Poll - your top 3 favourite language learning apps

[John Little]

Ok, this is just for fun. This is a work in progress but it should work at this early stage. Here is a link to a topic on my own phpbb forum with a poll for your top three favourite language learning apps

https://thegrove.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=614#p614

I wanted to make the topic only accessible by the link above but I have failed miserably. However, don't worry, you don't have to log in with any details and the forum has rather fallen into disuse anyway.

Screenshot of poll on Smartphone

Screenshot_20250609-173137.png (171.09 KiB) Viewed 257 times

[PtolemysXX]

I miss Talkpal there. That's the only one I use.

[John Little]

I miss Talkpal there. That's the only one I use.

Sorry. I was only allowed 10 options

https://thegrove.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=614#p614

[duome]

I wanted to make the topic only accessible by the link above but I have failed miserably.

I updated the instructions here: viewtopic.php?p=125611#p125611 - give it a try

[SansEspoir]

Still the owl, because like... the rest lowkey sucks.
Linduo is pretty decent, though.

And I do still have hope for the upcoming Lingonaut (newly launced in beta for ios). But I have to admit it's fading.

[HeyMarlana]

I'm a PC user, and really don't use apps on any device, but to answer this, I initially found Duolingo useful to get the basics down, but from there enjoyed Loecsen, and later found the best help with an actual tutor through iTalki.

[MoniqueMaRie]

Still the owl, because like... the rest lowkey sucks.

... we are still the Duolingo forum.

Though Duolingo is less and less efficient for learning a language.

[IceVajal]

Airlearn I use for Italian, so far it's pretty good - for an beginner.
From the displayed options....

Busuu
Qlango
...

Edit: Autocorrect changed Busuu to Busy.

[MoniqueMaRie]

I am currently on Duolingo (decreasingly) babbal, busuu and Clozemaster.

But that has changed again and again over the last few years. In between, I was also busy with language drops.

[Basler Biker]

Ok, this is just for fun....

I don’t want to spoil the fun of your PHPBB poll in your own system, ... but here’s another idea:
You could use a Google Form instead, and you could share the link here, wrapped in "hidden for guests" tags (accessible to registered Duome users).

• there is no 10-option limit.
• and you could add follow-up questions, like why people prefer certain apps. After all, "best" depends on individual needs, right? "Best" is subjective and dynamic—it depends on what you’re learning and where you are in the journey.
  In addition google reports about the poll are very detailed with all sorts of graphs, and poll results can be re-used as a table or spreadsheet.
  And of course there is this forum to continue the discussion about "why" some feature is good, or not.

My own preferences are based on the goals:

• Readlang is ideal for dissecting texts + auto-flashcards in context.
• Langua/Languatalk feels like an AI tutor for personalized topics.
• Italki connects me with real speakers for conversation.

We’ve already compared some apps on duome, and evaluated these through the lens of learner needs and progression stages. Here's a selection op topics covered:
Feature analysis by student needs
13 reasons why "best" varies
Top 5 products per skill
From CEFR to a learning curriculuml
Detailed language learning-plan

Note on the suggested / best rated apps: every comparison, whether by a famous or an occasional column writer or blogger, or by a double set of AI systems mutually checking each other, each such comparison has subjective (or even untrue) elements in it, as a reader may "feel" it differently in their specific situation. So don't attach too much "truth" to what is claimed in the charts or comparisons.

Yet they are probably not fully "untrue" either.
e.g. One could indeed argue why the comparison of ANKI claims to teach you "speaking"... as a mere flashcard app, it has no speaking/listening feature built-in, but digging a bit deeper and you'll find that some shared flashcards decks may contain full sentences as well as audio spoken by a native, so yes there you could learn some pronunciation, listening and speaking.

[Linda7Italian]

Clozemaster
Busuu
Yet to find a third;-)

[John Little]

Ok, this is just for fun....

I don’t want to spoil the fun of your PHPBB poll in your own system, ... but here’s another idea:
You could use a Google Form instead, and you could share the link here, wrapped in "hidden for guests" tags (accessible to registered Duome users).

• there is no 10-option limit.
• and you could add follow-up questions, like why people prefer certain apps. After all, "best" depends on individual needs, right? "Best" is subjective and dynamic—it depends on what you’re learning and where you are in the journey.
  In addition google reports about the poll are very detailed with all sorts of graphs, and poll results can be re-used as a table or spreadsheet.
  And of course there is this forum to continue the discussion about "why" some feature is good, or not.

My own preferences are based on the goals:

• Readlang is ideal for dissecting texts + auto-flashcards in context.
• Langua/Languatalk feels like an AI tutor for personalized topics.
• Italki connects me with real speakers for conversation.

We’ve already compared some apps on duome, and evaluated these through the lens of learner needs and progression stages. Here's a selection op topics covered:
Feature analysis by student needs
13 reasons why "best" varies
Top 5 products per skill
From CEFR to a learning curriculuml
Detailed language learning-plan

Note on the suggested / best rated apps: every comparison, whether by a famous or an occasional column writer or blogger, or by a double set of AI systems mutually checking each other, each such comparison has subjective (or even untrue) elements in it, as a reader may "feel" it differently in their specific situation. So don't attach too much "truth" to what is claimed in the charts or comparisons.

Yet they are probably not fully "untrue" either.

An even better idea would be, since you know what you are doing, to do that yourself and edit my post accordingly.

[Basler Biker]

An even better idea would be, since you know what you are doing, to do that yourself and edit my post accordingly.

Well, actually, I used this for a poll about the Swedish forum here, intended for the viewers of said forum. The poll stood open for a month or so, but there had been no reponse ...most viewers of that forum are anonymous readers, and didn't (want to) register to fill in the form.

[duome]

Still the owl, because like... the rest lowkey sucks.
Linduo is pretty decent, though.

And I do still have hope for the upcoming Lingonaut (newly launced in beta for ios). But I have to admit it's fading.

Why is it fading?
We've had one of their developers here, but they were too busy to keep in touch with us.

[SansEspoir]

Why is it fading?
We've had one of their developers here, but they were too busy to keep in touch with us.

Too many cooks makes messy kitchens.
Also, too high ambitions and too little power to fulfill them.

[John Little]

Airlearn I use for Italian, so far it's pretty good - for an beginner.
From the displayed options....

I've downloaded Airlearn. Five free lessons a day but it's really basic and no way to opt for more advanced lessons

[IceVajal]

Airlearn I use for Italian, so far it's pretty good - for an beginner.
From the displayed options....

I've downloaded Airlearn. Five free lessons a day but it's really basic and no way to opt for more advanced lessons

I just started dabbling with Italian, I have no clue if it's any good for higher levels.
Usually I get some free hearts for lessons, but I rarely use them.

[John Little]

Screenshot_20250611-180958.png (117.47 KiB) Viewed 70 times

Results so far:-

[Linda7Italian]

Hi John. I'm glad to see the many thousands of Clozecisti who could have voted are undoubtedly too busy trying to crack the subjunctive to pop over and place their vote! I joke of course. An interesting result!

[antonmo]

1. Duolingo
2. Duome ( oK not an app but still a tool)
3. Mango

[antonmo]

Why is it fading?
We've had one of their developers here, but they were too busy to keep in touch with us.

Too many cooks makes messy kitchens.
Also, too high ambitions and too little power to fulfill them.

They don’t have a new idea, just reverting to what Duo was. Not open source. Not profit sharing.