In-depth guide covering Pimsleur pricing, and whether their subscription plans are a good value
It can be difficult deciding which language program to use with so many options on the market. Some people opt for free apps, while others pay hundreds of dollars for personalized tutoring. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about the cost of one of the most popular language apps on the market, Pimsleur. We’ll discuss how much their subscription options cost, plus how their prices compare to others in the industry, like Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
In the video above, John covers everything you need to know about the different Pimsleur subscription plans and how much they cost. For more detail, be sure to continue reading our full, written article below.
Does Pimsleur Cost Money?
Yes, unfortunately, their program does cost money. Unlike other apps such as Duolingo or Memrise, you do have to pay to access the Pimsleur language courses.
With Pimsleur, you don’t actually have to pay anything today. They offer a Full-Access 7-Day Free Trial that lets you start your lessons across any language without an upfront charge. It is the most cost-effective way to see if the auditory method works for you before a single dollar leaves your pocket.
But at least you can test out their app and see what the coursework is like. For example, the Pimsleur curriculum revolves around detailed audio lessons, so if you are more of a visual learner, you may come to find out that Pimsleur lessons may not be a good fit for your learning style.
Pimsleur audio lesson
On the flip side, if you identify as an auditory learner, you may find Pimsleur is the perfect fit for your needs.
Cost of Pimsleur
When signing up, you have several different options to choose from. However, the company’s most popular options are their monthly and annual plans. As you can see below, there are two different choices within each category.
Premium Monthly costs about $20 per month, and includes access to one language
All Access Monthly costs about $21 per month, and includes access to all Pimsleur languages
Premium Annual costs about $150 per year, and includes access to one language
All Access Annual costs about $165 per year, and includes access to all Pimsleur languages
Pimsleur offers content for over 50 different languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Italian. For the record, that is way more than what Babbel and Duolingo offer.
Therefore, I think it’s safe to say that the extra $1 per month, or $12 per year, is totally worth it. Most consumers opt for one of the All Access plans as opposed to the more limited Premium plan.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that the company does offer sales and special promotions from time to time. For example, I’ve seen the company discount their annual plans by up to 30% before, so make sure to keep an eye out for discounts.
Pimsleur doesn’t follow a predictable sales schedule, so it’s worth bookmarking their website if you’re waiting for a deal to pick up a new language.
Pimsleur Lifetime Subscription Cost
In addition to the four subscription options described above, they also offer a lifetime purchase option for individuals who do not want to deal with a monthly or annual subscription.
The Pimsleur Lifetime plan costs about $479 and includes access to one language course for life. This is a great option for people who plan on learning slowly over an extended period of time, or want to be able to periodically brush up on a language that they already know.
A look at the Pimsleur All Access plans
Like the monthly and annual subscription plans, Pimsleur does offer sales on their lifetime plan as well from time to time. The last time I saw them running a sale, the company discounted their lifetime plan by around $75.
Therefore, if you are seeking lifetime access, it may be worth waiting until the next big Pimsleur sale.
Pimsleur App Cost
Luckily, it does not cost any money to download the Pimsleur mobile app. You can do so free of charge by visiting the app store on your smartphone or tablet.
You can even sign up and try the app for seven days for free. However, following the trial period, you will be charged depending on what subscription option you selected.
The Pimsleur app has a 4.7 rating with over 25,000 ratings within the Apple App Store, and it clearly states the app is free to download.
Pimsleur Sharing Policies
While we’re on the topic of cost, it is important to mention that they allow you to share your subscription with three additional family members or friends. In other words, you can essentially divide the cost of your Pimsleur membership among four different people.
Plus, the best part is that progress is tracked separately for each user. That way, your learning path is not disrupted by the other three people you share your account with.
You can share your Pimsleur account with family members
Assuming you sign up for the Monthly All Access Plan, that effectively brings the monthly price down to $5.25 per person, which is an absolute steal. At that price, Pimsleur is cheaper than Babbel and Busuu, and pretty much every other language learning app for that matter.
Pimsleur Price vs Other Language Apps
Now that you have some background regarding what Pimsleur costs, you’re probably wondering how their pricing stacks up against others in the language learning industry.
Well, the answer is that Pimsleur lands somewhere in the middle. Their subscription options are more expensive than the likes of Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Busuu, but they are still cheaper than Rocket Languages and Michel Thomas, for example.
While the monthly All Access plan is $21, it’s arguably the best value in the industry when you consider the free trial. Other apps often require upfront payment, but Pimsleur gives you the entire experience for 7 days at zero cost. If you sign up, complete the first level, and decide it’s not for you, you’ve gained a week of high-end language instruction for free.
FAQ
How much does Pimsleur cost per month?
The Premium monthly option costs about $20 and gives you access to one language, while the monthly All Access plan costs about $21 and includes access to all of the language courses that Pimsleur offers.
How much does Pimsleur cost per year?
If you opt for one of their annual plans, you will have to pay about $150 or $165 for the entire year upfront. The company’s Premium annual plan costs about $150 and includes access to one language, while the company’s annual All Access plan costs about $165 and includes access to all of Pimsleur’s languages.
Is Pimsleur expensive?
No, at about $12 to $21 per month, our team does not consider Pimsleur an expensive language learning app. Yes, other language apps are cheaper, but Pimsleur is still more affordable than many other apps and programs out there.
How do I get Pimsleur for free?
The only legitimate way to access Pimsleur for free is through their official 7-Day Free Trial. Just be sure to cancel before the 7th day if you don’t want to transition into a paid monthly plan.
