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.
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.
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.
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.
Why people leave Duolingo
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Language learning apps checklist (14 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Language learning apps checklist | Duolingo | Babbel | Busuu | LingQ | Rosetta Stone | Clozemaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Languages count | ||||||
| Speaking practice | ||||||
| Grammar explanations | ||||||
| Offline lessons | ||||||
| Live tutoring | ||||||
| Free tier limits | ||||||
| Placement tests | ||||||
| Spaced repetition | ||||||
| Kids mode | ||||||
| One-time purchase option |
Every fact and feature listed for Duolingo is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License Proprietary verified 2026-07-11
© 2026 Duolingo, Inc.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-language-lessons/id570060128 -
Pricing model Freemium verified 2026-07-11
Yes! Everyone can access Duolingo's courses without spending a cent
https://blog.duolingo.com/is-duolingo-free/ -
Starts at $83.99/year (~$6.99/mo, billed annually) verified 2026-07-11
$83.99
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-language-lessons/id570060128 -
Platforms Web, iOS, Android verified 2026-07-11
Duolingo for Desktop
https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-101-how-to-learn-a-language-on-duolingo/ -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
Duolingo launched 148 new courses
https://blog.duolingo.com/2025-duolingo-language-report/ -
Languages count Yes verified 2026-07-11
we offer over 280 courses teaching 40+ languages, math, music, and chess—all for free
https://blog.duolingo.com/2025-duolingo-language-report/ -
Speaking practice Yes verified 2026-07-11
Get comfortable speaking the language.
https://blog.duolingo.com/guide-to-duolingo-practice-hub/ -
Grammar explanations Partial verified 2026-07-11
You'll find explicit grammar information in our Guidebooks, at the beginning of super-focused grammar lessons in our larger courses.
https://blog.duolingo.com/does-duolingo-teach-grammar/ -
Live tutoring No verified 2026-07-11
Although learners aren't actually talking to a live human, the AI behind this feature is responsive and interactive.
https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-max/ -
Free tier limits Yes verified 2026-07-11
you never have to pay to use Duolingo
https://blog.duolingo.com/is-duolingo-free/ -
Placement tests Yes verified 2026-07-11
we use a placement test to determine where they should begin within a course
https://blog.duolingo.com/partial-credit-improvements-to-duolingos-placement-test/ -
Spaced repetition Yes verified 2026-07-11
the personalized practice lessons use spaced repetition (along with accuracy) to select which words and grammar you'll review
https://blog.duolingo.com/spaced-repetition-for-learning/ -
Kids mode Yes verified 2026-07-11
Duolingo ABC is the fun, hands-on way for your child to learn to read!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/learn-to-read-duolingo-abc/id1440502568 -
One-time purchase option No verified 2026-07-11
your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-language-lessons/id570060128
FAQ
Yes. Busuu, LingQ and Clozemaster have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.