Top 5 iOS Apps in 2012 for learning German

As we reach the end of the year it's a good time to review the best iOS applications that will help us learn German. I spend a lot of time downloading just about every German language iOS App I can get my hands on and I wanted to share with you what I've found and spare you from wasting your time with the many horrible Apps out there. 

Go ahead and use the comments below to give me your own favorites and point me towards anything you think i've overlooked. If you look at my older lists you'll see that not everything has changed, this is mostly because there is not a lot of strong development in this field. Hopefully this will change and in 2013 we will see some strong new contenders.

5. TripLingo - German
This app is a bit more geared towards travelers compared to language learners. But it wins big points for it's very polished graphics and cool unique features. For example I really like the feature that allows you to see the normal translation or the formal or the very casual "slang" translation of the same comment. The way they do it is really cool too. This may not be the best way to learn but it's a nice compliment to the learning process and fun to use. It also has some gaming aspects with regard to the progress, which I think makes learning more fun. The basics are free and then you have to pay for the pro version, but I think the full price 'Tourist Package' is too high and that hurt this one's overall ranking. 

Price: Free (lite version) $9.99 (full German 'Tourist Package')

4. Babbel - German
Babbel has a cool website and they also have a nice iOS app. I hope they keep developing it because it could use a bit more polish - but again, for the cost of nothing you can't really complain. Overall it's a cool and not bad looking application with lots of useful content. 

Price: FREE

3. iStart German!
This title continues to stand strong with a combination of polished graphics and design and a really deep amount of content. I'm still working my way thru the courses but I really enjoy the pacing of 10 new words at a time. This application has it's own teaching style and I highly recommend checking it out. My main criticism is that they haven't updated the App in a long time, I suppose it's not necessary because I haven't found bugs but I just wish they would continue to add content - I would be willing to pay extra for it. But the full version is well worth the cost. 

Price: Free (lite version) $1.99 (full version)

2. WordUP - German
WordUP is an all-in-one type of app - it has a phrase book, study lists, recording abilities, playlists, flashcards and quiz's. All of this in a nicely designed package is what puts this high on my list for 2012. One of my favorite features are the Flashcards, a common feature in many apps but WordUP really gets it right - and allows you to customize the experience and to take short or longer practice sessions. The Quiz's are also fun and have an Easy, Medium and Hard option. All in all this is a solid app that will actually aid your learning abilities and it's perfect for short 5 minute breaks and also hour plus trips on the train or bus. I highly recommend this one. 

Price: Free (lite version), $4.99 (full version)

1. DuoLingo - German
I wouldn't consider this a game but it does have a "gamified" approach with badges and points given as you progress thru the courses. The graphics are polished and easily some of the best I've seen in this field. The amount of content is quite massive and all of this for Free, I couldn't help putting this at the top of my list for 2012. Anyone who is learning German should download this one first. 

Price: FREE