Alexis Kestler
We all have those New Year‘s resolutions to learn something new. But finding the time and money for classes can be difficult. Luckily, smartphones and apps have made learning new skills incredibly accessible. There are so many great options out there, it can be hard to know where to start!
As a technology geek and data analyst, I‘ve explored quite a few "learn a new skill" apps. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my top recommendations to help you pick up a new skill in 2025 using just your phone.
Why Learn a New Skill?
Before jumping into the apps, let‘s discuss why learning a new skill should be on your resolutions list:
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Career development – Adding skills makes you more valuable as an employee and can open up new job opportunities. Tech skills are especially in demand.
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Personal fulfillment – Learning something you‘re passionate about provides a sense of accomplishment and enhances your personal life.
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Cognitive benefits – Challenging your brain with new skills keeps you sharp. Some research links skill-building to better memory and focus.
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Meet new people – Taking a class (even virtually) connects you with others who share your interests. Great for making friends!
According to a Gallup poll, over 50% of Americans fail to learn something new each year. Don‘t become part of this statistic! Let‘s look at apps that make skill-building fun and accessible.
Coding Apps
Software developers and computer programmers are among the most in-demand jobs. Even learning basic coding skills can give your resume a boost. Some top apps include:
SoloLearn
My #1 pick for learning to code from scratch. SoloLearn offers free courses in 12 coding languages including Python, HTML, JavaScript, C++ and more. The beginner-friendly curriculum is nicely structured with quizzes, coding challenges, and community support. One unique aspect is the Code Playground where you can apply what you learn by coding a project.
Over 40 million learners worldwide have benefited from SoloLearn‘s courses. I highly recommend it for dipping your toe into coding for the first time.
Mimo
Mimo takes a different approach by teaching you to code through building real apps. Lessons use a conversational teaching style that feels more personalized and fun. The focus is on practical skills like building a weather app in JavaScript or creating an ecommerce site with HTML. Everything is optimized for learning on your phone.
Mimo is better for folks with some prior coding experience rather than total beginners. I like using it to reinforce skills I‘ve learned through SoloLearn.
Grasshopper
Created by Google, Grasshopper teaches coding fundamentals through simple gameplay on your phone. The app uses quizzes and puzzles to help you learn the JavaScript language. Although limited to just JavaScript, Grasshopper is great for an ultra-beginner dip into coding.
Language Learning Apps
Knowing another language is a hugely beneficial skill. It allows you to connect with people globally, boosts brainpower, and looks great on a resume. Some immersive language apps I recommend:
Duolingo
The most popular language learning app with over 300 million users worldwide. Duolingo turns learning a language into fun mini-games that feel like you‘re playing rather than studying. It supports over 35 languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese.
Duolingo is completely free. I‘ve found it fantastic as a beginner starting point to grasp vocabulary and grammar. Daily reminders keep you motivated. The only limitation is it focuses more on reading/writing than speaking practice.
Babbel
For building actual speaking skills in a new language, I prefer Babbel. The lessons emphasize conversational ability through speech recognition. You learn words and phrases then immediately apply them out loud. Advanced students can even practice real conversations.
Babbel offers 14 languages. Subscriptions start at around $7 per month. I‘ve found it pushes my speaking skills more rapidly compared to other apps.
Busuu
Truly mimics an online language course and connects you with native speakers. Beside the standard lessons, you can submit writing/speaking exercises to get feedback from native users. There‘s also built-in video chat with tutors.
With 150 million learners, Busuu has the largest language community. If you want your questions answered or motivation from other users, it‘s a smart choice.
Music & Art Apps
Learning to play an instrument or draw taps into your creative side. Some fun apps here include:
Simply Piano
As a total beginner trying to learn piano, I love this app. The interactive visual guidance shows you exactly which keys to tap, making it easy to start playing simple melodies right away. There are hundreds of popular songs to choose from. Simply Piano is very affordable at $4.99 per month.
Fender Play
Officially created by Fender, this app is geared toward guitar. Step-by-step video lessons cover techniques like strumming, picking, and scales. You can view chord diagrams while you play and get feedback on your accuracy. With a huge catalog of songs, it‘s a great guitar learning option.
Adobe Illustrator Draw
If you want to learn digital drawing and vector graphics, Adobe‘s app is tough to beat. It provides the same high-end drawing tools as Illustrator desktop, optimized for touchscreens. Layers, perspective guides, and image trace features mimic advanced software. Plus your work syncs automatically to Illustrator on your computer for more complex projects.
First Aid Apps
I strongly believe everyone should know basic first aid. Being able to respond quickly could save a life. Check out these helpful apps:
First Aid by American Red Cross
Trusted advice straight from the experts at the American Red Cross. This app covers common first aid scenarios in detail through videos, quizzes, and illustrated guides. There are also preparation tips for natural disasters and emergency tools like pre-loaded 911 messages.
Wilderness First Aid
Specializes in handling injuries and emergencies when professional help is far away, like hiking or adventure travel. Using an app to refresh wilderness first aid knowledge before an outdoor trip is wise. This one has clear instructions for improvised splinting, treating snake bites, getting rescued and more.
Learning first aid gives you confidence to react appropriately in the moment. I suggest going through a CPR course at least once as well.
Meditation & Mindfulness Apps
Now more than ever, having skills to manage stress is critical for mental health. Meditation and mindfulness practices can work wonders. Apps make it simple to benefit from these every day:
Headspace
A favorite for beginners new to meditation. Headspace offers "packs" that build skills gradually, like focusing your attention and reducing anxiety. Each session eases you in with an animated guide and calming teacher voice. Just 10 minutes daily can boost your well-being substantially.
Insight Timer
Provides an impressive library of over 50,000 free meditations. Whether you want to relieve stress, sleep better, or get energized, there are tons of options. For motivation, use the statistics tracker to build a consistent habit. Insight Timer is completely free to use with optional paid subscriptions too.
As you can see, smartphone apps truly make the sky the limit for picking up new skills and hobbies in 2025. All you need is the desire and consistency.
Start out by downloading a couple apps in an area that interests you. Use them for 10-15 minutes per day. Stay patient and engaged. Before you know it, you‘ll see yourself acquiring talents you never thought possible!
I hope these recommendations give you a head start on achieving your resolutions. Let me know if you have any other favorite skill-building apps I should check out! Here‘s to a year full of learning new things.
