Busuu review 2027

What problem does Busuu solve, and who is it for?

Busuu is the closest thing to a course with a teacher at app prices: structured to CEFR and corrected by people. That combination is the whole pitch. Most apps let you tap answers in private and never tell you whether your own sentences are right; Busuu puts your writing and speaking in front of native speakers in the community, who correct it, usually within hours. The courses follow CEFR levels A1–B2 and come with certificates, and a study plan sets a target date and schedules review so the work keeps moving. It finished a few points behind Babbel and costs less; the community feedback is the reason to choose it. It is for learners who want their writing corrected, and it is the cheapest paid annual plan in this test.

How did we score Busuu?

We scored Busuu across five criteria for a total of 7.9 out of 10.

• Teaching method — 23 out of 30. This measures speaking practice, grammar explanation, spaced repetition and real dialogue, and what the 30 days actually built.
• Measured result — 19 out of 25. This is the score on the same A1 placement test after 30 days. Busuu reached 74%.
• Languages & depth — 12 out of 15. How many languages, and how far the course goes, whether A1 only or to B2 and beyond. Busuu covers 14 languages to B2.
• Value — 17 out of 20. Price per month on the annual plan and whether a free tier is usable. Busuu has both a free tier and the lowest annual price here.
• Experience — 8 out of 10. Apps, offline mode, speech recognition and live tutoring options.

The teaching method and measured result carry the most weight, and Busuu is solid on both without leading either. Value is where it gains ground.

What does Busuu do best?

The community correction is the standout. You write or speak, native speakers mark it, and the turnaround is usually within hours. That is a feedback loop no amount of multiple-choice tapping replaces, and it is why the app suits learners who want their writing corrected rather than only recognised.

The structure is the second strength. Courses follow CEFR levels A1–B2 with certificates, so progress maps to a recognised scale rather than an internal streak. The study plan sets a target date and schedules review, which turns a vague intention into a calendar. On measured results, Busuu scored 74% on the same A1 placement test after 30 days. And on price, it is the cheapest paid annual plan in this comparison at $6.95/mo.

What is Busuu made of?

The specification is straightforward. Busuu covers 14 languages. Premium starts from $6.95/mo on the annual plan, and there is a free tier. Live tutors are available through Busuu Live at extra cost, and speech recognition is included. Offline lessons are supported, the course takes you to B2, and it runs on iOS, Android and web.

How does Busuu compare with the rivals we tested?

Babbel scored 8.6 and costs from $8.95/mo on the annual plan, with a lifetime option at $299 list. It also covers 14 languages and reaches B2 in major languages, and it offers Babbel Live at extra cost. Babbel finished ahead on our A1 test, which is where Busuu gives up ground; Busuu answers with the lower annual price and the community correction model Babbel does not use.

italki scored 8.6 and is priced from $10/lesson, with tutors setting prices typically between $8 and $30 per hour. It covers 150 languages, has no free tier beyond discounted trial lessons, and live tutors are the entire product rather than an add-on. It takes you to any level. If one-to-one speaking is the goal, italki is the faster route; Busuu is the cheaper, self-paced one with written feedback built in.

Pimsleur scored 8.0 and costs $19.95/mo for one language or $20.95/mo for all languages, with a 7-day trial. It covers 51 languages, has no live tutors, includes speech recognition through Voice Coach, works offline, reaches B1 and runs on iOS, Android, web and Alexa. Pimsleur is audio-first and built for the commute; Busuu is broader in level and gives you human correction instead.

Where does Busuu fall short?

It lost on languages and app polish. The 14 languages are the narrowest range among the main rivals here, well behind italki's 150 and Pimsleur's 51. Community correction quality varies, so the feedback you get depends on who picks up your exercise. And Chegg ownership has brought more upsells, which shows up in the push toward paid extras.

Is Busuu worth the price?

Premium starts from $6.95/mo on the annual plan, and that is the cheapest paid annual plan in this comparison. The value criterion scored 17 out of 20, which reflects both the price per month and the fact that the free tier is usable rather than a locked demo. If you want the lowest annual outlay with a real course structure behind it, this is the plan to beat.

Who should buy Busuu?

Learners who want their writing corrected. If you are working through CEFR levels A1–B2 and want native speakers to mark what you produce, usually within hours, Busuu delivers that at the lowest annual price here. If you need a rare language, one-to-one speaking from day one, or an audio-only commute course, the rivals above fit better.