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Learn Russian

Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, Babbel and other Apps

In this article we compare learning apps and software that you can use to learn Russian. Other than Rosetta Stone, Babbel or Duolingo, there are also some lesser-known apps that are at least as good or even better.

Russian posters from the 1970's

The Russian language has about 165 million native speakers and is spoken as a second language by about 110 million people.

Russian vocabulary does have similarities to Western languages. However, it has more conjugations and other nuances that are not quite simple.

The Russian alphabet also contains more letters than the Western alphabet, such as the famous "ы".

Moscow, Russia

Now let's take a look at the learning apps that you can use to learn Russian. The biggest advantage of such learning apps is that they are much cheaper than long language courses.

You can find a compact overview of all the Russian learning apps below.


Mondly Russian App

The Best Alternative to Duolingo

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

This Russian learning program contains:

  • Russian vocabulary trainer with 5000 words
  • 50 topics and categories to choose from
  • 2100 Russian 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 Russian App and Online Course


Russian 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 Russian Basic Course contains a vocabulary trainer for the basic Russian 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 Russian 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: Russian Basic Course and Complete Course


Rocket Languages: Russian

Learn Russian 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 Russian language course for download, without monthly subscriptions. It covers the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels (A1-C2).

This Russian learning software and app features:

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

Summary: Excellent premium Russian 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 Russian Learning Software


Rosetta Stone: Russian

Most Famous Language Learning App

Systems: PC, Mac, Android, iOS Apps

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

Content: Russian 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 Russian 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, etc.
A possible disadvantage of Rosetta Stone is that there are no grammar explanations or translations of the Russian 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 Russian 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


Babbel Russian App

Better than Rosetta Stone

Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

Suitable for: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, Students, Business Russian

Content: Vocabulary trainer with native speaker audio and speech recognition, grammar, exercises

Prices: Free (initial lessons), USD 12.95 (1 month), USD 84 (12 months)

Overall Value:

The Babbel Russian Learning App is quite similar to Rosetta Stone.

Babbel also focuses on combining pictures, listening, reading, writing and speaking. For this, Babbel has native speaker audio of all the words and speech recognition just like Rosetta Stone.

The Babbel App also offers improvements over Rosetta Stone:

  • Classical explanation of grammar (Rosetta Stone has none)
  • You are shown translations of words (unlike in Rosetta Stone)
  • Traditional vocabulary trainer is included in the Babbel App
  • The pricing of the Babbel app is much lower
Babbel is one of the oldest language learning apps and has over 10 million subscribed users world-wide.

Summary: Babbel includes most of the advantages of Rosetta Stone and even eliminates its disadvantages. Highly recommended!

Link: Babbel Russian App and Online Course


Pimsleur Russian Course

Most Expensive Software to Learn Russian

Systems: PC and Mac (incl. Mobile App)

Suitabe for: Beginners, advanced, students, travel vocabulary

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

Price: USD 122 (Basics), USD 469 (Complete)

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 Russian language intuitively, just like your native language - by combining pictures, reading and speaking (speech recognition).

The complete course includes a total of five courses (levels 1 to 5). The beginner course is level 1. Each of the five courses offers 30 daily lessons of 30 minutes each and there are various interactive exercises.

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

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


LingQ Russian App

Innovative Approach to Learn Russian

Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

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

Content: Video and text lessons, browser extension to import any Russian texts, vocabulary trainer

Price: USD 10 (1 month subscription)

Overall Value:

The LingQ Russian App is basically a translation program that is combined with a personalized vocabulary trainer.

In addition to the lessons and texts that are included in this app, any Russian text can be imported. LingQ has its own browser extension for Firefox, Safari and Chrome to import texts (including ebooks).

You can click on any word in the texts to see a translation and this adds the word to your personal vocabulary trainer.

LingQ also has many videos and podcasts, the content of which appears as a text next to the video or podcast — so that any word there can be clicked on and saved as well.

Unfortunately, there are no grammar lessons, meaning that this app will not suffice on its own to learn Russian.

Summary: Very interesting way to learn Russian vocabulary on any subject. However, you need other apps for Russian grammar and conjugations.


MosaLingua Russian

App like Babbel, Mondly or Duolingo

Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate learners, pupils, students, travel vocabulary

Content: Russian vocabulary trainer and most important grammar

Prices: USD 5 (Vocabulary Trainer App), USD 59 (12 months subscription to the full online version)

Overall Value:

The Russian App from Mosalingua can teach over 3000 words, which include native speaker audio and pictures.

The grammar explanations in this app are limited to the 20% that are most frequently used in practice according to statistics.

The online version for computers contains the entire grammar.

As far as the exercises are concerned, there are classic vocabulary quizzes and also fun exercises like anagrams and word puzzles.

This Russian learning app also has a "Hands Free Mode" that allows you to learn words while driving or jogging.

Summary: For beginners, the Mosalingua vocabulary trainer app offers great value for the money. The full subscription version is comparable to Babbel or Duolingo and has a similar price.


Duolingo Russian 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 Russian. Duolingo covers mostly the basics as well as some intermediate level Russian 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.

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


Lingodeer Russian App

Learning Russian for Beginners

Systems: Android and iOS Apps, Online-Version (PC and Mac)

Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, students, travel vocabulary

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

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

Overall Value:

The Lingodeer App is somewhat similar to Duolingo or Babbel, but has a more extensive list of features:

  • Russian native-speaker audio for each word and speech recognition to practice the correct pronunciation.
  • You can even choose between different speakers.
  • 200+ lessons, vocabulary trainer, exercises, quizzes.
  • Very good grammar explanations, significantly better than in many other apps such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone.
  • Suitable for beginners and intermediate level learners (A1-B1).
  • User community (native speakers) can give pronunciation feedback.
  • You can download the app and use it offline.
The use of playful exercises and "achievements" ("gamification") is supposed to make Russian learning more interesting and motivating.

Summary: The Lingodeer App impresses with excellent grammar lessons and speech recognition. However, this app has lessons only for beginners and intermediate level learners.


Memrise Russian App

App with User-Generated Lessons

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

Content: Russian 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.


Busuu Russian App

Not really recommended

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

Suitable for: Beginners, intermediate, high school students, college students, travelers

Content: Lessons and vocabulary trainer with native speaker audio, grammar

Prices: USD 9,99 (1 month), USD 69 (12 months)

Overall Value:

The Busuu App is a language learning app for 12 languages, including Russian. The interface is similar to apps like Duolingo, Babbel or Mondly.

  • With this app you can learn Russian up to beginner or intermediate levels (A1-B2). The expert levels C1-C2 are not included.

  • The Busuu app has Russian lessons with native speaker audio and pictures (no speech recognition), as well as a vocabulary trainer.

  • The app can be used in offline mode.

  • A unique feature of the Busuu app is a kind of internal social network where users can give feedback and correct each other.
Unfortunately, the grammar explanations here are not that good and the lessons are also structured strangely (difficult words before easier ones).

Summary: Definitely the weakest of the tested Russian learning apps in terms of quality.


Drops Russian App

Alternative to Babbel and Duolingo

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

Content: Russian lessons with native speaker audio, vocabulary trainer

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 Russian words and phrases with this app. However, there are hardly any exercises, except for introducing new Russian words and matching these words to pictures.

You can choose from which topics you want to learn new Russian 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 in the app 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 if you get access to all languages.



Russian posters from the 1980's

Additional Ways To Learn Russian Online:

  • Russian Movies with English subtitles

    One of the best ways to improve your language skills is to watch Russian movies online with English subtitles.

    To do this, you need to click on the settings at the bottom right of each movie on Youtube and then select English subtitles.

  • Colanguage: Find Skype teachers

    Here 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 Russian properly.

  • Tandem: Find a language exchange partner

    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.

Moscow Panorama, Russia

Overview of the Russian Learning Apps:

Learning App Subscrip-
tion?
Price Systems Value
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
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
LingQ
Yes
(1 month)
$10
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Babbel
Yes
(1 month)
$13
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Babbel
Yes
(12 months)
$84
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Lingodeer
No
$99
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Lingodeer
Yes
(1 month)
$12
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Lingodeer
Yes
(12 months)
$60
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
Mosalingua
(Basic App)
No
$5
Android, iOS
Mosalingua
(Complete)
Yes
(12 months)
$59
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Busuu
Yes
(1 month)
$10
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Busuu
Yes
(12 months)
$69
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
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
Pimsleur
(Basics)
No
$122
PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Pimsleur
(Complete)
No
$469
PC, Mac, Android, iOS

Best Apps to Learn Russian:
Mondly, Babbel

Best Russian Online Course:
17 Minute Languages

Best Learning Software for Download:
Rocket Languages

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