Sometimes it’s hard to spot the differences between language learning apps. But that’s not the case with LinguaLift and Pimsleur. And that’s without mentioning the 45-year gap between them or their operations being on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Not only does one of the platforms offer 50 more language courses than the other, but even LinguaLift and Pimsleur’s teaching approaches are entirely different. While one is audio-based, the other comes with various types of exercises. In short, this is one of the cases where the best app for you will be the one that better suits your preferred studying method.
Overview |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
Logo | ||
Rating | ||
Reviews | Reviews | Reviews |
Visit | Visit Site | Visit Site |
Free Trial | Free Trial | Free Trial |
Coupons | Coupons | Coupons |
Headquarters | UK | U.S. |
Founded | 2011 | 1963 |
Main Features |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
# of Languages | 5 | 51 |
Languages | JP, RU, HE, ES, FR | ES, FR, DE, JP, IT, CN, RU, PT, EN |
Placement Test | ||
Interactive Games | ||
Audio | ||
Videos | ||
Live Tutoring | ||
Average Duration of Lessons | 15 mins | 30 mins |
Cultural Context |
Language Skills |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
Vocabulary | ||
Grammar | ||
Writing | ||
Reading | ||
Speaking | ||
Listening |
Platforms |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
Browser Version | ||
Windows | ||
Mac | ||
Linux | ||
Android | ||
iOS |
Pricing |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
Lowest Price | $17/mo | $14.95/mo |
Monthly Subscription | $29.99/mo |
|
Quaterly Subscription | ||
Biannual Subscription | ||
Yearly Subscription | $17/mo ($204) | |
One-Time Purchase |
|
|
Free Trial | 3 lessons | 1 Lesson |
Free Version | ||
Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Payment Methods |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
Visa | ||
Mastercard | ||
American Express | ||
PayPal | ||
Wire Transfer | ||
Discover | ||
Amazon Payments | ||
Google Checkout |
Customer Supporter |
LinguaLift |
Pimsleur |
24/7 | ||
Live Chat | ||
Community | ||
On Call |
LinguaLift
Although LinguaLift has a limited roster of just three language courses – Japanese, Hebrew, and Russian – it compensates for that by being one of the most comprehensive apps on the market. From how to correctly draw characters to advanced sentence construction, everything is explained in detail. Lessons take around 15 minutes to complete, and you can count on all types of exercises. On top of that, LinguaLift knows how important cultural nuances are and explains how to act in public or when to speak formally.
Everyone who purchases a LinguaLift subscription gets a personalized roadmap. This means that although language courses follow similar paths, each student’s experience is completely different. Moreover, you can always chat with a certified tutor who will explain the topic you’re currently studying, share additional learning material, and even give homework. Better yet, the app also includes videos throughout the course telling the story of someone moving abroad, which is an engaging way to learn how to deal with specific situations.
You can access the three languages available for $12.99 per month. Although expensive, you can learn various languages simultaneously without paying extra. LinguaLift also allows you to try the first three classes for free, and you can test everything out through the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pimsleur
Launched over 50 years ago, Pimsleur is one of the pioneers of the language learning software industry. Completely audio-based, this platform is perfect for anyone who wants to learn a new language while multitasking. However, since Pimsleur focuses on listening and speaking, it doesn’t include either grammar or writing exercises. The app covers more than 50 language courses, which means you’ll surely find your target language in its portfolio.
Because Pimsleur was launched at a time when businessmen were the ones who traveled the most, the app targets the majority of its courses to them. This means that if you’re learning a new language to travel for leisure, you’ll find some of the material too formal. Still, the app considers cultural nuances, and you’ll learn a lot about the country you’re planning to visit.
You can get Pimsleur by either purchasing each level separately for $119.95 or subscribing to a monthly plan for $14.95. Since you’ll be able to finish the entire course within five months if you do one lesson a day, the subscription is far more affordable. You can also spend a few extra bucks to get a premium version of the software that comes with native games, flashcards, and some reading material. Pimsleur allows you to try the first lesson for free, but there’s no free trial or money-back guarantee available.
Conclusion
When two pieces of software are as different as LinguaLift and Pimsleur, it's easy to know which one work bests for you. First of all, if you're set on using either Pimsleur or LinguaLift and want to study any language besides Japanese, Hebrew, or Russian, you'll have to go with Pimsleur. For these three courses in particular, which platform to opt for heavily depends on your preferred studying method. If you're looking for a language learning app that will teach the ins and outs of your target language and help you achieve a high fluency level, LinguaLift is the one to get. On the other hand, Pimsleur is the better option for people who wish to learn the basics and want a bigger focus on speaking and listening.
Share Your Comment