The ti amo Italian learning path on iPhone

amo Italian gets you. amo Italian teaches you.

The best free apps to learn Italian in 2026.

There are dozens of Italian apps. Most are the same watered-down flashcard experience. Here's an honest look at four that are actually different, including what each one is worst at.

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★★★★★(22)by Alessio, teacher since 2018

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What to look for

An Italian learning app is worth your time only if it does at least three of the following:

Follows the CEFR (A1 →︎ C2). No CEFR mapping = you have no idea where you are.
Teaches you to read real Italian, not just app sentences.
Trains listening with authentic native audio.
Has a dictionary in your language for when a word is new.
Explains the why, not just the what. Rules matter in Italian.

Below, the four we'd actually recommend.

Duolingo: for the very first weeks

Best for: your very first weeks with the language, when you just need to get moving.

Great at: streaks, motivation, addicting design. It's genuinely fun.

Falls short at: the sentences you learn are often unnatural ("the bear drinks wine"), grammar explanations are minimal, and there's no CEFR mapping. Once you hit A2 you'll notice the ceiling.

Babbel: for structured beginners

Best for: paid learners who want a more textbook-style structure.

Great at: dialogues, grammar cards, review system.

Falls short at: the free tier is small (first lesson of each course). The paid tier is €7-14/month, which is fine but rules it out of "free apps."

Mango Languages: if your library has it

Best for: people whose local library gives free access to Mango. If yours does, use it.

Great at: Italian pronunciation practice, cultural notes.

Falls short at: not truly free without library access. Design feels a bit dated.

amo Italian: the newest and most focused

Best for: foreigners and migrants who actually live (or plan to live) in Italy, and want to reach real proficiency, not just gamification points.

Great at: CEFR course from A1 to C2, thematic library, graded readings of Italian classics, dictionary in 17 languages, native audio. Made by a real Italian teacher for real learners.

Falls short at: only on iOS (Android planned). Newer app, so fewer reviews than the older names.

Try amo Italian's free A1 path

See how a CEFR-mapped Italian app feels when it's built for a real learner instead of a game.

Start with A1 ↗︎

Our recommendation

Combine tools. Use Duolingo for streak and momentum in your first month, then move to amo Italian for structured CEFR progress. Add a weekly conversation partner (italki, HelloTalk) once you hit A2.

No single app makes you fluent. But the right combination, plus consistency, will get you there in 12-18 months.