When trying to learn a new language, Duolingo is an app many users turn to. While ads, reviews, and even TikToks of Duolingo are everywhere, there are plenty of apps that do the same thing if not better.
Sure, Duolingo is fun and interesting, but does that mean we are making the most of our learning experience? Our Duolingo review explains all you need to know.
If you aim to learn a new language or enhance your existing language skills, explore language apps like the alternatives to Duolingo below. They serve as gentle reminders and provide effective ways to achieve your language learning goals.
What is Duolingo?
Duolingo is a language learning app that uses the idea of gamification to make learning fun. What does this mean exactly? Gamification means incorporating small rewards and “level” style learning methods to encourage users to return.
Duolingo has multiple short lessons that you do every day to strengthen your language-building skills. Along with simply seeing the words spelled out and hearing how they are pronounced, there is also a feature that allows you to speak your target language out loud.
Is There a Better Alternative to Duolingo?
While Duolingo is certainly one of the tops in this field, that doesn’t always mean it’s the best for you. Short lessons are easy to complete fast but might make you feel like you’re not getting enough. The free version of the app also limits many learning activities and even which languages you can learn.
Duolingo also has a part that explains grammar in your target language, but it isn’t as readily viewable as the game-style daily lessons.
There are plenty of other language-learning websites and apps on the market. Some other sites and apps even include speaking with a live native speaker to take learning to the next level.
Best Duolingo Alternatives
As we said earlier, there are plenty of language-learning apps out there. Check out our picks below and explore what would be best for you.
1. Rosetta Stone
Before Duolingo, Rosetta Stone was the biggest in the industry. Rosetta Stone relies heavily on matching spoken words or phrases in your target language to pictures.
For this reason, it is best for visual learners. Its language recognition software also far exceeds Duolingo and will prompt you to repeat a word until you get it right, unlike Duolingo’s automatic fail if a word is said wrong.
2. Babbel
Babbel differs from both Duolingo and Rosetta Stone by immediately getting you used to having conversations in your target language.
Unlike matching one word or phrase to a picture or your original language alternative, Babbel uses real-life applications. Babbel also breaks up its lessons with grammar tips instead of having to search them out like on Duolingo.
3. Busuu
Busuu is another option when wanting to quickly learn real-life applications of your target language. It has a similar format and lesson length to Duolingo but with some key differences.
Busuu includes videos of native speakers and uses native speakers of your target language who are also using the app to provide feedback on your lessons. Grammar and usage are also a greater focus area compared to Duolingo.
4. Memrise
Memrise also utilizes videos of native speakers in their lessons and is another great alternative to Duolingo. Their section called “Immerse” plays short videos of native speakers using more complicated sentences with subtitles in both your target and native language to aid understanding.
Similarly to Duolingo, Memrise’s software remembers words you have had trouble with and repeatedly shows them to you in order to aid memory.
5. Italki
Where Duolingo seems to simply be a translation software, Italki takes language learning a step further.
By having one-on-one lessons with native speakers, this app is great for the special attention you would receive if you were taking a real-life class.
Considering that this is cheaper than a college course and connects you with real native speakers in your target language, there is no doubt that this is an app to check out.
6. HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a great alternative if you already know the basics of your target language. If you already know how to communicate simply in another language, you might find the lessons on Duolingo too slow or simple.
By partnering you with a ‘language partner,’ HelloTalk adds a new way to learn and perfect language learning.
7. Ling App
If you want a similar style to Duolingo, in gamification-style learning, look no further than the Ling App.
LingQ and Duolingo differ significantly in terms of content despite their shared goal of online language instruction. Duolingo relies on translation between languages, whereas LingQ immerses learners in the language using authentic materials designed for native speakers.
The main way this app tops Duolingo is in the number of languages you can learn. While Duolingo offers around 42 languages, the Ling App has over 60.
8. Drops
The Drops app design is at the next level, making it fun and easy to use. The Drops app breaks down the vocabulary into different topics so you can learn everything you need to know for a simple conversation.
The one downside of this app is its lack of grammar lessons. It’s up to you to decide if the many vocabulary lessons make up for that.
9. LingoDeer
LingoDeer only teaches three languages: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. What it lacks in language numbers, it makes up for in lesson style.
The app offers a variety of lessons, including vocabulary matching, alphabet learning, and even sections reminiscent of a language textbook. If you’re looking to truly learn any of these three languages, LingoDeer is the app you should download.
10. Mondly
While it has a similar price point to Duolingo and a familiar setup, Mondly is definitely a competitor. They offer 10 additional languages, and their translations and sentences are more accurate than Duolingo.
The beautiful design of the app will make you keep coming back and make the learning process fun. What really separates them from the rest is their VR feature,, which puts you in simulated environments to practice your skills!
11. Pimsleur
Pimsleur is like paying for an actual language learning class. Their lessons are much longer than Duolingo by 30 to 50 min, and they have way more vocabulary and grammar-building exercises.
Bite-size lessons are fun and all, but if you are serious about learning then this is the better app by far. With a focus on conversational learning, you will pick up your target language in no time.
12. Clozemaster
This app has many ways to learn and practice, unlike Duolingo, which follows the same structure throughout. There is the Language Fast Track, which works similarly to Duolingo in the sense of picking the correct answer for a vocabulary word from a list or inputting it with text.
They also have a ‘Most Common Words’ section that shows you the top 100 to 50,000 words in your target language so you can ensure you are learning what you will use.
13. Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages is certainly not the cheapest on our list, but it makes up for that with a highly in-depth and rigorous program. Their audio-focused lessons help you not only see what words you need to know but also hear how they are used and pronounced.
Combined with the same gamification we see in Duolingo to reinforce what you already learned, this exceeds many apps. Their speech recognition software is also one of the best language-learning apps.
Read Next: Rocket Languages Review by Teacher and Student
14. MosaLingua
With augmented reality and chatbots, MosaLingua has an advantage over Duolingo as well.
It has a similar gamified platform with flashcards, reading materials, and native speaker audio that goes into more depth than other apps.
They also have comprehensive sections on grammar and writing so you can use your target language just like a native speaker.
15. Mango Languages
Mango Languages is the final alternative on our list, and much like the rest, it is a more thorough language-learning software.
Unlike Duolingo, which has vocab lesson after vocab lesson, Mango Languages breaks language learning down into different goals and is structured in a way that makes sense.
Each language course is created by linguists, so you can be sure you are getting the best learning experience out there.
Final Thoughts
There are many Duolingo alternatives out there. Finding what works best for you involves knowing your learning style and even finding an app specializing in the language you wish to speak.
Some apps are heavily vocab-focused, while others focus on real-world applications. If you want to take your learning to the next level, then apps that pair you with a native speaker are the go-to.
We hope our list helps you find your next language-learning app!
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.