Guide · updated October 2026

The best free apps to learn French in 2026

By the SparkAI Language Learning team

Most French apps call themselves free, then put the useful parts behind a subscription. This list ranks them by how far you can actually get without paying.

Each entry says exactly what the free version includes. We make SparkAI, which is first here because, during its beta, all of it is free.

1. SparkAI Language Learning

Levels: A0 to C2Free: Everything, during the beta.

The only one here where the whole course is free: grammar lessons from A0 to C2, spaced-repetition flashcards, graded stories and books, audio lessons and an AI conversation partner. It's in public beta, web-only for now, and free with no ads while the beta lasts.

Start SparkAI free, no account needed

2. TV5MONDE Apprendre le français

Levels: A1 to C1Free: Everything.

Entirely free, from a French-language TV network: listening and reading exercises built on real news reports and videos, sorted from A1 to C1. Not a course, but excellent practice alongside one.

Full review · TV5MONDE's site

3. Duolingo

Levels: Up to B2Free: The whole course, with ads and an energy limit on mistakes.

The free version gives you the whole course, with ads and an energy limit that slows you down when you make mistakes. Great for a daily habit; grammar explanations are short.

Full review · Duolingo's site

4. Memrise

Levels: Beginner to intermediateFree: Many lessons and reviews; speaking practice, video and offline use are paid.

A usable free version for vocabulary, with clips of native speakers. Speaking practice, video lessons and offline use are paid.

Full review · Memrise's site

5. Kwiziq French

Levels: A0 to C1Free: About 10 kwizzes a month, plus many free lesson pages.

The free plan gives about 10 grammar kwizzes a month and access to many lesson pages: enough to find a few gaps, not to work through a level.

Full review · Kwiziq French's site

6. LingQ

Levels: Best from A2 upwardsFree: Reading and listening, with a cap on saved words and imports.

Free reading and listening with a cap on how many words you can save. Fine for trying the method; regular use needs Premium.

Full review · LingQ's site

7. Busuu

Levels: A1 to B2Free: A limited version; review tools, offline use and certificates need Premium.

A limited free version of a CEFR-based course. Most of the useful extras (review tools, offline use, certificates) are paid.

Full review · Busuu's site

Not sure which one is for you?

Answer four quick questions and get the tool that fits your goal, budget, level and time.

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Questions

Can you learn French for free?

Yes. A free structured course (SparkAI is free during its beta), free listening from TV5MONDE and RFI's easy-French news, and a free habit app like Duolingo can take you a long way. Add conversation with real people as soon as you can.

Is Duolingo free for French?

Duolingo's French course is free with ads and an energy limit; the paid plans remove them and add features. Its French course goes up to about B2, according to Duolingo.

What is the best completely free French app?

If you want a full course with no paid tier, SparkAI is free during its beta, from A0 to C2. TV5MONDE is completely free too, but it's practice material rather than a course.

Free plans and prices as of October 2026; they change often, so check each provider's site. All product names are trademarks of their owners. SparkAI isn't affiliated with any of them, and this list is our opinion; we make SparkAI.