Busuu vs Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

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. [R2] Busuu 5/5 · US It’s a game, a fun way to learn.: I like how you can correct your pronunciation with native speakers. I also like that there are weekly leader boards; it gives you a competitive drive to learn more.
2. [R17] Busuu 5/5 · US Love it!: I’m learning German, and this taught me more in a day than Duolingo has in a month! But, since you learn so much so quickly, go back and take the chapter reviews again to sharpen up your skills once in awhile
3. [R63] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 3/5 · US Duolinguo is ultimately better: I don’t know, this app is just super boring sometimes. The speech machine is hit-or-miss, the lessons seem all the same, and you can’t access a tutor without paying money. The live lessons are good though. Wouldnt recommend if you prefer something more colorful and complex.
4. [R68] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 5/5 · US Great app: Rosetta Stone is a great app for learning any and all different languages and it teaches in different ways to help people understand and remember.
5. [R38] 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
6. [R57] Busuu 2/5 · GB Too many ads: The free version has too many ads. You just keep getting interrupted, which I don’t think is very beneficial to anyone’s learning. it’s great to know one can have a premium version, for which you have to pay - but not anyone can afford that. Also, you now have to watch an ad to review previous lessons, crazy. If one finished a lesson and wanted to go back to rewatch it, why do you h
7. [R67] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US Content is fine, microphone detection doesn’t work: The content within the app is good and the app is easy to follow however, you are constantly fighting the app to recognize the words you’re saying. The microphone on my iPhone works perfectly fine but the Rosetta Stone app is constantly telling me that the microphone has bad quality and it doesn’t matter how you hold the phone, if you use headpho
8. [R81] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 3/5 · US Okay, not great: App repeatedly tells me microphone has poor connection; it doesn’t, in fact that’s not possible. No matter how I am connected, it claims this. The flash card approach is okay but it doesn’t help for memory recollection and later in lessons doesn’t give hints until you incorrectly say the words 3 times. Lessons could be a lot better.
9. [R10] 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.
10. [R31] 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
11. [R64] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US Very unhelpful and unclear: I'm learning German, and the speaking lessons are the most difficult because of the app's inability to recognize the actual words being spoken. For example, I was in a room of people speaking English while doing my German speaking lesson, and i paused speaking because it was too loud. The app heard the voices and thought that they were saying the words on the screen, so
12. [R100] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US Bad voice detection: Has trouble identifying that speech is occurring at all. This seems to occur more after the first few lessons. You can say anything but some questions will just be impassible because no matter what you say it acts as if you remained silent. Use in anechoic silent room or use something else. All other programs were off and this was a brand new fully updated iPhone that had been
13. [R4] 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
14. [R55] Busuu 2/5 · GB Cannot use for free: I got this app yesterday and am constantly hounded on it to sign up for premium. It won’t let me complete anymore exercises unless I sign up for the free trial. The reviews are pretty bad in terms of what happens once you sign up as it auto renews. Very frustrating when it could be a good app.
15. [R73] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US Stealing from consumers: Do not trust Rosetta Stone. They have essentially stolen a product I paid $160 for in lieu of forcing a subscription upon me. Do not give money to this trash company
16. [R118] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US Lifetime Subscription, Not So Much!: I get that the lifetime subscription applies to the product. But releasing another app that will now receive upgrades that could have gone into this “classic” app and honoring those of us who bought lifetime subscriptions, would have shown customer value. If nothing else you could have grandfathered in the prior purchased lifetime subscriptions at the very leas
17. [R82] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US Bricked my License: I paid over $500 for the permanent license to learn a language and now I can’t use it because you’re requiring a subscription fee. Don’t offer it if you won’t honor it.
18. [R115] Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 1/5 · US False advertising: Do not pay for lifetime access with Rosetta Stone. They claim lifetime access, but it only applies to the current app. Almost as soon as I paid for lifetime access, they came out with a new app and the subscription doesn’t transfer. It’s obvious they’re stopping old app and it will be discontinued before the end of my life XD false advertising..
19. [R9] Busuu 3/5 · US Avis: Belle application mais trop limité pour la version gratuite
20. [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.