Yes, Duolingo is free. Duolingo says every learner can use all of its courses without upgrading, whether you take one language or forty, plus its music and maths courses. Super Duolingo and Duolingo Max add extras like no ads and AI practice, but the lesson content is the same for everyone.
That's the part people don't expect. Duolingo's Help Center says it offers the same lesson content to all users, so the free app isn't a cut-down sampler. What changes when you upgrade is how fast you can move through lessons, whether you see ads, and which practice tools you get. Here's what the free version includes, what each upgrade adds, and the one limit that slows free learners down.
What free Duolingo includes
- Every course: Duolingo's own blog says you never have to upgrade to use Duolingo, across languages, music and maths.
- The same lessons as Super and Max: the Help Center says the lesson content is identical for all users.
- Streaks, leagues and leaderboards, which are listed as standard features in the Help Center.
- The app and the website: you can learn on iOS, Android or in a web browser.
Duolingo says the free model works because in-app ads and a small number of learners on Super and Max keep the courses free for everyone else.
Free vs Super vs Max at a glance
| Feature | Free | Super | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| All courses and lesson content | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | No ads | No ads |
| Hearts or Energy | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Personalised mistakes practice | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Legendary attempts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Roleplay and Video Call with Lily | No | No | Yes, in supported courses |
| Where you can get it | App and web | App and web | iOS and Android app only |
The table comes from Duolingo's Help Center pages for Super and Max. Duolingo also says it sometimes tests changes, so if you don't see Unlimited Hearts on Super, you may be in one of those tests.
The catch: Hearts and Energy
This is the limit free learners notice first. Under the old Hearts system, Duolingo says each mistake took one heart from a free learner, and beginners were twice as likely to run out mid-lesson. Duolingo is now testing Energy instead, a battery that powers your lessons.
Here's how Duolingo describes Energy:
- You start with full Energy, and each lesson uses a little.
- You get Energy back when you get several answers in a row right.
- Reviewing your mistakes at the end of a lesson doesn't use any.
- It fully recharges in about a day, just like Hearts.
- If you run low, you can watch a rewarded ad or swap gems for a refill.
Duolingo says Energy is only live for a small number of learners so far, so which system you see depends on your account. Either way, the fix on the free plan is the same: slow down, use practice, and come back tomorrow.
What Duolingo Max adds
Max includes everything in Super plus two AI features. Roleplay lets you practise real conversations with Duolingo's characters, such as ordering a coffee. Video Call with Lily gives you on-demand speaking practice. Duolingo says Max is only on the iOS and Android apps, can't be bought on the web, and some features only work in certain courses. If your course isn't supported yet, you still get the Super benefits.
How to try Super before you decide
- Open the Duolingo app and sign in.
- Tap the gem icon at the top of the screen to open the Shop.
- Tap Get Super, choose a plan and confirm.
- Duolingo's Super page offers a 1 week free trial and says it'll remind you before the trial ends.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before day 7 if you don't want to carry on.
Duolingo says your progress and streak aren't affected when you start or end a plan, so you won't lose anything by trying Super and going back to free. One more thing to check: if you're in a Duolingo classroom, Super isn't available until you leave that classroom.
Is free Duolingo enough?
For most learners, yes. You get every lesson, and the main thing you trade is time and patience with ads and Energy. If you're comparing apps first, my guide to the best language learning apps covers which ones go deeper on grammar and speaking, and my pick of the best Spanish learning app looks at the most popular course on its own.
Sharing Super or Max with family
If more than one person in your home learns, the family options change the picture. Duolingo's Super page says you can learn on up to 6 Super accounts with the family option, and its Max help page says a Max family plan can be shared with 5 other people. Anyone on the family plan who doesn't use the mobile app, or whose course doesn't support Max yet, still gets the Super benefits such as no ads and mistakes review.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Duolingo also lets you give Super as a gift. The recipient gets an email and can start straight away, so it's an easy way to try the premium version without changing your own account.
My verdict: Duolingo is free, and the free version teaches you the same lessons as the premium tiers. Start free, build the daily habit, and only try Super if ads or Energy are stopping you from finishing lessons you'd otherwise do.
If you outgrow free Duolingo, a Babbel free trial shows how to test a structured course.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duolingo completely free?
Yes. Duolingo says every learner can use all its courses without upgrading. Super and Max add extras like no ads and AI practice, but the lesson content is the same for everyone.
What do you lose on free Duolingo?
You see ads, you have limited Hearts or Energy, and you don't get personalised mistakes practice or unlimited Legendary attempts. Max's Roleplay and Video Call features aren't included either.
How does Duolingo Energy work?
Energy is a battery that each lesson uses a little of. You get some back with streaks of correct answers, and Duolingo says it fully recharges in about a day.
Is there a Super Duolingo free trial?
Yes. Duolingo's Super page offers a 1 week free trial and says it'll remind you before it ends. You need to cancel at least 24 hours before day 7 to avoid moving onto the plan.
Do you lose your streak if you stop Super?
No. Duolingo says your learning progress and streak aren't affected when you start or end a plan.
Can I share Super Duolingo with my family?
Yes. Duolingo's Super page says you can learn on up to 6 Super accounts with the family option, and a Max family plan can be shared with 5 other people.
