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Head-to-head · Language Learning Apps

Duolingo vs Sotto

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Duolingo #1 in Language Learning Apps 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Duolingo
Sotto #31 in Language Learning Apps 5.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Sotto

Duolingo leads on 0 checks, Sotto on 0, and 6 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 planboth
  • Free trialonly Duolingo

Duolingo scores higher on our rubric for language learning apps: 9.4 against 5.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #31.

Duolingo is the better fit for beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option. Sotto is the better fit for learners wanting maximum breadth and control.

  • Duolingo fits best

    Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option

  • Sotto fits best

    Learners wanting maximum breadth and control

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 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Sotto 5.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 5.7
Ranking #1 in Language Learning Apps #31 in Language Learning Apps
Best for Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option Learners wanting maximum breadth and control
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Free plan · 14-day trial Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS
Features Duolingo 5/5 · Sotto 5/5
Offline lessons ✓ ✓
Speech practice ✓ ✓
Placement test ✓ ✓
Personalized review ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
Specs
Languages offered Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • Covers grammar, reading, listening, speaking, and writing
  • Supports adaptive review, pronunciation scoring, and writing feedback
  • Runs across web, desktop, iOS, API, and self-hosted setups
Cons
  • The Free plan includes advertising.
  • AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan.
  • Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.
  • Self-hosting can require more setup than a hosted learning app
  • Cloud AI, speech, search, or storage providers may add direct costs
  • Its broad feature set may be more than casual learners need
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 →

Sotto is an open-source language-learning application for learners who want private, context-based practice across all four core skills. Its CEFR-based courses cover grammar, reading, listening, speaking, and writing, while placement…

Read the review →
  1. DuolingoLanguage Learning Apps 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. SottoLanguage Learning Apps 5.7Free plan

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.

  • Sotto — where it wins

    • Covers grammar, reading, listening, speaking, and writing
    • Supports adaptive review, pronunciation scoring, and writing feedback
    • Runs across web, desktop, iOS, API, and self-hosted setups

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting can require more setup than a hosted learning app
    • Cloud AI, speech, search, or storage providers may add direct costs
    • Its broad feature set may be more than casual learners need
  • Duolingo9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.

    Visit DuolingoFull verdict →
  • Sotto5.7/10 · Free plan

    A broad, private language-learning workspace with offline and self-hosted options.

    Visit SottoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All language learning apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update