# Alternatives to Duolingo Gamified streaks for the masses. Duolingo ranks #3 of 10 in Language learning apps, with an Alt Score of 68. It is proprietary, freemium from $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) and available on Web, iOS and Android. 9 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/duolingo/ Category: Language learning apps ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Anyone wanting to learn a new language for free, from complete beginners to casual learners looking to build a daily habit; it also appeals to people wanting quick, low-stakes practice in math or music basics. - **What you get**: Bite-sized lessons across 40+ languages built on spaced repetition, plus separate courses in math and music. Gamification elements—streaks, XP, leagues, and leaderboards—drive daily engagement, and a free tier covers the core experience, with paid tiers (Super, Max) removing ads and adding AI-powered conversation practice. - **How it works**: Users pick a course and complete short, interactive exercises (translation, listening, speaking, matching) that adapt via spaced repetition; daily practice builds a streak, earns XP, and moves you up in weekly leagues against other learners. ## Profile - **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-11) - **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-11) - **Starts at**: $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) (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 | [LingQ](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lingq.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 4 | [Rosetta Stone](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/rosetta-stone.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 5 | [Clozemaster](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clozemaster.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Web, iOS, Android | | 6 | [Drops](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/drops.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 | Duolingo | Babbel | Busuu | LingQ | Rosetta Stone | Clozemaster | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | | Starts at | $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) | $7/month | $70/year (~$5.83/month) | €10.00/month | $13.25/month | $8.99/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 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | | Grammar explanations | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Partial | | Offline lessons | ? | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | Partial | | Live tutoring | No | ? | Partial | Yes | Partial | ? | | Free tier limits | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | | Placement tests | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | | Spaced repetition | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | | Kids mode | Yes | ? | No | ? | ? | ? | | One-time purchase option | No | Yes | No | Partial | Yes | Yes | ## Sources Sources for Duolingo. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **License**: Proprietary — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “© 2026 Duolingo, Inc.” - **Pricing model**: Freemium — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Yes! Everyone can access Duolingo's courses without spending a cent” - **Starts at**: $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “$83.99” - **Platforms**: Web, iOS, Android — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Duolingo for Desktop” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Duolingo launched 148 new courses” - **Languages count**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “we offer over 280 courses teaching 40+ languages, math, music, and chess—all for free” - **Speaking practice**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Get comfortable speaking the language.” - **Grammar explanations**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “You'll find explicit grammar information in our Guidebooks, at the beginning of super-focused grammar lessons in our larger courses.” - **Live tutoring**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Although learners aren't actually talking to a live human, the AI behind this feature is responsive and interactive.” - **Free tier limits**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “you never have to pay to use Duolingo” - **Placement tests**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “we use a placement test to determine where they should begin within a course” - **Spaced repetition**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “the personalized practice lessons use spaced repetition (along with accuracy) to select which words and grammar you'll review” - **Kids mode**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Duolingo ABC is the fun, hands-on way for your child to learn to read!” - **One-time purchase option**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/