You have a trip to Spain in a few months and want to speak more than menu Spanish. Busuu, from the developer Busuu, is a language learning app on Google Play with over 50 million installs, and this page covers what it does, what it costs and who might prefer something else.
First steps after installing Busuu on Android 9 or newer
The app needs Android 9 or later and is free to download, with ads and in-app purchases listed on Google Play. The current version is 32.50.0. Once it is installed, the first decision is the language, since the course list covers 14 of them, including Spanish, Japanese, French, Arabic and Korean.
Lessons start from day one and run from beginner to intermediate level. Reminders help keep a learning goal on track.
Community feedback and specialty courses
The main idea behind Busuu is learning with other people. The developer says fluent speakers from the community give feedback on exercises, and it cites over 120 million registered users. Lessons mix video clips of real people with audio, and practice covers writing, reading, listening and speaking.
Some courses go further than general study. They include Advanced Spanish Exam Preparation, a Japanese course built around manga, and English for Business plus English exam courses. Japanese learners also get hiragana, katakana and kanji lessons. Google Play rates the app 4.7 from about 1.2 million ratings.
When Duolingo or a smaller app fits better
The download is free. If you want to compare before committing to any paid features, Duolingo is the closest alternative in our catalog.
Learners who only need quick word lookups or translation may find Fujiten, Janus Glossa, Language Dex or Translate You more direct. Learn English, Spanish is another option for those two languages.
Busuu pros and cons
Pros
- Covers 14 languages, from Spanish and Japanese to Polish and Turkish
- Google Play rating of 4.7 from about 1.2 million ratings
- Feedback on exercises from fluent speakers in the community
- Specialty courses such as exam preparation and business English
- Free to download with a content rating of Everyone
Cons
- Contains ads
- Includes in-app purchases
- Courses are described as beginner to intermediate only
- Requires Android 9 or newer
Is Busuu safe?
Busuu uses the package ID com.busuu.android.enc and comes from the developer Busuu, whose website is busuu.com. The content rating is Everyone. The app contains ads and offers in-app purchases, so it is worth reviewing the permissions and privacy details on its store page before you sign up and share voice or exercise data with the community.
How to install Busuu
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open Busuu when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
