- Want the highest value for money? Rocket Spanish
- Do you like reading and stories? Spanish Uncovered
- Prefer to use interactive apps? Mondly
- Need a course to listen to while working out or driving? Pimsleur
- Want tailor-made Spanish classes? Lingoda
- Need a Spanish course for homeschooling your kids? Ouino
Finding the best online Spanish courses can be a real challenge.
I say it’s a challenge not because there aren’t enough options, but rather far too many to choose from. 🙂
So here are my top recommendations for online Spanish courses (I’ve tested them all and researched them thoroughly over the years).
I’ll give you my informed opinion as a qualified linguist, educator and language course developer.
Below you’ll find pros and cons for these top Spanish courses, pricing and a brief summary for each (most of these are Spanish courses for adults). If there’s a review written about a product on this site elsewhere, I’ll be sure to link to it.
In a hurry? Here’s a quick list of some my top choices to get you started:
Table Of Contents
- Rocket Spanish
- SpanishPod101
- Spanish Uncovered
- Glossika Spanish
- Pimsleur Spanish
- Rosetta Stone
- Mango Languages
- Mondly Spanish
- Babbel Spanish
- Assimil Spanish
- Ouino
- Lingoda
- SpanishVIP
- News In Slow Spanish
- Lingodeer
- Fluencia
- Language Transfer: Spanish
- Memrise
- Coffee Break Spanish
- Synergy Spanish
- Spanish With Paul
- Mimic Method: Spanish
- Coursera Online Spanish courses
- Duolingo Spanish
- Baselang
- Michel Thomas Spanish
- Fluenz Spanish
- Lengalia
- Live Lingua
- Busuu
- StudySpanish.com
- Wlingua
- Unlimited Spanish
- 1001 Reasons To Learn Spanish
- FSI Spanish
NOTE: Some of the items listed below probably aren’t necessarily considered “courses” for Spanish. The reason I’ve included them is that they’re popular enough Spanish tools to be included.
Some of these recommendations are affiliate linked but most aren’t.
DISCLAIMER: The comments below are personal opinions.
The best Spanish courses online (most popular Spanish resources)
1. Rocket Spanish
Cost: Starts from $99.95 (auto-applied discount)
Summary: Rocket Spanish is perfectly suited to the structured learner type - those looking for a straight progression from the basics right through to the advanced level material. It’s always been the top of my recommendations for Spanish learners.
I should note however that you don’t have to learn in a straight progression and can choose your own path if you prefer.
The course is primarily made up of podcasts that teach Spanish in a fun, clear and relaxing way but there also natural dialogues and plenty of other content delivery styles within the courses. Rocket Spanish’s 3 courses cover all language skills equally well, and their inbuilt voice recognition is very accurate (it uses Google’s superior Web Speech technology).
If you’re looking for an all-in-one Spanish course option, Rocket Spanish is it.
Also check out this Rocket Spanish review.
What I like:
- 3 full, comprehensive levels ranging from beginner to advanced
- Ideal for learners wanting structure in their course learning (though not restrained by it), it has a very clear linear progression
- Courses cover all 4 major skills evenly (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
- Students are motivated by the inbuilt leaderboard
What I don’t like:
- Restricted to Latin American Spanish only (no Castillian)
2. SpanishPod101
Cost: Starts as low as $4 a month.
Summary: SpanishPod101 is a brilliant online resource for learning Spanish (especially listening comprehension). If you’re taking a trip to a Spanish speaking country and want to understand the natives, this might be the course for you.
SpanishPod101 uses audio lessons similar to podcasts. Lessons are suitable for beginners through more advanced levels. The instruction not only includes listening skills but also incorporates essential Spanish vocabulary and grammar with loads of other useful features.
See this SpanishPod101 review.
What I like:
- Tonnes of material for lower levels
- Uses Spanish from several Spanish-speaking countries and provides cultural insights
- The more you advance, the less English is used
What I don’t like:
- Content choices become less past the beginner level
- Lots of (often annoying) talk in English at the lower levels
- Site is slightly overwhelming with the amount of features offered
UNIQUE OFFER: Use the code MEZZOGUILD to save 25% on any of their Spanish course options.
3. Spanish Uncovered
Cost: One time purchase of $297.
Summary: Spanish Uncovered is another unique way to learn the Spanish language. Olly Richard’s program begins by immediately throwing you into an easy Spanish story and you learn through a “Guided Discovery” method.
Instead of just learning about grammar rules, learners come across them through fictional narrative. It provides a fun and unique way of learning a language, though is slightly expensive.
What I like:
- Lessons center around a story to make learning fun
- Clear instructions with lots of practice
- Students take control of their own learning
What I don’t like:
- Information can be overwhelming for new learners
- Seemingly unrelated grammar points thrown into lessons
- Price is quite high
Read our Spanish Uncovered review.
4. Glossika
Cost: $13.33 a month (Spanish only) or $25 per month for 60+ languages.
Summary: Glossika’s one of the most unique and powerful learning tools available for Spanish. It advertises that learners will be able to speak the language better and quicker by using the latest in smart technology and adaptive learning. It uses a learning algorithm and has structured content. It comes with a 7-day free trial, but then has a $13.33 a month fee.
Suitable for all levels, though lower-level learners may find it difficult to understand in the beginning.
See this massive Glossika review and interview.
What I like:
- Uses an intuitive, unique learning approach
- The subscription allows you to learn other languages including Spanish
- Focuses on heavy repetition
What I don’t like:
- May be difficult to grasp for new learners
- It doesn’t include any notes on grammar (which may not suit everyone)
- Slightly higher priced monthly subscription
5. Pimsleur
Cost: $14.95 a month subscription (or $119.95 per level)
Summary: Pimsleur’s a timeless favorite for learning Spanish using spaced repetition recall. The lessons focus on practical Spanish vocabulary and expressions one might need in various scenarios. This includes greetings, common phrases, and vocabulary you might need when visiting a Spanish speaking country.
The Pimsleur method prepares you for the necessary Spanish you need to get by in your travels in a short period of time. This is one of the best online Spanish courses despite its age, and is an affordable program that can be subscribed to, or buy the full program which includes 30 lessons for $119.95.
Read this Pimsleur review.
What I like:
- Pimsleur is a timeless masterpiece that is based on solid research in second language acquisition
- The course only requires 30 minutes a day of studying
- There is a lot of listening and repeating phrases for easy memorisation
What I don’t like:
- Outdated scenario examples
- Too much English
6. Rosetta Stone Spanish
Cost: $199 lifetime, $15.99 per month (3 months), $10.50 per month (12 months).
Summary: Rosetta Stone is the biggest household name in language learning and one of the most popular courses for learning Spanish.
The strength of Rosetta lies in its unique immersion process. Since there is no translation or explicit grammar, you must learn vocabulary, grammar and speaking skills through intuition. The course intuitively promotes learning Spanish through simple language patterns for a low subscription cost (you can still also buy the CD version from various outlets).
See this incredibly popular review of Rosetta Stone.
What I like:
- No need to memorize long rules and words
- Unique learning style that uses your intuition
- Easy to recognise the language patterns
- Castilian and Latin American Spanish available
What I don’t like:
- Is off-putting to people looking for explanations of Spanish grammar
- Inappropriate images and visual cues
7. Mango Languages
Cost: $11.99 per month (Spanish only) or $19.99 per month (all languages)
Summary: Mango is a phenomenal and greatly underrated program for learning Spanish. In addition to Spanish, along with their monthly subscription, you get access to courses in 700 languages.
The design of this course is beautiful and it allows you to switch between literal and understood translations. It color codes words and lexical chunks to match the English translation which is great for visual learners. At $11.99 a month, it’s a steal in my opinion.
What I like:
- It is easy to use and the program is beautifully designed
- Focuses on lexical chunks rather than rules
- Useful cultural and grammar components help you understand the language better
What I don’t like:
- Minimal grammar focus
- Lack of content depth for higher-level learners
See this Mango Languages review.
8. Mondly
Cost: Starts at $9.99/month.
Summary: Mondly offers courses for loads of different languages and is similar in style to Busuu, Duolingo, and Babbel. Even hints of Rosetta Stone in its delivery.
It’s a beautifully-designed web app and a pleasure to navigate the course content.
Some of the courses aren’t that great (e.g. Arabic) but Spanish and others are done really well.
What I like:
- Great for learning a lot of vocabulary
- Daily lessons, weekly quizzes, monthly challenges
- Encourages you to practice daily
- Vocabulary drilled effectively
What I don’t like:
- Content and exercises are the same for all levels
- Mostly passive exercises
- Order of lessons and topics not designed well
- Interface not user friendly and unappealing
See this Mondly review to learn more.
9. Babbel Spanish
Cost: Babbel is well-priced for the services offered, with current subscriptions priced at $12.95/month.
Summary: Another option for one of the best online Spanish courses, Babbel, is a great tool for learning the language and very budget friendly. Babbel’s online Spanish course platform focuses on writing and reading, listening and spelling. It aims to give you all the tools you need to start learning the language immediately.
Babbel is available for businesses who need their employees to learn Spanish online. It is also available as a gift. With a variety of packages available, it is easy to find the right one for your Spanish learning needs. Babbel charges monthly and packages range from around $6 to $12 a month.
Think of it as a paid, and slightly better version of Duolingo.
Read this extensive Babbel review.
What I like:
- Flexibility and variety in their teaching style
- Incorporates several different learning styles to effectively teach Spanish
- Allows for self-paced learning
What I don’t like:
- No one speaks with a native accent
- No downloadable materials
- Weak in conversational skills
10. Assimil Spanish
Cost: Prices vary widely
Summary: The Assimil method has been around for a long time and is still quite popular, but its ‘two wave’ approach seems to have little value in light of current Second Language Acquisition trends. However, its focus on patterns rather than grammar drills is excellent. The Assimil dialogues are tremendously helpful.
What I like:
- Exceptionally high quality dialogues
- Perfectly arranged audio library
- Very comprehensive
What I don’t like:
- Translation-based
- Doesn’t appear to be backed by research or case studies
- Unusual and even bizarre situational topics
Read this Assimil review.
Other awesome online Spanish courses
I’ve mentioned my personal preferences for Spanish above but there are loads of other quality online course options for Spanish.
Keep reading.
11. Ouino Spanish
Cost: $12.99 per month (3 months), $9.99 per month (6 months), $6.99 per month (12 months) or $95.76 lifetime
Summary: Ouino is an exceptionally good and well-designed program/software to learn Spanish online. There are over 500 lessons at this time which are highly visual and top-notch, native audio recordings. It’s very in-depth but I think it’s a little overpriced.
What I like:
- Highly visual
- Excellent quality audio
- Hundreds of lessons
What I don’t like:
- Need to install software or an app
- Monotonous lesson style
- No pronunciation/voice recognition
- Overpriced
12. Lingoda
Cost: Varies. Starts at $132 per month for private Spanish classes, $56 per month for group classes
Summary: Lingoda’s an excellent alternative to italki if you’re learning Spanish and want more “structured” lesson control and feedback. You have the option of choosing one-on-one lessons or small classes, and each lesson is topic-based and highly practical.
It’s very inexpensive too (monthly recurring subscription). Pricing varies depends on the number of lessons and whether you choose group or 1-to-1 Spanish classes.
What I like:
- A more structured, organized alternative to other lesson platforms
- Small group classes (3-5 students max)
- Authentic, real-life lesson approach
What I don’t like:
- Confusing pricing
See this Lingoda review.
13. SpanishVIP
Cost: Starts at $79 per month for group Spanish classes, $129 per month for private classes
Summary: SpanishVIP is probably one of the best online lesson booking sites for Spanish, with the option for customized course curriculums in either private or group classes. One of the standout features of SpanishVIP is the unlimited lesson offer for group Spanish classes.
Unlike other competitors, SpanishVIP has an in-house team of Spanish teachers so you can expect consistency.
What I like:
- Unlimited lessons for group classes
- Qualified and experienced teaching staff
- Customizable curriculum
What I don’t like:
- Some of the best perks only available at higher price points
- Limited to Latin American Spanish
See this SpanishVIP review.
14. News in Slow Spanish
Cost: Starts at $16.90 a month.
Summary: One of the more unique ways to learn Spanish, News in Slow Spanish, is one of the best online Spanish courses taught through podcasts. Introductory courses prepare beginners for understanding the language.
As learners progress, they began developing greater comprehension as they listen to the news spoken in slow Spanish. This online Spanish course uses diverse tools that include transcripts, lessons, quizzes, and pronunciation via a computer or phone app for about $17 to $27 a month.
What I like:
- Provides an innovative way to learn Spanish online
- Learn about news and cultural events
- Immersive learning created by journalists and linguists
What I don’t like:
- May be challenging for beginners
- Is more suited for those that have some knowledge of Spanish
- Not ideal for visual learners
15. Lingodeer
Cost: Starts at $9 a month
Summary: Similar to Slow News in Spanish, Lingodeer also uses an app. Lingodeer used to be free but now charges a moderate fee ranging from around $9 a month to $42 a year.
A less known app than Duolingo, this app teaches Spanish by utilizing a wide variety of exercises. The nice part about it is that the lessons are in small, manageable chunks. The audio quality is good for an app and the wide selection of lessons keeps learning interesting.
What I like:
- Developed by teachers and contains a grammar-based curriculum
- Provides detailed explanations
- Downloadable Knowledge Cards
What I don’t like:
- Organization of the content could be better
- Program does not effectively develop oral skills
See this Lingodeer review.
16. Fluencia
Cost: $14.95 a month.
Summary: Fluencia is a more content-rich version of Lingodeer, Babbel, and Duolingo. In contrast, it only teaches Spanish (and does it well), making it one of the best online Spanish courses.
Lessons are similar in structure to the other app-based courses but Fluencia goes into great depth.
They include cultural information and the course is a bit more enjoyable than the other programs.
At $14.95 a month, it is a bit more expensive than its counterparts.
What I like:
- Lessons are clearly explained with a lot of attention to detail
- Voices are clear and spoken by native speaking Spanish instructors
- Cultural and grammar lessons are very thorough
What I don’t like:
- Not enough speaking practice
- Learning should be supplemented by other sources
Read our Fluencia review.
17. Language Transfer
Cost: Free
Summary: This is one of the free online Spanish courses that is a great resource for beginners interested in learning how a language works. Language Transfer has 90 audio lessons that last approximately 10 minutes each.
During the lessons, the hosts acts as a teacher while a student is learning from the host. The language is explained in a way that makes sense and provides lots of explanations. This course does not follow a traditional method but does go into a lot of depth. Best of all, it’s completely free.
What I like:
- Lessons are efficient and cover a lot of material in 10 minutes
- You get a mix of Spanish vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation in each lesson
- It’s completely free and better than some paid services
What I don’t like:
- There are no exercises or quizzes to test learning
- You won’t hear any native speakers or conversations in Spanish
18. Memrise
Cost: Free
Summary: Memrise (previously called Decks) is one of the more popular online Spanish courses. This course may be best for those looking for a refresher or for those who are interested in building a strong vocabulary in Spanish. It’s main premise is flashcards and repetition.
For a free online Spanish course, Memrise is well-designed. It covers lots of topics but you will probably need additional resources to become fluent in Spanish. The Memrise premium course can be purchased for $9 a month or $59 a year (but free Memrise decks are great).
What I like:
- Repetition makes it easy to learn words
- More fun than traditional flashcard apps
- Many courses to choose from
What I don’t like:
- Should be used with other resources or upgrade to the paying version
- Not a main tool for learning Spanish
19. Coffee Break Spanish
Cost: Prices vary widely depending on course option
Summary: Coffee Break is ideal for the casual learner who prefers a well-structured course. They make their audio lessons free through a podcast format. Their premium version is a bit expensive as it costs $104 for four sessions relating to the four seasons.
For those who feel overwhelmed at the idea of learning a second language, Coffee Break Spanish is a good choice. The lessons are relaxed and provide the feeling of learning with a friend. The program begins by teaching words and sentences and then progresses to putting them all together.
What I like:
- Coffee Break offers a comprehensive, well-structured free audio course
- It provides Spanish vocabulary and grammar with detailed explanations
- Lessons begin slowly then progress to mainly Spanish dialogue
What I don’t like:
- No extra materials for the free course
- Pricey for the paid version
- Does not have interactive exercises
20. Synergy Spanish
Cost: Starts at $67.
Summary: Synergy is marketed for those wishing to learn Spanish from “30 to 96 years of age” (this is literally how they describe it). The site is really dated in its design. It’s definitely clear that the founder, Marcus Santamaria, is trying to appeal to an older demographic (not that it matters really).
This program is fairly priced at $67.
The lessons do jump right in with prompting learners to speak. It starts with a limited vocabulary but teaches concepts, and instead of teaching grammar rules, they focus on patterns (a winning strategy).
What I like:
- Begin speaking Spanish from the very beginning
- Content effectively builds upon itself
- Users can learn a fair amount of Spanish
What I don’t like:
- Definitely outdated content and lessons
- Content is not interesting and engaging
- Not a good product for the price
Read our Synergy Spanish review.
21. Spanish With Paul
Cost: $99.95 (course only) or $199.95 (course + updates + mentoring)
Summary: The Spanish With Paul course extends on the extremely popular YouTube channel with the same name, applying the same approach and extensively covering almost every aspect of Spanish.
Unfortunately, the course is tedious to work through and has an old, outdated design making it a slog to work through.
What I like:
- Very comprehensive and detailed
- Direct access to the teacher and native speaker assistants
- 80 hours of content
What I don’t like:
- Extremely tedious ‘slideshow’ lesson style
- Non-native teacher and pronunciation
- Outdated, clunky design
- Pricey
Read this Spanish With Paul review.
22. The Mimic Method Spanish
Cost: The Mimic Method costs $197 and provides users with lifelong access to their materials.
Summary: Mimic advertises a course that focuses completely on pronunciation (treating language like song). The program can be technical and difficult to get through, but if your only goal is to improve your pronunciation, it may good for you.
This program has a high price tag of $197 a pop.
Some of the information in this course can be found online for free. It’s easy to navigate and well-organized but it’s still quite expensive. One of the more unique Spanish methods around and has fantastic reviews.
What I like:
- Some of the homework is interesting and unique for language courses
- They provide in depth instruction on elemental sounds
- It provides a different way to learn to speak a language
What I don’t like:
- Not a lot of material for the price
- Is not very engaging and doesn’t do much to keep interest
- Needs to be supplemented with other resources
Online Spanish courses that are low on my list and not personally recommended
Some online Spanish courses are popular but in my opinion are not very good.
I’ve listed them all here (if you disagree, comment below).
23. Coursera online Spanish courses
Cost: Prices vary widely.
Summary: Coursera courses are for those who have passion for learning Spanish and need a little help for staying on track. These online Spanish courses are offered by UC Davis University of California.
The courses offer a variety of Spanish class lessons involving learners from various parts of the world. This online Spanish course teaches basic Spanish with a specialization in vocabulary.
Additionally, learners can enroll in Coursera for college credit. There’s even financial aid for those who can’t afford to pay for it.
What I like:
- Allows people from around the world to be immersed in Spanish-speaking cultures
- Accredited courses
What I don’t like:
- You have to go through UC Davis to enroll
24. Duolingo Spanish
Cost: Free.
Summary: Duolingo is now a household name, and is being used as a supplemental program by school in their language courses. It’s fun and free although it does have a paid subscription upgrade that removes adds and has extra resources for a few bucks a month.
The idea behind Duolingo is that they make learning Spanish fun and keep students coming back every day through a gamified learning. Spanish is learned through a variety of exercises and lots of repetition.
Not a fan personally but it’s free.
Check out this comparison of Duolingo and Rosetta Stone.
What I like:
- Interactive lessons let you speak and listen in Spanish
- Offers competitive events between friends and interaction with other users
- Its great for an introduction to the language and learning the basics
What I don’t like:
- The audio voice can sound a bit unnatural
- Not really comprehensive enough to become fluent
25. Baselang
Cost: $149 a month ($1,200 for their Grammarless program).
Summary: If unlimited Spanish lessons are your goal, then Baselang offers the best online Spanish “course” for lessons.
Baselang offers a popular curriculum of its own and their courses offer unlimited one-on-one learning with a native speaking teacher over Zoom video for $149 a month.
They also have an extremely expensive program called Grammarless, which is a one-month intensive.
There have been multiple, independent reports and concerns expressed online (e.g. Reddit) about this company exploiting cheap labor in Latin American, Spanish-speaking countries (overworked and underpaid) which I can’t verify but it’s worth asking about before signing up.
What I like:
- You can book a program or virtual Spanish classes on Baselang and get started immediately
- Quickest ways to learn Spanish
- Spend unlimited time learning
What I don’t like:
- Wide reports of teacher exploitation
- It is basically like hiring a tutor
- Poor choice if you don’t have a lot of time to study
Read our Baselang review.
26. Michel Thomas Spanish
Cost: Starts from $11.99
Summary: Michel Thomas is one of the most overrated Spanish courses available in my opinion.
This strictly audio course was developed by Michel Thomas, a Polish linguist who spoke 10 languages.
This course uses no writing or memorizing - it simply builds your Spanish knowledge through teacher-led sessions. Grammar and vocabulary are discussed but are not the emphasis of the lessons.
Read this amazing review of Michel Thomas.
What I like:
- No need to write or memorize
- Grammar is introduced naturally and gradually
What I don’t like:
- Teacher-led.
- Constant error corrections.
- Does not prepare Spanish students for real conversations and listening comprehension
27. Fluenz Spanish
Cost: Starts at $187
Summary: Fluenz does not make the list for the best online Spanish course. As far as online Spanish courses go, Fluenz does not do a great job of combining grammar and interactive learning so you really understand how to speak Spanish.
The number one selling point in my opinion is Sonia Gil - the founder and presenter.
She’s got her own YouTube travel channel and is a brilliant self-promoter. The Fluenz brand is what it is because of her.
As for course quality… meh.
What I like:
- I respect and follow Sonia Gil, the Fluenz founder
- Fluenz offers a mix of explanations and tests
- Emphasizes skills in listening, reading, writing and pronunciation
- Learner experiences repetition in vocabulary and grammar
What I don’t like:
- Feels outdated
- Well-marketed but shallow program for Spanish
See Fluenz review.
28. Lengalia
Cost: $29.99 a month.
Summary: Lengalia offers courses for beginners through advanced Spanish levels. They split up their topics into sections such as vocabulary, grammar, and podcasts. They often link to other programs that are free and that have covered the same topic they are teaching.
A month of Lengalia will cost $29.99 a month. You do get a discount if you purchase a full year. You have access to live help with the tutors.
What I like:
- Does a good job with organizing content
- Lots of practice exercises
- You can message tutors with questions
What I don’t like:
- Doesn’t offer enough for the price
- Mostly focuses on grammar
29. Live Lingua
Cost: Prices vary widely per hour.
Summary: Live Lingua matches you to a native speaking, private online Spanish tutor and allows you to learn at your own pace. You can even take a free lesson for trial.
While their lessons are affordable for a private tutor, starting at $16 an hour, you can get a discount with a bundle. For the price they charge, you may find it more economical to just use italki.
What I like:
- Private one-on-one lessons over Skype
- Provides a wide range of materials for learning Spanish
- Lots of program support
What I don’t like:
- More expensive than other personal language tutors
- Options are not as flexible as other programs
- Uses free courses from other sites
30. Busuu
Cost: Starts at $5.83 a month.
Summary: Busuu is another program that’s similar to Babbel, Duolingo, and Lingodeer, however it isn’t structured as well as the other courses and has less instruction in vocabulary before the important components begin.
The overall design of Busuu is beautiful but it just lacks depth.
There is a free version of Busuu which features a language exchange section. This is a good choice. However, their subscription service which charges over $8 a month with a three-month minimum, may not be a good value for the money.
What I like:
- Learning platform is well designed
- Language exchange is a free, easy-to-use app
- Very popular online learning program
What I don’t like:
- Program lessons leave a lot to be desired
- Not enough pronunciation and grammar
- Better courses available for free
See this Busuu review.
31. StudySpanish.com
Cost: Starts at $9.99 a month.
Summary: StudySpanish.com is a subscription course that appears to take the entirely free FSI Spanish Basic course, and whack a large price tag on it. They’ve made improvements to the audio which has been re-recorded to improve the sound quality but that seems to be the only difference between it and the origin FSI material.
FSI itself is an archaic (though dense) resource that I don’t recommend.
You can get a $9.99 a month subscription to the StudySpanish.com site for additional materials. There’s no point in paying for something that is widely available to download for free.
What I like:
- Course is extensive (FSI)
- The sound recordings are top notch
- There are helpful free materials on the site
What I don’t like:
- They charge a lot for a course that has been widely and freely available for decades
- The materials you pay for are barely better than the free resources
32. Wlingua
Cost: Starts at $10.99 per month
Summary: Wlingua is essentially a Duolingo clone but with an unacceptably high price tag. The lessons are very similar to what you see in other apps, but one of the noteworthy features of Wlingua is the native audio.
What I like:
- Well-designed
- High quality audio compared to competitors
- Includes different Spanish accents
What I don’t like:
- Way overpriced
- Too similar to other big-name apps
- Tedious lesson style
33. Unlimited Spanish
Cost: Course prices vary
Summary: Oscar’s Unlimited Spanish (Castillian) podcast is very popular and completely free to access. There’s actually a lot of value in the free podcast alone which have transcripts, but you can also buy one of the Spanish courses (bear in mind that they’re quite expensive).
What I like:
- Excellent podcast that is completely free to access
What I don’t like:
- Very expensive for what the courses offer
34. 1001 Reasons To Learn Spanish (Español con Juan)
Cost: €65
Summary: The 1001 Reasons To Learn Spanish course is essentially aimed at A2 learners of Spanish with foundation in the language already. The website and courses, put together by Juan Fernández, a retired professor, are entirely in Spanish.
This one’s in Castillian Spanish which is appealing because most online Spanish courses tend to be from Latin American teachers.
What I like:
- European/Castillian Spanish
- One course is completely free to access (Repaso 1)
- Loads of included transcripts
- Affordable
What I don’t like:
- Entirely in Spanish (not suitable for brand new learners)
35. FSI Spanish
Cost: Free
Summary: FSI (Foreign Service Institute) is a government entity that trains diplomats and government officials in foreign languages. It offers Spanish and is currently available online to download for free (includes audio).
The problem with the FSI material is that it’s literally been around for almost a century. It’s very old.
Although you can download their comprehensive, detailed Spanish course for free with audio, be aware that the material is literally photocopied booklets that were typed up on typewriters making it almost illegible in some cases.
If you’re patient, there’s some good value in the FSI courses.
What I like:
- Since it’s for training diplomats, FSI has incredible course depth.
- Free and easy to download lesson + audio on many sites.
What I don’t like:
- Very old course.
- PDF material is still just a photocopy of the original, typewritten paper so it’s hard to read.
Summary: Best online Spanish courses
This list covers just about every online Spanish course option currently available (comment below if I’ve missed something).
No matter which Spanish course you go for, you need daily Spanish practice with native speakers - ideally in person if you can (even more ideal if you can do it abroad).
Right now, Spanish is arguably the most popular foreign language choice in the world - so much so that Spanish education is a totally drowned and overwhelmed market (as you can tell by how long this list is!).
If finding native speakers near you isn’t feasible, then italki is an incredible platform to find really affordable practice partners and tutors.
Overall, your success is determined by your own determination.
Even if you had every course on this list and more, you can still fail at Spanish without the right motivation and consistency.
Likewise, even poor Spanish courses or common phrases can be powerful in the hands of someone with the right attitude and learning style.
If you’re looking for tips on how to learn Spanish and overcoming various language learning struggles, make sure to subscribe below by ‘Joining the Guild’.
Know of a Spanish course that I didn’t mention?
Share it below in the comment section.
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John Parkin
I totally disagree with your assessment of Baselang, though admittedly I don’t know about the exploitation angle. Their real-world class is well thought out and allows the growth of vocab in specific arteas through the many elective classes that are available. My wife recently started the grammarless program which, as you say is expensive, but she has learned a huge amount already, and her confidence when speaking (we live in Mexico) has improved immeasurably after 3 weeks of the 8 week program. There may be an issue if you choose the wrong teacher for your personality, but there are plenty to choose from, so simply pick someone else. All in all, I couldn’t be happier with Baselang.
Susan Bricken
Spanishto Mind is excellent; the teacher is a native who uses a story learning approach to language acquisition that works.
Angela
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to review these! I am currently in the market for a new Spanish program for my elementary-aged son because he’d been using Duolingo...And then it went woke. Thoroughly inappropriate. I’ve seen in reviews that Babbel is doing the same thing. You mentioned that Rosetta Stone sometimes used inappropriate images, did you mean this in the same sense, or simply that the images do not fit well with the lesson?
Thank you!
David Neuschulz
I am interested in Castillian Spanish. #1 on your list is not for that. But I don’t see Castillian explicitly mentioned on the list until #33 (which is expensive). Are there any in, say, the top ten (sin el primero) that would suffice for a 2nd semester student?
John Pillivant
this is more of a question than a comment, as I was going through your list of Spanish programs the two I was looking for information on were not included. so I’m not sure if you have heard of these programs but if you have I would appreciate your opinion on which you think would be the better option. both these programs are visual learning programs that use movie clips and such to teach, fluentu is one and the other is called visual Spanish. if you have an opinion on both I would love to hear if but if you’ve never heard of them then I understand, unless I’ve peaked your interest and you research both sites I would love to hear your discoveries. thank you
John Pillivant
this is more of a question than a comment, as I was going through your list of Spanish programs the two I was looking for information on were not included. so I’m not sure if you have heard of these programs but if you have I would appreciate your opinion on which you think would be the better option. both these programs are visual learning programs that use movie clips and such to teach, fluentu is one and the other is called visual Spanish. if you have an opinion on both I would love to hear if but if you’ve never heard of them then I understand, unless I’ve peaked your interest and you research both sites I would love to hear your discoveries. thank you
Sandy
Thank you for your time compiling this list! Would you be able to provide more information about what “inappropriate images” are in Rosetta Stone? Are there s**ual images? Or just something that seems confusing, like arrows pointing backwards that mean forward? Thank you!
Danny Scott
Great article, amazing information. SpanishtoGo.app is another recommend website specially for Spanish beginners. Rosetta Stone is my favorite
Kathleen
MosaLingua
The free app is pretty good, but I think the paid version would be much better. It’s not expensive, but my husband and I are retired and every dollar counts.
Thanks for reviewing apps. I’m surfing from app to app and finding ones with stories narrated by native speakers best but also needing interaction and speaking.
Rebecca Steelman
How do you rate SpanishVIP? I’m looking to use this for peer counseling & Domestic Violence Advocacy in Spanish speaking areas.... I had Pimsleur on my list & Baselang for possible options. Any suggestion/recommendation for the best choice? I took Spanish in high school & one semester in college, so I’m not totally new - but it’s been years...
Barbara Loew
I just recently moved to Florida and board my horse here. I see Spanish so popular here especially in equestrian world. I would like to learn Spanish especially with people working with horses at barn. Any suggestions?
Amy M.
Hola! I’ve read through this article and I’m still uncertain as to which course/app/website would be best for me. I have been using Duolingo for 310 days and it’s an ok app. I didn’t know any Spanish when I first began and I do feel like I’ve learned quite a bit. However, it seems very childish to me. I would like to learn from something with a more “adult like” format. If you could please get back to me with any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!
Amy M.
Cathy Eckart
Thank you for the great information.
Sherisa McClellan
Muchos Gracias Senor Nagel!
So helpful. I tried the free Rocket Spanish lesson and I really enjoyed it. I’ll take you up on your offer for the discount for their program.
jon wolaver
many, many thanks. It APPEARS that you give an unbiased review of the available courses and you seem to share your personal and unbiased opinions. I think that the greatest attraction to any course you have reviewed is the degree of originality, motivational content and a very interesting lexicon. Thank you. Incidently, the great courses beginning spanish is Horrible. the editing is excrable, the teacher is ok, but quite traditional, not intrinsically interesting and basically boring. I am really quite thankful for your input. I had trouble motivating myself to stuty spanish on a daily basis. I’m moving to Colombia (the hope flag is blowisng in the breeze). The motivation is cost of living, rich culture, street life and the prospect of moving econolmically from income poor to income excellent and incidentelly becoming a very good looking rich gringo with here-to-fore romantic prospects. Sacrifice a chicken for my prospects jw
langues
Mango is great in introducing grammar. I have studied Russian and they really do well with this “not so easy” grammar, step by step without avoiding the difficult parts (rare). We quoted it one of the best app to start a language (more than 500 websites and apps tried...)
Nao
Hello. I am taking Spanish lessons with a Native teacher called Rocio. She is very patient and it´s helping me a lot.
David Harris
Really don’t agree with the reviews here. I’ve learnt through Michel Thomas and then BaseLang and would thoroughly recommend both.
Amy
Just curious but you only casually mentioned Memrise. I have also come across FluentU but havent bough subscriptions to these and have been trying the free courses to start.
David
Very good list.
For me personally, I would definitely add to the list
Because the online course is made by a real Spanish language school in Spain. Also, it is completely based on e-learning, so you can study at the time and pace you prefer.
Toddy Turrentine
Which one would you say is the best for someone who has a pretty good accent, and can converse in basic Spanish, but says everything in the present tense? I really need work on verbs, tenses, and reflexive verbs, etc.
Saret
Have you looked at Spanish with Paul? A lot of free videos on YouTube as well as a paid subscription. I would love to hear how you rate this option.
Fuzzy
I like Spanish with Paul as well. I like that he is a native English so he understands where English-speaking people get tripped up.
So, I too am curious to know your thoughts.
Nick
Hey. I am a teacher at a bilingual school in Honduras and I am looking to improve my Spanish during this quarantine. I’ve been here for 2 years and have pretty average comprehension and speaking abilities (I can talk to office staff, administrators, and people in public usually without much of a problem). I definitely need to work on my grammar and pronunciation, but I also want to get better at reading and writing as well. I really don’t have tons of money to spend (teacher salary (: ) so I was wondering what your recommendation would be for my situation. I was thinking RocketSpanish (pricey) or Rosetta Stone. Thoughts? Thanks!
Melanie Houley
Hi there,
Wondering what you recommend for someone relearning a language, who is a visual learner and obsessed with grammar? I was not fluent or a native speaker but took classes for a year plus while living in Mexico. Now a decade later, wanting to relearn.
Desiree
Thank you for the time and energy you put into this. It was very helpful in finding an online Spanish tool for my daughter.
Seismo Malm
WordDive is another spanish program. I think it is pretty good for words but not so good for grammar.
Scott
Have you seen Accelerated Spanish? It’s a podcast that uses an imaginary story, including audio and some visuals, along with a “memory palace of mnemonics” to help retain information better. I have used it for about 9 months on a fairly consistent basis and have had good success with it. There is a free and various paid versions.