Key Features
- Learn 14+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Korean.
- CEFR-aligned courses (A1, A2, B1, B2 levels) for clear learning progress.
- Specialized courses: Pronunciation, Travel English, TV Drama English, Academic English, Life in the US, and more.
- AI personalization adapting lessons based on your learning performance.
- AI-powered speaking practice with voice recording and tailored feedback.
- Interactive lessons with pronunciation videos, fill-in-the-blank exercises, helpful tips, and example audios.
- Daily streaks, progress reports, weekly leaderboards, and reminders.
- Strong community feature where you can interact with real learners and get feedback.
- Offline access for mobile and web users.
What we liked about Busuu
We really liked how Busuu blends structured learning with real-world content. Materials from The Economist and The New York Times make lessons practical and engaging, while specialized courses in travel, academic English, and pronunciation offer plenty of choice for different learning goals.
The AI personalization and speaking feedback are standout features. As you complete lessons, Busuu’s AI adjusts your path and records your voice during speaking exercises, giving helpful, tailored corrections. This builds real confidence in communication skills.
Each lesson is packed with smart features like short pronunciation videos, fill-in-the-blank exercises, helpful tip icons with examples, and real audio pronunciation. The checkpoint quizzes with an 80% pass requirement keep you sharp and focused before moving forward.
Finally, the community support is a big plus. Busuu allows users to interact with real learners by viewing completed exercises, exchanging feedback, and encouraging each other. Combined with offline access, daily streaks, leaderboards, and the detailed Review dashboard, it makes the learning journey motivating and highly personal.
Eduational Value
Busuu adds strong educational value by following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), offering realworld practice, AI-personalized feedback, and smart review systems.
Speaking practice chapters, interactive exercises, and checkpoint quizzes ensure you don’t just memorize - you apply and master the language properly. The Review dashboard helps you constantly track and sharpen your skills.
Pros
- Active global community for real feedback and support.
- Easy-to-use interfaces on both mobile and web.
- High-quality audio, video, and sound clarity.
- Checkpoint quizzes require 80% to pass for better retention.
- Detailed Review dashboard showing mastered words, skills that need more practice, and grammar topics learned (adjectives, adverbs, articles, connectors, etc.).
- Received Busuu certificates for selected courses.
Busuu Pricing
Busuu offers a free version on iOS, Android and also as web app but with ads and limited features. Premium membership unlocks full access and a better experience:
- Monthly Plan: Starts at $13.90 per month
- Six-Month Plan: Starts at $50.70
- Yearly Plan: Starts at $83.40 (Best value for long-term learners)
Pricing may vary depending on country and platform
Does Busuu have a free trial?
Busuu offers a two-week free trial available for premium users. You can access the first few lessons of the Busuu language courses for free. If you decide you don't like it, Busuu offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
What could be improved
- Right now, speaking tasks are good, but more interactive AI roleplay would help simulate real-life conversations better.
- The app could include clearer, more detailed grammar tips (similar to what LingQ or LingoDeer offers) for users who want to understand rules, not just memorize phrases.
- Add cultural notes and videos – so learners understand not just the language, but how it's used in real life.
- Smart Review is helpful, but could be more adaptive to user mistakes, focusing more on weak areas in a personalized way.
- First-time users can feel lost. A more guided onboarding experience would help.
- Make more features (like speaking practice or grammar guides) available offline, especially for travelers.
- Allow users to set specific goals like "pass A2 test in 2 months" or "converse fluently for business," and adjust lessons accordingly.
- Language exchange partners are a great feature, but quality control is needed – some users give unhelpful or no feedback.
- Add more motivating elements like streak freezes, mini-games, badges, or XP leaderboards to encourage daily use.
- Offer optional live classes or community events for practice – this builds accountability and real-world fluency.
Final Verdict: Busuu Review
If you want a smart, complete, and real-world language learning experience with strong speaking practice, community feedback, and powerful AI support, Busuu is one of the best apps you can invest your time in. With its structured lessons, community connection, AI-driven personalization, and real-world content, Busuu makes language learning effective, fun, and truly motivating for learners of all ages.
Busuu is a well-designed and effective free language learning app that provides learners with a comprehensive foundation in the four essential language skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. We've also covered the advantages of and differences between apps like Duolingo, Babbel and Memrise.