Duolingo Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives

What is Duolingo?

Duolingo is the world’s best-known language learning app, built around short, game-like lessons, streaks and leaderboards. Besides dozens of language courses, it now offers math, music and chess. The core courses are free with ads, and paid tiers remove ads and add AI features. It runs on iOS, Android and the web, and is made by Duolingo, Inc., a publicly listed company based in Pittsburgh.

Duolingo launched publicly in 2012 and has used AI for years to personalise lessons. In 2023 it added Duolingo Max with GPT-4 features such as Roleplay and Explain My Answer, and later Video Call, a spoken conversation with the character Lily. In April 2025 it launched 148 new language courses built with generative AI. Free users now use an Energy system that replaced the older Hearts mechanic.

In its Q2 2026 earnings call, Duolingo said the cost of a Video Call fell from $0.30 to under $0.01, that most new Super subscribers now get video calls, and that it may sunset Max if that works. It is also testing a cheaper ad-supported Super Lite tier and has extended its free trial to one month. Its real strength is motivation design that gets people practising every day.

Key features of Duolingo

• Gamified lessonsBite-sized lessons with streaks, XP, leagues and quests keep daily practice short and motivating.
• Video CallAn AI conversation with the character Lily that adapts to your level. It started on Max and is now reaching many Super subscribers.
• RoleplayPractise real-world scenarios such as ordering food or planning a trip in a written AI conversation, with feedback afterwards.
• Explain My AnswerAn AI explanation of why your answer was right or wrong; a May 2026 report says free users now get it.
• Beyond languagesSeparate math, music and chess courses use the same lesson and streak format.
• Family plansFamily plans share one subscription among up to six members.

Who is Duolingo best for?

• Beginners who need a low-pressure, free way to start a new language.
• Busy adults who can only spare five to fifteen minutes a day and like streak-based motivation.
• Families wanting one plan that covers several learners at once.
• Intermediate learners who want extra speaking practice through AI video calls.

Popular ways to use Duolingo

• Travel prep: Learn core phrases and practise ordering food in Roleplay before a trip.
• Daily habit: Keep a streak with a short lesson every morning.
• Speaking practice: Use Video Call to answer spoken questions without a human tutor.
• Kids’ learning: Children practise basic math or music with game-style lessons.
• Grammar help: Use Explain My Answer to understand a repeated mistake.

Duolingo pricing (October 2026)

Duolingo does not publish a public price list; prices vary by country, app store and promotion. The US figures above come from a dealnews price survey updated May 2026, and Duolingo has said it may fold Max into Super.

Duolingo pros and cons

How to get started with Duolingo

1. Download Duolingo on iOS or Android, or open duolingo.com.
2. Choose a language or subject and take the placement test if you are not a beginner.
3. Set a daily goal and turn on reminders.
4. Complete a few free lessons to see whether the format suits you.
5. Start the free trial of Super if you want no ads and AI speaking practice.

Tips to get better results from Duolingo

• Keep speaking and listening exercises on; skipping them slows progress.
• Use Video Call once a week to test what you have learned.
• Check the family plan if two or more people at home will use Duolingo.
• Pair Duolingo with reading or podcasts once you pass the beginner units.

Duolingo vs alternatives

Speak and Praktika focus almost entirely on speaking with AI tutors, so they push conversation harder than Duolingo but cost more and cover fewer subjects. Duolingo is broader and has a stronger free tier, which makes it the easier first step for beginners.

General assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini can hold language conversations for free, but they have no structured course or streaks. For vocabulary flashcards, Quizlet is a useful complement, and DeepL helps when you need accurate translation rather than practice. See all best AI education tools.

Our verdict: is Duolingo worth it?

Duolingo FAQs

Pricing and features change often. Details on this page were last reviewed in October 2026. Always confirm current plans on the official Duolingo website.