# Alternatives to Lingvist

Adaptive vocabulary in context.

Lingvist ranks #10 of 10 in Language learning apps, with an Alt Score of 60. It is proprietary, sold by subscription from $9.99/month and available on Web, iOS and Android. 7 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lingvist/
Category: Language learning apps

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Language learners at any level, from beginners to advanced speakers, especially busy professionals and students who want focused, efficient study sessions rather than long courses.
- **What you get**: An adaptive vocabulary-learning app covering 60+ languages, built around the highest-frequency words that cover most everyday scenarios, each with example sentences and grammar notes. A custom decks feature lets users turn personal word lists or industry-specific text into study material. Lessons are short (around 10 minutes or 50 cards) with no ads or gamification layered on top.
- **How it works**: An initial AI assessment places the learner at the right starting level, then the app delivers card-based vocabulary lessons and uses a spaced-repetition algorithm to resurface words at the optimal interval for retention based on the learner's performance.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-11)
- **Pricing model**: Subscription (verified 2026-07-11)
- **Starts at**: $9.99/month (verified 2026-07-11)
- **Platforms**: Web, iOS, Android
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-11)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [Babbel](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/babbel.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 2 | [Busuu](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/busuu.md) | 73 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 3 | [Duolingo](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/duolingo.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 4 | [LingQ](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lingq.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 5 | [Rosetta Stone](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/rosetta-stone.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 6 | [Clozemaster](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clozemaster.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 7 | [Drops](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/drops.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 8 | [Memrise](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/memrise.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |
| 9 | [Pimsleur](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/pimsleur.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Language learning apps checklist | Lingvist | Babbel | Busuu | Duolingo | LingQ | Rosetta Stone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starts at | $9.99/month | $7/month | $70/year (~$5.83/month) | $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) | €10.00/month | $13.25/month |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Languages count | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speaking practice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Grammar explanations | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Partial |
| Offline lessons | Partial | Yes | Partial | ? | Partial | Yes |
| Live tutoring | ? | ? | Partial | No | Yes | Partial |
| Free tier limits | Partial | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Placement tests | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Spaced repetition | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? |
| Kids mode | ? | ? | No | Yes | ? | ? |
| One-time purchase option | ? | Yes | No | No | Partial | Yes |

## Sources

Sources for Lingvist. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **License**: Proprietary — <https://lingvist.com/tos/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Unless otherwise stated, we or our licensors own the intellectual property rights in the Services and Service Content.”
- **Pricing model**: Subscription — <https://lingvist.com/blog/we-are-lingvist/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “After that, a subscription will be necessary to continue learning with Lingvist.”
- **Starts at**: $9.99/month — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lingvist-learn-languages-fast/id969093402> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Learn languages: 1-month plan $9.99”
- **Platforms**: Web, iOS, Android — <https://lingvist.com/blog/the-lingvist-mobile-app-is-here/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “The Lingvist mobile app is available right now for iOS and Android.”
- **Status**: active — <https://lingvist.com/help/do-you-offer-a-free-trial/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Currently, we grant every new user a free trial, so that you can experience the power of learning with Lingvist yourself.”
- **Languages count**: Yes — <https://lingvist.com/help/which-languages-can-i-learn-with-lingvist/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “From English, you can currently learn:”
- **Speaking practice**: Yes — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lingvist-learn-languages-fast/id969093402> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Perfect your pronunciation using sophisticated speech recognition technology or type your answers.”
- **Grammar explanations**: Partial — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lingvist-learn-languages-fast/id969093402> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Acquire grammar passively like a native with our bite-sized sentences, or practice conjugating French verbs in our French course.”
- **Offline lessons**: Partial — <https://lingvist.com/help/learn-offline/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “On the mobile app, we can support your learning without an Internet connection for up to 15 minutes.”
- **Free tier limits**: Partial — <https://lingvist.com/help/do-you-offer-a-free-trial/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Currently, we grant every new user a free trial, so that you can experience the power of learning with Lingvist yourself.”
- **Placement tests**: Yes — <https://lingvist.com/help/what-if-i-didnt-take-the-short-test-at-the-beginning/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “If you weren't offered the placement test when you first start learning on Lingvist, it means the algorithm will take you through the course starting from the very beginning.”
- **Spaced repetition**: Yes — <https://lingvist.com/blog/spaced-repetition-in-learning/> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “The algorithm starts with the average forgetting curve of all of Lingvist's users as a baseline, and then adjusts according to how many you miss.”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/