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.