Last updated: October 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. Prices and rules re-checked on Lingoda’s site on 24 October 2026. Lingoda’s affiliate program closed on 30 September 2026, so we earn nothing from the Lingoda links on this page. See our review methodology.
Lingoda French is a live online French course: hour-long video classes with a native-speaking teacher, either one-to-one or with up to four other learners, following a curriculum from A1 to B2. Group classes cost about $8.50 to $14 each at list price. It is a strong fit for learners who want regular speaking and listening practice with a set syllabus, and a weak fit for anyone aiming at C1 or studying in irregular bursts. Below: how the classes run, the full price table, the cost of a level, the Sprint, the certificate versus the DELF and Canada’s TEF and TCF tests, and what recent learners report.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Our rating: 4.1 / 5. Lingoda French is good value for structured speaking practice with native teachers, and the 24/7 timetable makes it easy to fit in. The French track ends at B2, teachers vary in style, and the subscription rules (four-week billing, credits that only work while you are subscribed) need managing.
- Best for: A1 to B1 learners who want to speak French every week, on a schedule
- Price: $69.99 to $339.99 per four weeks for group classes; private from $214.99 for five
- Free trial: 7 days: three group classes or one private class
- Skip it if: you need C1, exam coaching, or one regular teacher
ACTIVE PROMO
Lingoda’s Halloween sale runs for purchases from 22 October to 3 November 2026 (10 AM CET). Its terms give new students 20% off the first four weeks of the 12-, 20- and 40-class plans; the 5-class plan is excluded, and from the second cycle you pay the list price. “New” means anyone who has never held an active Lingoda subscription (a free trial does not count). The price at checkout is the one that counts.
See Lingoda French classes and the free trial →
What is Lingoda French?
Before you spend money on the wrong online course, read this.
Get the free 2026 Platform Comparison Guide — 12 platforms compared on price, certificates, and refund policies. Instant PDF, plus my honest Tuesday picks.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lingoda is a Berlin online language school founded in 2013 by Felix and Fabian Wunderlich. It teaches only through live classes, with more than 2,400 native-level teachers by its own count, and its French program is one of six it runs (German, English, Business English, French, Spanish and Italian). Lingoda is clear that it is “not a language learning app” but a school: the core product is a teacher in a video room, not a set of games.
You subscribe to a number of classes per four-week cycle and book them yourself. The app adds exercises before and after each class; Lingoda describes these as AI-powered and says they adapt to your progress. Our main Lingoda review covers the company as a whole; this review is specific to French.
How the French classes work
Every class is 60 minutes and maps to one lesson in Lingoda’s French curriculum. You download the slides, join the class, and work through the lesson with the teacher, who corrects your pronunciation and grammar as you go. The mechanics:
- Plans. 5, 12, 20 or 40 classes per four weeks, in groups of 3 to 5 or one-to-one. You can change plan size for the next cycle.
- Timetable. Classes are bookable 24 hours a day. Popular slots fill, so Lingoda suggests booking about a week ahead.
- Requesting a class. If the lesson you need is not on the timetable, request it up to seven days ahead. If no teacher picks it up two hours before the start, it is canceled without penalty. A Reddit learner points out that this is how you keep lessons in order rather than jumping around the syllabus.
- Canceling. Monthly-plan classes can be canceled three days ahead with the credit returned, according to the pricing page; the seven-day rule in Lingoda’s general FAQ applies to the Sprint. Canceling within 30 minutes of booking is always free.
- Placement. A five-minute online test suggests where to start.
French levels: A1 – B2 — and the ceiling
Lingoda’s French page says it “currently teaches French up to B2.” It describes B2 as communicating “with a degree of fluency” and understanding complex text, and notes that C1 is the better target for advanced professional French. There is no C1 class, so plan your next step if you need it.
| Level | What it covers in practice |
|---|---|
| A1 Absolute beginner | Greetings, introductions, numbers, ordering, simple everyday phrases |
| A2 Elementary | Daily routines, shopping, talking about past events and simple plans |
| B1 Intermediate | Travel and work situations, giving opinions, telling a story |
| B2 Upper intermediate | Debating, following fast native speech, reading articles and complex text |
Lingoda’s pricing FAQ says “one level has 50 classes.” In practice that is a half-level: learners report finishing A1.1 after 50 classes, and Lingoda’s Sprint page measures progress in “CEFR sub-levels.” So from zero, B2 is eight sub-levels, roughly 300 to 400 classes. Lingoda’s own French page says a one-year B2 goal becomes more realistic with several classes a week (or an intensive Sprint) plus regular self-study.
What a class is actually like
Expect a teacher-led hour rather than free conversation. The teacher presents the slide, asks each student in turn, and corrects as you speak. Your classmates come from different countries, so French becomes the shared language. One October 2026 reviewer liked meeting “francophones from around the world” and called the one-hour format the right length; another, in September, said hearing different teachers’ accents and pace helped train their ear.
Speaking time is the honest limit. A Reddit user who tried the French trial found the classes “only OK” with not much speaking time, and another, at B1.2, wished teachers used less English. On the other side, a learner who had done the Sprint since December called Lingoda excellent for speaking and listening practice even though they learned more grammar from a private tutor. Lingoda works best as your speaking practice, with grammar study alongside it.
What learners say about Lingoda French
Lingoda’s Trustpilot score is 4.2 out of 5 from 5,898 reviews (24 October 2026). Of the 45 most recent, 19 gave five stars, 8 four, 4 three, 1 two and 9 one. French learners are well represented:
- Positive: teachers described as knowledgeable, professional and patient; flexible times; practical lessons for “how to actually speak French day-to-day”; a clear sense of progress.
- Negative: one French learner called some teachers rude, overly corrective and often five minutes late; others objected to paying to keep access to unused credits, credits expiring after 12 months, and strict Sprint rules.
On Reddit, a recurring caution is that many online Lingoda reviews were sponsored; a French learner said so before asking for honest experiences. That is one reason we weigh recent, unsolicited reviews and state that Lingoda pays us nothing.
Lingoda French pricing (verified October 2026)
USD prices for French on Lingoda’s pricing page, read on 24 October 2026. Each price covers one four-week cycle; the plan renews automatically, so a year is 13 payments.
Group classes (3 to 5 students)
| Classes per 4 weeks | List price | Per class at list | Halloween sale (first cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $69.99 | $14.00 | not included |
| 12 | $129.99 | $10.83 | $103.99 |
| 20 | $219.99 | $11.00 | $175.99 |
| 40 | $339.99 | $8.50 | $271.99 |
Private classes (one-to-one)
| Classes per 4 weeks | List price | Per class at list | Halloween sale (first cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $214.99 | $43.00 | not included |
| 12 | $399.99 | $33.33 | $319.99 |
| 20 | $549.99 | $27.50 | $439.99 |
| 40 | $994.99 | $24.87 | $795.99 |
Group prices were the same for French and Spanish. A Reddit learner who had done two Sprints said Lingoda changed its pricing in ways that made it “a bit less of a deal”; it has also run frequent sales, so compare the checkout price with the list price above. Lingoda also lists a UNiDAYS student discount and a refer-a-friend offer (20% off a friend’s first month on a purchase of at least €100, and 20% off your next month). Full annual figures are in our Lingoda cost guide.
The French Sprint
Lingoda’s Sprint is a two-month French challenge with 15 classes a month (Sprint) or 30 (Super Sprint). Finish exactly the agreed number each month and you can claim money back. The current Sprint runs from 20 October to 18 December 2026 and new sign-ups are on a waitlist.
| Rule | Detail (Lingoda FAQ, 24 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Reward | The FAQ says 50% of what you paid in cash, or more value as class credits (30 for Sprint, 60 for Super Sprint). The landing page says “up to 100%”; the cash share has varied by Sprint and region. |
| Eligibility | No new-customer-only rule appears in the current FAQ. (Our earlier version said only first-time customers qualify; that was wrong.) |
| Lateness | Missing up to 10 minutes of a class does not disqualify you. |
| Exact numbers | Extra classes in a month can cost you the reward, even if the total is right. |
| Level changes | You may change level during the Sprint without losing eligibility. |
| Payout time | About 40 to 45 days after the Sprint ends. |
A Reddit user preparing for Canada’s Express Entry planned a Super Sprint from zero; a reply from someone who had taken A1 French three years earlier warned that grammar explanations were thin and that skipping classes ends your refund. Read the rules more than once. Our Lingoda Sprint review goes further.
Pros
- Group classes from about $8.50 each at list on the largest plan
- Native-speaking teachers and small groups, with speaking in every class
- A structured A1 to B2 French curriculum with a certificate per completed level
- A 24/7 timetable and the option to request a class at the time you want
- A 7-day free trial and a 14-day refund window (minus classes taken)
Cons
- No French classes above B2
- Teacher quality and style vary; some reviewers report late starts or too much English
- Unused credits work only while you are subscribed; reviewers report a 12-month expiry
- Grammar explanations are brief; you will need self-study or a tutor for depth
- Billing every four weeks, with an automatic first payment after the trial
Who should take Lingoda French — and who shouldn’t
Lingoda French suits beginners and intermediate learners who want two or more classes a week, need a schedule to stay consistent, and like a fixed syllabus. It also suits learners heading for B1 or B2 for work or study who want a lot of listening practice with different accents.
Choose something else if you are already at B2, you are preparing for a specific exam such as the DELF or TEF Canada and need targeted coaching, you prefer one tutor who tracks your mistakes, or your schedule is too uneven to use every credit.
The certificate: what it is and is not
Lingoda awards a CEFR-aligned certificate for each level you finish and says these are accepted by many institutions. It shows the course you completed; it is not an exam result. For official recognition, French has two standard routes: the DELF and DALF diplomas from France’s education ministry, and, for Canadian immigration, the TEF Canada or TCF Canada tests. Both are covered in a section below.
Five ways to get more out of it
- Prepare each lesson. Skim the slides and new vocabulary before class so the hour is spent speaking.
- Request classes in order. Use the request feature to take the next lesson in your sub-level rather than whatever is on the timetable.
- Mix in private classes. One private class every few weeks lets a teacher fix the errors you repeat in groups.
- Study grammar separately. A grammar book or app fills the gaps that learners say the slides leave.
- Match the plan to your diary. Pick the plan you will finish every cycle; use the pause (up to four weeks, once per cycle) for holidays.
The fine print
| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Free trial | 7 days; 3 group classes or 1 private class. First payment is automatic when the trial ends; reminder email one day before. |
| Money-back guarantee | 14 days from subscribing, minus classes taken. |
| Plan changes | Take effect at the next billing cycle. |
| Pause | Up to 4 weeks, once per billing cycle; no bookings while paused. |
| Credits | Roll over while subscribed; inaccessible after your last cycle ends and restored if you resubscribe. Reviewers report expiry after 12 months. |
| Class cancellation | 3 days ahead on monthly plans; 7 days in the Sprint; any time within 30 minutes of booking. |
Lingoda French vs the alternatives
| Option | How you learn | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|
| Lingoda French | Live small-group or private classes, A1 to B2 syllabus | You want structure and regular speaking |
| Preply | One-to-one lessons with a tutor you pick, pay per lesson | You want one teacher and maximum speaking time |
| italki | Tutors plus single group classes such as B2/C1 conversation | You are advanced, or want no subscription |
| Pimsleur French | Audio lessons focused on speaking and pronunciation | You learn on a commute and want pronunciation drills |
A learner on Reddit who used both put the trade plainly: Lingoda can be cheaper per hour of class, but a tutor is cheaper per minute of you talking. For C1 or exam preparation, a tutor on Preply or italki goes further. See Lingoda vs italki and Lingoda vs Preply for full comparisons.
Is Lingoda French worth it?
For most learners between A1 and B1, yes: 4.1 out of 5. You get native teachers, a sensible syllabus and real speaking practice for about $8.50 to $14 a class, which is hard to beat for live teaching. It is worth less if you cannot attend regularly, because the subscription rules turn idle weeks into lost credits, and it stops being the right tool at B2. Try three classes with different teachers in the free trial before you commit.
Start a free Lingoda French trial →
How much does a French level cost on Lingoda?
Taking a full CEFR level as two sub-levels of about 50 classes (about 100 classes), the cost at list prices on 24 October 2026 is:
| Plan | Per class | One full level (about 100 classes) | Cycles needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group, 40 a cycle | $8.50 | about $850 | 2.5 cycles (10 classes a week) |
| Group, 20 a cycle | $11.00 | about $1,100 | 5 cycles (5 a week) |
| Group, 12 a cycle | $10.83 | about $1,083 | about 8.5 cycles (3 a week) |
| Private, 20 a cycle | $27.50 | about $2,750 | 5 cycles |
The 20-class plan costs slightly more per class than the 12-class plan at list ($11.00 vs $10.83). Assumes every credit is used.
Lingoda French, the DELF, and Canada’s TEF and TCF tests
DELF. France’s DELF “tout public” is an official diploma issued by the Ministry of National Education in four levels (A1 to B2), aligned with the CEFR and, according to France Éducation international, valid for life. The DALF covers C1 and C2. Lingoda’s A1 to B2 path lines up with the DELF levels, but Lingoda does not teach the exam’s task types, so add practice papers before you sit it.
Canada. For Express Entry, Canada accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Skilled jobs at TEER 0 or 1 require NCLC 7, and results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you apply. Learners on Reddit treat NCLC 7 as roughly B2. Lingoda can build the speaking and listening base, but plan targeted TEF or TCF practice for the last few months.
A note of caution from Reddit: a learner who sat outside exams felt Lingoda’s upper levels ran about half a level below the official standard. Take a practice test before booking the real exam.
How long does Lingoda French take?
| Classes a week | Zero to B1 (about 300 classes) | Zero to B2 (about 400 classes) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | about 23 months | about 31 months |
| 5 | about 14 months | about 19 months |
| 7 | about 10 months | about 13 months |
These assume about 50 classes per sub-level and no time off. Lingoda’s 2025 Sprint study reports 1.5 sub-levels in two months for Sprint finishers. Learners with school French usually place into A2 or B1 and finish sooner.
How we scored Lingoda French
We have not completed a full French level for this review. We read Lingoda’s pricing, FAQ, French and Sprint pages on 24 October 2026, the 45 most recent Trustpilot reviews, and Reddit threads from French learners, and weighted four criteria:
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching and class quality | 30% | 4.2 | Mostly strong teachers; complaints about lateness, English use and over-correction |
| Curriculum and structure | 25% | 4.3 | A1 to B2 with sub-levels and certificates; grammar explanations are brief |
| Value | 20% | 4.1 | About $8.50 to $14 a group class; 13 payments a year |
| Flexibility and policies | 25% | 3.7 | 24/7 timetable; credit and cancellation rules are strict |
Weighted, that comes to 4.1 out of 5. Our review methodology explains the approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lingoda good for learning French?
Yes for A1 to B1 learners who want live speaking practice. Classes are 60 minutes with native-speaking teachers in groups of 3 to 5 or one-to-one, on an A1 to B2 curriculum. It is less suitable for C1 goals or irregular study.
How much does Lingoda French cost?
Group plans are $69.99 (5 classes), $129.99 (12), $219.99 (20) and $339.99 (40) per four weeks; private plans run $214.99 to $994.99 (read 24 October 2026). A Halloween sale gave new students 20% off the first cycle of the 12-, 20- and 40-class plans until 3 November 2026.
What level of French does Lingoda go up to?
B2. Lingoda says it currently teaches French up to B2 and has no C1 French class.
Does Lingoda prepare you for the DELF or TEF Canada?
It builds the language level but is not an exam course. Add practice papers for the DELF, or targeted TEF Canada or TCF Canada practice for Express Entry, where skilled TEER 0 or 1 jobs need NCLC 7.
Is the Lingoda French certificate official?
No. It is a CEFR-aligned certificate of course completion. Official French diplomas are the DELF and DALF from France’s education ministry.
Does Lingoda French have a free trial?
Yes, 7 days with three group classes or one private class. Payment starts automatically after the trial unless you cancel.
Can I cancel a Lingoda French class?
Yes. On monthly plans you can cancel up to three days ahead and keep the credit, per Lingoda’s pricing page; Sprint classes need seven days. Any class can be canceled within 30 minutes of booking.
Who can join the Lingoda French Sprint?
Lingoda’s current FAQ sets no new-customer-only rule. You take 15 or 30 classes a month for two months and, if you follow the rules, the FAQ describes a 50% cash refund or more value in class credits.
Related guides
Related guides: Lingoda review · Lingoda cost · Lingoda Sprint review · Lingoda vs italki · Lingoda vs Preply · Lingoda vs Babbel · Lingoda vs Duolingo · Preply vs italki · Best language learning apps · Lingoda Spanish review · Lingoda German review · Best apps to learn French · Pimsleur French review · Preply review · italki review · Babbel review