Rosetta Stone teaches 25 languages through immersion, and its speech tool, TruAccent, gives feedback on how you sound. On Reddit (r/languagelearning), one learner who liked that way of learning wanted a free way to keep going, such as a video course in the language itself. Another had taken Spanish in school and college and wanted to brush up on conversation.
Each section below is a different way to learn, and Rosetta Stone comes first.
What Rosetta Stone Does
Rosetta Stone Sapphire
Rosetta Stone suits learners who like to learn by immersion and start speaking early. Its site lists more than 500 flashcard sets, and Sapphire Studio lets you make your own learning activities on any topic. Its App Store page says a subscription includes all 25 of its languages.
- Lessons can be as short as five minutes.
- TruAccent listens to you and gives feedback on your pronunciation right away.
- Chat Missions let you practice talks like ordering at a restaurant.
- Flashcards
MobileWeb
Custom Lessons Made for You
Bubblegum
Bubblegum is the best app for serious learners. You learn from text and audio you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
In Bubblegum, Poppy, your AI tutor, writes lessons in the language you're learning that you can mostly follow. That makes each lesson a small dose of immersion, with help one tap away.
The trade-off is that Bubblegum is not a person to talk with. To brush up on conversation, the apps under the last two headings are the fit.
- Poppy writes each lesson in the language you're learning, at your level.
- Lessons are about your own interests, like a hobby or an upcoming trip.
- Need help with a sentence? Ask Poppy, and she explains it.
- Regenerative Review™ brings your saved words back inside fresh lessons.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- Shows, songs, and books you pick yourself can't be added.
- A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn.
- Regenerative Review™
Mobile
Watch Shows in the Language
Lingopie
Lingopie teaches 15 languages through TV shows, movies, podcasts, and audiobooks. Its site says it's built for every level, with slow playback for beginners.
- Click any word in the subtitles to see what it means in that conversation.
- Watch with two sets of subtitles at once.
- Every word you click is saved for flashcards and quizzes.
- Flashcards
MobileWeb
Start a Free Course
Duolingo
Duolingo has game-like lessons in more than 40 languages. Its App Store page says its teaching method is built by learning experts.
- Its App Store page says every course is free.
- Short lessons cover speaking, reading, listening, and writing.
- Track progress with rewards and achievements.
MobileWeb
Brush Up by Listening and Speaking
Pimsleur
Pimsleur teaches by ear, and its App Store page says it works for beginners and for learners who want to speak more fluently. Its App Store page describes cultural topics in the lessons as well as speaking practice.
- Learn in a hands-free mode, even in the car.
- Sync your progress across your devices.
- Try a free lesson from its site.
MobileWeb
Talk With a Partner
Tandem
Tandem is a language exchange app, where people help each other learn. Its App Store page lists more than 300 languages, including 12 sign languages. Tandem reviews every new sign-up to keep the community safe.
- Find a partner by language, location, or interests.
- Talk by text, voice note, or an audio or video call.
- Use in-app correction and translation while you chat.
MobileWeb
Other Apps We Looked At (3)
- Mango LanguagesMore than 70 languages, and its site says many public libraries give their members access.
- BabbelLessons in 14 languages, made for speakers of your own language, with Babbel Speak for conversation practice.
- BusuuCourses from A1 to C1, with feedback from fluent speakers in the Busuu Community.
Common Questions
Which Rosetta Stone alternative should a beginner choose?
If you are serious about learning a language, start with Bubblegum. Poppy writes lessons at your level about things you like. Or start with Duolingo if you want a free course, or with Lingopie if you'd like to learn from TV shows from the start.
Which apps keep me in the language, like Rosetta Stone does?
Lingopie and Bubblegum both keep you in the language you're learning. Lingopie uses real shows with clickable subtitles, and Bubblegum uses lessons that Poppy writes at your level.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- Rosetta Stone: Dynamic Immersion, TruAccent, Chat Missions, Sapphire Studio
- Rosetta Stone Sapphire: App Store listing (25 languages, 5-minute lessons)
- r/languagelearning: I'm looking for a complete immersion video course like Rosetta Stone, preferably a YouTube channel
- r/languagelearning: Is Rosetta Stone overkill?
- Lingopie: Learn a language with TV shows and movies in 15 languages
- Duolingo: App Store listing (every course is free)
- Pimsleur: App Store listing (audio lessons, hands-free mode)
- Tandem: Language exchange with chat, voice and video
- Tandem: App Store listing (300+ languages, Parties)
- Mango Languages: 70+ languages
- Babbel: App Store listing
- Busuu: Learn languages for real life
- Bubblegum
- Lingopie
- Duolingo
- Pimsleur
Checked on October 14, 2026 against each app's own pages.
