Learn German for Free: My Favourite Free Courses, Apps and Tips
My Top German Online Learning Resources
German Online Language Training
“I have studied German for years – BUT I can’t talk.” How often have I heard this from my foreign friends in Vienna! The good news: you can learn German for free today, in a fun and surprisingly effective way – as long as you hang in there.
As a Viennese and a linguist by education, I have tested the free courses, apps and language exchanges below. Some give you a solid structure from your very first word; others get you talking with native speakers. The best results come from combining the two.
Ready for a proper course? My guide on how to learn German in Vienna compares the best schools, university courses and private teachers.
Free German Resources At A Glance
Best Free German Courses Online
1. DW Learn German: The Best Free Course Overall
If you only pick one resource from this page, make it this one. Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster, offers complete German courses for every level, from absolute beginner to advanced, at no cost and with no premium tier.
Start with Nicos Weg, a video series that follows Nico as he settles into a new life in Germany. Each episode comes with exercises on grammar and vocabulary, and a placement test tells you where to begin if you already know some German. It works in the browser and in the free DW Learn German app. Visit DW Learn German.
2. ÖIF Sprachportal: Free Daily Classes with an Austrian Twist
The Austrian Integration Fund runs free live online German classes every day, from A1 to B1, plus exercises, podcasts and practice exam papers. It is designed for newcomers to Austria, so the dialogues are set in Austrian everyday life: the doctor’s, the Magistrat, the Billa round the corner. Anyone can use the materials. Visit the ÖIF Sprachportal.
Thinking of moving here? Find out why Vienna keeps topping the rankings as the best place to live, and compare the Vienna districts before you choose where to settle.
3. Busuu: Bite-Size Lessons and Real Feedback
Busuu mixes short, topic-based lessons (At Breakfast, In the Restaurant) with a community twist: you submit spoken or written exercises, native speakers correct them, and you return the favour in your own language. The speech recording feature is still one of the best ways to get honest feedback on your pronunciation.
Be aware, though: the free plan has shrunk over the years. You get a taster of lessons and some community feedback; grammar review and most course tools now need Premium. Use it alongside DW rather than instead of it. Visit Busuu.
Free Language Exchange Apps: Practise with Native Speakers
The best free way to learn German has always been the old “give and take”: you help someone with your language, they help you with German. Today this happens on your phone.
- Tandem matches you with German speakers who want to learn your language. Messaging, voice notes and calls are free; Tandem Pro adds extras such as more search filters.
- HelloTalk works in a similar way, with a social feed where native speakers correct your posts. The free version caps how many new people you can contact per day.
- HiNative is handy for quick questions such as “Does this sentence sound natural?” Native speakers answer, often within minutes.
My tip: when I signed up to help German learners, I was instantly flooded with chat requests. Pick partners who share your interests – music, football, food – and the conversations flow much more easily. And set a rule, like 30 minutes in English, then 30 in German.
Learn German for Free in Vienna
If you are already here, the city itself is your free classroom.
- Language cafés (Sprachcafés). Neighbourhood groups across Vienna’s districts host free, relaxed conversation rounds – some even serve free coffee and cake. Search “Sprachcafé Wien” or look on Meetup for international groups.
- City libraries. The Büchereien Wien run conversation groups for German learners at the Hauptbücherei and other branches. Check the Büchereien Wien events calendar for dates.
- University tandem. Students at the University of Vienna can find a partner through its Sprachlernbörse.
- Coffeehouses. Order in German, linger for hours and read the free German papers in a Viennese coffeehouse. Nobody will rush you. For something sweeter, practise your Kuchen vocabulary in one of my favourite cake shops.
- Markets and sausage stands. Chat with stallholders at the Naschmarkt or at a Viennese sausage stand – the perfect crash course in Wienerisch, our local dialect.
- Wine taverns. At a Heuriger you share long tables with locals, and a glass of wine loosens every tongue. See my guide to Vienna’s wineries.
- Free walks with a German twist. Stroll through the city on one of my self-guided Vienna walks and read the street signs, plaques and café menus as you go.
Before you order, learn the local food words: Austrians say Paradeiser, not Tomate, and Erdäpfel, not Kartoffeln. My guide to Austrian food has the rest.
Learn German for Beginners: A Reader’s Tip
Vienna Unwrapped reader Johanna Dorsay kindly pointed me to Studying in Germany’s learn German guide. It’s a thorough, spot-on overview that gets beginners off the ground.
When Free Isn’t Enough
Free resources take you a long way, but most learners hit a wall around B1: you need someone to correct your speaking regularly and push you to the next level. That’s the moment to invest a little.
- Budget courses: Vienna’s Volkshochschulen run evening German courses at good prices. See my Learn German in Vienna guide for options and prices.
- Software: my husband tested several programs – read his reviews of German learning software and Rosetta Stone German.
- Books: a good grammar book is still unbeatable. Here are my picks of the best German books.
FAQ: Learning German for Free
Can you really learn German for free? Yes, up to an intermediate level. DW Learn German takes you from beginner to advanced at no cost, and language exchanges give you free speaking practice. Most people add a paid course or teacher later to polish their speaking.
What is the best free app to learn German? For a full course, the free DW Learn German app. For speaking practice, Tandem or HelloTalk. Duolingo is fun for daily vocabulary but won’t teach you to hold a conversation on its own.
How long does it take to learn German with free resources? With 30–60 minutes a day, many learners reach A2 (simple everyday conversations) in six to nine months. Regular speaking practice makes the biggest difference.
Are there free German classes in Vienna? Yes. Neighbourhood language cafés and city library conversation groups are free, and the ÖIF runs free daily online classes. Newcomers with refugee status can also get free ÖIF courses.
Is Austrian German different from the German I learn online? Most online courses teach German as spoken in Germany. The grammar is the same; the main differences are food words, greetings (Grüß Gott, Servus) and accent. You’ll pick them up quickly in Vienna – my Learn German in Vienna guide includes a short list of Austrian words to know, and my Wienerisch guide takes you deeper into the local dialect.
More Vienna Inspiration
- Learn German in Vienna – schools, courses and private teachers
- Wienerisch – a primer on the Viennese dialect
- Vienna theatres – tips for German and non-German speakers
- What To Do In Vienna – must-see and do tips
- Get monthly tips in my free Vienna Notes newsletter
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Vienna Unwrapped
Get Your Time in Vienna Sorted
For 15 years I have been connecting independent travellers to the pulse of my hometown Wien: by designing bespoke itineraries that allow you to get behind Vienna’s local charm on your own, while covering its key highlights.
Vienna Unwrapped Partner Guides
Local Connections
Taking you a step further: To apply the insight provided here my local partner guide Claudia and her team take over when you arrive in Wien. From meeting the Spanish Riding School’s Lipizzaner horses backstage and crawling through the attic of St. Stephen’s Cathedral to exploring neighbourhoods where locals still play cards in cafés.
Themed Small Group Tours
