17 Apps to Learn Italian Like a Native Speaker

So, you want to learn Italian?

Maybe it’s because you’ve always dreamed of ordering pasta in Rome without switching to English, or because you fell in love with an Italian song and want to know what the lyrics really mean.

Whatever pulled you toward the language, I get it—Italian just has this charm that makes you want to dive in.

The only problem? Most of us don’t have hours to sit in a classroom or the patience to flip through grammar books.

That’s where apps come in.

They’re simple, fun, and (best part) always in your pocket.

I’ve put together a list of 17 apps that actually help you learn Italian like a native speaker.

Some will help you nail pronunciation, some will throw you into real conversations, and others will sneak in vocabulary while you’re killing time on your phone.

Pick the one that clicks with you, and before you know it, “ciao” and “grazie” will just roll off your tongue.

1. Duolingo

Duolingo is probably the first app most people try when they want to learn Italian—and honestly, it’s popular for a reason.

The lessons are short, colorful, and feel more like a game than studying.

You earn points, unlock levels, and even get a streak going if you practice every day.

It’s perfect if you’re just starting out or if you only have a few minutes a day to practice.

While Duolingo won’t make you fluent on its own, it’s an excellent way to build vocabulary, get comfortable with basic grammar, and keep your motivation high.

Think of it as your daily warm-up for Italian—something fun and light that keeps you coming back without feeling overwhelming.

Also Read: Best Language Learning Apps

2. Babbel

Babbel is one of the best choices if you want structured lessons that feel close to a real course.

The app is designed to teach Italian in a way that actually sticks, with practical dialogues and situations you’ll face in everyday life.

Instead of just random vocabulary, you’ll learn how to order food, make small talk, or even handle travel situations in Italian.

Another great thing is the built-in speech recognition, which helps you practice pronunciation and sound more natural.

Each lesson is only about 10–15 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into your day.

If you’re serious about making steady progress and want more guidance than a free app can offer, Babbel is definitely worth considering.

3. Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone has been around for years, and it’s still one of the most trusted names in language learning.

What makes it different is its immersive approach—there’s no English translation.

Instead, you learn Italian the way kids pick up their first language, by connecting images, sounds, and context.

It can feel a little challenging at first, but that’s exactly why it works—you’re forced to think in Italian right from the start.

The app also comes with TruAccent, a smart speech-recognition tool that gives you feedback on your pronunciation.

If your goal is to build a strong foundation and develop a natural accent, Rosetta Stone is a solid option that still holds its ground.

Also Read: Best Apps to Learn Russian

4. Pimsleur

If you’ve ever wished you could learn Italian while driving, cooking, or taking a walk, Pimsleur is the app for you.

It’s all about audio lessons—no endless screens of text or flashy games.

You just listen and repeat, building confidence step by step.

The lessons are designed to get you speaking in full sentences from day one, which is great if your main goal is conversation.

Each session runs about 30 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into your routine, and the spaced repetition method helps the words stick.

It might not have the colorful vibe of Duolingo or Memrise, but if you’re serious about speaking Italian out loud, Pimsleur is one of the best.

5. Memrise

Memrise makes learning Italian feel like you’re picking it up from friends rather than a classroom.

The app uses short videos of native speakers, so you don’t just learn words—you hear how they’re actually used.

Add in some fun memory tricks and spaced repetition, and it becomes a surprisingly effective way to grow your vocabulary quickly.

Memrise also encourages you to practice speaking, which helps break that fear of messing up.

The interface is simple and colorful, making it easy to stick with.

If you’re the type who gets bored with dry grammar lessons, Memrise keeps things fresh and engaging while still helping you build a strong foundation in Italian.

Also Read: Best Apps to Master Japanese Fast

6. Drops

Drops is the perfect app if you’re a visual learner.

Everything is built around beautifully designed icons and images that help you connect words with meaning instantly.

Instead of long lessons, you get quick five-minute sessions where you swipe, match, and tap your way through Italian vocabulary.

It’s fast, addictive, and ideal for squeezing in a quick session during your coffee break.

The app focuses mostly on vocabulary rather than grammar, so it won’t teach you everything, but it’s fantastic for building word banks in different themes like travel, food, or culture.

If you want a fun, low-pressure way to expand your Italian vocabulary little by little, Drops is a great pick.

7. Busuu

Busuu is a language app that feels like having a mini teacher in your pocket.

The cool part is that it doesn’t just throw random lessons at you—it builds a personalized study plan based on your goals, whether that’s learning for travel, work, or just for fun.

The app covers grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and listening, but the standout feature is the chance to get feedback from real native speakers.

You can complete an exercise, submit it, and have someone correct your Italian.

That interaction adds a human touch you don’t get from most apps.

If you like a balance of structure and community support, Busuu is a fantastic choice to keep you motivated and improving.

Also Read: Best Apps to Master Spanish Fast

8. Rocket Italian (Rocket Languages)

Rocket Italian goes deep—really deep.

Instead of short, playful lessons, this app feels like a full-on course that takes you from the basics to advanced conversations.

It combines interactive audio lessons with grammar explanations, cultural notes, and plenty of exercises to reinforce what you learn.

One of the strengths here is that you can listen to dialogues, break them down line by line, and practice until you sound natural.

It’s not the flashiest app in design, but if you’re serious about mastering Italian step by step, Rocket Italian is one of the most comprehensive tools out there.

Think of it as the “serious student’s” app for anyone who wants long-term results.

9. ItalianPod101

ItalianPod101 is perfect if you love learning through listening.

The app works like a huge library of podcast-style lessons, ranging from absolute beginner to advanced.

You can listen to native speakers chatting, breaking down phrases, and explaining grammar in an easygoing way.

What makes it stand out is the flexibility—you can learn while commuting, at the gym, or even winding down before bed.

Plus, there are transcripts, vocabulary lists, and quizzes to help you follow along.

It’s like having Italian lessons on demand, tailored to your level and pace.

If traditional study feels too rigid, ItalianPod101 gives you a more relaxed yet super effective way to soak in the language.

10. Lingopie

Lingopie makes learning Italian as fun as binge-watching your favorite shows—because that’s exactly what it is.

The app gives you access to Italian TV shows, movies, and even cartoons, all with dual subtitles.

You can click on any word in the subtitles to see the meaning instantly and save it to your personal flashcards.

It feels less like studying and more like hanging out with Italian culture.

You pick up slang, natural expressions, and hear how words are actually pronounced by natives.

If you’re someone who learns best by listening and watching real conversations, Lingopie is an amazing way to immerse yourself in Italian without leaving your couch.

11. MosaLingua

MosaLingua is all about efficiency.

Instead of giving you long, overwhelming lessons, it uses a proven spaced-repetition method to teach you the most useful Italian words and phrases quickly.

The app focuses on real-world vocabulary, so you’ll be ready for everyday conversations like ordering coffee or asking for directions.

It also has dialogues, grammar tips, and even cultural notes sprinkled in.

One neat feature is its offline mode, so you can learn anywhere without worrying about Wi-Fi.

It doesn’t have the flashy look of some other apps, but it makes up for that with content that works and keeps the language in your memory long-term.

12. Language Transfer

Language Transfer is a hidden gem—and the best part? It’s completely free.

This app takes a unique approach by teaching you how Italian actually works, not just throwing vocabulary at you.

The audio lessons guide you through the logic of the language, showing you patterns and connections that make everything click.

It almost feels like sitting down with a friend who explains Italian in plain, simple terms.

You’ll start to see how much Italian you already understand just by recognizing links to English or other languages.

If you want a no-frills, thoughtful way to really “get” Italian, Language Transfer is definitely worth your time.

13. Anki

Anki isn’t your typical language app—it’s more like a powerhouse flashcard tool that you can bend to your needs.

The idea is simple: you create or download decks of Italian words, phrases, or grammar rules, and Anki uses spaced repetition to make sure you actually remember them.

It shows you the cards right when you’re about to forget, which makes the learning stick for the long term.

The beauty of Anki is the customization.

You can add audio, images, or even download pre-made Italian decks created by other learners.

It’s not the prettiest app out there, but if you want a reliable way to build and keep a strong vocabulary, Anki is a lifesaver.

14. Tandem

Tandem takes the classroom walls away and puts you directly in touch with Italian native speakers around the world.

It’s a language exchange app, meaning you teach someone your language while they help you with Italian.

You can text, do voice calls, or even video chat, which makes it feel like chatting with a friend while learning at the same time.

What’s really cool is that you can set filters to find partners who match your interests, so the conversations are natural and fun.

If you believe the best way to learn a language is to use it with real people, Tandem is the perfect app to make that happen.

15. Italki

Italki is like a massive marketplace for one-on-one language lessons.

You can browse hundreds of Italian tutors—some professional, some community teachers—and pick one that fits your budget and learning style.

Lessons are done over video chat, so it’s as close to having a personal tutor as it gets.

The best part is the flexibility: you decide the schedule, the focus (conversation, grammar, exam prep), and even the teacher’s accent if you want.

Italki also has a community section where you can post questions or short writing pieces for native speakers to correct.

If you’re ready to invest a little to accelerate your Italian, Italki is a game-changer.

16. Reverso Context

Reverso Context is like having a translator and a tutor rolled into one.

Instead of just giving you word-for-word translations, it shows you real examples of how Italian words and phrases are used in sentences.

That makes it way easier to understand context, tone, and the little differences that a dictionary can’t teach you.

The app also has flashcards, verb conjugations, and pronunciation features, which make it a handy all-in-one tool.

It’s especially useful when you’re writing in Italian and want to make sure you’re using the right phrase.

If you want a practical app to fine-tune your vocabulary and grammar while seeing how Italians actually speak, Reverso Context is a must-have.

17. Beelinguapp

Beelinguapp turns reading practice into something surprisingly enjoyable.

The app gives you stories, articles, and audiobooks in Italian, with the text shown side by side in your native language.

You can read along while listening to a native speaker narrate the story, almost like karaoke for language learning.

This setup makes it super easy to connect the dots between meaning, pronunciation, and grammar.

The library covers everything from news articles to fairy tales, so you’ll never run out of material.

If you love reading and want a fun way to build comprehension while hearing Italian spoken naturally, Beelinguapp is the perfect app to round out your toolkit.

My Final Take

Learning Italian doesn’t have to feel like a chore—it’s all about finding the right mix of tools that match your style.

If you want something fun and light, Duolingo or Drops will keep you motivated.

For a more structured path, Babbel or Rocket Italian are solid picks.

And if speaking like a native is your top goal, nothing beats practicing with real people on Tandem or Italki.

The truth is, no single app will make you fluent on its own.

But when you combine these apps with a bit of consistency, you’ll be surprised at how quickly Italian starts to feel natural.

Start small, stick with it, and soon you’ll be ordering espresso in perfect Italian without even thinking twice.