Busuu vs Pimsleur at a glance
| Busuu | Pimsleur | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier; Premium €4.83/mo billed €57.99/yr (standard €116.28); Premium Plus €5.83/mo billed €69.90/yr (standard €142.80)checked 2026-10-09 (busuu.com/products, shown from Germany) | Premium $19.99/mo; All Access $20.99/mo or $164.99/yr; one-off levels $150 each, 5 levels $575; free first lessonchecked 2026-10-09 (pimsleur.com/learn-french; subscriptions from the US App Store, 2026-10-06) |
| Levels | A1–B2 (beginner and intermediate) | A1–B1 (beginner and intermediate) |
| Free to use | Yes, at least in part | No (trial or sample only) |
| Real-speed French | No | No |
| Transcripts or subtitles | Not a feature | Not a feature |
| Taught in | English | English, French |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. | Best for speaking from day one on a commute; thin on vocabulary. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Which is better for beginners?
Both work for beginners, in very different formats. Busuu's Complete French course has more than 330 lessons from A1 to B2, with AI review tools and exercises you can submit for feedback. Pimsleur is audio-first: 30-minute lessons where you listen, repeat and answer out loud, with a hands-free mode and offline listening. If you study on a screen, Busuu; if your study time is a commute, Pimsleur.
Which is cheaper?
Busuu, by a distance: many features are free, and Premium was €57.99 a year when we checked from Germany. Pimsleur lets you try one lesson free; then Premium is $19.99 a month, All Access $20.99 a month or $164.99 a year (US App Store), or $150 per one-off level.
Which takes you further?
Busuu. It goes to B2, while Pimsleur realistically covers A1 to B1 and covers far less vocabulary than other courses.
Which gets you speaking sooner?
Pimsleur. Every lesson makes you answer out loud before you see any text. Busuu's speaking practice is part of a broader course, and much of the work is on screen.
Can you use both?
Yes, and they complement each other better than two screen apps would: Busuu for grammar, reading and vocabulary, Pimsleur in the car for speaking. Watch the cost if you pay for both.
What neither does
Neither course trains your ear for real-speed French between native speakers or gives you a person to talk to. Busuu's audio is recorded for learners, and Pimsleur's is slow and scripted. Add real listening and a weekly conversation as you reach A2.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busuu | Free tier; Premium €4.83/mo billed €57.99/yr (standard €116.28); Premium Plus €5.83/mo billed €69.90/yr (standard €142.80)checked 2026-10-09 (busuu.com/products, shown from Germany) | A1–B2 | No | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. |
| Pimsleur | Premium $19.99/mo; All Access $20.99/mo or $164.99/yr; one-off levels $150 each, 5 levels $575; free first lessonchecked 2026-10-09 (pimsleur.com/learn-french; subscriptions from the US App Store, 2026-10-06) | A1–B1 | No | Best for speaking from day one on a commute; thin on vocabulary. |
| French with Amélie | Free weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yr | B1–C1 | Yes, with a slow version and a transcript | Real-speed dialogues by email and a private podcast. Not an app. Visit |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Read more
The full listings: Busuu (app) and Pimsleur (course). More like these: Online French courses.