The right Spanish resources make language learning more fun, effective, and efficient.

But! With so many tools available today, it can be tough to know where to start.

• What works?

• What doesn't?

• Which resources are a waste of time and money?

• Which are well-marketed but not actually very effective?

After testing hundreds of language apps, books, courses, podcasts, and websites over the years, I've put together this short list of my all-time favorite Spanish language-learning tools.

All of which:

• 💸 Are either free or worth every penny.

• ⚙️ Help you learn Spanish as efficiently as possible.

• 🤿 Keep you focused on immersing IN Spanish, not learning ABOUT Spanish.

As you will see, there is a healthy mix of:

• input-based tools, which help you strengthen your Spanish listening and reading skills.

• output-focused tools, to help you practice speaking and writing en español.

Spanish Dictionaries & Reference Resources

SpanishDict

SpanishDict is the best place to look up Spanish words and phrases, using either their free online dictionary or mobile apps for iOS and Android. In addition to their accurate dictionary, I especially appreciate their verb conjugation tables, grammar guides, vocabulary lessons, and interactive quizzes.

Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary

Even if you don’t intend to travel anytime soon, I highly recommend getting the Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary. It's one of the best sources of authentic Spanish and high-frequency chunks you will need on a daily basis, includes a beginner-friendly overview of the language, and fits easily in your pocket.

Spanish Wikipedia

With nearly 2 million Spanish-language articles, Spanish Wikipedia (Wikipedia en español) is one of the best ways to get authentic language exposure, expand your vocabulary, and improve your reading comprehension, all while exploring diverse topics, pursuing your passions, and falling down fascinating rabbit holes.

Spanish Listening Resources

Pimsleur

Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program that helps you quickly develop accurate Spanish pronunciation and conversational fluency through their use of anticipation, active recall, and spaced repetition. Choose from five levels, all the way from absolute beginner up to advanced.

Glossika

Glossika helps you build fluency through massive exposure to level-appropriate Spanish sentences and spaced repetition. Every sentence includes high-quality audio recorded by a native Spanish speaker, and can be practiced in a variety of exercises to strengthen your Spanish listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

💡 Listen to my interview with Glossika founder Mike Campbell.

Overcast

Podcasts are one of the best tools for immersing yourself in Spanish as you do chores, exercise, or commute. My favorite podcast app is Overcast, but it's only available on iOS. For Android, I recommend the Spotify app.

SpanishPod101

SpanishPod101 provides short audio and video lessons for fast and easy Spanish learning on the go. Listen in your favorite podcast app or access additional vocab and grammar tools online or in the Innovative Language app. All lessons include complete transcripts with English translations and usage notes.

Duolingo Spanish Podcast

While the Duolingo app is not an ideal way to get fluent in Spanish, I can highly recommend the Duolingo Spanish podcast. Each episode centers on a real-life story in the Spanish-speaking world, includes enough English to create context, plenty of authentic Spanish to boost your listening skills, and full transcripts online.

💡 See Why Duolingo Won’t Get You Fluent in a Language (But Why You Should Use it Anyway!) for more on the pros and cons of using Duolingo.

Spanish Video Tools

Netflix

TV shows and movies are a great way to immerse yourself in Spanish, practice your listening skills, and strengthen your vocabulary. There are many streaming services to choose from today, but Netflix is my go-to given their large library of Spanish-language content and extensive dubbing and subtitle options.

Language Reactor

Language Reactor is a powerful Chrome extension that supercharges subtitles on Netflix and YouTube. From 3-way interactive subtitles, to a built-in pop-up dictionary, to the ability to save words and phrases and then export them to Anki, this tool is a game changer!

NordVPN

Installing a Virtual Private Network (or VPN for short) unlocks tons of Spanish-language TV shows and films that are otherwise blocked outside of Spain, Mexico, Argentina, etc. VPNs also keep you safe when using unsecured Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops, etc. I’ve tried many, but NordVPN is my favorite.

Spanish Communication Practice

italki

Use italki to get the speaking practice you need to get fluent from the comfort of home. Their community boasts over 3 million users and thousands of tutors to choose from, including low-cost community tutors and highly experienced professional Spanish teachers.

BaseLang

BaseLang is a Spanish online one-to-one tutoring service with 450+ native speaker tutors from across Latin America. I love that they focus on conversational skills and practical usage, not traditional grammar-based teaching. Their unlimited, flat rate pricing is the best deal for serious Spanish learners. Try it out for just $1 the first week!

Teacher AI

Teacher AI is an exciting new AI-powered tool that provides unlimited personalized Spanish conversation practice. While I think speaking with real humans using a site like italki is also important, Teacher AI provides a low-friction, anxiety-free way to practice communicating 24/7.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is one of the modern Spanish learner's most powerful language learning tools! It provides personalized learning tailored to your language level and instructions, 24/7 interactive practice, and specific feedback on your mistakes. And with the release of the ChatGPT 4o model, it's faster and more interactive than ever!

HelloTalk

Just as we have to speak to get better at speaking, we have to write to get better at writing. HelloTalk lets you practice writing in a free, low-stress way by texting with native Spanish speakers around the world. Practice new words, phrases, and structures, and get instant feedback.

Spanish Stories & Reading Resources

Spanish Uncovered

Spanish Uncovered lets you naturally internalize the words and patterns of español. Instead of "studying" the language, you just read stories. And along the way, your brain gets used to new vocabulary and grammar automatically. Just like how you learned your first language as a child.

Short Stories in Spanish

Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners by Olly Richards (published by Teach Yourself) includes 8 stories that cover a wide range of genres, including science fiction, crime, history, and thrillers. Read for enjoyment while your brain soaks up new structures in context and masters the 1,000 most commonly used words in Spanish.

💡 Listen to my interview with Olly Richards here: Author & Polyglot Olly Richards on Why You Should Learn Languages Through Stories

LingQ

LingQ (pronounced “link”) was co-founded by Steve Kaufmann, a polyglot who's learned 20 languages using the same input-based method the app is built upon. Learn Spanish vocabulary and grammar in context using either lessons from their extensive library or importing your own content from blogs, news sites, YouTube, Netflix, etc.

💡 Listen to my interview with Steve Kaufmann here: Hyperpolyglot & Ling Co-Founder Steve Kaufmann on How He Learned 20+ Languages

Readwise Reader

Readwise Reader is a powerful read-it-later app that consolidates the functions of multiple apps in one tidy package. With the app and browser extension, you can save and highlight a wide range of digital Spanish resources, including online articles, Twitter (X) threads, PDFs, EPUBs, newsletters, YouTube transcripts, and more.

💡 Learn more about how to use Readwise Reader for language learning here: How to Immerse Yourself in Japanese Using Readwise: Save, Highlight, Listen & More (despite the Japanese-specific title, most of the blog post applies to Spanish, too).

So there you have it: your ultimate toolkit for getting fluent in Spanish right at home. 

Whether you're listening to a podcast on the way to work, chatting with a Spanish tutor during your lunch break, or binge-watching telenovelas on Netflix before bed, these tools will help you fit more Spanish into your life. 

But keep in mind that—even with the best tools—language learning is a journey filled with ups, downs, and plenty of "¿Qué?" moments.

So, dive in, embrace the chaos, and most importantly, have fun! 

¡Vamos a aprender español!