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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Busuu vs Pimsleur | Language Learning

Busuu 4.7★ · Free + IAP 80
Winner Busuu
Pimsleur | Language Learning 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75

Busuu offers a more comprehensive learning experience with a social aspect, while Pimsleur excels in audio-based learning for rapid speaking and listening skills.

Full reviews: Busuu · Pimsleur | Language Learning

Busuu provides a well-rounded approach to language learning, including grammar and cultural insights, with a community feature for native speaker interaction. Pimsleur, on the other hand, is highly effective for auditory learners focused on speaking and comprehension, though it comes at a higher price point and has a more limited free offering.

Head to head

Learning Methodology & Effectiveness edge: BusuuR1R2R3R11
Busuu Busuu is praised for its easy-to-follow lessons, clear explanations, and ability to help users learn rapidly, often being preferred over Duolingo for deeper learning beyond basics R2R11. However, some users find the repetition lacking and content for higher levels or specific languages (like Arabic or Chinese A2) to be insufficient or poorly structured R1R3.
Pimsleur | Language Learning Pimsleur is highly effective for developing speaking and listening skills, with users reporting significant improvement in comprehension and fluency in a short time . Its audio-centric approach is particularly good for commutes . However, some find the pace too fast, especially for speech practice, and the lack of visual aids or character recognition for languages like Chinese is a drawback R97.
Features & Content edge: BusuuR5R6R16R20
Busuu Busuu offers grammar, vocabulary, cultural tidbits, and a social feature to connect with native speakers for exercise reviews R20. However, the availability and quality of content can vary by language, with some languages having limited content or issues with AI voices R5R6R16. The review section also reportedly has issues .
Pimsleur | Language Learning Pimsleur focuses on audio lessons, flashcards, and other reinforcement features . Users appreciate the speaking practice, though the voice recognition can be inconsistent . Some users desire features like placement tests, adjustable playback speed, or transcripts R72. The app also has an American-centric bias in its phrases and formality .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: BusuuR2R5R12R16
Busuu Busuu is generally considered easy to follow and use R2. However, users report issues with muffled or computerized voices R5R16, the app freezing , and the review section not working R12.
Pimsleur | Language Learning Pimsleur is described as easy to use and simple . However, the app is frequently reported as buggy, with issues like not restoring purchases, failing to track streaks, and general unreliability . Some users also find the loud bell sound in lessons disruptive .
Price & Value tieR9R10R13R15
Busuu Busuu has a free tier, but many essential features like ad-free learning, review sections, and AI conversations are paywalled, leading to frequent complaints about excessive ads and pressure to upgrade R9R10R13R15. Premium pricing can also be inconsistent, with existing customers sometimes facing higher renewal costs .
Pimsleur | Language Learning Pimsleur is generally perceived as expensive, with a subscription costing around $20/month or $400 for a lifetime R73R101. The free tier is very limited, often just one lesson, leading to frustration about immediate paywalls . Despite the high price, many users find the learning method effective and worth the investment R106.
Customer Support & Policies tieR4R7R28R31
Busuu Busuu faces severe criticism regarding its refund policy and customer support, with users reporting denied refunds even within the stated period and accounts being deleted without proper assistance R7R28. There are also complaints about automatic enrollment in yearly plans and charges without clear notice R4R31.
Pimsleur | Language Learning Pimsleur's refund and cancellation policies are described as terrible, with users reporting no refunds even for missed cancellation dates after free trials R73R88. Some users also struggle with the subscription process itself .
Pick Busuu if

you want a comprehensive learning experience with grammar, cultural insights, and the ability to interact with native speakers R20. You are looking for an app that teaches beyond basic phrases and offers a more structured curriculum . You are willing to tolerate ads in the free version or pay for premium to unlock all features and an ad-free experience R18.

Pick Pimsleur | Language Learning if

you are an auditory learner who prioritizes developing strong speaking and listening skills rapidly . You prefer a structured, audio-focused approach that is effective for learning on the go, such as during commutes . You are prepared to pay a higher price for a premium, effective learning method, despite potential app bugs and limited free content R106.

Evidence note: The evidence for Busuu's customer support and refund policies is strongly negative, with multiple users reporting issues R4R7R28R31. Pimsleur's evidence for bugs and unreliability is also significant .

Frequently asked

Is Busuu truly free?
Busuu offers a free version, but it is heavily restricted with numerous ads and many key features, such as the review section and AI conversations, locked behind a premium paywall R9R10R18R24.
How much does Pimsleur cost?
Pimsleur is generally considered expensive, with subscriptions often costing around $20 per month or a lifetime purchase around $400 R73R101R106.
Which app is better for advanced learners?
Busuu's quality for higher levels is inconsistent, with some users finding A2 level content for languages like Chinese lacking in vocabulary and grammar R1. Pimsleur's method is effective for rapid progression in speaking and listening, but some advanced users might miss features like placement tests or detailed grammar explanations R72R97.
Do these apps offer refunds?
Both apps have received negative feedback regarding their refund policies; Busuu users reported being denied refunds even within the stated 14-day period R7, and Pimsleur users stated they would not receive refunds even for missed cancellation dates after free trials R73R88.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Busuu 2/5 · US A2 level for Chinese sucks: I spent 131 days learning A1 level. I was really looking forward to A2 level; however, when I started A2 level lessons. It had vocabulary that it never taught me nor did it teach me any grammar. This app has a lot of ads and I paid for the premium. It feels like a huge waste of time and money. The only good thing I got out of this is that I am proficient in A1. Wish th
  2. [R2] Busuu 5/5 · US Lessons stick and are easy to follow: I love the teaching style and how their lessons are easy to follow. They also give tips for learning as well as a good explanation for why something is. Great learning tool!
  3. [R3] Busuu 3/5 · US Busuu: So basically the app is really good and helpful but Duolingo is better. Duolingo focuses on little things and makes you do it again and again. Busuu grows alit at you and doesn’t repeat alit if it but its helpful.
  4. [R11] Busuu 5/5 · US I love it: I have honestly been learning Russian rappidly❤️ I love this app so much it has helped me with my journey a lot and it’s the best app I have ever used for learning that is FREE
  5. [R5] Busuu 4/5 · US Watch out for occasional muffled computerized voices: Most of the voices are great for helping to learn, but some of the voices sound like computerized muffled voices that are hard to understand because it’s so distorted. Why are those strange versions included with the more natural sounding voices?
  6. [R6] Busuu 3/5 · US Add Tagalog: The app looks helpful but please be the one app that has Tagalog. I’m trying to speak to my grandparents in their native language and I can find nowhere to learn it
  7. [R16] Busuu 2/5 · US Bad Audio: Audio is completely horrid. Cannot hear anything that is being said by these AI voices.
  8. [R20] Busuu 4/5 · US Great Material, Limited Languages: It's pretty good so far. I love the social aspect of it and how you can connect to native speakers. I also enjoy how it encourages you to go at your own pace instead of showering you with streak notifications like a CERTAIN app... Anyways, it's good so far but then again I've only started a few days ago. However, my only problem is more of a personal thing. The l
  9. [R12] Busuu 3/5 · US Mr Tom Schilling: I am yet to have any of my exercises reviewed. Are there any other Dutch learners? Are there any Dutch native speakers? I can’t find any.
  10. [R9] Busuu 3/5 · US Avis: Belle application mais trop limité pour la version gratuite
  11. [R10] Busuu 1/5 · US Too many adds for premium: Have been using it for a while now and haven’t been keeping up the practice because of how many ads they have or how often they want you to go to premium
  12. [R13] Busuu 1/5 · US Can’t skip ads: Be great if I could skip through them
  13. [R15] Busuu 3/5 · US Remarks: There is no mention of access to all features in free mode despite the abundance of ads. · translated
  14. [R4] Busuu 1/5 · US I just downloaded may have gotten charged: I was downloading the app because I wanted to learn French when o downloaded the app I went on ChatGPT which told me it was free and I didn’t need a subscription but now I believed it charged me 200 dollars so I’m not sure why it wasn’t clear and I DO NOT want to get charged cause I am fully ok which just having the basics
  15. [R7] Busuu 1/5 · US No refund: Busuu promised a refund. They mentioned 14 days for a refund. After a day, I asked for a refund and they refused. Buyer beware! This program reminds me of all the reasons I hated High School Spanish class.
  16. [R28] Busuu 1/5 · US No Transparency, No Support, No Respect for Customers: A disappointing customer experience. I paid for a subscription using a valid payment method from a supported country. During the internet disruptions in Iran, I contacted support to explain my situation and request assistance. Instead of helping, the company deleted my account and later ignored my follow-up messages. This is not about company
  17. [R31] Busuu 1/5 · US AUTO ENROLLS FOR 1 YEAR: Beware, even if you delete this app, they will automatically enroll you in a 1 year plan and charge you for THE ENTIRE YEAR without notice.
  18. [R18] Busuu 3/5 · US worth it for learning: its great for learning a new language and it allows you to help others through their journey in learning a new language, but when you do not have premium in the app you have endless ads and you cant use the review section.
  19. [R24] Busuu 3/5 · US This is very good app: The only nit pick I have is that you can’t do the AI conversations or the AI listening without premium. And unfortunately, for kids trying to learn languages, premium really gets in the way with that. It would be nice to have access to the AI stuff even without premium, as for me, I found that’s the best way I learn German. Side note: they already have adds, why do they need
  20. [R73] Pimsleur | Language Learning 1/5 · US terrible: terrible app you can literally just use your keyboards talk to type to test speaking(i used it for chinese), plus literally ALL the material here you can learn from a free youtube playlist instead of paying more than a netflix account for it🤦‍♀️ also, make sure to cancel your free trial because they will not refund under any circumstances. i thought i had cancelled my subscription, but s
  21. [R101] Pimsleur | Language Learning 2/5 · US Expensive: I can’t say a lot about this ab since I did not pay for it, but I believe $20 is an absurd amount of money to pay every month. I will be sticking to textbooks instead :(
  22. [R106] Pimsleur | Language Learning 4/5 · US Expensive, but very good: This app is more than double the price of others for the lifetime subscription, but it does offer more languages than Rocket, and better lessons that Duolingo and Lingo Deer. If they offered a lifetime purchase for $199 like others offer, I would buy it, but $400 is just too much, and $20/mn adds up too fast when it takes years to learn a language well.
  23. [R72] Pimsleur | Language Learning 3/5 · US Spanish placement test: I really wish there was a language placement test or a way to fast forward (playback speed) if you already know a bit of the language! I like being able to passively listen.
  24. [R97] Pimsleur | Language Learning 2/5 · US Can see why some people enjoy it, but not great for comprehensive language learning: As a Chinese person in America, who already can pronounce Mandarin natively, I don’t think this is a good app if you want to learn non-Western languages. For Chinese for example, you still need to recognize characters. You can’t just look at pinyin and call it a day.
  25. [R88] Pimsleur | Language Learning 1/5 · US Regret giving them a chance: Refund/credit policy is TERRIBLE. Missed cancel date after free trial and requested a month be credited. Was not willing to even refund a partial credit. I work really hard for my money so was very disappointed in their greediness. Will not be using ever again. Thanks for nothing thieves.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store