What to look for in an app
- Brazilian or European Portuguese. Brazilian (pt-BR) and European (pt-PT) Portuguese differ in pronunciation, some vocabulary and everyday forms of address. If you are learning for Brazil, check that the audio and vocabulary are Brazilian.
- Speaking practice. Check whether you say words and sentences out loud and get feedback, or mostly tap and type answers.
- Spaced review. Check whether earlier words and phrases come back at intervals, so you keep what you learned.
- Platforms. Check which devices the app runs on, and whether that matches where you will practise.
How the options compare
| App | Brazilian focus | Speaking practice | Spaced review | Platforms | How pricing works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FalaZay | Brazilian Portuguese, with a Pronunciation Lab for challenging Brazilian sounds | Pronunciation Lab; with AI features enabled, speaking feedback on words and sounds and an AI conversation tutor (Bia) | Yes, spaced review in short eight-card games | iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later) | Free download. Lessons require FalaZay Pro, a weekly or annual subscription. The price is shown in the app. |
| Duolingo | See their site | Courses teach speaking alongside reading, writing and listening | Mistakes review. See their site for details | iPhone and Android apps | Free tier. Super and Super Family subscriptions with a 1-week free trial. |
| Babbel | Its Portuguese course page says Brazilian Portuguese is the variety it focuses on | Speech recognition for pronunciation and conversation practice with an AI partner | Yes, a spaced-repetition Review tool | iOS and Android apps | Subscription. The first lesson of every course is free, and a free trial is offered. |
| Pimsleur | Separate Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese courses | Audio lessons where you answer out loud, and Voice Coach with AI voice recognition | Yes, Graduated Interval Recall and spaced repetition | iOS, Android, web, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Alexa | Single-language or All Access subscription with a 7-day free trial. Courses are also sold as a one-time lifetime purchase. |
Who each option suits
- Duolingo: Learners who want to start on a free tier, in an iPhone or Android app.
- Babbel: Learners who want speech recognition, AI conversation practice and spaced-repetition review in an iOS or Android app.
- Pimsleur: Learners who want to choose between Brazilian and European Portuguese courses and practise by answering audio out loud, including in the car.
Who FalaZay is for
- Brazilian Portuguese for heritage families
- Learn Brazilian Portuguese for your partner and in-laws
- Learn Brazilian Portuguese before you move or travel
Get FalaZay
FalaZay is a free download for iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later). Lessons require FalaZay Pro.
