Best Apps to Learn Persian (Farsi) in 2026 — and Why Duolingo Isn’t One
Duolingo does not offer Persian (Farsi), so you need other tools. The best results usually come from combining one structured course, one vocabulary app and regular speaking practice. Below is a fair comparison of the main options, checked on 30 October 2026.
Does Duolingo have Persian? What we found
Checked on 30 October 2026: no. Duolingo’s course list for English speakers does not include Persian, Farsi, Dari or Tajik.
- Wikipedia’s list of Duolingo courses for English speakers does not include Persian.
- The fan-run Duolingo Wiki’s course list does not include Persian, either as a live course or one in development.
- Duolingo’s April 2025 announcement of 148 new courses focused on languages such as Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin and did not mention Persian.
- Ling’s article on the question (updated 30 September 2026) reaches the same conclusion; note that Ling is a competitor.
Duolingo’s own course page could not be read by our automated check, so we relied on the sources above. If Duolingo adds Persian, we will update this page.
How to choose
- Do you need the script? If you want to read Persian, choose tools that teach the alphabet, or learn it separately with our Persian alphabet guide.
- Which Persian? Most apps teach Iranian Persian. If you need Afghan Persian, see our Dari guides.
- Spoken or written? Everyday Persian speech differs from written Persian. Read spoken vs written Persian to know what to expect.
- Try before you pay. Most options below have a free tier or trial. Prices change often, so check the vendor’s page.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | What it is | Persian available? | Cost model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pimsleur Farsi Persian | Audio course built on listening and speaking out loud | Yes (Farsi as spoken in Iran) | Paid (sold as a lifetime purchase on the vendor’s page) | Learners who want to speak early, commuters |
| PersianPod101 | Library of audio and video lessons with notes, levels from absolute beginner to advanced | Yes | Free account with limited access; paid plans | Listening practice and culture at every level |
| Mondly | Gamified app with daily lessons, speech recognition and a verb conjugator | Yes (Persian) | Free download; subscription for full access | Short daily practice |
| Ling | Gamified lessons, dialogues, flashcards and reading | Yes (Persian/Farsi) | Free download and free trial; paid plans | Short daily practice |
| Drops | Visual vocabulary games | Yes (Persian listed) | Free for 5 minutes a day; Premium removes the limit | Building vocabulary in small bites |
| italki | Marketplace for one-to-one online lessons with tutors | Yes (many Persian tutors) | Pay per lesson; tutors set their own rates | Speaking practice and personal feedback |
| Anki | Spaced-repetition flashcards you make or download | Any language, including Persian | Free on desktop, Android and web; iOS app is paid | Remembering vocabulary long-term |
| LingQ | Reading and listening with transcripts; import your own content | Yes (Persian) | See the vendor’s pricing page | Intermediate learners who want lots of input |
Availability and cost models checked on the vendors’ own pages or app store listings on 30 October 2026. We do not list prices because they change often.
The options in more detail
Pimsleur Farsi Persian
An audio-first course: you listen, repeat and answer out loud. Pimsleur’s page says the course teaches Farsi as spoken in Iran and that each level contains 30 daily lessons (about 15 hours of audio), with reading lessons, flashcards and extra practice. Strengths: pronunciation and speaking confidence. Limits: less focus on reading and grammar explanations.
PersianPod101
A large library of audio and video lessons, from absolute beginner to advanced, with lesson notes, translations, vocabulary lists and a dictionary. It offers a free account with limited access and paid plans. Strengths: listening practice and cultural notes. Limits: you need to choose your own path through the library.
Mondly
Mondly publishes a Persian course app (by ATi Studios) with daily lessons, speech recognition, a dictionary and a verb conjugator. It is free to download, with a subscription for full access. Strengths: quick daily practice. Limits: like most gamified apps, it will not take you far on its own.
Ling
Ling offers Persian lessons with pronunciation, vocabulary, dialogues, flashcards and short reading texts. It is free to download, with a free trial and paid plans. Strengths: gamified, beginner-friendly. Limits: best used alongside a structured course.
Drops
Drops (owned by Kahoot!) teaches vocabulary through quick visual games and lists Persian among its languages. Free use is limited to 5 minutes a day; Premium removes the limit and adds offline learning. Strengths: painless vocabulary. Limits: vocabulary only, little grammar.
italki (tutors)
italki is a marketplace where you book one-to-one video lessons with Persian (Farsi) tutors. Each tutor sets their own price and lesson style. Strengths: real conversation and correction, and you can look for a Dari-speaking tutor if you need Afghan Persian. Limits: quality varies by tutor; read reviews and book a trial lesson. See also our page on online Persian tutors.
Anki
Anki is free, open-source flashcard software that uses spaced repetition: it shows each card just before you are likely to forget it. It is free on desktop, Android (AnkiDroid) and the web; the iPhone app (AnkiMobile) is paid. You can download shared Persian decks or make your own, for example from our 101 most common Persian words or the 200 most common Persian verbs. Strengths: long-term memory. Limits: you need to choose or build good cards.
LingQ
LingQ is built around reading and listening: lessons come with audio and transcripts, you can import your own texts and videos, and you save new words for review. It has a Persian library. Strengths: lots of real input for intermediate learners. Limits: hard going for complete beginners who cannot yet read the script.
Free lessons and tools on Learn Persian Online
We are a Persian-learning site ourselves, so take this section as information rather than a neutral review. Everything listed here is free:
- Free online Persian lessons, from beginner to advanced, including Learn Farsi in 100 Days.
- Persian learning tools, including the Persian verb conjugator, a Persian keyboard and a Finglish to Persian converter.
- Grammar explanations in our Persian grammar section.
What we do not offer: a gamified mobile app or live tutors of our own. Many learners use our lessons and books for structure, and an app or tutor for daily practice and speaking.
A simple study plan that combines tools
| Goal | Daily (10–20 min) | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Read the script | Alphabet practice with our guide or workbook | Read a short text from our Farsi reading lessons |
| Vocabulary | Anki or Drops | Add new words from your lessons |
| Grammar | One short lesson; check verb forms in the conjugator | Review with a grammar book |
| Listening and speaking | Pimsleur or PersianPod101 | One conversation with a tutor or language partner |
Books to pair with any app
- Learn Farsi in 100 Days – a structured beginner course
- Read and Write Persian Language in 7 Days – learn the script
- 200 Absolutely Essential Persian Verbs
- Persian Verbs Dictionary
Sources
- Wikipedia, “Duolingo”, list of courses for English speakers (accessed 30 October 2026). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duolingo
- Duolingo Wiki (fan-run), “Language course” (accessed 30 October 2026). https://duolingo.fandom.com/wiki/Language_course
- Duolingo investor news, “Duolingo Launches 148 New Language Courses” (30 Apr 2025). https://investors.duolingo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/duolingo-launches-148-new-language-courses
- Ling, “Is There Farsi on Duolingo?” (updated 30 Sep 2026; note: Ling is a competing app). https://ling-app.com/blog/no-farsi-on-duolingo/
- Pimsleur, Farsi Persian products page (accessed 30 October 2026). https://www.pimsleur.com/learn-farsi-persian/all-products
- PersianPod101 (accessed 30 October 2026). https://www.persianpod101.com/welcome
- Apple App Store, “Learn Persian: Language Course” by Mondly / ATi Studios (accessed 30 October 2026). https://apps.apple.com/us/app/-/id1078881032
- Ling, Learn Farsi page (accessed 30 October 2026). https://ling-app.com/learn-farsi
- Kahoot!, Drops app page and FAQ (accessed 30 October 2026). https://kahoot.com/home/learning-apps/drops/
- italki, example Persian (Farsi) teacher profile (accessed 30 October 2026). https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/2518400/persian(farsi)
- Wikipedia, “Anki (software)” (accessed 30 October 2026). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anki
- LingQ, Learn Persian online (accessed 30 October 2026). https://www.lingq.com/en/learn-persian-online/
FAQ
Does Duolingo have Persian or Farsi?
No. As of 30 October 2026 we found no Persian, Farsi, Dari or Tajik course for English speakers on Duolingo, and no announced plans for one.
What is the best free app to learn Persian?
No single free app covers everything. For a free start, combine Anki (vocabulary), the free tier of Drops or PersianPod101, and free structured lessons such as Learn Persian Online’s lessons and tools.
Can I learn Persian with apps alone?
Apps are good for vocabulary and daily habit, but most learners also need structured grammar, reading practice and real conversation. Add lessons, a book or a tutor.
Do these apps teach the Persian alphabet?
Some do, at least in part, but check before you subscribe. Learning the 32-letter script early pays off; our free alphabet guide and workbook can help.
Which app is best for Dari?
The apps listed here teach Iranian Persian. For Dari, a Dari-speaking tutor (for example on italki) is the most reliable option, alongside our Dari guides.
Learn Persian with our bestseller
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
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