Duolingo Software Reviews

“It keeps me going

Pros

Duolingo helps me keep studying consistently over time by making the whole learning process feel motivating. The gamification inside the app also gives me a clear sense of progress which encourages me to continue and makes practice feel more rewarding.

Cons

One area where it falls a bit short, in my opinion, is the explanation of certain grammar and syntax rules. It often leads you to figure things out on your own but at times it would be much more helpful to have actual lessons or short explanations that users could go back and review later.

“free lessons with more to explore

Pros

It doesn't pressure you into paying just to keep using the app. I have tried other language apps before where you either get a very short trial and then hit a subscription wall or you're limited to only one lesson per day. It has also improved a lot over time and I appreciate that they've expanded beyond language learning by adding features like music and chess.

Cons

I do think it is helpful for building vocabulary and maybe improving writing skills but after studying Spanish for 7 years, I wish there were more chances to actually speak the language and practice real conversations.

“variety beyond languages

Pros

There's a really broad selection of languages to choose from and I also like that it goes beyond language learning with extra options like math and chess.

Cons

Using the free version can be frustrating because ads show up after every lesson and the limited energy setup makes it harder to keep learning without interruptions.

“Helps a lot in learning

Pros

What I enjoy most is that it helps me learn and use another language while building my skills and supporting my education.

Cons

Honestly there's nothing I like least about it. It's been really enjoyable for learning and seeing different ways to study and understand new material.

“practical lessons and pronunciation

Pros

One thing that really works well is how practical the lessons feel. The app is simple to navigate and being able to practice pronunciation makes the learning experience even more useful.

Cons

The part I am not a fan of is the reliance on translation into the native language. I think it would be better to remove that, since it would push the student to think more and make the learning process more demanding.

“Good for daily language practice

Pros

Learning a new language with Duolingo is both simple and fun. Every day, you can practice the language you want through short exercises that combine writing, speaking and listening. Even just 5 minutes is enough when you're working and don't feel like opening textbooks or when you don't have the time or money for classes so it's really ideal. On top of that there's no need to pay for a subscription to enjoy it. The free version already lets you practice as much as you want and if you need more time or extra features, the paid plan also gives you spoken exchanges with Lily to help improve your speaking skills. Its method is all about repeating the vocabulary you've learned and they say you need to hear something seven times to truly remember it... that's absolutely true and it works.

Cons

Some of the sentences you learn or the stories included can be a bit absurd and not really usable in real life, although they can be funny and in the end that probably helps make them more memorable. One thing that would really help is having, at the end of each path, a full list of all the vocabulary covered throughout the lessons. It has also happened to me that I was asked to translate a word I had never seen before which then counted as a mistake and that's a bit frustrating.

“Works as expected

Pros

It does a really good job of taking something as complicated as learning a language and turning it into short, manageable lessons you can finish quickly. After completing one lesson, it gives you that little boost of motivation to jump right into the next one.

Cons

One thing that is missing in its language courses is a conjugation table. Once different verb tenses start coming up, it becomes pretty difficult to keep everything organized so having a table to look back at would be very helpful.

“Simple and fun to use

Pros

Duolingo is very easy and fun to use. Overall it's a really enjoyable way to keep your mind active while learning about a new language and culture. It's honestly a beautiful experience.

Cons

I noticed that the free version has way too many ads which really hurts the experience. At times it is almost unusable unless you pay for the premium version.

“Better avoid it

Pros

A decade ago, this app was built around the idea of letting people learn a language for free. By 2026, that original purpose seems to have been completely forgotten.

Cons

The overall level and quality have gone downhill, real learning progress is missing, customer support is absent and the teaching method no longer is effective.

“language practice that works

Pros

Duolingo has been an amazing platform for me. It's helped me keep improving my Spanish and German with exercises and practice that are really user friendly and enjoyable to keep up with.

Cons

Honestly I don't have anything negative to say about it. I have used it for years and fully plan to keep using it.

“encouraging and user-friendly learning

Pros

It is great and very user friendly. I downloaded it recently to build up my language skills and be able to communicate better with certain employees and it has been really helpful for that.

Cons

One thing I don't enjoy is how heavily the app pushes the premium version. It seems like I am seeing an upgrade ad almost after every activity which gets pretty annoying.

“easy for beginners

Pros

Short, micro-learning lessons fit nicely into a busy routine so keeping up with daily practice is also manageable. It gives beginners a great starting point and the gamified format was genuinely motivating in the beginning. That reward system works especially well when you're just getting started.

Cons

Over time, though, that same incentive system starts to feel repetitive and a bit monotonous. Something that was effective early on eventually is more like going through the motions. Once you're ready to move beyond the basics in language learning, it doesn't really offer enough and the motivation features begin to feel forced instead of adding meaningful value.

“Has lots of language selections

Pros

I really loved the lessons and the wide selection of languages available which helped me build my vocabulary. The app's layout was also very user friendly and simple to navigate.

Cons

Honestly I cannot recall anything I disliked as I loved everything it had to offer.

“Good for picking languages

Pros

It's a really good option for picking up a new language and getting started without much friction. The overall experience has been positive, even though there are definitely better tools out there if you want to study a language in more depth.

Cons

Some lessons feel a bit too basic at times. Still, as a first introduction to a new language, it does the job well enough, even if other alternatives are stronger for deeper learning.

“distracting gamification

Pros

The way the exercises are laid out works really well. They're easy to follow and make it easier to figure out and remember the right answer.

Cons

What bothered me most was the constant push to compete with other people, follow them and have them follow you back. I wanted language tuition, not something that is like a video game.

“Love using it!

Pros

Learning with Duolingo is enjoyable and not a hassle at all and it gives me a good way to keep improving my English while also picking up new languages.

Cons

One thing that bothered me about this tool was the constant stream of notifications. I get that they're supposed to keep users motivated but it would be much better if they sent them less often.

“useful practice but too repetitive

Pros

The exercises are fairly approachable and include quite a bit of repetition which does help with learning. It's also simple to use.

Cons

There are quite a few translation mistakes at times. Like I have even noted some of them and sent them to them so they can improve things. It also gets a bit too repetitive especially with extremely simple sentences. Another issue is the lack of explanation about the nuances between very similar words, such as the difference between ser and estar or between eso, ese, esta, esto, estos, aquel, aquella... I never really know which one to use so I end up going to other websites to understand the distinctions. On top of that some exercises feel like it is trying to trick users for no good reason. For example, it may give a long series of very simple fill-in-the-blank exercises in basic sentences, then suddenly, at the very end, ask you to write out a very complicated sentence in full. It honestly is like a way to make users lose lives on purpose and push them toward the paid version with unlimited lives. I also don't like how it puts users in competition with one another. Everyone should be able to progress at their own pace, without pressure, depending on their time and means.

“Go to option for sure

Pros

Duolingo is like the go to option for anyone who wants to start learning a new language in an engaging, low-pressure way. Its biggest strength is the outstanding gamification. The app turns studying into something that actually is fun. Like you earn XP, finish levels, keep your daily streak going and compete in weekly leagues. That game like setup is a very powerful motivator because it keeps you coming back every day not out of obligation but because you enjoy making progress and don't want to lose momentum. The course structure is also clear and gradual. Lessons are short and focused which makes them perfect for fitting into even the busiest days, whether it's during a coffee break or while commuting. Plus it puts a lot of emphasis on building good vocabulary and basic language patterns through smart repetition, bringing back the words you tend to miss more often.

Cons

It's not the ideal tool for reaching advanced fluency on its own, since that takes extra resources and real conversation practice but it's undeniably one of the best starting points for beginners. It gives you an essential foundation and makes that first step into a new language feel accessible, enjoyable and above all free, even though the paid version removes ads and gives you unlimited hearts.

“simple to use

Pros

Using this platform fits really well into my day because the lessons are short, simple to follow and easy to work through consistently. The streak feature is also a nice touch especially with the freeze days, since it helps keep the motivation going even if I miss a day. Another thing I really appreciate is being able to skip the listening or speaking exercises when I am out in public.

Cons

One part I could do without is the progress update emails and it can be a bit annoying how often the app nudges you to upgrade to the more expensive plans.

“Good but not the best

Pros

The gamified approach to learning a language makes the whole experience enjoyable. The exercises are engaging and the timed ones add a nice challenge because they really push you to think quickly.

Cons

A few of the sentence structures feel unnatural or just don't make much sense. There's also a pretty heavy push toward upgrading to the paid plan instead of sticking with the free version which I understand is part of how they monetize the product.

“fun lessons for kids

Pros

Its interface is very beginner friendly and the whole learning experience is set up in a way that keeps younger users engaged. It focuses on practical phrases and uses proven repetition techniques that really help with remembering what's being taught.

Cons

At times the repetition can feel a bit excessive and the quiz format may be confusing for younger learners especially those who get anxious around tests.

“Always keeps us engaged

Pros

Weekly challenges and email reminders keep me engaged and encourage me to stay consistent with my progress. The exercises are well made and the page design along with the characters is appealing and enjoyable. The free version also offers good value for what it provides.

Cons

The activities can get repetitive and moving up to the next level takes a while. There is a level jump test which I end up using most of the time when I get tired of the current topic.

“frequent server overload issues

Pros

None. I have nothing to good say!

Cons

I noticed that servers are overloaded far too often and when that happens I cannot finish the exercises I have already started which creates a lot of unnecessary stress.

“complex lessons

Pros

It does help build vocabulary and teach basic everyday conversations. It's presented as free to use, although that has unfortunately become much harder with the introduction of the energy system.

Cons

The grammar explanations are very limited and sometimes there is barely any explanation at all. It also varies depending on the language. There are many mistakes in the courses and the app can be too strict as it only accepts its own phrasing even when other sentence structures are perfectly fine. The Dutch course for example is really poor. A lot of it seems AI-generated to me which puts the stress on completely wrong parts of words in the pronunciation. The Italian accent is also awful at times because of the AI voice.

“Best language lessons

Pros

Learning a new language with this has been really enjoyable and it keeps the process simple without feeling boring. It also includes plenty of useful examples that actually come up in everyday life which makes the lessons feel practical.

Cons

If there's one downside, it's the price. It can feel a little expensive at times but overall I still think it's worth paying for.

“lessons that help

Pros

Learning a new language is much less intimidating with this app because it makes the process fun and interactive. The owl's animations add a lot of personality and I enjoy how it cheers me on and gives me a little boost of confidence like I am actually capable of making real progress. It also helps the language stick in my memory much better than the usual cram-and-forget approach from classroom study.

Cons

Using it without the premium plan is not very convenient. A few of the locked features honestly feel like basic tools that should be available to everyone, not just subscribers. On top of that the app could be more understanding about people's schedules since not everyone has time to practice every day and the constant notifications and emails pushing you to come back can feel like too much.

“everything about it is enjoyable

Pros

The characters, bite sized lessons, reminders and social features make the app enjoyable to use. Keeping a streak going is really motivating and it has definitely helped expand my vocabulary.

Cons

One thing it lacks is grammar explanation so a lot of it is like pure memorization. Because of that, it doesn't do much to truly teach a new language in depth.

“too many ads and reminders

Pros

A friend had been using Duolingo so I was excited to give it a shot. After using it for about two months, it felt just okay and didn't really live up to what I expected.

Cons

Since I was on the free plan, the lessons felt extremely short. On top of that every few minutes I had to sit through an ad or got pushed to upgrade which was far too frequent for my taste. The app also placed me in a very basic level so I didn't end up learning much. Even though I was regularly scoring between 95% and 100%, it never moved me up to anything more challenging. Another thing that got on my nerves was the constant texts and emails reminding me to keep my daily streak going. Some of those messages even arrived before 7 AM which was really irritating.

“I always come back

Pros

Learning a language with it is fun which keeps me coming back. I also really enjoy the social side of it especially adding friends and keeping up friend streaks because that extra motivation helps me stay consistent. It's been a very enjoyable way to pick up a language and keep progressing without it feeling boring.

Cons

One thing I am not a fan of is the shift toward becoming an AI-first company. I'd really prefer to see them lean back toward their human team again and I am hoping they move in that direction soon.

“User friendly language app

Pros

The interface is friendly and practical at the same time. It also lets you study several languages at the same time including non-language subjects like Math and Music.

Cons

As many other users have already pointed out, the learning method starts to feel too simple, repetitive and a bit boring over time.

“friendly lessons and clean design

Pros

Getting started with this app was not a problem at all and the interface made learning a new language feel approachable instead of intimidating.

Cons

One thing that bothered me during setup was not being able to choose my own starting level or skip ahead past sections I already knew well. Also some of the practice sentences do not feel very practical for everyday conversations. It would be much better if more of the examples were based on real daily-life situations instead of hypothetical ones.

“Has a language variety

Pros

Having a free app like this is a huge advantage especially since a lot of people want to pick up a second language or even more. The range of languages offered is really impressive, even though I have personally only been using it for Spanish. The streak feature is also a smart touch because it pushes me to complete at least one lesson every day which helps me keep learning new vocabulary while also reinforcing what I have already covered.

Cons

It works well enough for me but I can see it being too limited for people who already speak the language at a more advanced level. Even as someone just starting out with Spanish, I have noticed that the explanations can be lacking and sometimes they don't really show me why my answer was wrong. Since making mistakes is part of learning, clearer feedback would probably help reduce repeat errors and make the learning process more effective overall.

“fun learning but limited freedom

Pros

The playful, game-like approach and the learning support are really enjoyable. I have liked that part a lot. I'd just want to be able to move forward more freely in the app.

Cons

Even though I am subscribed and paying 15 CHF for it, it still keeps pushing me to buy gems. Since I don't want to, it ends up blocking my progress in the learning process.

“Keeps me motivated

Pros

Duolingo really nails the gamified side of learning. It does an excellent job of keeping me motivated to stick with my goals and continue practicing languages without feeling cheesy or overly pushy. The humor sprinkled throughout also makes the experience more enjoyable.

Cons

A downside is that some, maybe even a lot, of the content and voices come across as AI-generated. Quite a few of the example phrases also don't feel like things people commonly say in the country so it would definitely be better with more of a human touch.

“always does a good job

Pros

The interface is really engaging and enjoyable to use which makes it much easier to stay motivated and keep practicing a language regularly. It also does a very good job of reinforcing things I have already learned.

Cons

It seems to put more emphasis on vocabulary building especially in the earlier modules. Other language learning platforms tend to focus more on conversational practice from the beginning.

“AI features are amazing

Pros

Using it keeps me really motivated and the new AI features make it feel even more capable than before. Being able to speak with it like you're having a real conversation adds a strong sense of authenticity and it makes language practice feel much more true to real life.

Cons

The AI version is fairly expensive when you compare it with other LLM tools. Since it's mainly centered on language learning, I think the pricing could have been lower.

“Good for learning anywhere

Pros

Getting started with Duolingo takes almost no effort and the app is very user friendly. The rewards system keeps things engaging and being able to share progress and compare with others adds extra motivation. It's also perfect for learning on the go since lessons are quick and accessible right from the app.

Cons

One thing that bothers me about it is how heavily it leans into gamification. Streaks, hearts and leaderboards can definitely be motivating but at times they end up pulling attention away from actually learning the language in a deeper way.

“Decent software

Pros

It is playful and entertaining at the beginning and I really enjoy being able to study several languages at once. In my case I use it for Italian, French and Spanish.

Cons

The frustrating part is that when I was in the Diamond league, I still got demoted because the selection criteria kept me from finishing properly. The French grammar content is also weak and the app pushes you to do repetitive exercises every single day. I had already completed the Italian and Spanish courses in the older version.

“Has a lot of good things

Pros

There's almost too much to mention here. Duolingo offers a huge selection of languages, even though I'll realistically only stick with a couple of them.

Cons

Honestly there isn't much to complain about. The overall flow works well and if I had to point out anything, it might be that some parts feel a little too simple.

“fun challenges and fast progress

Pros

Learning with Duolingo is more like playing a game than studying which keeps it really engaging. The mix of personal challenges, friendly competition, milestones and rewards makes it motivating to come back every day. I also appreciate that it uses several learning methods together, including reading, writing and speaking and it all works really well. In just four months with this tool, I picked up more of the language than I did after a full year with a private tutor.

Cons

Well the free version is a lot like other pay-to-play apps, where you can only get so far before you either need to buy something or wait for a timer to reset. I eventually paid for the yearly plan because I didn't want those interruptions breaking up my learning.

“Makes everything hassle free

Pros

Starting a new course is hassle-free and switching from Spanish to Korean in the same morning works without any trouble.

Cons

The notifications are nonstop throughout the day, constantly pushing me to open the app and burying important phone alerts. On top of that extra hearts and stories are locked behind the paid version and offline mode sometimes fails to load lessons.

“Fun easy way to learn

Pros

I adore the gamified tasks and the pleasant surprises that come with how quickly I am picking up key phrases.

Cons

It would be fantastic to have explanation tips when I make mistakes!