Mondly vs Pimsleur Comparison

Just because Pimsleur was created 40 years before Mondly, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the pioneer is better than the newcomer. Although both language learning apps are reliable, they operate very differently. While Pimsleur is entirely audio-based, Mondly takes advantage of current technology to provide an engaging teaching method through AR and VR. Fortunately, these big differences make it easy for you to pinpoint which one works best for you. Better yet, you can take advantage of both companies’ free trials to test everything out for yourself at zero cost.

There are over 30 languages that you can learn with Mondly. From the more popular courses, such as Spanish or Russian, to more niche languages like Turkish and Persian, Mondly offers a course for everyone. Language courses all follow the same structure, and the app includes 40 learning sections with exercises that take around five minutes to complete. They don’t follow a logical path, though. Instead, each section tackles situations you’ll face when traveling or moving to another country. The best part about Mondly is its innovative AR and VR software. What could be more engaging than learning a new language than speaking to a character inside a virtual world or memorizing new vocabulary with the objects appearing right there in your living room?

You can use Mondly without paying a dime through the app’s limited free version. However, since you can only complete one section and do random daily lessons, upgrading to premium is worthwhile. You can access one language course for as low as $4 per month, or you can wait for the recurrent 90% discounts that offer you access to all languages for the same price.

Pimsleur’s roster boasts over 50 languages. However, it’s important to bear in mind that different languages come with unique course structures. While popular languages – such as Spanish – have five learning sections, more niche courses like Vietnamese only have one. Still, all courses consider cultural context, and Pimsleur will always teach you interesting facts about the country and fundamental social norms. Unfortunately, the language might be too formal for some, as courses were originally designed for traveling businessmen.

You can get Pimsleur by getting either each level separately for $119.95 or a monthly subscription for $14.95. There’s also a premium version that comes with interactive games and reading material to improve your learning experience even further. Although the company doesn’t provide refunds, you can complete the first lesson at zero cost.

Conclusion

Which language learning app works best for you depends on how you prefer to study. On the one hand, Mondly is more interactive and teaches you vocabulary through spaced repetition. Since exercises take just a few minutes to complete, it’s the perfect app to use while commuting. On the other hand, Pimsleur is completely audio-based and a better match for those who want to passively listen to lessons while doing other things. For example, you can download the audio and learn vocabulary on the go. Pricing-wise, Mondly is far more competitive. Not only can you get it for a lower price, but the company also grants access to all languages. Better yet, Mondly’s free version is perfect for anyone who wants to do a daily lesson that takes a few minutes to complete.