Language Learning App

How Profitable Is A Language Learning App? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: November 29th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Language Learning App? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a language learning app?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are language learning apps actually profitable?”

With a market size of $188B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a language learning app with as low as $60
Based on our data, language learning apps generate an average of $374K per year
You could see gross margins as high as 50% with language learning apps

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a language learning app.

Let’s dive in!

Is a language learning app profitable?

Yes, a language learning app is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $374K per year with an estimated gross margin of 83%, you could expect to recover your investment within 10 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your language learning app.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your language learning app is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a language learning app worth it?

If you’re wondering if a language learning app is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With language learning apps, you have the potential to earn $374K per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $188B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a language learning app to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful language learning apps case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Language Learning Apps

Here are a few examples of profitable language learning apps, and a few more details about them:

1. Gikken ($224K/year)

Alex, the co-founder and CEO of Gikken, came up with the idea for their flagship product, Mate Translate, while in high school. As an avid language learner, he wanted a fast and efficient way to translate words and sentences without interrupting his workflow. He developed the Instant Translate Chrome extension, which later evolved into Mate Translate, and eventually expanded it to other platforms with the help of developers. The business now generates around $18,000 a month and has a user base of 800,000 people.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $224K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

How We Started A $18K/Month App And Browser Extensions Development Business

Gikken is a small, profitable European company founded by Alex that makes browser extensions and apps used by 800,000 people every month, with their flagship product, Mate Translate, generating around $18,000 a month, but monetizing their user base better is their top priority for the next year.

Read this case study

Read by 10,915 founders

2. Hyperfluent ($120K/year)

While the country was recovering from the effects of the Great Recession, Eva, like other graduates was having trouble finding a job. She took a road trip to decide the career path she wants to take, and remembered jotting down three of her passions: children, travelling, and languages. This was the start for Hyperfluent.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K

How I Make $9K/Month Teaching Languages To NBA And Premier League Players

Eva Rosales founded Hyperfluent, a language acquisition consultancy service, which incorporates personalized consultations, tutoring and translational services, language immersion programs, and more, and can make a monthly profit of $9,000-10,000.

Read this case study

Read by 2,839 founders

3. Think in Italian LLC ($84K/year)

Stefano Lodola, an industrial engineer fluent in 13 languages, founded Think in Italian after realizing none of the existing online courses met his rigorous standards—he hit $10k MRR in October 2023.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 50%
How much money it makes: $84K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

How I Grew My Language Learning App To $7K/Month

Stefano Lodola's Think in Italian language platform surged to nearly $10k MRR by tapping into a unique, immersive learning approach, yet was forced to navigate a 50% revenue drop due to Google’s algorithm changes.

Read this case study

Read by 1,621 founders

Learn more about starting a language learning app:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a language learning app?
-> Pros and cons of a language learning app

Need inspiration?

-> Other language learning app success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a language learning app

Other resources

How much can you make with a language learning app?

With a language learning app, you can make an average of $374K revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $60. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 10 months.

How much does a language learning app make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a language learning app ranges around $7.79K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $31.2K.

To know if your language learning app achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your language learning app.

How much do language learning apps owners make?

The income of a language learning app owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established language learning app is about $7.79K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a language learning app owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Language Learning App Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a language learning app can expect profit margin of around 83%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a language learning app, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, language learning app owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, language learning app owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Language learning app owner salary

The salary of a language learning app owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established language learning app, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $6.47K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a language learning app may be a promising business to start - but the success of your language learning app mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable language learning app.

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Starting A Language Learning App: Everything You Need To Know

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