Speaking the language faster than the apps promise
Many host countries fund free classes for migrants. Most newcomers never hear about them — check before you pay for anything.
Check for state-funded classes first
A surprising number of countries offer subsidized or fully free language courses to migrants, refugees, and new residents — often tied to your residence permit or integration program, and often poorly advertised. Ask your local immigration office, municipality, or a refugee-support NGO specifically whether a state-funded course exists before paying for a private one. This is the single biggest cost-saver in this entire guide.
How the popular options actually compare
Once you've checked for free options, here's how the common paid and freemium routes compare — ranked by how fast they tend to get you actually speaking, not by how often you see them advertised.
Duolingo
A0→A2Best for building a daily ten-minute habit. Won't get you fluent on its own, but it keeps you moving on the days you'd otherwise skip.
Visit Duolingo →Preply Affiliate
Any level1-on-1 lessons with a real tutor, matched to your level and schedule. Nothing builds speaking confidence faster than a live person waiting on your answer.
Find a tutor on Preply →Babbel
A1→B1Structured grammar and conversation drills. Often the first paid app people actually stick with, because the lessons feel like a real course rather than a game.
Visit Babbel →Goethe-Institut
A1→C2For German specifically — official certification, and frequently subsidized or free if you have migrant or refugee status.
Visit Goethe-Institut →Alliance Française
A1→C2For French specifically — official certification with generous fee waivers for refugees in many locations.
Visit Alliance Française →Hellenic American Union
A1→C2For Greek specifically — a well-established route for residence-permit and naturalization language requirements.
Visit Hellenic American Union →