Busuu vs italki:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Busuu and italki were level in searches among language learning apps worldwide, with an estimated 266K versus 246K branded searches, at 2.6% and 2.4% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about language learning apps, Busuu and italki each appeared in four of the five answers. Busuu was mentioned before italki in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Busuu, about 8% more searches than italki
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Busuu, named ahead of italki in 4 of 5 answers
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Top language learning apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Busuu was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. italki was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Busuu was listed before italki in four out of five answers.
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.
Is Busuu or italki more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Busuu and italki by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven language learning apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Busuu, italki. 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% |
How has the Busuu and italki comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: italki took it in January 2026, Busuu took it in March 2026, italki took it in April 2026, Busuu took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Busuu’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide moved from 2.5% to 2.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 261K to 266K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, italki’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide held steady at 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 246K.
How did search popularity change for language learning apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
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.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Busuu’s and italki’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among language learning apps
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