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LingoPie vs FluentU
Determine which language learning program is right for you between FluentU and LingoPie
When it comes to language learning apps, most people immediately think of Babbel, Pimsleur, and Rosetta Stone. However, video-based platforms like FluentU and LingoPie have been quietly gaining in popularity over the past few years. In this article, we compare and contrast these two companies so you can figure out once and for all which one is better suited for your budget and learning preferences.
Given that this is a lengthy, detailed comparison, we’ve included jump-to links above for your convenience.
Video: Which Language Program Is Better?
In the video above, John from the Test Prep Insight team compares the video-based language programs from LingoPie and FluentU. For more detail, be sure to continue reading our full written comparison below.
Rather than simply providing an overview of each language program, I instead want to focus on the major categories in which LingoPie beats FluentU, and then vice versa. With that in mind, let’s start with LingoPie.
More Affordable Subscription Options
LingoPie offers three different subscription plans: three months for $36, 12 months for $72, and a lifetime plan for $199.
FluentU, on the other hand, offers two different subscription options: a three month plan for $90, or an annual plan for $96.
As such, LingoPie gets the win when it comes to pricing. You’ll likely save anywhere from $2 to $18 per month by going with LingoPie.
Just to be clear, the prices I just noted are net of standard discounts, which is important because both companies regularly offer sales and special promotions, so be sure to check for promo codes and discounts before purchasing.
Better Content Library
The content that LingoPie offers is just flat out better and more entertaining. The company utilizes actual TV shows and movies, whereas the video content from FluentU primarily consists of old music videos, commercials, movie trailers, and cartoons. It’s kind of a hodgepodge of random YouTube videos.
LingoPie offers access to premium TV shows and movies
The LingoPie content library, on the other hand, includes titles such as Money Heist and All Quiet On The Western Front. In other words, these are actual shows and movies that you would otherwise watch in your free time anyway.
Thus, from a pure content standpoint, it’s hard to argue with LingoPie’s content offerings.
Sure, both companies provide subtitles in both English and your target language, and if you click or hover over one of the words in the subtitles, both companies provide detailed definitions and analysis of the word or phrase.
However, this is where LingoPie takes the learning process a few steps further. With LingoPie, if you do click on one of the words or phrases in the subtitles to find out more detail, the company automatically creates a flashcard for you to review at a later time.
However, these are not just any old flashcards. These are interactive, video-based flashcards that actually include the scene in which you clicked the word, which is great for recall and overall material retention.
LingoPie automatically creates flashcards for you
Beyond the flashcards, we also like that LingoPie includes a loop setting that you can turn on so that the scene you just watched repeats itself until you understand what is happening.
On top of that, LingoPie also allows you to adjust the playback speed, which is ideal for beginners. That way you can really slow things down if the characters in the show or movie you are watching begin talking too fast.
Long story short, there’s no shortage of tools with LingoPie. They really allow you to control the learning process.
Detailed Grammar Instruction
Grammar is one of the biggest strengths of the LingoPie program (unlike Rosetta Stone), and there are three components to this.
First, the company color codes its subtitles to help you identify and learn the different grammatical elements of your target language. For example, adjectives are green, adverbs or red, nouns are blue, etc.
Then, like FluentU, if you click on any of the words within the subtitle, you’re presented with a detailed explanation (i.e. definition, whether its masculine/feminine, singular/plural, etc.).
LingoPie takes grammar instruction seriously
Finally, you have your own personal grammar coach with LingoPie. If you ever need additional detail behind a word or phrase, you can click the lightbulb below the video screen, and along the right-hand column of the video screen, the company will provide you with a detailed explanation of the grammar rules at play in the sentence or phrase.
Overall, there’s just no question that LingoPie wins the grammar competition.
Verbal Practice
To be clear, there is no verbal practice whatsoever with FluentU. It’s all watching, listening, and reading, which obviously means that FluentU doesn’t employ any sort of speech recognition technology either.
LingoPie gives you the opportunity for verbal practice whenever you’d like
In contrast, with LingoPie, you can click the microphone button below the video screen at anytime and repeat the last sentence that was said in the show or movie you are watching.
Plus, the best part is that LingoPie uses proprietary speech recognition technology to listen and grade your pronunciation on a scale from 1 to 100 (similar to Duolingo or Rocket Spanish).
Modern Digital Platform
The LingoPie user interface and dashboard resembles Netflix, while the FluentU digital platform is pretty dated.
Don’t get me wrong, the user experience for both companies is straightforward and intuitive, but it’s sort of like comparing apples to oranges. At the end of the day, the LingoPie digital platform and mobile app are just more modern and sleek.
Now that you have a good idea of the areas in which LingoPie excels, let’s turn the tables and discuss the advantages of using FluentU to help you learn a new language.
Diverse Content Library
Although LingoPie offers more entertaining content (i.e., actual tv shows and movies), our team gives FluentU the win when it comes to breadth of video content. Simply put, FluentU offers a deeper and more robust selection of videos, ranging from short, two-minute clips to longer form documentary-style videos (similar to Yabla).
FluentU offers a diverse selection of videos
Plus, the FluentU video library is more diverse. You can choose among music videos, cartoons, recipe videos, how-to guides, and much more. This makes it easy to find videos on topics that you are truly interested in.
In short, for FluentU, think volume and breadth.
Useful Filters
FluentU also offers a variety of filters so that you can quickly find the exact types of videos that match your learning level and viewing preferences. This makes it very convenient to find content that actually piques your interest.
A FluentU music video in Spanish
In contrast, the filters that LingoPie offers are more basic in nature. They just don’t offer the level of detail that FluentU offers.
Free Trial
This category is very simple. FluentU offers a 14 day free trial period, whereas LingoPie only offers seven days. Easy enough.
This allows you to really kick the tires on the FluentU program before fully committing, regardless of whether you want to learn French, Italian, or German.
Should you go with LingoPie or FluentU to help you learn a new language?
Well, if you can’t tell by now, I personally think that LingoPie easily gets the win between these two companies. In fact, they pretty much sweep the floor with FluentU in every important category, including pricing, content, grammar instruction, verbal practice, and more.
Thus, if you’re serious about learning a new language, there’s no question in my mind that LingoPie is the superior choice. Honestly, our whole team was really impressed with the LingoPie program and thinks the company does most everything well. It’s hard to find many negatives with LingoPie.
There are several differences between LingoPie and FluentU. Most notably, LingoPie features premium TV shows and movies, whereas the FluentU content primarily consists of old YouTube videos. Moreover, LingoPie has a slightly more modern interface and platform.
Which is better, LingoPie or FluentU?
After testing out each program, our team firmly believes LingoPie is the more complete and effective language learning tool. Not only does LingoPie offer more entertaining content, but they also offer other features like grammar instruction and pronunciation feedback as well.
Is LingoPie cheaper than FluentU?
Yes, the subscription plans from LingoPie are more affordable than those from FluentU. In fact, LingoPie offers an annual plan for as low as $6 per month.
