Busuu Review (original) (raw)

Busuu is a language learning app that works best if you dedicate time to it rather than treat it like a mobile app to play with on the go. It has excellent, relevant course content for each language it covers and even does a good job of teaching non-Roman writing systems. A no-cost version is available, and we like that Busuu uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) standard to assess your initial knowledge level. That said, Duolingo is a bit more comprehensive, so it remains our Editors' Choice for free language learning apps. Lingoda pushes your comprehension further with rigorous course materials and live online classes, making it a top pick for paid services.

With Busuu, you can learn 13 languages, excluding English. There is an English program, though the language of instruction is also English, which could make it tough for non-native speakers. For comparison, Duolingo offers around 40 languages.

Busuu web interface

(Credit: Busuu/PCMag)

The other languages you can learn are Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish (European and Latin American, not strictly separated), and Turkish. Instruction is in English at the lower levels, though it switches to the language you are learning at some upper levels. Busuu doesn't restrict the number of languages you can learn.

You can use Busuu for free via a mobile (available for Android and iOS) or web app, but I don't recommend it. The ad interruptions are long, and you can't jump ahead in your program, which it sometimes makes sense to do. Busuu provides the basic courses of any language for free. A two-week trial of its Premium tier is available.

If you're going to pay for Busuu, go straight to the website and sign up there. The prices are consistently lower than on the mobile app:

The annual plans are a good value, though if you work diligently, you will likely want to add more difficult elements, such as tutoring or live classes, to your study plan after three to six months. You might still use Busuu to review and practice, but apps can only get you so far.

I've tested Busuu on five separate occasions since 2013. Whenever I test a language learning app, I look at one language that I don't know and one that I do, in this case, Korean and Spanish. I weigh my experience against other language learning I've done, not only with apps but also at the School of Language Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, in online or university classes, and with private tutors.

Busuu uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a standard for evaluating people's competency with a language. CEFR helps you gauge how close you are to your language goals and lets you easily move to other programs because you know where to start. For example, let's say you use Busuu to develop a basic understanding of a language and then want to get a tutor or transfer into a class to reach a conversational level. With CEFR, you know exactly which class is right for you (many language schools use it).

Busuu chapter structure

(Credit: Busuu/PCMag)

In Busuu, each language has unique courses, and all the content within them is culturally and linguistically appropriate. It's unlike Rosetta Stone in that way, which teaches you to say things like, "The boy eats rice," no matter which language you're learning. Busuu teaches appropriate phrases and gives background on meaning as necessary. For example, in the beginner Korean lessons, you learn what people say before eating to show gratitude. That's not going to come up in every language.

For languages with a non-Roman writing system, Busuu spends time teaching you the sounds of each letter or syllable and how to write them. Here, especially, you'll want a subscription to the Premium version. The amount of Korean I learned to read (phonetically, at least) in just a few weeks was pleasantly surprising.

Busuu's lessons are very short, similar to Duolingo's. In fact, the app typically recommends studying for just 10 minutes per day. The lessons seemingly encourage you to do them on the go, which is a shame because the content is quite good. If you can take out a notebook and tether yourself to a desk for 30 minutes, Busuu is much more rewarding than if you blow through two or three lessons haphazardly on your phone.

Both the mobile and web apps have attractive, easy-to-use interfaces. Audio and videos within lessons sound and look clear. For listening activities, you can slow the speaking speed to 0.5x while you're a beginner or to 0.75x once you reach an intermediate level, which is helpful.

Busuu web interface

(Credit: Busuu/PCMag)

One issue I do have with the interface is that it's impossible to go back to the prior screen once you complete an exercise. A few times, I clicked to move on too quickly and wanted to go back and review something but couldn't. When you get a question wrong, however, it usually comes up again before you get to the end of the lesson, giving you a chance to review it.

Busuu gives you a variety of ways to interact with the language. Exercises test your comprehension, listening, and reading abilities. Individual exercises could and should be harder at times, however. Every single one isn't optimal for learning. For example, while learning Hangul, many exercises ask you to identify a letter that you hear. You play a video clip that's just a sound—but the background of the video is the letter, written there plain as day. Additionally, Busuu heavily relies on multiple-choice questions.

Busuu exercises

(Credit: Busuu/PCMag)

While testing Busuu, I didn't encounter any errors in the exercises. That might sound like a given, but I've seen too many language learning apps use automated or AI translation and give information that is just wrong. That's why it's so important to use an app that's tested and verified.

Busuu exercises

(Credit: Busuu/PCMag)

One way Busuu differs from most other language learning apps is how the community gives and receives feedback. Giving feedback is optional. You can go to a community page, and Busuu will show you short exercises that people have completed in languages that you already speak. For example, as an English speaker, I can listen to audio clips and read a few sentences from people who are learning English. Then, I can correct their work or just tell them they did a great job. Similarly, you can get feedback from real people when you complete writing or speaking prompts.

I like interacting with real learners, but Busuu could improve here by letting you filter the results you see. The overwhelming majority of people who want feedback on their English did little more than parrot, "What's your name?" or "My name is…" If I'm going to spend time giving feedback, I'd like to make it count by focusing on people who are a little further along with their skills.

Final Thoughts

(Credit: Busuu)

Busuu

You can learn a lot with Busuu, even if you're new to the writing system of the language you want to master. We especially like the thoughtful course content it offers and the unique community experience that lets you correct others' written and spoken work and vice versa. Just keep in mind that you will get the most out of Busuu by sitting down with a notebook and carving out time for daily lessons rather than rushing through them on your phone. Our Editors' Choice winners go a bit deeper and broader with language learning, however. The free Duolingo is superb for daily practice in dozens of languages, while Lingoda's live online classes are unbeatable if you want to become conversational in the language of your choice.

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About Our Expert

Jill Duffy

Experience

I'm an expert in software and work-related issues, and I have been contributing to PCMag since 2011. I launched the column Get Organized in 2012 and ran it through 2024, offering advice on how to manage all the devices, apps, digital photos, email, and other technology that can make you feel overwhelmed. That column turned into the book Get Organized: How to Clean Up Your Messy Digital Life. I was also the first product reviewer at PCMag to test fitness gadgets, including everything from early Fitbits to smart bras.

Currently, I'm passionate about the meaning of work and work culture, and I enjoy writing about how managers and employees can communicate better, with or without software. My most recent book is The Everything Guide to Remote Work. I also love a good workplace drama.

In addition to writing about work, I cover online education, focusing on learning for personal enrichment and skills development. I have a soft spot for really good language-learning software. Although I grew up speaking only English, some twists and turns in life led me to learn Spanish, Romanian, and a bit of American Sign Language. I've studied at the university level, as well as at the Foreign Service Institute, where US diplomats and ambassadors learn languages.

My writing has also appeared in WIRED, the BBC, Gloria, Refinery29, and Popular Science, among other publications.

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