Head-to-head · Language Learning Apps
Duolingo vs Rosetta Stone
Duolingo leads on 1 check, Rosetta Stone on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreDuolingo · 9.4/10
- Free planonly Duolingo
- Free trialonly Duolingo
Duolingo scores higher on our rubric for language learning apps: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.
Duolingo offers free plan; Rosetta Stone doesn't.
Duolingo is the better fit for beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option. Rosetta Stone is the better fit for learners wanting immersive lessons and live tutoring.
- Duolingo fits best
Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option
- Rosetta Stone fits best
Learners wanting immersive lessons and live tutoring
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Side by side
| Feature | Duolingo 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Rosetta Stone 8.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.9 |
| Ranking | #1 in Language Learning Apps | #5 in Language Learning Apps |
| Best for | Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option | Learners wanting immersive lessons and live tutoring |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan · 14-day trial | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs | |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Enterprise |
| Features Duolingo 5/5 · Rosetta Stone 5/5 | ||
| Offline lessons | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speech practice | ✓ | ✓ |
| Placement test | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personalized review | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile apps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Languages offered | Not checked yet | 25 |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Duolingo is a self-paced language-learning website and mobile app for learners building skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, and grammar. Its short interactive lessons combine practice with progress tracking,… Read the review → |
Rosetta Stone is a language-learning subscription for individuals, schools and organizations, with lessons and practice aimed at learners who want structured study. The Dynamic Immersion method underpins its lessons, while TruAccent… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Duolingo — where it wins
- Free access includes bite-sized lessons across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Placement testing and personalized review help tailor practice to learner progress.
- Offline mobile lessons, stories, DuoRadio, and speech exercises broaden practice.
Where it doesn't
- The Free plan includes advertising.
- AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan.
- Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.
Rosetta Stone — where it wins
- Covers 25 languages with immersive lessons and placement testing
- TruAccent gives pronunciation feedback; Chat Missions add conversation practice
- Offline mobile units and adaptive review support continued study
Where it doesn't
- No free plan
- Monthly and Yearly plans list the same core features
- Tutoring is available, but its cost and session details are not specified
- Duolingo9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.
Visit DuolingoFull verdict → - Rosetta Stone8.9/10 · Paid
A broad language-learning subscription for guided lessons, practice and tutoring.
Visit Rosetta StoneFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







