For a dyslexic adult starting at A1, the app that suits you best is one that lets you hear Dutch before you read it and lets you make the text bigger, slower or hidden. In our listings, StroopTaal and Babbel Dutch offer the most structured A1 material, while EasyDutchNews is the strongest for short reading with audio on every word. No app in our list is built specifically for dyslexia, so the settings on your device matter as much as the app you choose.
What to look for at A1
Three things decide whether an app is workable for you.
Audio first. You want to hear a word or sentence before or alongside seeing it. Apps that force you to read before you can listen add friction you do not need at this stage.
Adjustable text. Look for settings that change font size, spacing and contrast, or that let you hide text entirely. Your phone or browser accessibility settings can handle some of this, but an app that respects them is easier.
Short units. Fifteen minutes of focused work beats an hour of decoding strain. Daily repetition matters more than session length.
The options, and who each fits
StroopTaal scores highest in our listings for this audience at 81/100. It uses real-life scenarios and is aimed at inburgering and NT2 preparation, which means the Dutch is practical rather than abstract. It suits a dyslexic learner who wants structure and a clear route toward exams. It is less suited to someone who wants pure vocabulary drilling in short bursts.
Babbel Dutch at 74/100 is the most conventional structured course here. Lessons run around 15 minutes and mix dialogues, fill-in exercises, matching and pronunciation. That variety helps, but the fill-in and matching drills lean on reading and spelling, so expect to slow down there. It fits learners who want a steady daily habit with grammar explained. It does not fit someone who wants to avoid written exercises at A1.
Memrise Dutch at 72/100 is vocabulary-focused with native speaker video clips and spaced repetition. The video clips are the draw: you see and hear real people saying words in context. For a dyslexic beginner, that combination of face, sound and short text is useful. It is weaker on grammar and sentence building, so treat it as a supplement rather than a full course.
EasyDutchNews at 72/100 takes daily Dutch news and rewrites it at beginner level. You can tap any word for a translation and audio, save words as flashcards, and do a free 5-minute daily lesson. The free plan is enough to test it; Pro is EUR 2.99 per month or EUR 29.99 per year. It fits a learner who wants real-world reading with audio support at A1 and A2. It does not fit a complete beginner with no vocabulary yet, because even simplified news assumes some words.
Duolingo Dutch at 68/100 is the most popular free starting point. The gamified format is easy to keep up, and audio is present throughout. The weakness is production and grammar, and the exercises are heavily text-based on screen. It suits a learner who needs momentum and low cost. It is a weaker choice if reading load is your main obstacle.
Speakly Dutch at 68/100 is conversation-focused, with a limited free tier and premium features for daily speaking. It fits someone who wants to practise speaking early. It does not fit a learner who needs strong reading support, since speaking practice assumes you can process written prompts.
Clozemaster Dutch at 76/100 is excellent for vocabulary from real sentences, but its levels start at A2. It is not an A1 starting point, so keep it in mind for later.
Comparison
| Option | Type | Levels | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StroopTaal | App | A0 to B1 | Scenario-based lessons | Structured route toward inburgering, 81/100 |
| Babbel Dutch | App | A0 to B1 | 15-minute mixed lessons | Daily habit with grammar, 74/100 |
| Memrise Dutch | App | A0 to B1 | Video clips and repetition | Hearing native speakers, 72/100 |
| EasyDutchNews | App | A1 to A2 | News with word audio | Reading with audio support, 72/100 |
| Duolingo Dutch | App | A0 to A2 | Gamified exercises | Free momentum, 68/100 |
Practical setup
Set your phone or browser to a larger font and, if it helps, a dyslexia-friendly typeface. Turn on text-to-speech where the app allows it. Do your app session before you are tired, and keep it short. If an exercise is a spelling drill, say the word aloud first, then type it.
Where a tutor helps
Apps are uneven on speaking and pronunciation. A tutor can hear you and correct you in real time. Our tutor list includes verified options such as Marcel, Bastien Geve and Wilco S.. Verified Pro means 3,000+ lessons and a 4.9+ rating on their platform. One short session a week alongside app work is a reasonable pattern.
If exams are the goal
Inburgering under the 2021 Civic Integration Act, obligatory from 1 January 2022, sets the standard route at B1 with exams in reading, listening, writing and speaking plus KNM; a municipality can allow A2 after substantial effort. Older obligations used A2. Naturalisation requires A2 in 2026, with a move to B1 planned but no confirmed start date. Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I is B1 and Programma II is B2. Check the official source for your situation, and see our pages on inburgering and NT2 preparation.
If you are unsure where to start, the path finder can narrow the choice, and the full directory lists every option.
How we know this: the options come from The Dutch Directory listings checked on 2026-10-26, and fit scores are editorial, not user ratings.