In a Nutshell
pros
- Helps you improve your accent
- Experience real-world conversations
- Personalized learning plan
cons
- Pricier than some other language tools
- Doesn’t assess your progress
Rosetta Stone at a Glance
Language Variety
Ease of Use
Interactivity
Pricing
Learning Flexibility
Rosetta Stone Plans
Rosetta Stone’s pricing varies according to how long you want to subscribe and how many languages you want to study. If you’re studying a single language, you can purchase a specific, one-subject subscription for either 3 or 12 months. If you’re learning more than one language, you’ll need the unlimited languages option, which is also a lifetime purchase. While that’s the most expensive option, if you’re a keen language learner, it could provide the best value over time.
How much does Rosetta Stone cost?
How much Rosetta Stone costs you will depend on how many languages you want to include and how long you want to use the product for. Running a monthly subscription for several years may work out to be quite expensive, so it may be more cost effective to purchase a lifetime package.
In addition to your Rosetta Stone subscription, you can choose to connect with a tutor once you’ve completed several lessons on the software. Your first session with a tutor is free, and after that will cost $14-19 per session in addition to your subscription plan or one-off lifetime license fee.
Rosetta Stone currently has a free trial that gives you 3 days of full access to its software for 1 language of your choice.
How does Rosetta Stone work?
Rosetta Stone has been providing language learning solutions since the early 1990s and has since moved into offering cloud-based software. Its method gradually scales from words and phrases to more complex conversations. These come with audio and visual cues to cement what you’re learning, and you can refer to the included phrasebook as you go.
Grammar and vocabulary are embedded into example conversations, so you won’t need to learn tables or complete drills. The idea is to train you to see the patterns in the language over time. Idioms are also woven into the lessons so you will sound more like a native speaker.
Something that makes Rosetta Stone stand out is the inclusion of pronunciation and accent practice. The speech recognition engine will compare your speaking to native examples to show where you can make improvements. You can also work on your listening on the go with audio lessons you can download and take with you.
You also have the option of connecting with a tutor (for an extra cost) for live one-to-one lessons that can help you make further progress in speaking and listening.
Is Rosetta Stone reliable and safe?
Rosetta Stone has mixed reviews on Trustpilot, with 39% giving a rating of “Excellent,” 25% “Great,” 11% “Average,” 8% “Poor,” and 17% “Bad.” Users note that the language tools are fun and easy, and for some learners the Rosetta Stone method really works. On the other hand, some people mention issues with payments and accessing the software.
Rosetta Stone has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), although it is not accredited. There are 74 customer complaints logged by the BBB. Some customers have felt unhappy that the unlimited lifetime package was only made available recently.
What’s special about Rosetta Stone?
Rosetta Stone’s method breaks down language learning into bite-size chunks that make it easier to digest. It’s designed to mimic a more natural form of language learning by helping you engage with real conversations and stories that become more complex as your studies go on.
Rather than presenting a one size fits all approach, Rosetta Stone will ask why you’re studying (e.g. work or travel) and will produce a personalized study plan that curates the learning content to make sure it’s relevant for you.
Usefully, Rosetta Stone is available on multiple devices, and you can shift your study from your computer to your mobile or tablet without losing your progress.
Help and Support
If you need support from Rosetta Stone, there is a dedicated support site with a knowledge base covering a range of useful topics. You can also seek support by email. Details of chat and phone support are more difficult to find on the site, but they are available. Phone and chat support can be reached Monday-Friday, 9am-10pm ET, or weekends 11am-8pm ET.
Bottom Line
Rosetta Stone offers a fairly comprehensive language learning tool that builds your skills in a new language in a gradual, naturalistic way. Rather than presenting you with tables and lists, you will learn vocabulary and grammar through immersion into conversations. Audio-visual cues will support the formation of long-term memory. For many people, this will be an easier and more motivating way to learn than using a traditional textbook.
Additionally, Rosetta Stone offers two innovative ways to improve speaking and listening skills as well as reading and writing. Connecting with a tutor one on one is a great feature that can get your speaking skills sparkling in no time. You can also polish your pronunciation with the voice recognition feature.
Although it is one of the pricier options out there, if the learning style suits you, Rosetta Stone could be worth the investment to make quick progress in your target language.
FAQs
Can you become fluent with Rosetta Stone?
Rosetta Stone provides a great deal of language learning content (around 40-50 hours per level). However, it’s not guaranteed to bring you to fluency. Instead, it should give you a good foundation on which to build your language skills.
Is Rosetta Stone worth it?
If you’re looking for a solid all-in-one solution, Rosetta Stone could be worth the investment. Its software includes tools for improving reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and you can also connect with a tutor. However, if you’re on a budget you may be able to replicate lots of the features with a range of lower-priced or even free tools.
How long does it take to become fluent with Rosetta Stone?
Although it’s not guaranteed to reach fluency with Rosetta Stone, there’s enough in the software to keep you going for a long time. Each language option has multiple levels to work through, so you can make rapid progress in your target language.