Best Duolingo Alternatives in 2026
The top Duolingo alternatives are Busuu, Babbel and Memrise: 15 language learning apps our editors would look at instead of Duolingo, in our ranking order.
Duolingo: A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access. Where it falls short: the free plan includes advertising..
Switching from Duolingo? For most language learning apps buyers the best Duolingo alternative is Busuu, built for learners wanting courses plus native-speaker feedback. Memrise offers the most languages offered (149).
Why People Look for a Duolingo Alternative
- The Free plan includes advertising
- AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan
- Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallBusuu9.2
Learners wanting courses plus native-speaker feedback
Visit Busuu - Best free optionBusuu9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Busuu - Most languages offeredMemrise9.0
149
Visit Memrise
All 15 Duolingo Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forLearners wanting courses plus native-speaker feedback
A broad language-learning app combining structured lessons with human and AI feedback.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Busuu -
Best forLearners wanting a structured paid course
A guided paid course with practice across listening, speaking, writing, and grammar.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Babbel -
Best forLearners prioritizing language breadth and native video
A broad language-learning app combining native video, structured lessons and AI practice.
- Placement test
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Memrise -
Best forLearners wanting immersive lessons and live tutoring
A broad language-learning subscription for guided lessons, practice and tutoring.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Rosetta Stone -
Best forAudio-first learners practicing real-world conversation
A strong audio-first choice for conversational practice, but there is no free plan.
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pimsleur -
Best forSerious learners who value proven depth
A deep, mature learning system for learners who want structured progress.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SuperMemo -
Best forBroad-language learners seeking varied practice modes
A broad language-learning app with varied practice modes and a freemium entry point.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Mondly -
Best forFree, established English study resources
A mature, free web resource for structured English study across levels and skills.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Speech practice
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forIndependent learners studying authentic texts
A free, open-source reading workflow for independent language learners.
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forChildren learning English through play
A playful English-learning app with offline content, speaking practice and parent tracking.
- Offline lessons
- Speech practice
- Mobile apps
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forEnglish learners focused on grammar drills
A free, grammar-focused app with broad practice across four English levels.
- Mobile apps
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLearners who study through authentic online media
A media-rich language app for learners who want flexible reading and listening practice.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit LingQ -
Best forLearners focused on AI speaking conversations
A conversation-first AI tutor with structured courses, pronunciation feedback, and mobile access.
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
- Mobile apps
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Talkpal -
Best forEnglish learners improving pronunciation and fluency
A focused English app for improving pronunciation, fluency, and real-world speaking.
- Placement test
- Personalized review
- Speech practice
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit ELSA Speak -
Best forMultilingual learners focused on vocabulary retention
A flexible choice for independent learners who want vocabulary retention across devices.
- Placement test
- Offline lessons
- Personalized review
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit MosaLingua
Duolingo Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Duolingo?
Busuu: #2 in our Language Learning Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A broad language-learning app combining structured lessons with human and AI feedback.
Is there a free alternative to Duolingo?
Yes. Busuu, Memrise, SuperMemo, Mondly and BBC Learning English have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Duolingo alternatives?
The Free plan includes advertising; AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan; Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.
Which Duolingo alternative has the most languages offered?
Memrise, with 149.
How do I switch from Duolingo?
Export your data from Duolingo (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Duolingo.
How to Switch from Duolingo
- Export your data from Duolingo (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Duolingo.
Duolingo vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Offline lessons | Speech practice | Placement test | Personalized review | Mobile apps | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duolingo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 1 | Busuu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Babbel | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 3 | Memrise | Yes | €69.99/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | Rosetta Stone | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Pimsleur | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | SuperMemo | Yes | 359 PLN/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | Mondly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 8 | BBC Learning English | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 9 | Learning with Texts | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |||
| 10 | LearnEnglish Kids: Playtime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |||
| 11 | LearnEnglish Grammar | Yes | No | No | Yes | 7.6 | |||
| 12 | LingQ | Yes | $119.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 13 | Talkpal | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | ||
| 14 | ELSA Speak | Yes | $159.99/yr | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 15 | MosaLingua | No | $71.88/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- Duolingo vs Busuu
- Duolingo vs Babbel
- Duolingo vs Memrise
- Duolingo vs Rosetta Stone
- Duolingo vs Pimsleur
- Duolingo vs SuperMemo
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update