- Duolingo alternatives at a glance
- Ten language learning apps to try instead of Duolingo
- Mixing a course app with a practice app
- How long fluency takes, according to diplomats' trainers
- Picking an app by your goal
- Keeping the habit going after the streak breaks
- Free versions versus subscriptions
- Using AI chat to practise between lessons
- My plain advice on moving on from Duolingo
- Frequently asked questions
A good Duolingo alternative depends on what you're missing: speaking practice, real conversations, reading, grammar or vocabulary that sticks. Most learners do best with one main course app plus one practice tool. This page lists ten language apps in no particular order, then explains how to combine them.
Streaks and short lessons are brilliant for building a habit, but plenty of people reach a point where they can read a sentence and still freeze when someone talks to them. That's usually the moment to add or switch apps.
These ten language apps are listed in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some teach structured courses, some focus on speaking, and some help you read and remember words. Each description comes from the app's own website, re-checked today. If you're learning for work, my guide to translating Chinese into English shows where translation tools help and where they don't.
Duolingo alternatives at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site describes a free version or free plan. Trial only means a free trial before a subscription. Free versions usually limit lessons or features.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babbel | Course app | Structured lessons with grammar | Trial only |
| Busuu | Course app | Lessons plus feedback from native speakers | Yes |
| Clozemaster | Vocabulary practice | Learning words in context | Yes |
| HelloTalk | Language exchange | Chatting with native speakers | Yes |
| LingQ | Reading and listening | Learning from real content | Yes |
| Lingvist | Vocabulary course | Fast vocabulary building | Trial only |
| Mango Languages | Course app | Conversation-based lessons | Trial only |
| Memrise | Course and video app | Clips of native speakers | Yes |
| Mondly | Course app | Daily lessons in many languages | Yes |
| Speak | Speaking app | Speaking out loud with AI feedback | Trial only |
Ten language learning apps to try instead of Duolingo
Babbel
Best for: Learners who want clear, structured lessons built around real conversations and grammar tips.
Busuu
Best for: Learners who want structured courses and feedback on their writing and speaking from a community.
Clozemaster
Best for: Intermediate learners who want lots of sentence practice to build vocabulary in context.
HelloTalk
Best for: Learners who want to practise by messaging and talking with native speakers.
LingQ
Best for: Learners who like to learn from articles, podcasts and videos in the language.
Lingvist
Best for: Learners who want to build the most useful words quickly with spaced practice.
Mango Languages
Best for: Learners who want conversation-led lessons with cultural notes.
Memrise
Best for: Learners who want to hear real people speak through short video clips.
Mondly
Best for: Learners who want short daily lessons and a wide choice of language pairs.
Speak
Best for: Learners whose main goal is speaking confidently, with an AI tutor that listens and responds.
Mixing a course app with a practice app
One app rarely does everything. A course app gives you structure and grammar, while a practice app gives you speaking, listening or reading time. A simple mix that works for a lot of people is ten minutes of structured lessons, then ten minutes of conversation practice or reading something you enjoy.
How long fluency takes, according to diplomats' trainers
Here's the reality check no app advert gives you. The US Foreign Service Institute, which trains American diplomats, says its Category I languages, those closest to English such as Danish, Dutch and French, take around 24 to 30 weeks, or 552 to 690 class hours, to reach professional working proficiency. That's with about 23 hours a week in class plus self-study. An app is a great part of your routine, but it won't replace hours of real practice.
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Picking an app by your goal
- Travel phrases: a course app with short daily lessons.
- Speaking confidence: an AI speaking app or a language exchange.
- Reading and vocabulary: a reading app or a sentence practice tool.
- Exams: a structured course plus a tutor or class.
Keeping the habit going after the streak breaks
- Set a fixed time each day, such as with your morning coffee.
- Keep sessions short so you'll still do them on a busy day.
- Change the type of practice every week so it stays interesting.
- Book a real conversation once a fortnight to test yourself.
If you love learning online, my list of online learning platforms for business skills is worth a look too.
Free versions versus subscriptions
Most language apps let you start free and then limit lessons, hearts, offline use or speaking features until you subscribe. That's fine for testing. Use the free version for a week or two, notice which limit annoys you most, and only upgrade the app whose limit is slowing you down.
If you're learning with family or a partner, check whether the app offers a family plan, and whether progress syncs across your phone, tablet and laptop. Small details like offline lessons for a commute can decide which app you'll keep using.
Using AI chat to practise between lessons
Many learners now add a general AI chatbot for practice, asking it to role-play a cafe order or correct a short paragraph. It's useful for confidence, but it can make mistakes, so treat its corrections as a second opinion and check grammar points against your course.
Do you make a language learning app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on moving on from Duolingo
Work out what's missing, then add one app that fixes it. If you can read but can't speak, add speaking practice. If you can chat but lack words, add vocabulary or reading. Keep the habit small and steady, and judge an app after a month, not a week.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good alternative to Duolingo?
It depends on your goal. Course apps suit structured learning, language exchange apps suit conversation, and reading or vocabulary apps suit building words.
Are there free Duolingo alternatives?
Several apps here have a free version or free plan, usually with limits. The table shows what each app's site states.
Can you become fluent with an app alone?
It's unlikely. The US Foreign Service Institute estimates hundreds of class hours for languages close to English, so apps work best alongside real practice.
Which app is good for speaking practice?
Apps built around speaking or language exchange give you more chances to talk than lesson-based apps.
Should I use more than one language app?
Many learners use one structured course app plus one practice app for speaking, listening or reading.
How long should I practise each day?
A short, regular session you'll keep doing beats a long one you'll skip. Ten to twenty minutes a day is a realistic start for most people.
Can AI chatbots help me learn a language?
They're handy for role-play and quick corrections, but they can get things wrong, so check grammar points against your course.
