Apprendr vs Toucan
Apprendr vs Toucan by Babbel for French: passive word swaps while you browse versus full sentence explanation, audio, and practice.
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Short answer
Toucan, a browser extension owned by Babbel, swaps a few words on pages you read in English into French, so vocabulary builds passively while you browse. Apprendr works the other way: you bring real French you want to understand, and it explains the whole sentence at your level, then adds audio and practice.
Use Apprendr for
- Understanding whole French sentences, not single swapped words
- Grammar explained at your CEFR level
- Reading real French articles and pages
- Practice and review from the French you studied
Use Toucan for
- Passive vocabulary exposure while browsing in English
- Picking up words with almost no effort
- Hovering a word to hear it and save it
- Learning a language other than French
Frequently asked questions
Is Apprendr better than Toucan for learning French?
Toucan, a browser extension owned by Babbel, swaps a few words on pages you read in English into French, so vocabulary builds passively while you browse. Apprendr works the other way: you bring real French you want to understand, and it explains the whole sentence at your level, then adds audio and practice.
When is Toucan the better choice?
Toucan is the better fit for passive vocabulary exposure while browsing in English; picking up words with almost no effort; hovering a word to hear it and save it; and learning a language other than French.
Is Apprendr free?
Apprendr is free to start: 10 credits a day without an account, or 100 a day with a free Google sign-in. A learning explanation costs 1 credit and audio costs 2.
Ready for whole French sentences?
Paste a French sentence you are stuck on. Apprendr explains the grammar and vocabulary at your level, reads it aloud, and keeps it for practice and review. Free to start, no account needed.