The 9 best websites to learn German

What are the best websites to learn German out there?

Lingoda	Best for flexibility and speaking practice
Deutsch Akademie	Most comprehensive grammar program
Deutsche Welle	German courses available in multiple languages
Goethe Institut	Globally recognized institution
FluentU	Great for pronunciation and listening practice
Duolingo	Optimal for beginners
Babbel	Well-structured short lessons
DUO: Deutsch-Uni Online	Best for university preparation
GermanPod 101	Extensive library of lesson materials

1. Lingoda

Lingoda is one of the best websites to learn German: All you need to take a German class is a computer and a sufficient internet connection. You get to choose a time slot that fits within your busy schedule and you can elect to take private classes or join small group online lessons for learning German. Both offer distinct advantages, depending on what kind of learner you are. Lingoda follows the methodology of immersion, so your online German classes feature both speaking practice and situations which you can immediately apply outside of the classroom to start speaking. You’ll learn from highly qualified and certified native-lvel speakers in a rotating schedule with tailored and unique learning materials. Learning German with Lingoda is as easy as choosing a time and joining a class, either month-to-month or with our language sprint, the most effective path to guaranteed fluency in German and definitely one of the best ways to learn German online.

Lingoda offers a number of plans: 

• Flex: A monthly subscription that you can flexibly adjust to fit your needs and schedule.
• Sprint: This is a two-month learning challenge. You take either 15 classes per month for the Sprint challenge or 30 classes per month for the Super Sprint challenge. If you follow the Sprint rules and complete your challenge successfully, you’ll receive 50% of your money back or credits for bonus classes to keep learning!
• Teams: A group course with a dedicated team and teacher. You’ll complete one language level with the same group and teacher in two or three months.

Pros

• Small group classes
• Flexible class scheduling
• Speak from day 1
• Native-level teachers

Cons

• The focus is not on writing

2. Deutsch Akademie

Deutsch Akademie features a very comprehensive grammar training for free and designed by experienced German teachers. You’ll get a complete overview of your progress, can ask questions in the forum, follow online exercises organized according to course material and read up on German grammar rules. You can study by yourself with this free course or use it to supplement the online live course that the Deutsch Akademie also offers, featuring small groups and live teachers. These paid courses are typically intensive programs lasting 4, 8, or 12 weeks, with 3-4 hours of class per day.

Pros

• Different offers: free resources and paid live classes
• Qualified teachers
• Precise placement test

Cons

• Live courses not as flexible

3. Deutsche Welle

Deutsche Welle or DW for short is Germany’s international broadcaster and media outlet with multimedia content in 30 languages and surely one of the best websites to learn German. This includes highly comprehensive material for learning German up to Level C. The course finder and placement test help you start at the right level and use the e-learning materials with worksheets, videos, audio clips and podcasts at your own pace and with your preferred device. Interactive lessons complement your independent learning and there is also a vocabulary trainer. The DW German courses are available in a wide range of languages, which apart from English include Turkish, Russian, Spanish, Chinese or Arabic.

Pros

• Great extra resources on top of a live class
• High-quality materials
• Free of charge

Cons

• Not very interactive
• Not a standalone course

4. Goethe Institut

The Goethe-Institut is Germany’s cultural institute and active around the world, promoting the language and a cultural exchange. They offer a couple of resources for practising German for free, such as “Deutsch für dich” with tutorials, learning tips and a forum as well as business German and German exercises for immigrants. However, there online German classes starting at A1 level for beginners up to C level follow a placement test and are not free of charge. You can choose your own starting date and personal schedule and learn with your own tutor online.

Pros

• Globally recognized institution
• Structured curriculum
• Experienced German teachers

Cons

• Limited availability of online courses, a lot of courses are still offline
• Relatively expensive course fees

5. FluentU

FluentU wants to teach you languages not through traditional means but rich and multimedia language immersion. To learn German, you have a range of real-world content available, including music videos, movie trailers, news and interactive stories to personalize your learning experience. The idea is that you get to learn German as it’s spoken in real life, outside of textbook situations, through immersion and with structure and support to build your grammar and vocabulary. You can filter the content by your level, by topic, or by format. FluentU offers a free trial, but the service itself is not free; there are both yearly and monthly subscriptions available.

Pros

• Immersive learning experience
• Flexible learning
• Great for pronunciation and listening

Cons

• No interaction to practice speaking
• No curriculum

6. Duolingo

Duolingo remains one of the most popular ways of learning new languages online because thanks to advertising, the platform is still free. You’ll have to watch a brief ad or video after each lesson if you don’t opt for the premium mode Duolingo Plus with additional features. Duolingo will keep you going with its gamification approach: rewards, unlocking levels and the option of comparing yourself to others ensure you stay motivated, chasing those streaks and virtual coins. Lessons adapt to your learning style and you can choose to do speaking exercises also or learn German with Duolingo stories. Immediate grading helps you visualize and correct your mistakes and there is also a vocabulary mode. The bite-sized lessons are perfect if you only have a little time each day.

While Duolingo includes speaking exercises, it doesn't fully replicate real-life conversations. Focus on grammar and vocabulary alongside Duolingo for a well-rounded learning experience.

Pros

• Gamified learning experience
• Variety of exercises
• Free version

Cons

• Too easy for advanced learners
• Repetitive exercises

7. Babbel

Babbel often comes to mind when thinking about the best websites to learn German. It offers a wide selection of German courses, ranging from beginner to intermediate levels. Once you've downloaded the app and subscribed, you can dive into learning right away. The lessons emphasize practical phrases over standalone vocabulary, with brief exercises designed to reinforce what you've just studied.

As you finish each lesson, you can move on to more advanced material. The courses are well-organized, ensuring that learners progress without feeling overwhelmed. For those interested in live instruction, Babbel Live offers group or private online classes.

Babbel's offer includes a 6-month, 12-month, or lifetime subscriptions.

Pros

• Good for beginners to intermediate learners
• Well-structured lessons
• Easy to fit into every schedule

Cons

• Repetitive exercises
• Lack of variety of lessons for higher levels

8. Duo: Deutsch-Uni online

DUO is short for Deutsch-Uni Online, a website with courses aimed at basic, intermediate and advanced-level German learners. They specifically target those who are looking to study in Germany. You can also choose business German courses for a career in Germany. Learning with DUO can be on your own, with the support of other learners, or with an online teacher. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the German language skills needed for everyday academic life in Germany. If you choose an online tutor, your coursework will be corrected regularly.

Pros

• Great for university preparation
• Targeted preparation for the TestDaF exam
• Experienced tutors

Cons

• Limited flexibility
• More expensive than apps

9. Germanpod101

GermanPod101 teaches you German online through real German conversations. As a beginner, you can slow things down to the level you need. Their big advantage is the extensive library of many lessons targeting beginners to advanced learners which makes it one of the best websites to learn German. Study tools for learning include word lists, slideshows, flashcards and quizzes. For GermanPod101 classes, you can choose between a basic, premium and premium plus subscription, which will give you one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor and a personalized program.

GermanPod101 offers flexible pricing options: free plan, Basic, Premium, and Premium Plus plans. The Premium Plus plan includes personalized guidance from a German teacher.

Pros

• Suitable for all levels
• Free option
• Variety of cultural topics

Cons

• No direct interaction with native speakers
• Quality of videos varies

What is the best website to learn German for you?

So, which website is the best for you? The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to learning German. The ideal platform depends on your individual learning style, proficiency level, and linguistic goals. While Lingoda's flexibility is the way to go if you have a busy schedule; the Goethe Institute might be the choice of those who can attend or are motivated by an in-person learning environment. Whether you're a beginner looking for a solid foundation (which you can get through apps like Babbel or Duolingo) or an advanced learner seeking to fine-tune your skills, the 10 websites we've highlighted offer a diverse range of resources to cater to your needs.

Consistency and enjoyment remain the key to a successful language-learning experience. Feel free to explore the different options and approaches, and find the website that inspires you to keep coming back.