Apps and resources for learning German: what to choose for levels A1–B2
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It’s difficult to learn German using just one app, but the right resources can effectively cover your daily practice: vocabulary, grammar, articles, listening, reading, and conversational phrases. It’s better to put together a small set of 3–5 tools tailored to your goal than to haphazardly download dozens of apps and quickly give up on your studies.
How to Choose a Resource for Your Goal
Before choosing an app, determine exactly what you need to improve:
| Goal | What Works Best |
|---|---|
| Start from scratch | Structured A1 course, short lessons, audio, and vocabulary review |
| Mastering grammar | topic-based exercises, explanations of rules, error checking |
| Memorize articles | separate exercises for der/die/das and noun flashcards |
| Improve listening comprehension | videos with subtitles, slow-paced speech, dialogs organized by level |
| Expand your vocabulary | spaced repetition, high-frequency words, examples in context |
| Prepare for life in Germany | topics on daily life, work, documents, doctors, housing, and transportation |
If you’re studying with a teacher, it’s best to use apps for independent practice between lessons. If you’re studying on your own, choose a resource that offers a clear sequence of lessons, rather than just a collection of random exercises.
Apps for vocabulary and daily practice
ReWord Deutsch
ReWord Deutsch is great for memorizing new words and set phrases. It features useful review exercises, themed sets, and examples of usage in context. This format is especially convenient if you want to regularly add new vocabulary and make sure you don’t forget the words you’ve already learned.
Busuu Deutsch
Busuu Deutsch can be used as a course with level-based lessons, grammar exercises, and conversation practice. Some features are subscription-based, so before you pay, it’s worth checking which features are available specifically for German and your level.
Babbel Deutsch
Babbel Deutsch is a good fit for those who need short, structured lessons with audio, phrases for everyday situations, and a gradual approach to grammar. At an intermediate level, it’s best used as supplementary practice rather than as your sole language resource.
Grammar, exercises, and articles
DeutschAkademie
At DeutschAkademie, you can practice grammar and vocabulary by topic. This resource is useful when you need to do more than just read a rule—you need to complete many similar exercises and see where you keep making the same mistakes.
Deutschlernerblog
Deutschlernerblog offers grammar explanations, exercises, flashcards, idioms, and materials for different levels. It’s convenient to use on an as-needed basis: for example, when you need to work on a specific topic, a set phrase, or a vocabulary unit.
Der Die Das
Der Die Das helps you memorize German noun articles. While such practice tools aren’t a substitute for a comprehensive study of grammar, they work well as a short daily practice: 5–10 minutes spent on articles is more beneficial than infrequent, lengthy sessions.
Free courses and official platforms
vhs-Lernportal
VHS-Lernportal offers free online German courses, including levels for everyday life and professional contexts. This is a good option for those who need a more structured learning path than just individual exercises in an app.
Deutsche Welle and Nicos Weg
Deutsche Welle has a free section at Deutsch lernen with courses, videos, and materials organized by proficiency level. For beginners, “Nicos Weg” is particularly useful: the series format helps you hear authentic dialogues and connect vocabulary to everyday situations.
Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut publishes free exercises and materials for practicing German. They’re a great supplement to a course, especially if you’re following the CEFR levels and want to practice reading, listening, and basic vocabulary.
Videos, spoken language, and reading
Easy German
Easy German is useful for listening practice: the street interviews feature natural speech, different accents, and everyday expressions. For beginners, it’s better to turn on subtitles and write down short phrases rather than trying to understand every word right away.
deutsch.info
deutsch.info It combines lessons, grammar, a media library, and exercises. One advantage of this resource is its multilingual support: if the German explanations are still too difficult, you can start with a more understandable interface language and gradually transition to German.
Easyoriginal.com and Ilya Frank’s Method
Easyoriginal.com This might be a good fit for those who want to read adapted texts with translation support as they read. This format helps you get used to German syntax and expand your vocabulary, but it’s best to combine it with listening practice and active conversation practice.
Pre-made sets by proficiency level
A1-A2
- a structured course: vhs-Lernportal, Deutsche Welle/Nicos Weg, or Busuu;
- vocabulary: ReWord Deutsch;
- Articles: Der, Die, Das;
- Listening: short videos from Deutsche Welle or Easy German with subtitles.
B1-B2
- grammar and exercises: DeutschAkademie, Deutschlernerblog;
- Listening: Easy German, Deutsche Welle, interviews, and podcasts with subtitles;
- Reading: deutsch.info, adapted books, news for language learners;
- Conversation practice: lessons with a teacher, language tandems, or conversation clubs.
How to Study to Make Progress
- Practice for a short time every day: 20 minutes regularly is more effective than one long session once a week.
- Break down the skills: vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking each require different exercises.
- Don’t learn words out of context: write down the entire phrase and an example sentence.
- Review your mistakes: a list of recurring errors often reveals which topic you need to work on.
- Test out paid features before subscribing: levels, exercises, and service availability may change.
Self-study resources accelerate progress when they’re integrated into a clear plan. Choose one main course, one vocabulary tool, and one listening resource, and then add additional materials only when you understand what purpose they serve.
