by Lea Hauke
Updated on October 15, 2024
The 10 best online French courses in 2024
If you’re looking for the best online French courses but can’t decide among the overwhelming number of choices available, we’ve got you covered. From self-study options to one-on-one tutoring to group courses, our list provides you with the best options for all learning styles. While a lot of them are directed at beginners and intermediate French learners, several courses cater to learners with more advanced study goals.
We’ve listed each platform’s pros and cons in the following guide to help you figure out the best fit for you. This is our top 10 of the best online French courses in 2024.
Looking to learn French online? With countless options available, finding the perfect fit can be overwhelming. From experienced teachers around the globe to flexible schedules and affordable prices, there is something for everyone.
We’ve curated a list of top online French language courses based on flexibility, variety of resources and diverse learning goals. Let’s dive in and find the best option for you!
| Platform | Why we like it |
| Lingoda | Flexible, live classes for all levels |
| FluentU | Self-paced video learning from native speakers |
| FrenchPod101 | Best free podcast platform |
| Pimsleur | Vocabulary training with audio lessons |
| Babbel Live | Engaging app, best for for entry-level students |
| Rosetta Stone | Associative learning, great gamification elements |
| Rocket French | Best pronunciation practice with fun quizzes |
| Busuu | Real-kife content and great online community |
| Coffee Break French | Easy listening experience with free podcast |
| Berlitz | Small live classes or private tutors |
A French course at Lingoda offers all the benefits of classes taught by qualified instructors and the flexibility of online learning. There are classes for every level that you can schedule to your liking.
You decide if you would benefit more from a one-on-one class with your private tutor or a small group class.
At Lingoda you can expect to learn French conversation online from your very first session with a private teacher or in a small group setting with up to five students. All the teachers at Lingoda are on a native-speaker level. You’ll also benefit from their knowledge of differences in regional accents and dialects.
Teachers provide you with real-time feedback during and after every class to make sure that you get the most out of your experience and feel confident to speak in everyday situations. With thousands of classes to choose from, you can expect to find a French class to fit your personal schedule right away.
Lingoda offers different plans for learning French:
Immersing yourself in the language is an important part of learning French as efficiently as possible. To that end, watching videos in French is a great way to develop a better understanding of how certain words and phrases are used. FluentU serves as a library for video learning resources that feature interactive subtitles. If you’re not familiar with a word, you can easily click on it and look up its translation and meaning.
What sets FluentU apart from other French learning apps is the quality of the media on offer. The videos they use are clips from actual commercials, interviews or music videos.
Instead of having to listen to awkward French conversations that are solely performed for teaching purposes, you get a taste of French culture with FluentU’s authentic video clips. By learning from watching native speakers in real-life settings, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the French language.
The little quizzes after each lesson also help you to remember what you’ve learned and motivate you to practice your skills.
FrenchPod101 is a good resource for listening practice. French students can access a lot of the audio lessons for free and can practice their new knowledge with a range of transcripts, flashcards and quizzes.
FrenchPod101 can be a great fit if you’re looking for shorter listening courses that you can easily fit in during the day. They’re easy to follow and aimed at beginners and intermediate French students.
Improving your French with podcasts is a great addition to your practice, but it will probably not be enough to help you make big leaps. While we’d recommend FrenchPod101 for beginners, we’d also advise combining it with another method that focuses on speaking and writing.
FrenchPod101 has free, basic, premium, and Premium Plus plans. With the Premium Plus subscription, you will get personalized guidance from a French teacher!
French courses at Pimsleur are audio-based and aim to help you learn new vocabulary and phrases by exposing you to conversations between native speakers. In small practice sessions after each lesson, French students are called on to repeat phrases and connect new vocabulary to words acquired in other courses. There are lessons available for every language level.
Pimsleur’s straightforward approach is its biggest advantage. You can listen to the 30-minute lessons while busying yourself with chores like cleaning or driving to work. By working on your speaking in a relaxed environment, you’ll feel more confident in actual conversations with native speakers.
As the lessons revolve around topics relevant to travelers, they can also be a great way to prepare for a trip to France.
Pimsleur was designed with a strong focus on listening and speaking in mind, so practicing writing and reading is not a part of the method. Grammatical concepts are not explained, which limits a full understanding of the composition of the French language.
While the quizzes at the end can be fun, they tend to get very repetitive. In comparison with other, more authentic listening experiences, Pimsleur’s audio clips can feel very formal and even a bit unrealistic.
Already one of the most popular language-learning apps on the market, Babbel expanded its product suite with Babbel Live, a range of online language courses. You can filter classes with certified language teachers according to your level and book them online. Each subscription to Babbel Live comes with access to the Babbel app.
Courses with experienced teachers are the most effective way to learn a new language for many. Being able to ask questions when they pop up and learning together with other students makes for an intensive and highly engaging learning experience. Courses are available 24/7, which is great for everyone with a busy schedule.
The Babbel app is a great addition to the classes because you can practice new skills, which nicely rounds up your learning experience.
Rosetta Stone has earned a reputation as one of the leading language-learning methods since the 1990s, and it’s still going strong. Their approach is rather unusual in that it teaches new vocabulary without word-to-word translations but rather through context and association.
The app immerses French students in the language through a variety of videos, pictures and games. There’s also the option to book live courses with native speakers online.
If you’re able to let go of expectations about conventional language learning, Rosetta Stone’s approach can be a lot of fun. The app teaches you French with the help of little games that motivate you to make your own connections and associations. Many people find it easier to remember vocabulary, phrases and grammatical concepts with this method.
A newer addition to the Rosetta Stone concept are language courses with native speakers that are held online and will intensify the learning process.
Not every brain works the same way, meaning some people will be frustrated by the associative approach. While beginners can especially benefit from it, more advanced French students can easily get bored due to the repetitiveness of the learning materials.
Rosetta Stone offers 3-month and yearly subscriptions or you can even get lifetime access too.
Rocket French is another audio-based program that teaches French students mostly through listening. What makes it unique is an advanced pronunciation tool that can help language learners improve their speaking skills. There are also downloadable vocabulary and grammar materials available to support the lessons.
The downside to many audio-based courses is that they can tend to result in a rather passive learning experience. Rocket French counteracts that risk with their pronunciation tool and little quizzes that help French learners develop the courage to speak in public.
Another big advantage for many is their progress-tracking option. The overview can help learners stay on track and keep them motivated over the long haul.
Rocket French offer package deals for the different levels. There are one-time payment and 6-month plans available.
Busuu provides French students from A1 to C1 level with short language lessons and learning materials to improve reading, writing, listening and grammar skills. Users are able can choose learning plans according to their goals, even if it’s something specific like learning how to write an email in French or make conversation with friends and family.
There’s also the option to connect with native French speakers who are using the app.
Many students don’t feel prepared for every-day conversations even after putting in hours of French study. To get you talking faster, Busuu lets you select your language goals and provides you with an individual plan designed to match your areas of interest.
The social network on the Busuu app connects you with native French speakers, who can help you with feedback on your pronunciation through recordings, for example.
Although the community aspect is one of the strongest points of Busuu, it also means that most of the feedback you get isn’t from qualified professionals. Most people on the app mean well, but there’s no way of telling if their tips are correct.
Busuu offers a free version and plans that range from a 1-month subscription over a 6-month subscription to a 12-month plan.
Coffee Break French teaches all aspects of the French language via short, digestible podcasts. The free episodes are among the best resources to learn French, as they’re easy to pick up and cater to all different language levels.
The episodes are only five to 20 minutes long but still manage to provide a thorough understanding of the French language. They’re available for free on most platforms and focus mainly on speaking and listening.
We recommend Coffee Break French to anyone who’s looking for a relaxed way to immerse themselves in the language and learn something new. But it isn’t a great standalone resource for learning French. You’ll almost certainly need to supplement it with an additional language course, rather than rely on it for all of your learning needs.
While the podcast is free you can purchase an online course with bonus audio lessons, video lessons and notes for a fee.
Berlitz offers all levels of French courses with small groups or private tutors for students looking for a personalized experience. You’ll also get additional learning material for studying on your own time.
The Berlitz concept is very flexible and can fit any schedule. You have different options to choose from depending on your budget and goals. Their instructors are experienced and can provide feedback even after the session, which is great if questions pop up after the online course has finished.
There are no free trials available for Berlitz, which means that you’re booking classes at your own risk. If you’re not happy with the teacher or the group (if you’ve booked a group class), it may negatively influence your progress.
Yes, you can learn French online. Online French courses offer a convenient and flexible way to learn the language. Whether you’re aiming for fluency or simply want to pick up some basic conversational skills, the internet provides a wealth of resources to help you achieve your goals. From structured lessons to interactive exercises, you can customize your learning experience to suit your individual needs
We wanted to provide a diverse list that caters to your schedule, goals, and budget. To achieve this, we focused on:
Schedule Flexibility: Choose between self-paced courses or live classes to fit your lifestyle. While Lingoda offers live classes you can choose flexibility, apps like Babbel enable you to learn on the go or your daily commute.
Fit your level: Find courses that guide you from beginner to advanced levels.
There’s no easy way to tell which option is the best online French class for you. How long it takes to learn French depends not only on the course type, but on your learning style and the time and energy you can put into it. However, a strong focus on speaking from Day One tends to work for most people, because it helps the brain make active connections with the learning material and thus supports long-term memory consolidation.
If you’re looking for the best tutored French courses, consider starting with Lingoda or Berlitz. The unique advantage of native speakers is that they can teach you about regional differences, like dialects and how to use certain phrases. This is why teachers at Lingoda all speak on a native level.
There are also great supplementary courses to try if you’re looking to practice French on your own. Honorable mentions include the free podcast episodes by Coffee Break French and the video classes by FluentU.
