Pimsleur Language Programs

"I would give it zero stars if possible. I signed up for a 7 day free trial and instead they charged me for 2 subscriptions. Really? I simultaneously signed up for the same thing twice? Customer service was useless."

"I purchased a lifetime subscription two years ago. I’ve only recently tried to use it (Purchase not recognized).They’ve somehow given my account to someone out of state. I’ve provided proof of purchase, and pertinent information. I haven’t received an update in over a week."

"This review is not a reflection on the quality or content of Pimsleur’s language programmes. It is a reflection on what I experienced as an inflexible and policy-driven approach to customer service. My annual subscription auto-renewed for approximately £145. Unfortunately, at the time the renewal reminder email was sent and payment processed, my family and I were dealing with my son's end-of-life care and subsequent loss. Monitoring subscription emails and account renewals was understandably not at the forefront of my attention during that period. I was not aware that my subscription remained active until after payment had already been taken. As soon as I realised, I contacted support immediately to explain the circumstances and request a goodwill exception. I was not attempting to use the renewed service and later seek a refund – I contacted them promptly once I became aware. The outcome remained unchanged: policy was policy and no exception could be made. I understand companies need policies. However, I also believe exceptional circumstances sometimes require compassion and discretion. What has left me both upset and angry is feeling that an extraordinary family situation was effectively reduced to simply "forgot to cancel". Others can make their own judgement, but based on my experience, I was left feeling that money was prioritised above compassion and customer care."

"I signed up for the monthly package of Pimsleur to learn Japanese around Aug-Sep of 2025. In late Oct 2025, I chose to switch to an annual plan for 1 language - Japanese. But before doing so I confirmed with Pimsleur customer service over email that I would be able to change the language I was learning during the 1 year subscription period. In Apr 2026, I contacted Pimsleur (first by email, then by phone) to change the language (from Japanese to Spanish), because I had completed my trip to Japan, and did not need to currently continue with Japanese learning. They said it cannot be done, going back on what they had previously promised in Oct 2025. They also said I cannot upgrade my current annual 1 language subscription to an annual all-language subscription (even if I agree to pay for the difference in subscription prices). They said I need to wait for my current annual subscription to expire (in Oct 2026), before I can change to a different annual package. They also refused to share with me my prior email communication with them (from Oct 2025). It is very clear that Pimsleur and its customer service team are solely interested in getting money out of their customers, and not interested in enabling customers on their language-learning journeys. Their communications and promises are not to be trusted, and the manner in which they lock you into a package (without option to change, not even to upgrade) is both senseless and predatory."

"A pleasant surprise. The current Pimsleur Latin American Spanish course is up to date. They have removed the creepy pick-up conversation that used to be in the first 8 or 10 lessons. Sadly, other languages are not updated. I used the Croatian course for a recent vacay trip, and it still starts with that creepy dialog."

"The material is dated and horribly misogynistic. Nonetheless, the Pimsleur method is great. I have subscribed off and on for many years, spending hundreds of dollars. My dad died and I asked them to refund only one month despite not having used it for several. They said no."

"I purchased Arabic on the assumption I could get a refund under 30 days if I changed my mind. After a few days I attempted to do this. I gotta say the customer service is hands down THE WORST i have ever come across. Took ages to get reply in live chat. This happened over multiple sessions as the person just stopped replying. It looks like 1 person is running the live chat as I had the same "miguel" everytime. He said I will send a pdf to fill in so we can proceed with refund. Never received a pdf. Also for a language selling program his English grammar was absolutely dreadful. I also tried sending emails, have received nothing. Since then I have started using it more and the actual course is quite good but all I would say is think TWICE before buying any sub or lifetime from this company. You will struggle to get your money back. Its a poor practice to take money from people."

"I tried the free trial and the main thing should be the speaking coach, it gave me a 3 Star excellent rating every time even when I said it completely wrong on purpose. If you wanna study a language seriously this is definitely not it."

"I like that the program asks you to speak, so you have to remember the phrases. While the Spanish program worked on things a traveler or visitor would find useful, the German program seemed to concentrate on more intimate conversations, not what a new learner of the language would need to know, traveling to Germany. It also emphasized the familiar rather than the formal versions, again not what a visitor would use."

"I also very found it very difficult to cancel and they would only refund one month"

"Money grabbing company. Will take your cash every month and make it EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CANCEL whilst content can only be described as basic poor, and unhelpful. I DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT."

"I did not want to write this review but after using ther link on the their module to ask for tech help...it bounced back not working. After making 3 phone calls the agent sounded like he was talking from under the bed or in a closet could barely understand a word... so I gave up. While they might have merit in their course their tech support Rivals windows 98 from Lahore. One would have to use superlatives to describe the experience. Wont be coming back."

"Don't risk it!! I accidentally took out two subscription IDs on the same date apparently (through the same email address), emailed to cancel and they only cancelled one of them. I provided email confirmation as proof I cancelled in March and they're refusing to refund me for the other one, it's been going out since then. It's the same service, same language. I haven't benefited from it because I had cancelled it."

"Business is very strategic and is built on deceptive auto renewal revenue. Buyer beware of annual promotions. If you miss one day you will won a whole year of a marginal language service"

"I was really enjoying the programme and was completing a lesson a day (as recommended). However after several lessons, and 3 months after starting, I discovered that Greek (which I was learning) had only 30 lessons, opposed to the usual 60. Meaning that I would have completed the course which I had paid for for a year, in a further 3 weeks. I was extremely disappointed. I was even more disappointed when I cancelled the subscription at the end of the year to find that the whole programme, which I thought I had paid for, disappeared so I was not even able to maintain my practice, revise vocabulary etc. further, I thought I had subscribed to pay monthly but discovered too late that I had paid for a whole year up front. Very disappointing."

"The first Thai lesson was following an everyday conversation, something I would expect at Lesson 20 perhaps. I want to know how to say yes and no, and 1, 2, 3 in Thai. And after a couple of hours with this course I still had no idea."

"I'd give it 0 stars if I could. The customer service is TERRIBLE. They say you can share your premium account with 3 other household members, but the only way you can do this is by sharing usernames and passwords... not very secure in 2025, especially considering they advertise Single Sign On. The customer service didn't care and/or didn't respond. I wouldn't waste your time, their offering is not that great and the app functions like it was made 10 years ago. Way overpriced for what it is."

"I had the free trial and had entered to pay for a year membership which was charged to my account. When I canceled, the membership was also canceled. I was then "assisted" to reactivate which incurred another charge. Communication was via the application. CC company dispute unsuccessful. Reached out to customer service and after I answered 2 questions via chat was sent to a "assistant site" what wanted to charge me again. I am happy with the program but have paid double for 1 year-not happy with responsiveness or lack of verifiable communication."

"I took the Swahili (beginner) course. I've reached lesson 13 and there was no mention of how to say basic phrases like "what's your name?" and "where are you from?". Very absurd."

"I signed up for a week’s free trial. I cancelled before the week was up but received no confirmation. I then noticed a fee had been taken from my account. I sent 2 emails to the company explaining I had cancelled in time and requesting a refund but received no reply. Finally I went on the online chat and was told I wasn’t due a refund as I couldn’t send proof I had cancelled in time. I asked for their formal complaint’s procedure and was told I couldn’t have that information via the online chat I would have to email. I told them they didn’t reply to their emails at which point the customer service person became bordering on hostile and very rude. At this point I requested a DSAR so I could prove I had cancelled in time and asked that it include the current chat. I was cut off and now can’t access the chat! Awful company! DO NOT USE THEM!!"