Pimsleur French is the best app for getting a beginner speaking basic French out loud on a commute, and a thin course for everything else: five levels of 30-minute audio lessons take you to about A1–B1, with little vocabulary and slow, scripted audio. Premium is $19.99 a month and All Access $20.99 a month or $164.99 a year on the US App Store (checked 6 October 2026); one-off levels cost $150 each, or $575 for all five, on pimsleur.com.
Checked October 2026 · Pimsleur price: Premium $19.99/mo; All Access $20.99/mo or $164.99/yr; one-off levels $150 each, 5 levels $575; free first lesson (checked 2026-10-09 (pimsleur.com/learn-french; subscriptions from the US App Store, 2026-10-06))
The method
Each lesson is 30 minutes of audio. A narrator sets up a situation, French speakers say a phrase, and you are asked to say it, or to build a new sentence from parts you already know, before you hear the answer. Words come back at growing intervals so they stick. There is a hands-free mode for driving and offline listening. We explain the principles in the Pimsleur method.
The levels
The French course has five levels of 30 lessons each. Level 1 gets you greeting people, asking directions and ordering; by levels 4 and 5 you handle longer exchanges about plans, work and travel. Our reading of where it ends is about B1 for speaking basic French, lower for reading and writing.
The app adds reading lessons, flashcards and quick review games around the audio, but the core is the 30-minute lessons.
The price
Subscriptions on the US App Store: Premium $19.99 a month for one language; All Access $20.99 a month or $164.99 a year for every language. To own the lessons instead, pimsleur.com sells French levels at $150 each, or all five for $575. The first lesson is free. See is Pimsleur worth it for how those compare, and Pimsleur free for what you can get without paying.
What it leaves out
Vocabulary: a level of 30 lessons covers far fewer words than a course app. Grammar explained: you pick up patterns by ear, not rules. Real-speed French: the audio is clear, slow and studio-recorded. In the 500 most recent App Store reviews we read, the main complaints were billing and cancelling (18 of 54 one- and two-star reviews) and support (7), more than the method itself.
Who it's for
Beginners with a commute or long walks who want to speak basic French early, and auditory learners who find screens and grammar tables tiring.
Who it's not for
Learners who want a broad vocabulary, grammar explained or real-speed listening, and anyone past B1. Pair it with a reading course such as Babbel or real listening from our listening apps page.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Babbel | From €8.99/mo on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year; €215.88 at the monthly rate); lifetime €299.99; first lesson freechecked 2026-10-09 (babbel.com/prices, shown from Germany) | A1–C1 | No | The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
| Rosetta Stone | €19.99/mo, or €13.25/mo billed €159/yr; lifetime plan priced on the buy pagechecked 2026-10-09 (rosettastone.com buy page, shown from Germany) | A1–B1 | No | Immersion-style basics; slow, and light on explanation. |
| 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. |
| 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.
Questions
How many levels does Pimsleur French have?
Five levels, each of 30 lessons lasting about 30 minutes.
How much is Pimsleur French?
Premium $19.99 a month; All Access $20.99 a month or $164.99 a year (US App Store, 6 October 2026); or $150 a level, $575 for five, on pimsleur.com.
Is Pimsleur good for French grammar?
Not for explanations. You absorb patterns by speaking them; pair it with a course or grammar site if you want the rules.
More on Pimsleur
The full listing: Pimsleur: price, levels and who it suits.