Whether you’re a complete beginner or know some basic Hebrew, finding the right language course can help you improve. There are tons of language courses that can help you learn Hebrew, and we’ve broken them down into tiers to help you separate the great from the not-so-great.
I’ll explain which courses are worth your time and which ones are better to avoid. The first tier covers our top picks for learning Hebrew, while the second tier lists the runners-up. Third-tier courses might fill in some gaps in your language learning, but they also have a few flaws, too. Finally, the fourth tier—the ones you should avoid—are language courses that aren’t worth the money (or the time).
Let’s get started with my top-tier picks for learning Hebrew.
Top Tier
Pimsleur, Italki, HebrewPod101, Hebrew Podcast, Memrise
2nd Tier
Duolingo, Classical Hebrew Youtube Playlist, Learn Hebrew Easily, Udemy, FSI
3rd Tier
Glossika, Mango languages, LearnHebrewPod, Lingualift
4th Tier
ETeacherHebrew, Rosetta Stone, Mondly, Transparent Language
Tier 1 – The best online Hebrew courses
These courses are excellent all-around resources for learning and practicing Hebrew.
JUMP-STARTING YOUR HEBREW SKILLS
Pimsleur offers a well-rounded approach to learning any language, and it all starts with audio lessons. Listening to conversational speech from both male and female speakers helps you expand vocabulary and hone pronunciation.
The basic subscription doesn’t have much written material, but the more expensive option includes reading skills practice. Overall, Pimsleur offers a helpful format for learning and the tools you need to become fluent.
Pros
- Audio-based learning helps you start speaking Hebrew fast.
- Cultural details are great for perspective.
- The focus is on speaking, so you immediately begin with vocab and pronunciation.
Cons
- You might want extra resources for reading and writing (even with the higher-tier subscription).
- Sometimes the lessons are a bit boring.
See our Super-Detailed Pimsleur Review
TUTORING HELP FOR A RANGE OF ABILITY LEVELS
Sometimes working with an instructor one on one is the best way to get quality language instruction. italki offers that, and more. You can connect with teachers or tutors at a range of price points and find someone who fits your learning style. Teachers have professional experience, and tutors are usually native or advanced speakers.
italki is convenient and accessible to all ability levels. You can find a Hebrew tutor who works with you on specific vocabulary or skills, too. And if you find someone you really click with, you can stick with them as you advance.
Pros
- Scheduling is convenient because you choose what time works for you.
- The Language Partners Board is an excellent tool for checking your Hebrew (and helping others).
- You can usually take trial lessons for a lower price to see if an instructor is a good fit.
Cons
- Pricing can be confusing because italki uses “credits,” not cash.
- Popular teachers’ schedules can get booked up, so last-minute sessions aren’t always possible.
See our Super-Detailed italki Review
AUDIO-FOCUSED RESOURCE WITH EXTRAS
Hundreds of audio and video lessons help you learn Hebrew fast and without complications. You can take your studies anywhere, and there are also flashcards, PDF lesson notes, and online discussions. HebrewPod101 is another language learning platform that uses a conversational style and lots of audio lessons, and it works.
Levels range from Beginner to Advanced, and new lessons come out every week. While the main strength of HebrewPod101 is improving listening comprehension, there are also grammar notes included as well.
Pros
- HebrewPod101 includes lots of interesting cultural information.
- The podcast format makes learning casual while you build language skills.
- Starts out at the absolute beginner level, so accessible for even first-time Hebrew learners.
Cons
- There’s not a ton of written material.
- The format relies on a lot of English, at least at first.
- Not structured in a way where every lesson builds upon the previous ones.
See our Super-Detailed HebrewPod101 Review
PODCAST LESSONS PLUS EXTRAS
The website for Hebrew Podcasts can feel a bit dated but hear us out. New lessons come out each month, so you know it’s up to date. Plus, even though the main lessons are podcast format, there are add-ons to help you study, too.
First, you’ll listen to the audio dialog, which ranges from about ten to 14 minutes. There are explanations in English, along with a read-along video. There are transcripts for the videos (and translations), flashcards, games, and quizzes.
Pros
- Lessons are continuously updated once a month.
- There’s a lot of written material to help you with more than just verbal skills.
- You can try ten lessons for free with no commitment.
Cons
- The website is old and a bit clunky.
- Each lesson’s format is the same, so it can get a little repetitive.
BEGINNER-FRIENDLY LEARNING ON A BUDGET
We like Memrise because it’s free and you can study a range of topics. The free version allows you limited access to the paid courses. If you want to expand your Hebrew vocabulary, Memrise is a great way to do it.
If you choose a premium subscription, you can also access more content. But the user-generated content is always changing and improving, too. Still, you shouldn’t rely on Memrise alone to learn Hebrew. A grammar book or another resource can help you stay on track.
Pros
- You can choose specific vocabulary to learn for different applications.
- It’s an easy study tool with a flashcard-like format.
Cons
- It’s not enough for continued language learning.
- Premium version isn’t all that much more valuable than the free version.
See our Super-Detailed Memrise Review
Tier 2 – Pretty good courses for studying Hebrew
My second-tier choices are more than adequate for most Hebrew learners.
A STRONG STARTING POINT FOR READING IN HEBREW
Duolingo isn’t ideal for all languages, but it’s an excellent starting point for Hebrew—and the written language especially. For beginners, you get a lot of audio content, too, but that tends to fade the farther you go.
What’s still helpful at intermediate to advanced level on Duolingo is the notes for grammar. The game-like format is pretty fun, too, and it does get more challenging in higher-level lessons.
Pros
- Free and accessible on smartphones/tablets/computers.
- The notes are helpful for really understanding the grammar/vocab.
- Game-like format is engaging.
Cons
- Audio instruction/resources are minimal.
- You’ll need a supplement beyond the beginner level.
See our Super-Detailed Duolingo Review
CASUAL INSTRUCTION FOR BEGINNERS
If you want to learn classical (biblical) Hebrew for free, YouTube is a great place to start. Evan Millner’s playlist includes videos that are a couple of minutes long to over 20 minutes, and he uses a handful of sources to teach with. Evan has a master’s degree in Hebrew, among other credentials, and he focuses on the oral and serial methods of teaching.
The videos are a bit outdated, but the 56-video collection offers a ton of resources. Plus, you can get started as a total beginner with no other resources.
Pros
- Completely free, and you can work at your own pace, anywhere.
- Quality instruction with a casual approach—Evan talks about himself and his personal experience with the language.
- The lessons go in order and get increasingly more difficult.
Cons
- A bit outdated, and the videos aren’t high quality.
- You’ll likely need a supplement for writing/reading.
FUNDAMENTALS IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS
For absolute beginners, Learn Hebrew Easily is a decent resource. You’ll learn how to write the Hebrew alphabet with animated lessons, listen to some audio content, and learn basic grammar and vocabulary.
In short, this course will get you started, but it won’t take you very far. If you have zero experience with the Hebrew alphabet and pronunciation, this might be the right tool for starting out. You’ll soon find you need some more resources, though.
Pros
- Covers the alphabet and basic pronunciation.
- Ideal for beginners without any exposure to Hebrew.
- Work at your own pace (and for free).
Cons
- Not much audio to work with.
- Material is a bit outdated, and it looks like there won’t be updates.
TONS OF OPTIONS FOR ALL LEVELS
Udemy has courses from diverse instructors and on a range of topics in Hebrew. The courses range from about 40 minutes to over ten hours long, so you can choose the format and instructor that works for you.
Most courses come with downloadable study guides and other materials—and you get lifetime access once you buy the lesson. The audio is great since these are video-based lessons. Still, if you want to focus on writing, you’ll have to search around for courses with additional materials/homework.
Pros
- Whatever course you pick comes with lifetime access so you can re-do the lessons.
- Lessons cover specialized and traditional topics so you can develop specific vocabulary.
- Udemy offers money-back guarantees, so if you’re unhappy, you can take it up with them.
Cons
- Some courses are steep in price—wait for a sale for maximum savings.
- Instructor styles and course quality vary widely.
TRADITIONAL LEARNING FOR FREE
FSI Hebrew (from the Foreign Service Institute) involves a ton of audio lessons and a PDF student manual. The first thing you’ll notice is the resources are severely outdated, but that doesn’t mean it’s not quality material.
There are 40 units totaling over 22 hours of audio. While the files aren’t the best quality, they’re an easy and free way to start practicing Hebrew.
Pros
- You can download all the materials and study anywhere.
- It’s free, and accessible online or on smart devices.
- You have the benefit of both audio-intensive and book study.
Cons
- The resources are really old.
- PDF student manual is scanned, so sometimes tough to read.
Tier 3 – okay Hebrew courses
Third-tier courses have a few strengths, like providing supplemental instruction for learning Hebrew.
PRICEY BUT WITH A PURPOSE
Glossika relies on audio drills for language learning, and they offer a ton of options. This can be a good option if you’re learning more than one language at the same time. The audio lessons span comprehension, listening, and speaking, and it’s ideal for upper-beginner and lower-intermediate users.
Overall, the instruction is decent, but you might notice a lack of cultural details. Essentially, Glossika is a passable resource for learning multiple languages since the format repeats.
Pros
- One subscription includes all the languages Glossika offers.
- There’s a lot of audio for Hebrew (and other languages, too).
- The format is repetitive, which is a plus as far as structuring your lessons.
Cons
- Pricing is pretty steep.
- You might notice errors in the courses.
- It’s kind of a boring interface, so you have to really want to study.
See our Super-Detailed Glossika Review
DECENT INSTRUCTION FOR BEGINNERS
Mango Languages is comparable to Duolingo in a lot of ways, but the main difference is the cost. That said, it does have some highlights—like the fact that your local library might offer it for free.
You won’t find a lot of in-depth cultural or grammar instruction, but the materials they do have are high-quality. Similar to Duolingo, the perks are a stats tracker and game-like instruction. Working with Mango is fun, but you’ll probably hit a wall when your Hebrew skills become more advanced.
Pros
- Might be available for free at your local library.
- All languages (70+) come with each subscription.
- The format is engaging and has game-like features.
Cons
- Translation function is lacking—it’s just a plugin.
- There’s not much material for advanced Hebrew speakers.
See our Super-Detailed Mango Languages Review
LIMITED LESSONS FOR ALL LEVELS
LearnHebrewPod is a resource that promises to modernize learning Hebrew, but it’s not as in-depth as other resources. The instruction ranges from beginner to advanced, but there are only around 25 lessons in each level, so it goes pretty quickly.
You can follow along while listening to text (the sentences are highlighted), and there are many components to each lesson. For example, every lesson includes dialogue, translations, vocab, grammar, and review.
Pros
- Online and app platforms let you study anywhere.
- Multiple components to each lesson for variety in your study.
- Suitable for beginners to advanced speakers.
Cons
- Limited number of lessons per level.
- Expensive for what you get.
- Not much emphasis on writing overall.
TEXTBOOK LEARNING AT A COST
There are a few things we really love about LinguaLift—but the keyword is few. The cultural context is a huge perk, since many language courses gloss over the background you need to understand a language fully.
That said, the style is a lot like reading from a textbook, and there’s not much audio involved, either. You’ll definitely learn to read—and probably enjoy the lessons—but you won’t be prompted to speak out loud or listen to narrations.
Pros
- Learn all three languages (Japanese, Russian, Hebrew) for one price.
- The reading is entertaining and has good content.
- Instruction starts out with the basics—introducing yourself, pronunciation—and gets harder from there.
Cons
- Relies heavily on English for all the lessons.
- The style/format gets repetitive, fast.
- Very focused on reading, so there’s no audio or oral practice.
See our Super-Detailed LinguaLift Review
Avoid These – Hebrew courses we can’t recommend
Honestly, these courses aren’t worth the time or money, so we suggest avoiding them.
PRICEY AND NOT WORTH THE STRESS
The eTeacherHebrew course (now Rosen Hebrew School) sounds like a great setup. It claims to offer professional teachers who are native Hebrew speakers, and the format is virtual classes hosted by those teachers. But though we haven’t yet tried the course, many students report feeling like it wasn’t worth it.
Problems with billing, scheduling, and reaching customer support make eTeacherHebrew a headache. Overall, we think it’s smarter to find a tutor from italki. That, paired with a textbook, should get you farther than an eTeacherHebrew course will.
Pros
- Involves both video instruction and traditional textbook learning.
- Offers leveled courses for beginners through advanced Hebrew speakers.
Cons
- Extremely expensive.
- Inflexible scheduling—class happens whether you make it to the virtual meetings or not.
- Many students have had billing and overcharging issues.
DATED METHODS WITH NOT MUCH VARIATION
There’s nothing truly awful about Rosetta Stone, but there’s not anything impressive about it, either. Picture-matching is the primary teaching method, which gets repetitive and boring.
There’s very little reading or writing practice, and each language follows the same lesson format. That said, the initial lessons are simple for beginners—but you’ll probably tire of the picture matching pretty quickly.
Pros
- The lessons build on each other, starting at a very basic beginner level.
- A voice recognition tool checks your pronunciation.
Cons
- Lesson formatting is repetitive and bland.
- You pay per language, so it gets expensive if you’re studying more than one.
- There’s no English used, so sometimes the ‘matching’ activities get confusing.
See our Super-Detailed Rosetta Stone Review
DECENT RESOURCE BUT POOR EXECUTION
Learning Hebrew with Mondly is probably possible, but we don’t think you’ll have much fun with it. There’s a lack of quality content—Mondly only covers basic conversational skills—and the repetitive design isn’t engaging at all.
You can find other resources at or below this price point that will help you learn Hebrew much more effectively.
Pros
- There’s decent vocabulary to pick up here.
- There are quizzes and challenges that can be fun.
Cons
- Formatting is repetitive on all levels.
- The order of instruction doesn’t always make sense.
- It’s tough to figure out some of the activities.
See our Super-Detailed Mondly Review
BASIC INSTRUCTION WITH FEW FRILLS
Transparent Language offers a ton of languages, but that’s about the extent of the positives. You won’t learn Hebrew—or any other language—in-depth, and the amount of content doesn’t warrant the high price tag.
One cool feature is the recording tool, which lets you insert yourself in conversations. But beyond that, we don’t think the teaching methods are effective enough to justify recommending it.
Pros
- Lots of languages available.
- Recording tool is cool for pronunciation practice.
Cons
- Steep price for what you get.
- Rote memorization is the primary learning strategy.
- The lessons are repetitive and get boring fast.
See our Super-Detailed Transparent Language Review
Final Thoughts
Learning Hebrew can seem tough at first, especially as you learn the basics like reading from right to left. Fortunately, our top picks for Hebrew learning courses can help you develop the skills you need for fluency—without wasting time on resources that aren’t going to work. Have you tried learning Hebrew? What courses do you recommend? Share with us below!
Here’s one to consider, having a guarantee, from beginner to intermediate to advanced:
https://www.ulpanet.com/Learn-Hebrew-Comprehensive-Course/
Offers both modern and biblical hebrew.