla are quite similar. In general, Yabla offers a wider variety of content, but a Yabla subscription only gives you access to one language. Lingopie lets you access all languages for one price. The features and activities in Yabla are more engaging, but Lingopie is starting to catch up. If you’re learning one language, Yabla is probably the better choice at the moment. If you’re learning multiple languages though, Lingopie is the better option. You can read more about Yabla in this review.

Lingopie vs Babbel

Babbel App homepage

Lingopie vs Babbel isn’t a common comparison, but I want to include it because both offer two different language learning approaches. Lingopie is more of an immersive experience and it offers tools to help you navigate real conversations. Babbel has more of a structured course that helps you build up your skills in a more traditional way. I think Babbel is best if you’re a complete beginner, but using both Lingopie and Babbel together will help you improve once you have a solid foundation. You can learn more about it in this Babbel review.

Lingopie vs Pimsleur

Pimsleur app homepage

Pimsleur is one of the most popular language-learning apps available. Pimsleur is mainly an audio course that helps you learn to speak from your first lesson. Unfortunately, Lingopie doesn’t include any speaking practice. Pimsleur lessons also follow a logical order while Lingopie doesn’t have any structure, you just choose the content you’re interested in. If speaking is your main priority, it’s best to use Pimsleur. However, you can complement your Pimsleur lessons by using Lingopie to improve your comprehension skills. Learn more about Pimsleur here.

Lingopie vs Rocket Languages

Rocket Languages App Homepage

Rocket Languages is similar to other traditional language apps like Babbel and Pimsleur. It has a structured course that takes you from complete beginner to conversational. It also helps you practice all of your communication skills, like reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Lingopie is limited to listening, but it offers a lot more authentic content. The best scenario is to use both at the same time. However, if you had to choose one, Rocket Languages is better for beginners and Lingopie is better for intermediate and advanced learners. Learn more about Rocket Languages in this review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the subscription to Lingopie?

A Lingopie subscription costs $36.00 per 3-month or $72.00 per year for an individual subscription. You also have the option to get a lifetime Plan for $199.00 per year.

Does Lingopie have Chinese?

As of 2024, LingoPie released its Chinese Mandarin course. It’s one of the 9 languages available for English speakers to learn on the app and mobile platform.

Is there a free version of Lingopie?

There is not a free version of Lingopie available. However, you can try Lingopie free for 7 days by signing up for a free trial on the website.

Can you learn more than one language with Lingopie?

Yes, you can learn up to 9 different languages with Lingopie. The best part is that you get access to all languages when you subscribe to Lingopie. You don’t need to pay for each language individually like you do with other apps, like Yabla.

About This Lingopie Review

To write this Lingopie review, I used the platform myself, looked through the content available for each language, and tested each of Lingopie’s features. I compared Lingopie with its competitors and also read through other user comments on popular forums to see what they had to think. Lingopie did not sponsor this review or pay me to write it, and I am not an employee of Lingopie.

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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Have you tried this product? How would you rate it?

2 Comments

  • A great concept, and some good content. But the user interface is poor. It is slow, balky and freezes frequently.

  • Stumbled upon this review when looking for reviews on Lingopie and so glad I did. Great review – so many other options considered and thorough sound advice for whatever option I might consider for future language learning. Thinking of Pimsleur now. I will be saving this review. Thank you so much!