DW Learn German review: price, free version and privacy

Our verdict

Pick DW Learn German if you want a structured, free path through all the CEFR levels and do not mind a plainer, less frequently updated app. If you want a polished interface or regular updates, a paid course may suit you better.

What DW Learn German is

DW Learn German comes from Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster, and the listing says it is completely free. It starts with a placement test, then offers courses for every level of the Common European Framework, with interactive exercises, vocabulary training, grammar, regional studies, alphabet lessons and German for specific jobs. Teachers also get free classroom materials.

Who it suits

• A complete German course for free
• Following the official CEFR levels

Strengths

• Free, with no in-app purchases listed
• Courses from beginner to advanced, organized as A1/A2, B1/B2 and C1/C2 in the screenshots
• A placement test to find your starting level
• Vocabulary, grammar, regional studies and job-related German in one app
• Free materials for teachers

Limits

• Rated 3.9 from only 131 ratings
• Last updated in October 2025, with bug fixes as the only release note
• The screenshots show German-language screens, which can be hard for complete beginners
• Identifiers may be used to track you, and the app is rated 13+

What the free version does

Everything is free, according to the description, and the listing shows no in-app purchases. There is no paywall.

Price

DW Learn German is free on the US App Store in November 2026, with no in-app purchases listed.

Privacy

The privacy label says identifiers may be used to track you across other companies' apps and websites. Identifiers and usage data are also collected without being linked to you.

What the screenshots show

The screenshots show German-language screens ("Kostenlos Deutsch lernen mit der DW") and a level picker with A1/A2, B1/B2 and C1/C2 tracks.