Rosetta Stone
An app that teaches a language with pictures and sound, not translation.
What Rosetta Stone does
Rosetta Stone teaches a new language the way you learned your first one: through pictures, sound and context instead of translation. Its current app, Rosetta Stone Sapphire, offers 25 languages, short lessons and speech recognition that checks your accent. It starts with a 7-day free trial.
Everything happens in the language you're learning. You see an image, hear a phrase and pick what fits, so you start thinking in the language instead of translating in your head. TruAccent, its speech engine, listens to you and flags pronunciation that's off.
In 2026 Rosetta Stone released Sapphire, a redesigned app for new learners, while the older Classic app stays around for existing subscribers. Sapphire adds chat missions that simulate everyday conversations, flashcards on hundreds of topics and access to the web version with your membership.
Reviewers praise the strict pronunciation scoring but say progress can feel slow and vocabulary builds gradually. It suits patient learners who like immersion. If you want quick grammar explanations in English, a more traditional course may feel faster.
Alternatives to Rosetta Stone
Who it's for
Skip it if: Anyone who wants grammar rules explained in English.
Pricing
7-day free trialStart with a 7-day free trial, then pick a monthly or yearly membership. The US App Store shows one purchase at $19.99 but doesn't say how long it covers, so check the price in the app before you subscribe.
Prices can vary by country. Checked 19 Oct 2026.
What people like
- Strong pronunciation feedback
- Builds a feel for the language, not just word lists
- Wide language choice
- Works on phone and web
Watch out for
- Progress can feel slow
- No free plan after the trial
- Picture exercises can feel repetitive
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Try this idea: “an app that shows me a photo and plays a word in the language I'm learning, then asks me to pick the right picture”
Questions people ask
Is Rosetta Stone free?
No. There's a 7-day free trial, then you need a membership.
What is Rosetta Stone Sapphire?
It's the redesigned Rosetta Stone app for new learners, released in 2026. The older Classic app is for existing subscribers.
Does Rosetta Stone teach grammar?
Not with explanations. You pick up patterns from pictures and context instead.
How many languages does Rosetta Stone offer?
25, including Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Arabic and Irish.