# Alternatives to Drops Five-minute visual vocab sessions. Drops ranks #8 of 10 in Language learning apps, with an Alt Score of 64. It is proprietary, freemium from $11/month and available on Web, iOS and Android. 8 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/drops/ Category: Language learning apps ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Beginner-to-intermediate learners who want to build vocabulary in a new language without committing to long study sessions. - **What you get**: Visual, game-based lessons covering 5,000+ words and phrases per language across 55+ languages, with grammar modules for select languages like Spanish, French, and Japanese. Learning uses spaced repetition and icon-based visual association to build recall of words and phrases. Sessions run in short, timed bursts (as little as 5 minutes), with quizzes, streaks, and challenges to reinforce vocabulary. - **How it works**: Users pick a target language, then complete short, timed drop sessions where they match icons and images to words and phrases in game-like rounds. Progress is tracked through daily streaks and reminders, with premium removing session time limits and adding offline access. ## Profile - **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-11) - **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-11) - **Starts at**: $11/month (verified 2026-07-11) - **Platforms**: Web, iOS, Android - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-11) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Babbel](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/babbel.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 2 | [Busuu](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/busuu.md) | 73 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 3 | [Duolingo](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/duolingo.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 4 | [LingQ](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lingq.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 5 | [Rosetta Stone](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/rosetta-stone.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 6 | [Clozemaster](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clozemaster.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 7 | [Memrise](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/memrise.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 8 | [Pimsleur](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/pimsleur.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 9 | [Lingvist](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lingvist.md) | 60 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | Language learning apps checklist | Drops | Babbel | Busuu | Duolingo | LingQ | Rosetta Stone | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | | Starts at | $11/month | $7/month | $70/year (~$5.83/month) | $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) | €10.00/month | $13.25/month | | License | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | | Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | | Languages count | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Speaking practice | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | | Grammar explanations | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Partial | | Offline lessons | Partial | Yes | Partial | ? | Partial | Yes | | Live tutoring | ? | ? | Partial | No | Yes | Partial | | Free tier limits | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | | Placement tests | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | | Spaced repetition | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | | Kids mode | Partial | ? | No | Yes | ? | ? | | One-time purchase option | Yes | Yes | No | No | Partial | Yes | ## Sources Sources for Drops. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **License**: Proprietary — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “$11/month*” - **Starts at**: $11/month — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “$11/month*” - **Pricing model**: Freemium — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “With Drops, you're not committed to long, intensive learning sessions but can instead enjoy quick, fun, and focused practice. Just 5 minutes a day is enough!” - **Platforms**: Web, iOS, Android — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “we developed a web-based auxiliary Drops app on Google Chrome that provides the same fun, visual learning Drops learning experience as our mobile app” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “add grammar gameplay for additional supported languages throughout 2026” - **Languages count**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “All 55+ languages” - **Speaking practice**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Drops uses AI models and voice intelligence to assess the end user's ability to pronounce words in the language they are learning.” - **Grammar explanations**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “available for learners of English, Spanish, German, and European Portuguese” - **Offline lessons**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Keep progressing even when you're offline. Sync seamlessly when back online.” - **Free tier limits**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Just 5 minutes a day is enough!” - **Spaced repetition**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “you can then visit the Review Dojo, a special section in Drops designed to reinforce knowledge” - **Kids mode**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Language learning made easy for kids 8-17” - **One-time purchase option**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “$150 One-time purchase” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/