Drops vs. Italki
Drops
Drops is a language learning app that focuses on teaching vocabulary through quick, visual-based games. The idea is to make learning feel more like playing, with short sessions you can fit into your day. Instead of grammar-heavy lessons, it leans on matching words with pictures, swiping, and tapping to help words stick in your memory. The app covers over 40 languages, from common ones like Spanish and French to less common ones like Hawaiian and Ainu. You get common, everyday words and phrases to start with—things you’d actually use in conversation. It’s built for people who want to learn at their own pace, and there are features like reminders and streaks to keep you coming back. Drops keeps lessons short—usually five minutes—so it’s easy to squeeze in some learning while waiting for coffee or riding the train. There’s a free version with ads and limits on daily use, or you can pay for Premium to get rid of ads, unlock all content, and use it offline. Overall, it’s not going to tea...
Italki
Italki is a platform connecting language teachers, mostly native speakers, with students. You can book, pay, and schedule your classes directly through their website. The classes are one on one, just you and the teacher, and conducted over a video call. I used Italki successfully before going to Thailand for the first time. My wife who is Thai gave me an Italki gift card. There are plenty of teachers to chose from and the rates are affordable. You'll pay anywhere from $10 to about $20 for a class.
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/25/2025
Drops is a language learning app similar to Duolingo, except it has many of the languages that Duolingo doesn't support, such as Thai. It mostly focuses on teaching you new words, with a catalogue of 2,000+ words divided into categories. It comes with exercises to help you improve your reading, listening, and writing skills. It's a bit light on grammar but is a good place to pick up some basic words and learn to make simple sentences.
Reviews
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| Not as good as Duolingo | 1 | |
| Repetitive | 1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Italki and Drops serve different purposes in learning Thai. Italki connects you with native-speaking teachers for one-on-one video call lessons, which can be highly personalized and effective for improving speaking and listening skills. Drops, on the other hand, is an app focused on vocabulary building with over 2,000 words in various categories. It is user-friendly and good for beginners looking to expand their vocabulary, but it is lighter on grammar and interactive speaking practice. If you prefer personalized lessons with a teacher, Italki might be the better choice. If you want a convenient way to learn and practice vocabulary, Drops could be more suitable.
The cost of learning Thai on Italki varies depending on the teacher, with prices generally ranging from $10 to $20 per class. This can add up if you plan to take regular lessons. Drops, on the other hand, is a subscription-based app which may offer a more affordable option if you prefer a lower monthly cost for accessing various vocabulary exercises. The choice depends on your budget and how you prefer to learn.
Drops is primarily designed to build vocabulary and does not focus heavily on grammar. It provides exercises that help with reading, listening, and writing, but it may not be sufficient for those looking to gain a strong understanding of Thai grammar. Italki, however, offers personalized lessons with native-speaking teachers who can tailor the lessons to include grammar instruction as needed. Therefore, Italki might be more effective for learning Thai grammar compared to Drops.
Drops is a language learning app that focuses on teaching vocabulary through quick, visual-based games. It covers over 40 languages and emphasizes learning common, everyday words and phrases through engaging activities like matching words with pictures, swiping, and tapping. The app is designed for short, five-minute sessions, making it easy to fit into your daily routine.
Pros of Drops include its engaging, game-like approach to learning vocabulary and its coverage of over 40 languages, including some less common ones. However, some cons noted by users are that it is not as comprehensive as Duolingo and can feel repetitive over time.
Drops is similar to Duolingo in that both are language learning apps, but Drops focuses more on vocabulary acquisition rather than grammar. While Duolingo offers a more comprehensive language learning experience, including grammar lessons, Drops is better suited for users looking to quickly build their vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
Drops offers features such as short lesson sessions, reminders, and streaks to encourage daily practice. The app has a free version with ads and limitations on daily use, while a Premium subscription removes ads, unlocks all content, and allows offline access.
With Drops, you can learn a variety of common, everyday words and phrases that are useful in conversation. The app has a catalogue of over 2,000 words divided into categories, making it easier to focus on specific topics or themes.
Italki is a platform that connects language teachers, mostly native speakers, with students. You can book, pay, and schedule your classes directly through their website. The classes are one-on-one, conducted over a video call.
On Italki, students can browse through a variety of language teachers, read reviews, and compare rates. After selecting a teacher, students can book, pay, and schedule their classes directly through the platform. Classes are conducted one-on-one over video calls.
Currently, there are no user-generated pros and cons for Italki listed.
Classes on Italki generally cost between $10 and $20 per session, depending on the teacher and the language being taught.
Yes, Italki offers gift cards that you can give to someone else. This can be a great gift for someone looking to learn a new language.
