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Learn Hindi

Duolingo, Rosetta Stone and other Apps

In addition to the most famous apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone, we will also look at other Hindi learning apps, some of which are even better. But first, a short overview of Hindi and the other languages in India.

India travel posters from the 1960's

   Overview of the Languages in India:

In India, surprisingly many people speak three languages because Hindi and English are often learned as the second and third languages.

In fact, India has 780 indigenous languages and 30 of them are spoken by more than one million people. Among the most important are:

  • Hindi (650 million speakers)
  • Bengali (90 million speakers)
  • Telugu (84 million speakers)
  • Marathi (84 million speakers)
  • Tamil (66 million speakers)
  • Urdu (59 million speakers)
  • Kannada (50 million speakers)
  • Gujarati (50 million speakers)
Hindi is spoken primarily in northern and central India, while it is less common in southern India where the ancient Dravidian languages are used.

India travel posters from the 1960's

Hindi is an Indo-European language that originated from Sanskrit. Sanskrit has a similar status in India as Latin has in Europe.

In fact, Sanskrit has similarities to Latin and ancient Greek, which led to the discovery of the Indo-European language family.

Sanskrit is used almost exclusively to read ancient religious texts, while Hindi is used in everyday life.

After this introductory overview, let us now take a look at the apps and software you can use to learn Hindi:


Mondly Hindi App

The Best Alternative to Duolingo

The Mondly App lets you learn the Hindi language in a playful way with a series of interactive exercises.

This Hindi learning program contains:

  • Hindi vocabulary trainer with 5000 words
  • 50 topics and categories to choose from
  • 2100 Hindi lessons, including grammar
  • Conversation trainer for common situations (speech recognition)
  • There is even a virtual reality version of this learning app
Mondly has around 45 million users worldwide. This language course has the advantage of having 41 source languages and 41 target languages.

Summary: Mondly is very similar to the Babbel and Duolingo apps and even better in terms of quality. The cost-benefit ratio for the lifetime access to all 41 languages is unbeatable.

Link: Mondly Hindi App and Online Course


Hindi Basic Course

From 17 Minute Languages

Systems: Online Access (PC, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS)

Suitable for: Beginners and Advanced Learners, Students, Professionals

Content: 1300 words (basic course), 5200 words (complete course), grammar, verb conjugations, exercises

Prices: USD 29,95 (Basic Course), USD 97 (Complete Course)

Overall Value:

The Hindi Basic Course contains a vocabulary trainer for the basic Hindi vocabulary (1300 words) with native-speaker audio, as well as grammar explanations and various exercises.

The vocabulary trainer works with a long-term memory method, in which the new vocabulary is checked at increasing intervals.

You can choose between text input, multiple choice or simply confirming whether you knew a word or not.

The exercises include text comprehension questions, filling in word gaps or just vocabulary lists where one side is covered.

The basic course corresponds to the official language levels A1 and A2 (explanation of CEFR language levels).

The Complete Course contains:

  • Basic course for beginners (basic vocabulary with 1300 words)
  • Intermediate course (1800 more words)
  • Advanced course for experts (2100 words)
  • Additional specialized vocabulary
  • Covers the official CEFR language levels A1 to C2
There are 17 different languages you can use to learn Hindi with this app.

Summary: Much cheaper and even better than the famous Rosetta Stone. There is a free demo version available and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Link: Hindi Basic Course and Complete Course


Rocket Languages: Hindi

Learn Hindi Without Subscriptions

Systems: Android and iOS Apps, PC and Mac

Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, advanced learners, students, business

Content: Exercises with native speaker audio and speech recognition, writing, grammar, culture

Prices: Free (initial lessons), USD 89 (basic course), USD 249 (full course)

Overall Value:

Rocket Languages offers a complete Hindi language course for download, without monthly subscriptions. It covers the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels (A1-C2).

This Hindi learning software and app features:

  • 6000 Hindi words and characters in the lessons and exercises
  • Complete grammar explanations and exercises
  • Pronunciation and conversation trainer
  • Hindi native speaker audio and speech recognition
  • Explanations of cultural differences via audio and video
You can use the Rocket Languages Hindi course completely offline on the computer and on your smartphone after the download.

Summary: Excellent premium Hindi course on par with Rosetta Stone but without a subscription. You pay only once and own the software. There is also a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Link: Rocket Languages Hindi Learning Software


Rosetta Stone: Hindi

Most Famous Language Learning App

Systems: PC, Mac, Android, iOS Apps

Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, experts, professionals, business

Content: Hindi lessons with native speaker audio and speech recognition

Prices:
USD   36 (3 months)
USD 145 (12 months)
USD 299 (Lifetime access)
USD 349 (Lifetime access for 24 languages)

Overall Value:

How does Hindi learning with Rosetta Stone work?

Rosetta Stone has a different approach to language learning than many other online courses or language apps such as Duolingo, Memrise and others.

The idea behind Rosetta Stone is to learn a language like you did as a child - by using pictures in combination with listening, speaking, and reading.

Each Rosetta Stone lesson includes the following exercises:

  • Pronounce the words or phrases correctly (speech recognition)
  • When reading or hearing a word, click on the correct picture
  • When looking at a picture, click on the correct word
  • Type in a spoken word correctly (Hindi keyboard is displayed on the screen), etc.
A possible disadvantage of Rosetta Stone is that there are no grammar explanations or translations of the Hindi vocabulary.

Instead, you are supposed to learn the grammar and the meaning of words from the context or recognize the meaning from the pictures.

Rosetta Stone Apps and Online Version:

The Rosetta Stone Hindi learning software can be used online with a subscription for 3 or 12 months or with a Lifetime Access.

In addition to the online version, there are now also Rosetta Stone apps for iPhones and Android smartphones.

Summary: Time-tested method, but the lack of grammar explanations and translations may make Rosetta Stone not suitable for everyone.

Link: Rosetta Stone App and Online Course


Duolingo Hindi App

Well-Known Language Learning App

Systems: Android App, iOS App, PC and Mac

Content: Exercises with native-speaker audio

Prices: Free (with ads), USD 12.99 (1 month), USD 60 (12 months)

Overall Value:

The Duolingo App offers beginner language courses for 36 languages, including Hindi. Duolingo covers mostly the basics as well as some intermediate level Hindi vocabulary.

The major drawback of Duolingo (just like Rosetta Stone) is that there are no grammar explanations.

The vocabulary learning with Duolingo is "gamified", which means it is structured like a game with levels, experience points, achievements, etc.

The interface is relatively similar to the apps from Mondly and Babbel (Babbel has no Hindi course).

Summary: The vocabulary trainer and the exercises of the program are okay. However, it is not possible to learn Hindi grammar with this app.


Memrise Hindi App

App with User-Generated Lessons

Systems: Android App, iPhone App, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

Content: Hindi lessons and vocabulary trainer with native speaker audio, grammar

Prices: USD 8,99 (1 month), USD 60 (12 months), USD 110 (unlimited)

Overall Value:

With the Memrise App you can learn over 90 languages.

This includes even very small languages - however, in such cases the language courses are often limited to just a few lessons.

One special feature of the Memrise learning app is the large number of lessons created by users (native speakers).

The quality of these lessons varies greatly though. For example, only the basic forms of verbs are usually taught, without the conjugations. Some languages also do not have an audio recording of the words at all.

Another good idea of the Memrise app are the user-generated tips and mnemonics for each word to help you memorize them.

Summary: User-generated lessons are a good idea. In practice, the quality of the lessons leaves a lot be desired.


Ling Hindi App

Gamified Language Learning

Systems: Android App, iPhone App, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

Content: Hindi lessons and exercises

Prices: USD 8.99 (1 month), USD 42 (12 months),
USD 110 (unlimited)

Overall Value:

The Master Ling App offers language lessons for 52 languages and is quite similar to famous apps like Duolingo, Babbel or Mondly.

This Hindi learning app is based on "gamified learning", which means learning a foreign language in a playful way. There are mini-games, experience points, levels, quizzes and exercises.

Grammar explanations are not included and the vocabulary is limited to only 1000 Hindi words and phrases. Each word and phrase has recorded native speaker audio and pictures.

Unfortunately, the translations are also often inaccurate or wrong, for which the app even has an error reporting button.

This app also has an entry test to determine your Hindi proficiency level.

Summary: Good ideas, but rather poor implementation and not enough vocabulary to justify this price.


Drops Hindi App

Alternative to Babbel and Duolingo

Systems: Android App, iPhone App, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

Content: Hindi lessons and exercises with native-speaker audio

Prices: USD 13.30 (1 month), USD 72 (12 months), USD 164 (unlimited)

Overall Value:

The Language Drops App is most notable for having 47 target languages and 40 source languages, similar to Mondly.

You can learn about 3000 Hindi words and phrases with this app. However, there are hardly any exercises, except for introducing a new word and matching the word to a picture.

You can choose from which topics you want to learn new words and at what skill level you want to learn (whether you know the language somewhat).

If you want to try the app for free for two weeks you have to provide your payment information and then cancel it.

The "deal" you get when you sign up for the free trial is more than 3 times as expensive as when you click "Get Premium" on the website (USD 38 per month instead of USD 13.30 per month).

Summary: No variety, no grammar and only 3000 words. Does not justify the higher price, even though you get access to all languages.


Pimsleur Hindi Course

Most Expensive App to Learn Hindi

Systems: PC and Mac (incl. Mobile App)

Suitabe for: Beginners, advanced, students, travel vocabulary

Content: Hindi vocabulary, lessons with native-speaker audio and speech recognition

Price: USD 300 (basic course)

Overall Value:

The Pimsleur App is very similar to Rosetta Stone in that it does not give grammar explanations, verb conjugation tables, etc.

Instead, the Pimsleur method is supposed to let you learn the Hindi language intuitively, just like your native language - by combining pictures, reading and speaking (speech recognition).

This Hindi learning course for PCs and Macs also includes a mobile app for Android and iOS systems.

Pimsleur offers only a basic Hindi course for beginners and has no intermediate or advanced lessons.

Summary: The most expensive Hindi beginners course, even though it is unlikely that learning with it is much better than with the cheaper apps.


uTalk Hindi App

Bland and Uninspired

Systems: Android App, iPhone App

Content: Hindi lessons and exercises

Prices: 10,99 USD (1 month and 140 languages), USD 40 (1 language unlimited)

Overall Value:

The uTalk Hindi Learning App for Android and iOS teaches about 2000 words (no grammar) and relies exclusively on playful exercises.

The 6 exercises are always the same: Memory games with pictures, matching the heard Hindi word to a picture, etc.

Difficult Hindi words or phrases can be stored in a phrasebook.

This app contains words and example sentences on 60 topics for 140 languages (with native speaker audio).

The monthly subscription provides access to all languages. Alternatively, this Hindi app lets you buy unlimited access for individual languages.

Summary: 140 languages on offer sounds impressive, but the content is very limited. There is no grammar and the 6 exercises are rather repetitive.


Simya Hindi App

Not really recommended

Systems: Android App, iPhone App

Content: Vocabulary trainer for Hindi learning

Prices: USD 9,99 (1000 words), USD 59 (1000 words in 50 languages)

Overall Value:

The Simya App for Android and iOS is purely a vocabulary trainer for 50 languages, including Hindi.

The free version contains 300 words and has very frequent "ad breaks". The paid version (without ads) also contains only 1000 words and phrases.

All the words have native speaker audio and you can use the app offline too.

Hindi grammar and verb conjugations are not included in this app.

Summary: Not really worth it, as there are much better alternatives like Mondly, Rosetta Stone or even Duolingo.



Additional Ways To Learn Hindi Online:

Colanguage: Find Skype teachers

Overall Value:

At Colanguage you can arrange face-to-face language lessons online via Skype with language teachers around the world (from $5-10 per hour).

In addition to using apps, it is definitely a good idea to also practice with native speakers in order to learn Hindi properly.

Tandem: Find a language exchange partner

Overall Value:

Instead of hiring teachers, you can also find people who are interested in a free language exchange online via Skype.

It is completely free of charge, but you have to act as a language teacher for the other person half of the time.


Overview of the Hindi Learning Apps:

Learning App Subscrip-
tion?
Price Systems Value
17 Minutes
(Basics)
No
$29
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
17 Minutes
(Complete)
No
$97
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Rocket
(Basics)
No
$89
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Rocket
(Complete)
No
$249
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Mondly
No
$99
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Mondly
Yes
(1 month)
$10
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Mondly
Yes
(12 months)
$48
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Rosetta Stone
No
$299
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Rosetta Stone
Yes
(3 months)
$36
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Rosetta Stone
Yes
(12 months)
$145
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Duolingo
Yes
(1 month)
$13
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Duolingo
Yes
(12 months)
$60
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Memrise
No
$110
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Memrise
Yes
(1 month)
$9
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Memrise
Yes
(12 months)
$60
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Master Ling
No
$110
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Master Ling
Yes
(1 month)
$9
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Master Ling
Yes
(12 months)
$42
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Pimsleur
(Basics)
No
$300
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Drops
No
$164
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Drops
Yes
(1 month)
$13
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Drops
Yes
(12 months)
$72
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
uTalk
No
$40
Android, iOS
uTalk
Yes
(1 month)
$11
Android, iOS
Simya
(1 language)
No
$10
Android, iOS
Simya
(50 languages)
No
$59
Android, iOS
Best App to Learn Hindi:
Mondly

Best Hindi Online Course:
17 Minute Languages

Best Learning Software for Download:
Rocket Languages

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