The 4 Best Apps to Learn Catalan in 2026
Catalan is spoken by around ten million people and is a co-official language in Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, yet it remains a rarity in language apps: most do not offer it, and those that do have less content than for French or German. Even so, there are solid options for reaching a basic conversational level. This guide compares the 4 best apps to learn Catalan in 2026.
Apps with Catalan courses for starting from scratch
Apps to learn Catalan with lessons by level, spaced-repetition vocabulary, audio from native speakers, pronunciation exercises and content designed for learners starting from English or Spanish.
Top pick
Duolingo: Aprende Idiomas
Free (with purchases) · 500M+
Best for getting started
4.7
47.0M reviews
TopApps analysis
Duolingo has a free Catalan course, available only for Spanish speakers, in the short-lesson format that makes it easy to stay consistent.
Duolingo is the world's most popular language-learning app, with more than 40 languages and a gamified method that keeps you coming back. Five-minute lessons, streaks, levels and rewards turn studying into a daily game. It is free (with ads) and ideal for starting a language or keeping one alive without much effort.
Pros
- More than 40 languages available
- Gamified method that hooks you and keeps you going
- Short lessons that fit into any day
Cons
- The free version shows ads
- Less focused on real conversation than Babbel
- Duolingo Super (ad-free) is paid
Mondly: Aprende 41 Idiomas
Mondly by Pearson · Free (with purchases) · 50M+
Best for conversation
4.5
927K reviews
TopApps analysis
Mondly includes Catalan among its 41 languages, with real-life dialogues and speech recognition for practising pronunciation.
Mondly covers 41 languages, far more than Babbel or Busuu, and it is one of the few that teaches from your own language instead of routing everything through English. Lessons are short, with speech recognition to correct your pronunciation, plus a chatbot for practising basic conversations.
Pros
- 41 languages, several of them unusual
- Teaches from your own language, not through English
- Speech recognition to fix your pronunciation
Cons
- Without a subscription you only get one lesson a day
- Less grammar depth than Babbel
- Quality varies a lot from language to language
Aprende idiomas - LinGo Play
Lingo Play · Free (with purchases) · 500K+
Best for vocabulary
4.2
5K reviews
TopApps analysis
LinGo Play teaches everyday Catalan vocabulary with flashcards, spaced repetition and games against other users.
LinGo Play is a vocabulary and phrases app covering more than 40 languages, Catalan included, built on flashcards, spaced repetition and games against other users. It does not teach grammar in any depth, but it works well for building up everyday vocabulary and expressions quickly. There is a free version with ads.
Pros
- Includes Catalan, rare among general-purpose apps
- Flashcards with spaced repetition and online games
- Everyday vocabulary by topic
Cons
- Barely touches grammar
- Ads in the free version
- Less Catalan content than for the major languages
Aprender Vocabulario Catalán
AltairApps · Free (with purchases) · 10K+
Built for Catalan
4.6
151 reviews
TopApps analysis
Bilinguae is the only app on the list dedicated exclusively to Catalan, with over a thousand words and phrases recorded by native speakers.
Aprender Catalán con Bilinguae is an app dedicated to Catalan vocabulary, with more than a thousand words and phrases organised by topic, audio from native speakers and writing and listening exercises. It is small and simple, without Duolingo's gamification, but it was made for Catalan rather than treating it as one more language on a list.
Pros
- Designed specifically for Catalan
- Native audio for every word and phrase
- Writing, listening and pronunciation exercises
Cons
- Vocabulary and phrases only, no grammar
- Few ratings: small community
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best app to learn Catalan?
Duolingo to get started if you already speak Spanish, because its course is free and well structured. Mondly offers more conversation and pronunciation practice. None of them match the depth of their courses for major languages, so it is worth supplementing them with free resources such as those from the Generalitat, the Catalan government, which runs online courses and conversation groups.
Does Duolingo have a Catalan course?
Yes, but only for Spanish speakers: the Catalan course is not available from English or any other language. If your base language is not Spanish, Mondly and LinGo Play do offer Catalan from English and other languages.
Is Catalan hard to learn?
For Spanish speakers it is one of the most accessible languages: it shares most of its vocabulary and structure, and reading comprehension comes quickly. The hardest parts are the pronunciation of the open and neutral vowels and some verb conjugations. For French or Italian speakers it is also a close language.
Are there free apps to learn Catalan?
Duolingo is free with ads. LinGo Play and Bilinguae have free versions with limited content, and Mondly requires a subscription to unlock all lessons. In addition, the official online courses run by the Generalitat de Catalunya are free at beginner levels.
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