Best Free Spanish Learning Resources and Apps

By Stacy Ochuka

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March 18, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Free online Spanish courses

Best free Spanish learning apps

Free YouTube channels for learning Spanish

Free Spanish podcasts & audio lessons

Free Spanish learning websites & study tools

Language exchange & community-based learning

How to make the most of no-cost Spanish learning resources

Conclusion & next steps

Introduction

Want to learn Spanish but don’t want to spend money on expensive courses? You don’t have to! Many free Spanish learning apps and resources can help you get started. This is true whether you're a beginner or want to improve your skills.

This guide has the best free resources to learn Spanish. You’ll find open source Spanish courses, free language apps, self-study materials, YouTube channels, and podcasts. You'll also learn how to get the most out of apps like Duolingo and other free tools.

What you’ll learn in this guide:

1. Free online Spanish courses

If you like a structured way to learn, free online Spanish courses provide lessons that build on each other. They include grammar explanations and interactive exercises to help you improve.

Top free Spanish courses:

Duolingo – Gamified learning

Best for: Beginners who enjoy bite-sized lessons and game-like learning.

Why it’s great:

Fun and interactive lessons with streak rewards.
Covers vocabulary, grammar, listening, and pronunciation.
Includes a free placement test to determine your level.

Downside: The free version has ads, and explanations are limited.

BBC Languages – Multimedia course

Best for: Learners who prefer structured, traditional-style lessons.

Why it’s great:

Video-based lessons with real-life Spanish conversations.
Interactive exercises, quizzes, and cultural insights.
Covers basic to intermediate levels.

Downside: No speaking practice or feedback.

OpenLearn Spanish – University-level learning

Best for: Self-motivated learners who want an academic approach.

Why it’s great:

Free courses from The Open University.
Detailed lessons with grammar, listening, and reading practice.
Includes PDF downloads and study guides.

Downside: No interaction with teachers or native speakers.

Pro tip: Combine free Spanish lessons with apps for a well-rounded learning experience.

2. Best free Spanish learning apps

Mobile apps make it easy to practice Spanish daily, even on a tight schedule. Here are the best free Spanish apps for learning Spanish. Our analysis highlights the key features of the top-rated Spanish learning apps for 2025 compared:

Duolingo

Best for vocabulary & basic grammar.
Fun, gamified lessons with progress tracking.
Free, but the premium version removes ads.

Memrise

Best for memorizing words & phrases with AI-driven exercises.
Uses spaced repetition for better retention.
Video-based pronunciation training with native speakers.

Busuu

Best for structured lessons with interactive exercises.
Free version offers reading, writing, and listening practice.
Includes AI-based feedback on pronunciation.

Tandem & HelloTalk

Best for real-life conversation practice.
Connects learners with native Spanish speakers for free Spanish lessons online.
Free text, voice, and video chat options.

Downside: Some features require a paid version, and you need to find reliable language partners.

Pro tip: Combine Duolingo for vocabulary, Busuu for structured lessons, and Tandem for speaking practice.

3. Free YouTube channels for learning Spanish

YouTube is one of the best free resources for learning Spanish because it offers visual and auditory learning experiences.

Top Spanish learning YouTube channels:

Butterfly Spanish

Best for beginner & intermediate learners.
Clear grammar explanations with real-life examples.
Engaging, native-Spanish instructor with an energetic style.

SpanishPod101

Best for listening comprehension.
Covers grammar, pronunciation, and culture.
New lessons uploaded weekly.

Dreaming Spanish

Best for learning through storytelling.
Uses comprehensible input to help you understand Spanish naturally.
No English explanations—full immersion approach.

Pro tip: Watch at least 10 minutes per day of Spanish content with subtitles for faster comprehension.

4. Free Spanish podcasts & audio lessons

Podcasts are a great way to improve your listening skills and learn Spanish while doing everyday tasks like commuting or cooking.

Top free Spanish podcasts:

Coffee break Spanish

Best for step-by-step structured learning.
Clear grammar explanations and practical examples.
Engaging host with an easy-to-follow format.

Duolingo Spanish podcast

Best for beginner to intermediate learners.
Features real-life stories told in slow Spanish.
Free Spanish lessons online and available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Notes in Spanish

Best for real-world Spanish listening.
Hosted by a native Spanish speaker and an English learner.
Covers daily conversations in Spain & Latin America.

Pro tip: Slow down podcast speed in the beginning for better comprehension.

5. Free Spanish learning websites & study tools

Here are some free Spanish study tools. They provide grammar guides, interactive exercises, and vocabulary lists to help you learn.

SpanishDict

Best for grammar and translations.
Includes verb conjugation tools & pronunciation guides.
Interactive quizzes to test your progress.

LingQ

Best for reading & vocabulary building.
AI-powered reading practice with instant translations.
Free version includes limited lessons per day.

The Spanish Experiment

Best for learning through storytelling.
Features classic fairy tales in Spanish with audio.
Includes grammar breakdowns and vocabulary explanations.

Pro tip: Bookmark SpanishDict & LingQ for daily practice!

6. Language exchange & community-based learning

One of the most effective ways to learn Spanish for free is through language exchange programs and online communities.

Top free language exchange platforms:

Tandem & HelloTalk

Connects learners with native speakers for real conversation practice.
Free tools for learning Spanish include chat, voice messages, and video calls.

Meetup & Conversation Exchange

Find local and online Spanish conversation groups.
Great for real-life practice with fellow learners.

Reddit (r/Spanish & r/languagelearning)

Ask questions & get feedback from experienced learners.
Join challenges & engage in daily Spanish discussions.

How to make the most of no-cost Spanish learning resources

Conclusion & next steps

You don’t need to spend money to start learning Spanish—high-quality free resources are available! Whether you prefer apps, courses, podcasts, or language exchanges, the key is staying consistent.

Ready to start? Choose one app or course from this list and begin today!

Stacy Ochuka

Marketing Team

Stacy Ochuka is the Marketing Lead at Comligo, specializing in digital strategy, SEO, and automation-driven campaigns. With over six years of experience, she blends data insights and creativity to drive brand visibility and growth. Stacy is dedicated to creating high-impact marketing solutions that connect with audiences and deliver results.