10 Best Online French Classes in 2022

Over 275 million people speak French around the world. Believe it or not, many non-native speakers learned to speak French solely through online courses.

Nowadays, you can learn just about anything online, including an entire language as complex as French. There are dozens of full-scale French courses available on the internet, along with thousands of independent tutors you can hire by the hour.

The question is, how do you pick the right one? That’s where we come in to help you choose between the 10 best online French classes available.

We’ve researched for you so you wouldn’t have to spend hours reading lengthy course reviews online. Our top 10 courses are ranked based on the ‘best for’ feature so you can easily find the one that fits your language-learning needs.

Moreover, we looked into details such as the quality of content, ease of use, special features, as well as pros and cons of each course. Depending on whether you’re a visual or auditory learner, our ranking list will help you choose a course that aligns with your learning preferences.

With that said, let’s get into the 10 best online French classes in 2022!

Best Online French Courses Ranked

#1 Rocket Languages – Best overall

The Rocket French course made it to the top of our list thanks to its exciting lessons designed to inspire and motivate you to learn French. What most language learners struggle with is staying motivated enough to go through course materials and put in the work. Rocket French makes this easy by giving you the freedom to shape your learning experience however you prefer.

This course is made to fit your language-learning goals and deliver results better than you’d expect. Still, you should keep in mind that the outcome will depend on how much time and effort you put into learning the language. With Rocket French, you won’t have trouble focusing or motivating yourself to do the work.

The course was created by a team of passionate French speakers who put a lot of emphasis on speaking practice, along with writing and reading. After all, the French language has a unique pronunciation that may be difficult to learn for non-native speakers.

With Rocket French course materials, you’ll easily learn the ins and outs of French grammar, as well as practice and adopt pronunciation through audio material. There are many interactive features involved, including voice recognition that allows you to repeat phrases and check if you got the pronunciation right.

What we like best about Rocket French is its user-friendly interface and a gamified system where you can keep track of a leaderboard and your daily streaks. This type of progress tracking motivates students to show up and do the work because it feels like they’re playing a fun game.

According to users online, one downside to this course is a more expensive price. Rocket French offers three course levels starting at $99.95 for level 1, all the way to $259.90 for all three levels combined. Each of the levels offers an assessment quiz at the end to help you revise what you’ve learned.

Pros:

• Lots of audio material
• Emphasis on speaking skills
• Gamified leaderboard system
• Fun and easy to use

Cons:

• Repetitive lessons

#2 French Uncovered – Best for Storytelling

French Uncovered offers a unique approach to language learning where you go through stories and learn words and grammar along the way. This method makes French Uncovered a very beginner-friendly course with a focus on solidifying baseline knowledge before moving on to the complex stuff.

This course is designed to take you from the beginner A0 level to B1 lower intermediate level. Hence, if you already have intermediate-level knowledge, this course won’t be a good fit for you. However, for those who are complete beginners, French Uncovered is one of the best ways to start building the foundation of your French language skills.

The course consists of 20 chapters that follow the ‘storylearning’ approach, as coined by Olly Richards, the creator of French Uncovered. Each chapter explores a different part of the story, which you can read or listen to depending on your preference. Keep in mind that this is a self-study course, meaning it does not offer any live interaction with French speakers.

However, you will get to watch dozens of video lessons that go over the words, grammar, and pronunciation relevant to each chapter. You will also be quizzed at the end of each chapter to make sure you have understood the materials.

On top of the 20 chapters with multiple lessons in each, you will receive three course bonuses including video, audio, and text materials. When it comes to pricing, French Uncovered is currently available at $297 along with a one-week free trial. It’s important to address that there is a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not happy with the course materials.

Pros:

• 100+ hours of study material.
• Fun storytelling method.
• Lifetime access with a one-time fee.
• Challenging and suitable for beginners.

Cons:

• Not suitable for intermediate-level learners.
• Expensive

#3 FrenchPod101 – Best for Budgeting

FrenchPod101 is an engaging subscription program for language learners on a budget. It’s also a great fit for those who don’t have much time to invest in learning a new language. Their material is cut into short lessons so it’s easy to fit learning into your daily schedule and pick up where you left off.

Moreover, FrenchPod101 offers a great mobile user interface, which makes it a good option for learners who are always on the go. Once you purchase the yearly subscription worth USD 180, you’ll get access to a large library of learning materials.

The library includes video lessons, audio lessons, French word lists, and flashcards, along with a dictionary. Although their platform may not be the most advanced language learning software out there, it packs a lot of value for only $180. The only downside is that there is no structure to follow.

FrenchPod101 allows you to choose which lessons you want to pick up every day. This can be both a positive and a negative feature, depending on your approach to language learning. If you’re looking for a more structured course, then FrenchPod101 is not the best fit for you. It’s also important to mention that this course does not offer any type of interaction with instructors.

Pros:

• Simple lesson formats.
• Audio lessons available.
• Convenient to use on mobile devices.
• Lots of materials for different levels.

Cons:

• Short dialogues.
• Lots of ads and up-selling.
• Yearly subscription pricing model.

#4 Frantastique – Best for Entertainment

If you’re looking to learn French and be entertained along the way, then Frantastique is a great course to consider. It offers an immersive experience that combines AI technologies and language learning. Their AI system studies your learning preferences to provide lessons that are the best fit for your current needs.

Each day you will receive one lesson that’s aligned with your language capabilities and learning goals. The only downside is that you can only access one lesson per day. Therefore, if you’re looking for a course where you can access tons of materials at once, this is not it.

However, there are positive sides to this type of structure. For example, the platform is really easy to use, and it offers personalized corrections and explanations thanks to AI technology. Moreover, having access to only one lesson per day has its purpose – you are meant to be building your streak and thus maintaining good progress.

In that sense, the microlearning structure is meant to encourage and motivate you to tap into your lessons every day knowing that you only have to spend 15 minutes to improve your French.  We should also mention that the course is available on multiple platforms, including web, mobile, and tablet.

The pricing depends on the subscription plan you choose, along with the length of the subscription. The monthly subscription fee ranges between $36 to $98. You can give Frantastique a shot for free as well – just sign up for their 7-lesson free trial.

Pros:

• Unique learning system that uses artificial intelligence
• Lots of revisions
• Personalized daily lessons

Cons:

• Expensive recurring subscriptions
• Limited to 5 lessons a week (1 lesson per day)

#5 Live Lingua – Best for Self-Paced Learning

If you’re looking for one on one lessons with a real person, Live Lingua is a good option to consider. Unlike the courses, we listed above, Live Lingua is a language learning service where you can get access to personalized lessons from a native speaker.

The Live Lingua French lessons range in price from $10.99 to $16 per hour. The total price of your language learning experience will depend on the number of hours you decide to book. This pricing structure makes Live Lingua more expensive than the course alternatives listed above.

However, if you want to have a couple of live lessons here and there, you can combine this language learning service with one of the subscription-based or one-time purchase courses. Once you sign up at Live Lingua, they will match you with a native speaker so you can set up your first live lesson.

You’ll also get your first 60-minute live lesson completely for free! Unlike with other courses we listed above, Live Lingua does not offer a lesson plan that you can follow. Instead, your instructor will provide lesson materials as they see fit. However, you will have access to learning tools and extra materials available for free.

Quick tip – if you want to save some money on your live one-on-one French classes, book multiple lessons in advance to get a discount!

Pros:

• Lessons with native speakers
• Plenty of free materials
• Periodic evaluations
• Personalized classes

Cons:

• Not the best user-interface
• Lengthy signup procedure

#6 FIAF Online Classes – Best for Kids and Teens

FIAF or the French Institute Alliance Francaise offers immersive classes for language learners of all skill levels. Each class at FIAF is led by native French teachers who will not only help you master grammar and pronunciation but also give you an insight into French culture.

By purchasing your French course, you will also receive a one-year FIAF membership for free, which means you’ll get access to extra materials, libraries, and other helpful features. FIAF allows you to choose between group classes categorized by age and private lessons that can be held both online or in person.

The online lessons allow you to get the full language learning experience from the comfort of your home, at any time you desire. FIAF language teachers create personalized lessons tailored specifically to your level of knowledge. However, you’ll also receive textbook content and course materials so you can follow a structure throughout your language journey.

FIAF is one of the rare French language class providers that offer both live personalized lessons and structured course materials. The only thing you should keep in mind is that FIAF French lessons are far more expensive than average language courses. The hourly rates for private lessons start at $75.

Pros:

• 1 on 1 private lessons available.
• Customized approach.
• Lessons held by native French teachers.
• Suitable for language learners of all skill levels.

Cons:

• Expensive private lessons

#7 Babbel – Best for Dialogue Practice

Named after the famous story of the Tower of Babel, this language learning program offers a very user-friendly web and mobile application with multiple features. From beginner-friendly lessons to podcasts for more advanced French speakers, there are materials available for language learners of all skill levels.

When it comes to interface and usability, the platform is simple and easy to use. Its structure is very straightforward and doesn’t require much time to navigate around. With Babbel, you can learn how to read, write, speak, and listen to French speakers with intention and understanding.

Their lessons are usually short and easy to follow with lots of repetition and fill-in-the-blank exercises. The repetitiveness might seem boring and unexciting but it does help you adopt new words and phrases more easily. To some, Babbel French lessons may seem boring because of this traditional approach to language learning.

Although Babbel’s pricing model is based on a monthly subscription, their fees are very affordable. You can subscribe to this platform for as little as $12.95 per month or save some money by buying multiple subscriptions at once.

Pros:

• Available on both web and mobile platforms.
• Great user experience.
• Affordable pricing.
• Great for dialogue practice.

Cons:

• Repetitive and somewhat unexciting lessons.

#8 Preply – Best for Live 1-on-1 Classes with a Tutor

Next up is Preply, one of the best places to find one on one classes with French-speaking tutors. This EdTech company delivers over 300 000 language lessons each month with thousands of tutors available to jump in and help you reach your language learning goals.

Preply allows you to easily find and connect with a native speaker to schedule French lessons at a time and pace that best suit your needs. Keep in mind that Preply on its own is not a language course provider – it’s only a marketplace where you can find and book live one on one lessons.

The good news is that the platform offers thousands of qualified and certified tutors who can create customized learning plans for you and provide the materials you will need along the way. When it comes to pricing, the hourly rates at Preply start at around $16 and go all the way up to and above $40 per hour.

With a platform like this, you really get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a structured language learning experience and interaction with a native speaker, make sure to choose a tutor who can meet those expectations. Keep in mind that tutors who offer such great in-depth teaching services usually charge more money per hour.

Pros:

• Easily find your language coach and book classes that fit your budget and schedule.
• Learn French from basic to advanced levels.
• Have live lessons with native speakers

Cons:

• Difficult to predict the outcome as it depends on the tutor you choose.

#9 Language Transfer – Best for Beginners

If you’re an absolute beginner and would like to start from the basics, then the Language Transfer course is the best fit for you. Although this course was not made by a native speaker, it provides a great foundation for beginners looking to take their French language skills to the next level.

Language Transfer has its good and bad sides. One of the good sides is that it offers a dedicated mobile app for both Android and iOS devices. On top of that, it’s completely free! Although the website offers a simple and clean interface and very detailed courses, you might find it difficult to follow courses in their non-linear order.

Besides, the courses are meant to be taken at your own pace so there is no way for you to measure progress within the French learning app. If we put these few hiccups on the side, Language Transfer offers very thorough materials and lessons focused on helping you understand rather than memorize the language.

Pros:

• Casual, relaxed learning.
• Designed for beginners.
• Simple interface, easy to use.
• Completely free.

Cons:

• The instructor is not a native speaker.
• You’ll need to look further for more advanced materials once you get past the beginner stage.
• No way to measure progress.

#10 The Mimic Method – Best for Learning Pronunciation

Last but not least, we decided to add The Mimic Method to the list, which offers a very easy-to-use platform with a focus on learning pronunciation. The Mimic Method is not technically a course but rather a language learning method that allows you to pick up sounds, replicate, and reproduce them to master French pronunciation.

Mind you, The Mimic Method is one of the most expensive options on our list, even though they recently cut its price from $394 to $197. There’s a strong idea behind The Mimic Method that learning by ear is the best way of learning a language, as opposed to reading and writing.

That’s why this course offers a fully auditory experience that will teach you how to understand, recognize, and mimic sounds in French. However, it won’t teach you any grammar or vocabulary so you will have to follow another course alongside this one. If you’re looking for a structured approach to learning both grammar and vocabulary, this is not it.

However, for those who want to master pronunciation and learn how to listen to and understand the French language, you’ve got a green light to try the Mimic Method!

Pros:

• Focus on pronunciation.
• In-depth learning experience.
• Unique approach to mastering pronunciation.

Cons:

• You don’t get much material to follow.
• Expensive for what it is.
• Won’t teach you grammar or vocabulary.

Benefits of Learning French Online?

What if online French classes are not as efficient as in-person classes? What if you can’t learn a language without in-person interactions? Who is going to hold you accountable for your progress?

Those are only a few out of many questions people ask themselves before taking on an online language course. It’s natural for these common objections to arise when you’re looking to do something new and out of the ordinary.

Most people are used to ‘traditional’ learning methods that include visiting a physical location or classroom, which makes them hesitant about virtual learning. If you’re on the edge here and you need some reassurance that online French classes can work for you, we’ve put together a list of benefits of learning a language online!

#1 The Flexibility of Time

Let’s start with the fact that online learning allows you to pick up classes whenever it’s convenient for you. With traditional teaching methods, there is always a fixed time frame involved, meaning you have to attend classes when they are scheduled. Online learning, however, allows you to create your schedule and take things as slowly or as quickly as you want to.

With that said, online French classes are great for people who work 9-to-5 or have lots of responsibilities throughout the day.

If you’re a busy bee but you still want to set some time aside for learning this beautiful language, online classes will help you fit this hobby into your daily routine.

#2 The Flexibility of Location

It’s already great that you can take online classes whenever you want but, what’s even better is that you can take them from any place you choose!

Unlike traditional classes that require you to be present at a certain location, online classes can be done from anywhere as long as you have a stable internet connection.

You can take your online French classes with you whether you’re traveling, working, or even just going out for a walk.

#3 Learning at Your Own Pace

By far the best benefit of learning French online is that you can do things at your own pace. Traditional classes can rarely be customized and made to fit every single student, simply because there is a group of people attending the same classes.

With online language courses, you have complete freedom to make the curriculum fit your personal needs. You can choose how quickly you want to go through the lessons, which lessons you want to prioritize, or even skip if you’ve already got good baseline knowledge.

Besides, online classes are much easier to access as you can attend them on your tablet, computer, or even smartphone. With that in mind, you can easily fit this new learning experience into your daily routine.

#4 More Resources Available

If you choose to learn a language online, you will have a wide selection of resources to choose from, including material such as audios, articles, videos with subtitles, and educational presentations.

On top of that, many tools can make your language learning experience even better, such as Skype, Zoom, and other platforms you can use to interact with people and practice speaking French.

#5 Access to Native Speakers

If you were to choose traditional in-person French classes, you might not be lucky enough to have a native speaker assigned as your teacher. Online language learning, however, allows you to access native speakers easily and learn from people who speak French as their main language.

Although many non-native speakers are fluent in French, it’s always best to spend some time speaking with a native French person to pick up the accent and learn the ins and outs of the language.

#6 Access to Personalized Tools

Last but not least, we want to emphasize the fact that learning French online makes for a much more personalized experience compared to taking a group class in a classroom. Why? Because you have 24/7 access to materials so you have more time to practice.

You also have the freedom to choose which types of materials work best for you. With online language learning, you’re the one shaping the experience, meaning you get to decide what type of approach is the best fit for your learning preferences.

#7 Flexible Pricing

If you’re on a budget and looking to save some money while still getting a good language learning experience, then online lessons are the best option for you. While there certainly are many expensive online French courses and classes out there, you can easily find a couple that fit your budget.

Besides choosing budget-friendly French courses, you’ll also save money and time on commuting since you won’t have to travel to a physical classroom. Overall, online lessons beat traditional ones in so many ways, that it’s impossible not to see the value in them!

How We Chose the Best Online French Classes

We took our time to look into dozens of online French classes and put together a list that showcases the most important details about each course. Naturally, we followed a strict set of criteria for each course.

First and foremost, we looked at the learning interface and how user-friendly it was. After all, the best French online courses should have a simple and easy-to-use structure. There’s no point in signing up for a course that’s going to take hours of your time just to figure out how it works. 

Then we looked at the overall convenience the course offers – whether it is available on mobile devices and multiple platforms. More importantly, we kept an eye out for good instructors. Classes held by native speakers were a plus, although not mandatory for a course to make it to our list.

We focused more on the quality of content and the results it can provide. The effectiveness of the course played a big role in our decision-making process. After all, we wanted to choose courses that provide a good outcome along with a comfortable learning experience. 

Here’s a summary of the criteria we followed to rank the 10 online French courses listed above:

• User-friendliness & learning interface
• Convenience
• Quality of content
• Clear Results and Outcomes, effectiveness
• Available platforms
• Mobile devices
• Types of course(s)
• Instructors

Conclusion

This marks the end of our quite lengthy list of best online French courses for language learners of all skill levels. We did our best to find courses and classes that fit different learning styles and budgets. With that said, we’ll leave you with our recommendation when it comes to which French language course you should choose.

After thorough research and analysis of users’ reviews, we’ve decided that Rocket French fits our idea of the best language learning platform. Why? Because the course is fun and easy to follow yet it still goes in-depth on grammar and vocabulary topics that every new French speaker should adopt early on.

Feel free to skim through our list of the 10 best online French classes again and pick the one that best suits your skill set and learning preferences. If you’re still not sure whether online classes are the best way to go, check out our list of benefits to online language learning above.