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Head-to-head · Arabic Learning Apps

Duolingo vs Michel Thomas Modern Arabic

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Duolingo #1 in Arabic Learning Apps 9.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Duolingo
Michel Thomas Modern Arabic #8 in Arabic Learning Apps 7.9/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Michel Thomas

Duolingo leads on 1 check, Michel Thomas Modern Arabic on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDuolingo · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Duolingo
  • Free trialonly Duolingo
  • Most featuresMichel Thomas Modern Arabic · 3 of 4

Duolingo scores higher on our rubric for arabic learning apps: 9.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Duolingo offers free plan; Michel Thomas Modern Arabic doesn't.

Duolingo is the better fit for learners wanting a polished, free all-around app. Michel Thomas Modern Arabic is the better fit for learners preferring an audio-led MSA course.

  • Duolingo fits best

    Learners wanting a polished, free all-around app

  • Michel Thomas Modern Arabic fits best

    Learners preferring an audio-led MSA course

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Duolingo 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Michel Thomas Modern Arabic 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.9
Ranking #1 in Arabic Learning Apps #8 in Arabic Learning Apps
Best for Learners wanting a polished, free all-around app Learners preferring an audio-led MSA course
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Free plan · 14-day trial $11.99 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email Email
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo
Features Duolingo 0/4 · Michel Thomas Modern Arabic 3/4
Speaking practice Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Writing practice Not checked yet —
Offline lessons Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Native-speaker audio Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Arabic varieties Not checked yet Msa
Lesson count Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking in short lessons
  • Placement and personalized review help guide study
  • Stories, offline lessons, and AI conversation add variety
  • Live-style lessons pair a teacher with a native speaker and student participants
  • Foundation includes 10 hours of audio and the Start course
  • Purchased courses can be downloaded for offline listening in iOS and Android
Cons
  • Free tier is supported by advertising
  • Offline access is limited to downloaded content
  • AI conversation features require Duolingo Max
  • Courses focus on Modern Standard Arabic, not regional dialects
  • No writing practice is included
  • The course format centers on audio rather than a broad set of learning skills
Our verdict

Duolingo pairs a website with apps for iOS, Android, and macOS, offering short interactive lessons across more than 40 languages. Learners can practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with a placement test to choose a starting…

Read the review →

Michel Thomas Modern Arabic offers beginner courses in Modern Standard Arabic, presented as audio-led, live-style lessons with a teacher, a native speaker and student participants. Learners can pause and repeat the lessons, making the…

Read the review →
  1. DuolingoArabic Learning Apps 9.3Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Michel Thomas Modern ArabicArabic Learning Apps 7.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Duolingo — where it wins

    • Covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking in short lessons
    • Placement and personalized review help guide study
    • Stories, offline lessons, and AI conversation add variety

    Where it doesn't

    • Free tier is supported by advertising
    • Offline access is limited to downloaded content
    • AI conversation features require Duolingo Max

  • Michel Thomas Modern Arabic — where it wins

    • Live-style lessons pair a teacher with a native speaker and student participants
    • Foundation includes 10 hours of audio and the Start course
    • Purchased courses can be downloaded for offline listening in iOS and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Courses focus on Modern Standard Arabic, not regional dialects
    • No writing practice is included
    • The course format centers on audio rather than a broad set of learning skills

More comparisons

All arabic learning apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update