How popular isPimsleur?
In September 2026, people searched for Pimsleur by name about 74,000 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 0.72% of all global language learning app searches, placing Pimsleur sixth out of seven apps. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about language learning apps, Pimsleur appeared in four of the five answers and was the fourth most recommended of the seven.
Pimsleur is the sixth most searched of 7 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.
DuolingoShare of searches 90.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
BusuuShare of searches 2.6%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
italkiShare of searches 2.4%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
BabbelShare of searches 1.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
PimsleurShare of searches 0.72%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top language learning apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pimsleur was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pimsleur is the fourth most recommended of the seven.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Duolingo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Babbel5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Busuu4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
italki4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pimsleur4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Memrise1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Mondly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about language learning apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which language learning app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best language learning apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best language learning app for learning a language?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“language learning apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learn spanish app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Which language learning apps compete with Pimsleur?
Share of searches by month for Duolingo, Busuu, italki, Pimsleur. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Duolingo | Busuu | italki | Babbel | Memrise | Pimsleur | Mondly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 89.3% | 2.5% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 2% | 0.71% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 86.6% | 3% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.9% | 1% | 0.63% |
| Dec 2025 | 88% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.53% |
| Jan 2026 | 85.9% | 3% | 3.4% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 1% | 0.63% |
| Feb 2026 | 88.4% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 0.86% | 0.53% |
| Mar 2026 | 87.5% | 3% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2% | 0.85% | 0.65% |
| Apr 2026 | 88.8% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 0.86% | 0.65% |
| May 2026 | 89.1% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.86% | 0.66% |
| Jun 2026 | 89.7% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.87% | 0.45% |
| Jul 2026 | 87.9% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.53% |
| Aug 2026 | 89.9% | 2.7% | 2.9% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.87% | 0.44% |
| Sep 2026 | 90.8% | 2.6% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.1% | 0.72% | 0.54% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 90.8% | 9.3M | +21.6% | +1 points | |
| 2, moved from 3rd to 2nd | 2.6% | 266K | +17.5% | -0.1 pointsmoved from 3rd to 2nd | |
| 3, moved from 2nd to 3rd | 2.4% | 246K | 0% | -0.5 pointsmoved from 2nd to 3rd | |
| 4, held 4th | 1.8% | 182K | -0.55% | -0.4 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 1.1% | 117K | +19.9% | 0 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.72% | 74K | 0% | -0.1 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.54% | 55.7K | +48.3% | +0.1 points |
1.
Duolingo90.8%
Held 1st. 9.3M estimated branded searches, +21.6% vs prior month. Share +1 points.
2.
Busuu2.6%
Moved from 3rd to 2nd. 266K estimated branded searches, +17.5% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
3.
italki2.4%
Moved from 2nd to 3rd. 246K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.
4.
Babbel1.8%
Held 4th. 182K estimated branded searches, -0.55% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
5.
Memrise1.1%
Held 5th. 117K estimated branded searches, +19.9% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
6.
Pimsleur0.72%
Held 6th. 74K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
7.
Mondly0.54%
Held 7th. 55.7K estimated branded searches, +48.3% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Pimsleur and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Pimsleur
8 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Pimsleur changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Pimsleur worldwide held steady at 74K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pimsleur’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide held steady, from 0.71% to 0.72%.
How did search popularity change for language learning apps worldwide in September 2026?
5 changes

In September 2026, Duolingo gained share of searches among language learning apps worldwide, from 89.9% to 90.8%.

In September 2026, Busuu rose from 3rd to 2nd among language learning apps worldwide.

In September 2026, italki fell from 2nd to 3rd among language learning apps worldwide.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Memrise worldwide fell 44.7% over 12 measured months, from 212K to 117K in September 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Babbel worldwide fell 32.5% over 12 measured months, from 270K to 182K in September 2026.
How are Pimsleur’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pimsleur’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- pimsleur
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Where does Pimsleur compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language learning apps | 6th of 7 | 0.72% | Show ranking |
| Language learning apps | 6th of 7 | 0.72% | Shown above |

Is Pimsleur your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.