For Pimsleur learners
A Pimsleur alternative for French vocabulary
Pimsleur teaches French through guided audio lessons and spoken responses. Madeleine is a French vocabulary app for iPhone: short card sessions pair written words with lifelike French audio and review that adapts to your memory.
The short answer
Reviewed September 8, 2026
Choose Pimsleur for guided conversation lessons. Consider Madeleine for focused vocabulary practice alongside a course or tutor. Madeleine does not provide conversation lessons or pronunciation scoring. Pimsleur also has reading and interactive review features.
Side by side
Pimsleur and Madeleine, on the parts of French that matter.
| Dimension | Pimsleur | Madeleine |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | 30-minute conversation lessons with listening and spoken responses | Short card sessions with French text, audio and recall |
| French practice | Speaking, listening and reading lessons; Premium adds flashcards, quizzes and role-play | 874 words and 400 phrases, with vocabulary review |
| Reading and review | Reading lessons; Premium includes flashcards, quizzes and conversation transcripts | Written French and English meanings on each card |
| Pronunciation | Premium includes Voice Coach pronunciation feedback | Lifelike French audio in four voices; no speech scoring |
| Review schedule | Recall built into the lesson sequence, plus review activities | FSRS-6 spaced repetition adapts to your memory |
| Devices | iOS, Android and web; hands-free with Driving Mode, CarPlay, Android Auto and Alexa | iPhone with iOS 26 or later; English translations |
| Price and trial | Premium $19.99/month, or All Access $20.99/month or $164.99/year on the App Store; a cheaper Audio-Only plan exists. 7-day trial for new subscribers. | $6.99/month or $39.99/year. Local prices may vary. No standard app trial. |
| Best fit | Learners who want guided audio lessons and spoken practice | Learners who want focused vocabulary practice alongside lessons or conversation |
When Pimsleur is the better choice
Plainly: if you want to learn hands-free, driving, walking, eyes off the screen, and your goal is to start speaking and holding a conversation, Pimsleur's audio-lesson method is purpose-built for that, and it is good. Madeleine asks for your eyes as well as your ears, and it focuses on vocabulary. You can use it alongside Pimsleur, with separate progress in each app.
What Madeleine won't do: teach grammar, coach your speaking, or make you fluent. It makes high-frequency French vocabulary stick, in the ear as well as the eye.
Sources
Checked September 8, 2026
Offers and features can vary by plan and market. Pimsleur's features and pricing may change.
Pimsleur is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Madeleine is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pimsleur.
Hear French, and see it, every day.
874 words and 400 phrases, each in lifelike French audio with the written form alongside, resurfaced right before you would forget it. No streaks, no points, and nothing leaves your iPhone.
iPhone with iOS 26 or later. No standard trial: the free browser flashcards are the way to try it first.
FAQs
- Can Madeleine replace a Pimsleur French course?
- Madeleine can be an alternative for the vocabulary-review part of learning French. It does not replace guided conversation lessons, reading instruction or pronunciation feedback. Pimsleur is the closer fit if those are your main needs.
- Is Madeleine cheaper than Pimsleur?
- At the prices checked on September 8, 2026, Madeleine costs $6.99/month or $39.99/year. Pimsleur's App Store prices are $19.99/month for Premium and $20.99/month or $164.99/year for All Access, with a cheaper Audio-Only plan and other offers. Local prices vary. Choose by the practice you need as well as price.
- Does Pimsleur include written French?
- Yes. Pimsleur has reading lessons, and Premium adds written review such as flashcards and conversation transcripts. Madeleine shows the written French and English meaning on each vocabulary card.
- Can I try Madeleine before subscribing?
- The iPhone app has no standard free trial. The website offers 100 free French vocabulary flashcards with audio, so you can explore a sample before deciding. The sample does not include the full app or adaptive review.