Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Rosetta Stone Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Arabic Lesson Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Rosetta Stone Review 5 Star Rating

Rosetta Stone

5 Star Rating
  • Priced $47 per quarter, $126 per year, or $199 one-time
  • Immersion-based approach
  • 3-day free trial
  • TruAccent feature for perfecting your Arabic pronunciation
  • App and desktop access
  • Can use both offline and online
  • Seek & Speak tool (iOS and Android)
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 4.8-star average
  • "A+” rating from the BBB
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

When seeking the best self-guided language learning, Rosetta Stone frequently stands out as a top choice. It is widely acknowledged and utilized by over 12,000 corporations, 9,000 organizations, and 22,000 educational institutions around the world.

Affordable online access

With millions of learners benefiting from its offerings, Rosetta Stone has evolved from its original distribution method of CD-ROMs at substantial prices to a more affordable online access model. This allows you to explore all the content offered by Rosetta Stone as well as gain access to new features through a budget-friendly subscription. The company is actively involved in preserving endangered languages and collaborating with indigenous communities globally, showcasing its commitment to language diversity, even though these specific materials may not be directly accessible on the platform.

3-day free trial with full lessons

Rosetta Stone's Arabic lessons include a 3-day free trial, allowing you to explore the platform with minimal commitment. You can start the trial with just your email to get you into the system. Here's what we found in the lessons during the free trial: first, Rosetta Stone asks you what level of learner you are, then it asks about why you're learning Arabic (for family, for travel), and then you're given access to three lessons which are meant to be completed throughout the week.

Beginner lessons focus on vocabulary

All three of the beginner lessons focus on vocabulary and the very basics of the language. We were guided through a lesson that introduced keywords like man, woman, girl, and boy, and then quickly advanced to small phrases talking about what the man, woman, girl, or boy, were doing, immediately teaching small sentences as well as new vocab. Each phrase or word came with a photo illustrating what you are meant to learn, helping guide your understanding through images and sound at the same time.

Best Arabic Lessons

Go on a language scavenger hunt

Rosetta Stone is an exceptional platform with distinctive and useful features. The company utilizes its proprietary TruVoice software for speech recognition to practice your pronunciation during lessons. Through its immersive teaching model, known as Dynamic Immersion, the platform mimics the natural process of acquiring the Arabic language by providing exposure in context. This approach facilitates the intuitive learning of words, phrases, and grammar. Rosetta Stone's mobile app offers a See & Speak tool, compatible with iOS and Android, transforming language acquisition into a vocabulary scavenger hunt based on real-world surroundings.

Pay annually, quarterly, or get access for life

At Rosetta Stone, you have three payment options for your Arabic program: a 3-month subscription, a 12-month subscription, and a lifetime subscription. For the 3-month period, you'll pay $47.97 every quarter, with access to one language (Arabic). The renewal cost remains the same. The 12-month membership is priced at $126 for the entire year, providing access to just one language. If you opt for the lifetime subscription, it requires a one-time payment of $199, granting you access to all 25 languages offered by Rosetta Stone forever.

Progress is based on your needs and availability

The methodologies used at Rosetta Stone are based on your language level and specific goals, whether it's for travel, work, family, or building foundational language skills. For example, if you're a beginner aiming for Arabic Basics and Beyond (one of the suggested reasons for learning), the plan suggests 30 minutes of daily study, five days a week, spread over six weeks. Each week covers different topics to help you stay engaged over time. If you seek a more detailed approach, Rosetta Stone can assist you in creating a guided plan equipped with all the essential tools to guide you toward your desired level of Arabic fluency.

Best Arabic Lessons

30-day money-back guarantee

If you have concerns about the slightly higher costs of Rosetta Stone, there's some protection for the student on that front. Rosetta Stone offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If, within the first 30 days of your purchase, you feel that this teaching approach isn't aligning with your learning style, you can request a refund, no questions asked.

Students love Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone has an impressive reputation, standing out as one of the few companies in our evaluation with a rating from the Better Business Bureau. And, it's not a basic rating either. Rosetta Stone has earned a remarkable score of "A+." The feedback from customers on the iOS and Android apps is overwhelmingly positive, with Rosetta Stone holding an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 on both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Students specifically loved the speaking portions of the lessons, highlighting their success in developing accurate native-sounding accents.

Top pick for learning language from the ground up

The company stands out as a premier option if you're looking for a full range of modern learning methods. Its immersive approach creates a sense of accomplishment, allowing learners to acquire language skills like they would growing up in that language. The company provides tools and methodologies that cater to various learning styles, addressing all aspects of language, including speaking, reading, writing, and grammar. As you progress through your language plan, Rosetta Stone offers consistent improvements and competitive pricing, solidifying its position as a top contender and a 5-star service for individuals venturing into Arabic language learning.

Where Can You Find the Best Arabic Lessons?

Are you interested in learning Arabic? You may find yourself contemplating a relocation to one of the many countries where Arabic is the national language, or maybe you're just planning a trip to see Egypt. Whether you're looking to reconnect with your culture, learn more about a new one, or brush up on some courses you took in school, learning Arabic can be a truly worthwhile experience.

However, finding Arabic lessons that fit your busy life, include your preferred learning methods, and don't break the bank can be hard. For most people, in-person lessons aren't an option either for cost reasons or time commitments. Fortunately, the realm of online courses continues to grow, offering new Arabic learning opportunities that were previously unavailable.

The Best Arabic Lessons Compare Arabic Lessons Compare Arabic Lesson Reviews What are the best Arabic Lessons Best Arabic Lesson Reviews

Arabic Lesson FAQ

It is estimated that there are over 420 million speakers of Arabic worldwide, making it one of the five most commonly-spoken languages around the globe. This includes both native and non-native speakers.
Generally speaking, there are two basic forms of Arabic: standard and colloquial. The former is used by the media and in universities, literature and formal writing. If you take Arabic lessons from a Western school, this is probably the form you'll get. But, this isn't the way Arabic speakers use the language in their day-to-day lives! If you know that you'll be using Arabic mainly in one particular location (e.g. Egypt vs. Persian Gulf nations vs. Lebanon), it might be worth looking for an Arabic course that at least introduces the dialect of that area. On the other hand, of all of the Arabic dialects, Egyptian is the most widely-understood by all speakers (largely due to the nation's popular music, film and TV industry), so learning the Egyptian dialect is a safe bet too.
If your first language is English, be prepared for your Arabic studies to require some work! Ranked as a Category IV language by the State Department's Foreign Service Institute, Arabic is "exceptionally difficult” on par with Japanese, Korean and Chinese. But, if you're willing to put in the time and effort, it's definitely doable!
Your first step should be to learn the Arabic alphabet, so that you don't have to depend on transliteration into English. Arabic experts also recommend that you memorize the plural forms of every noun you learn, because they can be very different (no tacking on an "s” like we do in English!), as well as the verb forms and any prepositions that go along with them. Finally, as with learning any language, give yourself plenty of time to study regularly; a few minutes here and there won't get you speaking Arabic fluently!
Availability, affordability and access: for those three reasons alone, you should consider studying Arabic online. Many colleges and universities don't offer courses in the language, and there's no guarantee you can secure one of the coveted seats in the class if your school does. Studying Arabic online can be done according to your preferred schedule, and at a fraction of the cost you'd pay per credit hour at a local school.
If you're studying Arabic online, you will probably need to take a few extra steps to enable the language on your computer. The steps depend on whether you're using a Mac or Windows-based PC, so search for the instructions according to your operating system. There are also online Arabic keyboards you can use without changing your computer settings.
No! They're definitely less costly than taking in-person courses. Some programs charge a one-time fee, while others use a month-to-month subscription format. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a one-off software purchase, or between $10 and $30 per month for an online course that lasts up to two years. You've got lots of options!
That depends on the provider you choose. Some offer satisfaction guarantees ranging from 30-60 days from the date of purchase or start of the subscription plan, while others only allow you to cancel future months without refunding past payments. We recommend that you use any free materials offered by the Arabic lessons platform prior to making your choice: you can often take full sample lessons or watch a demo of how the program works, which will help you get a feel for which Arabic lessons are the best fit for your preferences and learning style.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Whether you prefer hearing, writing, or speaking, various Arabic programs are designed to offer a range of skill-building exercises. Modern audio materials cover syllables, words, phrases, and sentences for effective repetition.

Alternatively, for visual learners, there are Arabic language platforms that cleverly gamify the entire learning process. These platforms not only cover grammar and writing exercises but also often integrate speech recognition software, allowing you to compare your pronunciation directly with that of a native speaker.

Nearly every Arabic platform offers cultural and historical aspects in their programs. Given the rich historical background and symbolic importance of the Arabic language, a thorough grasp of it requires exploring its historical origins and understanding its contemporary applications. Many of today's language-learning options also emphasize Modern Standard Arabic, mirroring the language you would encounter in general conversations. And, some companies focus on local dialects too.

As you navigate the wide array of online Arabic lessons, it might seem a little daunting to pick the best fit. To help you find the best Arabic lessons for you, we've put together some helpful criteria:

  • Teaching methodology. What type of learner are you? Are you inclined towards auditory learning, finding podcasts or narrations to be your favorite? Perhaps you enjoy engaging in written or gamified exercises to support your learning experience? While several Arabic lesson programs integrate various learning modalities, some platforms prioritize one style over others. Consider your preferred learning approach so you select the most suitable platform for how you learn best.
  • Free trial option. Top-notch Arabic lesson programs allow you to explore the program without making a payment. Look for platforms that offer free trials and pay attention to their duration. You should also look for sites that provide example lessons or preview videos on the site so you can see what you're getting into at a glance. Exercise extra caution if a company doesn't have these important details.
  • Cost vs. value. The cost of the subscription (or one-time payment) is a significant factor for your Arabic education. But you'll also want to assess the value you'll receive. Consider how much fluency you'll gain from the program and whether you can learn Arabic from one program or if you'll need two or three to supplement others that are less complete.
  • Reputation. While many Arabic lesson platforms aren't listed with the Better Business Bureau, there are reviews on third-party sites, linguistics blogs, and mobile apps to consider. Check-in on the ratings for your chosen Arabic lesson provider to make sure you're getting a language source with a great reputation.

To make sure you have the best possible experience learning Arabic, Top Consumer Reviews has assessed and rated the top options for Arabic lessons. We hope our reviews help you achieve your desired level of fluency, whether your goal is travel, cultural understanding, or simply enjoyment of a new language. Enjoy your continuing education in the beautiful language of Arabic!

Compare Arabic Lessons

Select any 2 Arabic Lessons to compare them head to head

best-arabic-lessons
See the Best Arabic Lesson
The Best Reviews of Arabic Lessons