5 Best iPhone Apps to Learn Russian (+FREE)

A few months ago, I took a trip to Russia.

I thought I had picked up enough Russian words from apps and videos to get by—but the moment I landed, reality hit me.

Ordering food? Struggled.

Asking for directions? Ended up more lost than before.

I quickly realized that knowing random words wasn’t enough—I needed to actually understand and use the language.

So, after that trip, I decided to dig deep into language-learning apps for Russian and find the ones that truly help.

After testing several, I found a few apps that make learning Russian way easier.

Some are completely free, while others offer free content with optional upgrades, but all of them can actually help you speak and understand Russian better.

Let’s dive in.

1. Pimsleur – I Like it the Most

What worked for me:

• Feels like real conversations – It teaches you to think and respond in Russian, not just memorize words.
• Immersive audio lessons – You learn by listening and speaking, which helped me feel more prepared for real-life situations.
• Pronunciation practice that works – You’re constantly repeating phrases, so you get used to speaking naturally.
• Spaced repetition helps recall – Words and phrases come back at the right time, so they stick better.
• Great for learning on the go – I could practice during walks, which made it easy to stay consistent.

What didn’t work for me:

• Lessons are slow-paced – The 30-minute structure is rigid. Some days, I wished I could move faster.
• No reading or writing practice – It’s all about speaking and listening, so you’ll need another app for grammar.
• Not fully free – The first few lessons are free, but after that, you need a subscription.

Get it from – App Store

When I visited Russia, I quickly realized that knowing words wasn’t the same as speaking the language.

I could recognize signs, pick out familiar phrases, and even piece together simple sentences in my head—but when it came time to actually talk to someone, I froze.

My brain just wasn’t fast enough.

That’s exactly why Pimsleur stood out when I tested different apps to learn Russian.

It didn’t just give me vocabulary to memorize—it made me use Russian in a way that felt real.

The lessons were structured like conversations, and I had to recall words at the right moments.

At first, it was frustrating.

I kept wanting to check the answer, but Pimsleur doesn’t let you.

It forces you to think, and that’s what made the difference.

After a few lessons, I noticed I wasn’t translating in my head as much.

The phrases started coming naturally, and by the end of a session, I felt like I had actually spoken Russian, not just studied it.

The audio-based approach was also a game-changer because I could practice anywhere—on a walk, while making coffee, or just lying in bed with my eyes closed.

That said, Pimsleur has its limitations.

The lessons are long and slow, and there’s no way to skip ahead if you already know something.

Some days, I wanted to speed things up but had to stick with the structured pace.

Also, if you want to read or write in Russian, this won’t help much—you’ll need another app for that.

And while you can try a few lessons for free, you’ll eventually need to pay for full access.

Still, if your goal is to actually speak Russian, this app delivers.

It trained my brain to respond without hesitation, and after struggling during my trip, that was exactly what I needed.

2. Duolingo – Best for Beginners

What worked for me:

• Easy to get started – The bite-sized lessons make it simple, even if you’ve never studied Russian before.
• Engaging and fun – Feels like a game, which kept me motivated to come back daily.
• Covers reading, writing, and listening – Unlike Pimsleur, Duolingo includes grammar and sentence structure.
• Free for casual learning – You can learn a lot without paying, though there are ads.
• Progress tracking keeps you motivated – Streaks and levels make it feel rewarding.

What didn’t work for me:

• Not great for speaking practice – You get pronunciation exercises, but they don’t compare to real conversations.
• Repetitive at times – Some sentences feel unnatural, and you might see the same exercises too often.
• Limited depth – It’s great for basics, but you’ll eventually need something more advanced.

Get it from – App Store

Before I got serious about learning Russian, Duolingo was my go-to app.

It was easy to open the app, do a few quick lessons, and feel like I was making progress.

Plus, it felt more like a game than studying, which made it easy to stay consistent.

What surprised me was how quickly I picked up the Russian alphabet just by using Duolingo.

I had always assumed learning Cyrillic would be a huge challenge, but after a few lessons, I could already recognize common words.

The app does a great job of introducing new words naturally, mixing in listening, reading, and writing so you absorb the language step by step.

However, the biggest downside is speaking practice.

The app does have pronunciation exercises, but they don’t really prepare you for real conversations.

When I was in Russia, I realized that understanding written sentences and actually speaking them fluently were two very different things.

Duolingo didn’t help much with that.

I also noticed that some phrases were oddly repetitive or impractical.

At one point, I kept getting sentences like “The bear drinks water” and “The cat reads a book.”

Fun, but not exactly what I needed for ordering food or asking for directions.

Still, for beginners, Duolingo is one of the best free options.

It helps you get familiar with Russian in a way that feels easy and approachable.

I wouldn’t rely on it alone, but as a first step into the language, it’s a solid choice.

3. LingQ – A Reading-Focused App for Russian

What worked for me:

• Tons of real-world content – Articles, podcasts, and stories in Russian, not just textbook-style lessons.
• Learn in context – You see new words in full sentences, making them easier to remember.
• Builds reading skills fast – Reading real Russian texts daily improved my comprehension quickly.
• Audio + text combination – You can listen to the content while reading along.

What didn’t work for me:

• Not for absolute beginners – If you don’t know basic Russian, it can feel overwhelming.
• Requires self-discipline – There’s no structured path; you have to choose what to read.
• Limited free version – You’ll need a subscription to unlock most features.

Get it from – App Store

One thing I realized after my trip to Russia? Reading signs and menus was much easier than understanding spoken Russian.

I could pick out words, guess meanings, and take my time figuring things out.

But when someone spoke to me, it was a whole different challenge.

That’s why I started using LingQ—it was the perfect way to build my reading skills while still hearing real Russian.

What sets LingQ apart is that it doesn’t give you artificial exercises—you learn by reading real articles, stories, and even podcasts in Russian.

I found news articles, short stories, and dialogues, all with built-in translations.

Whenever I didn’t know a word, I could tap on it, save it for later, and see it in other sentences.

This method worked way better for me than just memorizing vocabulary lists.

The biggest challenge, though, is that LingQ isn’t structured like a normal language course.

You don’t get step-by-step lessons or a set curriculum.

Instead, you have to choose what to read and learn at your own pace.

This was fine for me since I already knew some Russian, but if you’re an absolute beginner, it might feel overwhelming.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the best content is behind a paywall.

You can try some features for free, but to get unlimited access, you’ll need a subscription.

Still, if reading and listening are your main goals, LingQ is one of the best apps out there.

It doesn’t just teach you words—it helps you see them in action, which makes a huge difference in how well you remember them.

4. Anki – Best Flashcard App for Russian

What worked for me:

• Powerful spaced repetition – Helps lock in Russian words and phrases so you don’t forget them.
• Customizable decks – You can create your own flashcards or download pre-made Russian decks.
• Great for vocabulary building – Helps you memorize a lot of words quickly.
• Supports audio and images – You can add pronunciation clips or pictures to make learning more effective.
• Completely free on desktop – No cost if you use it on a computer.

What didn’t work for me:

• Not engaging on its own – Flashcards can feel repetitive if you don’t mix them with other learning methods.
• Takes time to set up – You have to create or find good decks, which isn’t as instant as other apps.
• iPhone app is paid – While the desktop version is free, the iOS app costs money.

Get it from – App Store

I’ll be honest—I wasn’t excited about using flashcards at first.

I always thought they were a boring way to learn a language.

But after my trip to Russia, I realized I had a problem: I kept forgetting words.

I’d see a word one day, recognize it, and then completely blank out when I actually needed it.

That’s when I gave Anki a real shot.

Unlike regular flashcards, Anki uses spaced repetition, which means it shows you words right before you’re about to forget them.

At first, I didn’t notice a huge difference.

But after a few days, I realized that words I struggled with were coming back at just the right time—and I was actually remembering them.

I started using a pre-made Russian deck that had thousands of words with native audio.

I also created my own cards with phrases I wanted to learn.

The best part? I could add pronunciation clips, so I wasn’t just memorizing words visually—I was hearing them too.

However, Anki does have its downsides.

It’s not the most exciting app, and if you rely on it alone, learning Russian can feel dry.

I had to mix it with listening and speaking practice to stay motivated.

Also, setting up decks takes some effort.

You either have to find good pre-made decks or spend time creating your own.

That said, if you’re serious about memorizing Russian vocabulary, Anki is one of the best tools out there.

I didn’t think I’d stick with it, but now it’s part of my daily routine—and I can finally recall words when I need them.

5. YouTube – Best for Free Russian Content

What worked for me:

• Endless free content – Everything from grammar lessons to full conversations with native speakers.
• Real-life Russian exposure – Helps train your ears to natural speech, accents, and slang.
• Flexible learning – You can watch videos at your own pace, slow them down, or rewatch tricky parts.
• Great for immersion – You can follow Russian vloggers, news, or educational channels to get a mix of learning and entertainment.

What didn’t work for me:

• Overwhelming choices – There’s a lot of content, and not all of it is helpful for learners.
• No structured learning path – You have to piece together lessons yourself.
• Quality varies – Some channels are amazing, while others can be inaccurate or poorly explained.

Get it from – App Store

One thing I regret about my Russia trip? Not watching enough Russian YouTube beforehand.

I thought I had a decent grasp of the language, but the moment someone spoke at full speed, I froze.

That’s when I realized that textbooks and apps weren’t enough—I needed to hear real, unscripted Russian.

That’s why YouTube became my go-to after my trip.

Unlike traditional apps, it gave me raw, native Russian, spoken naturally by real people.

I started following a few channels, and within weeks, my listening comprehension improved drastically.

Here are some YouTube channels that helped me the most:

• Real Russian Club – Great for structured lessons, pronunciation, and cultural insights.
• Russian with Max – Focuses on natural conversations and everyday Russian speech.
• Easy Russian – Street interviews with subtitles, perfect for improving listening skills.
• Be Fluent in Russian – Covers grammar, expressions, and learning strategies in an engaging way.

Of course, YouTube alone won’t make you fluent, but it’s one of the best free resources for immersion.

I started by watching with subtitles, but after a while, I pushed myself to listen without them.

It was tough at first, but after some practice, I could actually follow conversations without getting lost.

If you’re serious about learning Russian, mixing YouTube with an app like Pimsleur or LingQ makes a huge difference.

My Final Take

Learning Russian isn’t easy—trust me, I learned that the hard way.

Before my trip, I thought using an app here and there would be enough.

But once I landed in Russia, I realized that speaking and understanding real Russian was a whole different challenge.

That’s why I believe there’s no single perfect app for learning Russian.

Each app on this list does something unique:

• Pimsleur got me comfortable with speaking and thinking in Russian.
• Duolingo made learning feel effortless with its bite-sized lessons.
• LingQ helped me train my brain to read and recognize words naturally.
• Anki made sure I never forgot important words and phrases.
• YouTube gave me exposure to real, unscripted Russian.

If I had to start over, I’d use a combination of these apps instead of relying on just one.

Pimsleur and YouTube for listening and speaking, LingQ for reading, Anki for memorization, and Duolingo for casual practice.

No matter which app you choose, the key is consistency.

A few minutes every day is better than a few hours once in a while.

Russian can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get past the initial struggles, it’s one of the most rewarding languages to learn.

So, if you’re serious about learning Russian, pick an app, start today, and stick with it—you’ll be surprised how much progress you can make.

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