Want to Learn Spanish for Free? You’re Not Limited to Duolingo. Looking for the best free apps to learn Spanish in 2025? You’re not alone. While Duolingo is a great starting point, it’s not enough on its own. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide—to help you find the most effective, 100% free tools to learn Spanish faster, smarter, and more confidently.
The truth? Several free apps are just as good—or even better—for different aspects of language learning, like speaking, listening, grammar, and immersion.
Whether you’re learning for travel, exams, or casual conversation, this guide reveals the best 100% free language learning apps you can start using today.
Related: I Used Duolingo for 60 Days — Here’s What They Don’t Tell You
Why Using Multiple Free Apps to Learn Spanish Works Better
Duolingo is popular for a reason—it’s gamified, fun, and easy to use. But it also has major blind spots:
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❌ Poor at teaching grammar
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❌ No real speaking feedback
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❌ Limited immersion and real-life conversation
By combining apps, you can build a more complete system:
One app teaches you words, another helps you speak, and a third trains your ear—and suddenly, you’re learning faster than 95% of Duolingo-only users.
Top 10+ Free Apps to Learn Spanish (Better Than Just Duolingo)
Here are the best free language apps that complement or outperform Duolingo in different ways:
1. Duolingo
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Best for: Vocabulary, habit-building, gamification
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Pros: Daily streaks, easy to use, lots of languages
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Cons: Limited speaking/listening practice, grammar gaps
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Use it as your base app, but don’t stop there.
Read: I Used Duolingo for 60 Days — Here’s What They Don’t Tell You
2. Memrise
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Best for: Native speaker video clips + phrase learning
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Pros: Real-world examples, short videos
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Cons: Limited depth without the paid plan
3. HelloTalk
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Best for: Talking with native speakers
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Pros: Chat, voice notes, real correction from real people
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Cons: It can feel awkward for beginners
4. Tandem
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Best for: Language exchange based on interests
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Pros: Voice & text exchange, optional tutor upgrade
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Cons: Occasional paywall
5. LingQ
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Best for: Reading and listening in real-world contexts
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Pros: Imports YouTube videos, articles, and podcasts
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Cons: More advanced interface
6. Language Reactor (Chrome Extension)
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Best for: Watching Netflix or YouTube while learning
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Pros: Dual subtitles, translations, and playback tools
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Cons: Only works on desktop Chrome
7. BBC Languages
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Best for: Grammar explanations and culture
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Pros: Trusted source, clear examples
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Cons: Less interactive
8. Digital Dialects
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Best for: Kids or total beginners
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Pros: Simple word games, fun design
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Cons: Very limited advanced content
9. SpanishPod101 / FrenchPod101
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Best for: Audio learning & cultural understanding
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Pros: Daily lessons, native accents
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Cons: Limited free access
10. Reverso Context / Linguee
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Best for: Seeing how words are used in real sentences
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Pros: Deep examples, ideal for writing
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Cons: Not for total beginners
How to Combine These Free Apps for Real Progress
Here’s a simple daily system that multiplies your results:
Time | Activity | Tool |
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Morning | Vocab practice | Duolingo / Memrise |
Afternoon | Listening | SpanishPod101 / Language Reactor |
Evening | Speaking/writing | HelloTalk / Tandem |
Weekly | Grammar focus | BBC Languages / Reverso |
Use Anki or Quizlet to create flashcards from all apps and review daily.
Which Free App Is Best for You?
If You Are… | Use These Apps |
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A beginner | Duolingo, Memrise, Digital Dialects |
A visual learner | Language Reactor, LingQ |
A grammar nerd | BBC Languages, Reverso |
A people person | HelloTalk, Tandem |
On the go | SpanishPod101, Duolingo’s audio lessons |
Duolingo Isn’t the Only Game in Town
Yes, Duolingo works—but you’ll grow faster, speak better, and feel more confident when you use the right mix of tools.
✅ Want to stay motivated?
✅ Want to understand fast speech?
✅ Want to speak fluently?
Then combine Duolingo with these 100% free apps, and build your dream language-learning toolkit.
Read Next: I Used Duolingo for 60 Days — Here’s What They Don’t Tell You