Top 10 Learning Apps for Adults: Your Must-Have Education Tools

Do you want to learn a new language, expand your knowledge, or master new skills? Get the best learning apps for adults, from the Headway app to the TED app, to develop your education opportunities that fit your busy schedule!

Whether you’re in the middle of a career change or need a daily motivation boost for a productive week, the following list of phone apps for adult learners will help you out.

Top 3 learning apps for adults to have on your phone:

• Headway: Quick summaries of non-fiction books to help you learn key insights in 15 minutes or less.

• Duolingo: Fun, interactive language lessons in 41 languages.

• TED: Inspiring talks on diverse topics from global experts.

Keep reading to learn more about essential learning apps for your self-growth and continuous improvement!

10 best adult learning apps: From astronomy to self-growth

Find the 10 best adult learning apps that cater to a variety of interests, from astronomy to personal development. They'll help you deepen your knowledge in a specific field and focus on self-growth throughout the learning process.

1. Headway: A bite-sized learning app

Headway is a bite-sized learning app that condenses non-fiction bestsellers into 15-minute summaries, offering key insights from top thought leaders. With features like goal-setting and progress tracking, it helps you efficiently expand your knowledge.

Have you heard of James Clear’s 'Atomic Habits' or Stephen R. Covey’s 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People?' Or maybe Bill Bryson’s 'A Short History of Nearly Everything?' Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to read all these self-help books in full. That's where Headway comes in.

No matter what non-fiction you’re looking for, our app has it. The app offers an extensive selection of titles to use as part of your educational journey.

The Headway app allows you to download book summaries for offline use, meaning you can access your bookshelf while on the go.

Not sure if this is the right adult learning app for you? No problem. We offer a seven-day free trial, so you can check it out and indulge in some customized reads.

Delve into a world of life-changing books and download the Headway app on Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for iOS devices.

2. Duolingo: The fun and effective language-learning app

Duolingo is a language learning app that uses a fun, gamified approach to teach 41 languages. It offers interactive lessons, quizzes, and real-life language skills practice to keep you motivated and engaged.

So, if you want to learn a new language or visit a French-speaking or Spanish-speaking country, Duolingo, with its gamification approach to language learning, is the app for you.

The lessons take a functional approach, focusing on real-life goals such as ordering at a restaurant or asking for directions.

While using Duolingo, you will also develop the vocabulary and grammar needed to achieve listening, writing, speaking, and reading goals.

Duolingo also offers an affordable English language proficiency test that you can take online and from anywhere in the world.

3. NASA: Educational app for stargazing and more

The NASA app provides access to the latest space exploration content, including missions, celestial events, and educational resources. It allows users to read articles, watch videos, and stargaze with up-to-date astronomical information.

The NASA app is one of the best educational apps to lean on for the most updated information on an ever-shifting industry. Multiple formats let you read articles, watch videos, or even go outside and stargaze.

One of the best features of the NASA app is that it gives detailed information on the agency’s latest missions and keeps you updated on upcoming celestial events. With this app, you will never miss a planetary sighting or eclipse again!

The app’s interface can be a little complicated, so give yourself time once you download it to get your bearings. This is, after all, the highest level of astronomical discovery, so a few Google searches might be needed to brush up on the basics.

4. 2048: Puzzle game app for logic and math skills

The 2048 is a math-based puzzle game that enhances logic and arithmetic skills through engaging tile-matching challenges. Players combine numbers to reach the 2048 tile, testing both problem-solving and math abilities.

The 2048 game is played on a 4x4 grid, and the goal is simple: join the given numbers to get the 2048 tile. You can move tiles using arrow keys, and when two tiles of the same number touch, they combine into one.

We promise it is less complicated than it sounds. 2048 is mobile-compatible and can be played on any device, whether you have an iPhone, iPad, or smartphone. 

5. Codecademy: Interactive programming courses

Codecademy offers interactive, step-by-step coding lessons that teach programming and software development. With personalized courses in languages like JavaScript and Python, it helps users gain practical coding skills and learn algorithms through online courses.

It offers detailed tutorials on programming fundamentals and algorithmic thinking through targeted, interactive lessons, providing hands-on practice to solidify your understanding and skills.

Various code editors are built into this educational software, so you never have to outsource or download another app for practice. The courses are curated based on the type of project or field you want to learn about. 

For example, if you want to learn about JavaScript for a website, this learning app will bundle the best courses together, so you are not left trying to figure it out alone.

Each lesson consists of simple steps that explain the concept you are learning with interactive coding exercises. There is a short quiz at the end of each lesson to test your knowledge and ensure you haven’t misunderstood anything. 

Codecademy states that you do not need to know anything about programming basics when starting. This app is for serious beginners looking to kickstart their knowledge of computers. 

6. Braille Tutor: A helpful tool to learn Unified English Braille

TED is a global platform offering inspirational talks from leading experts across various fields. This educational app and its accompanying podcasts allows users to watch or listen to thought-provoking content on topics like science, technology, and personal development.

One of the best things about this app is the diversity of topics it covers. Whether you’re interested in art, science, philosophy, or climate change, there is a talk for you, no matter your interests.

The TED Talks on the app are concise and understandable, making them accessible to everyone. It allows for a versatile viewing experience through the ability to download your favorite videos or play as audio while you’re on the go.

8. Proloquo2Go: An assistant for learners with speech difficulties

Proloquo2Go is an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app designed for individuals with speech impairments. It provides a user-friendly interface with symbols and voice output to help users communicate effectively.

This adult learning app gives people with speech difficulties a voice. Proloquo2Go is great for anyone with a speech impediment due to conditions like Down syndrome, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy. 

Studies have proven that only 200 to 400 words make up a whopping eighty percent of what we say. These are known as "core words' and are the basis for learning on Proloquo2Go. You can grow from using single words to full grammatical sentences when using the app. 

9. Khan Academy: Free, world-class education app

Khan Academy is a free educational app offering video lessons across a wide range of subjects, from math to humanities. It provides interactive exercises, personalized learning paths, and progress tracking to ensure mastery of each topic.

The learning app emphasizes visual aids and diagrams and is taught by the same person, so if you do not connect with their style, a different learning app may be better for you. 

The founder of Khan Academy, Salman Khan, has ensured the app is free across all platforms. Khan believes that education should always be accessible and free. You can access this adult learning app online through YouTube, your mobile app store, or the dedicated Khan Academy web app.

10. Brilliant: Gamified science and problem solving app

Brilliant is an interactive learning app that focuses on hands-on problem-solving in math, science, and computer science. It uses puzzles and real-world challenges to teach complex concepts in an engaging and practical way.

This app’s hands-on learning technique will take you through puzzles and games that help you master concepts in just fifteen minutes. Learning through puzzle-solving is an innovative way to learn for those bored by the classic textbook. 

Brilliant focuses less on reading and more on gamified problem-solving that tests your comprehension as you go. The app allows you to tailor your learning experience by choosing a study style.

You can choose between learning to boost your career or for pure curiosity, and the app will give you lessons accordingly. This way, you can set your own pace and learning style. 

Brilliant allows you to tailor your learning experience based on what you seek to get out of it.

Start your self-learning journey with Headway

In today’s world, many learning apps for adults can help you enhance your skills and knowledge. While platforms like Coursera, Memrise, Skillshare, Babbel, Duolingo, and TED app are excellent choices, Headway stands out as a must-have app for adult learners.

Our microlearning app offers bite-sized summaries of top non-fiction books, bringing insights from world-renowned thought leaders straight to your fingertips. With topics ranging from self-help and entrepreneurship to education and networking, Headway is perfect for busy adults looking to learn in just 15 minutes a day.

If you’re ready to level up your learning journey, download the Headway app today and start turning your reading habit into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth!