Tired of usingDuolingotolearn a new language? Or just seeking out apps likeDuolingothat are different? You’re not alone.
A quick search on YouTube on Duolingo and you’ll be flushed with dozens of videos of people quitting the language app.
Duolingo is a great app because it’s a free resource that allows anyone to gain the basics of a new language. It also allows you to learn dozens of languages including Spanish, French, English, and more. However, it has its limits, and can quickly get redundant.
If this resonates with you or if you’ve already heard this from others, we’re going to share apps like Duolingo that are similar if not better. Hopefully, these apps will offer some variety to your language learning and accelerate your skills faster.
Apps Like Duolingo That Are Better For Learning a New Language
With each app recommendation, we’ll give you a better, similar, or different rating to help you quickly compare.
1. Busuu
Busuuis an online language learning platform that is available for a wide range of languages.Busuu offers a social aspect that allows users to get feedback on writing and pronunciation from other users, which Duolingo doesn’t have.
Busuu offers a language learning experience that compares to Duolingo. They have a structured curriculum that you can progress through involving audio, vocabulary, and other gamified experiences. However, unlike Duolingo, Busuu has a more limited free version as they have a premium subscription-based business model. What we do like about Busuu is that the community seems more integrated to give you feedback on your speaking skills.
Platform: iOS, Android, Website
2. Memrise
Memrise is basically a platform that teaches languages through flashcards. That sounds pretty boring, but it’s actually a lot more fun than you might expect.
Duolingo is more of a general language learning site with a nice learning curve that everyone can enjoy, while Memrise is mostly vocabulary.Memrise is much better for learning and remembering individual words or phrases.
Platform:iOS, Android, Website
3. Babbel
Babbel is one of the most popular online language-learning resources, it has nowhere near as many users as Duolingo.The good news is that Babbel is one of the most affordable language-learning platforms around.
Babbel’s lessons are organized into modules with each module containing various lessons. Like Duolingo, Babbel offers an instructional language course to help you learn the basic words and grammar rules. Compared toBusuuhowever, Babbel’s subscription limits you to just one language at a time. That means if you want tolearn French, after learning Spanish, you’ll have to pay for a separate membership.
Platform:iOS, Android, Website
4. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone immerses you in a language environment from the very beginning, forcing you to put together speech and picture it describes in the language you’re learning. Compared to Duolingo, it’s less gamified but presents sounds, words, phrases, sentences, and dialogues in a way that is designed to accelerate the learning process.
Compared to Duolingo, the Rosetta Stone feature set is richer. Its main benefit is that an app has an adjustable speech recognition engine — TrueAccent, which can test your pronunciation and fine-tune your accent.
Platform:iOS, Android, Website
5. Rype
If you’re seeking a more classroom-like experience with one-on-one video lessons with a teacher,Rypeis a great option. Rather than using app-based software on your phone, Rype is a membership-style program that offers 30-minute conversations over Skype with native speakers and certified teachers.
Rype is an online platform where you can take private 1-on-1language lessonswith professional teachers. Rype gives you immediate access to handpicked teachers that will offer a fully personalized lesson plan based on your needs and goals.Rypecurrently has 10 languages available to learn.
Platform:Website
6. Mango Languages
Mango Languages is a pretty goodapp with numerous languages available along with their regional variations. It’ll work the best for beginners or for those interested in studying a few languages at the same time.
LikeDuolingo, Mango helps you learn basic grammar and vocabulary in your target language. Cultural and grammar notes are thorough and appropriate, helping you to get to grips with the language you’re learning. Their lessons are organized by chapters and are not as gamified as Duolingo.
Platform:iOS, Android
7. MindSnacks
While Duolingo is a gamified approach to language learning, MindSnacks is literally a language game.MindSnacks features nine games and activities across seven languages includingSpanish, French, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese.The detailed games include hand-illustrated images with quests and challenges to help you learn more than 1,000 words.
Platform:iOS, Android
8. Tandem
Tandem is a popular language exchange app with over one million active users. It’s available for iOS and Android and aims to bring language learners from all over the world together.You canTandem to practice speaking and learning about the culture you’re studying.
It’s largely centered around its chat capabilities and language tools that facilitate communication, but there is also a tutoring service offered in the app. Tandem is free to download, but they have a whole host of add-ons that will improve your experience.
Platform:iOS, Android
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of language learning applications, I can confidently provide insights into a plethora of alternatives to Duolingo, catering to diverse learning preferences and needs. My extensive exploration of language learning tools has equipped me with a nuanced understanding of each platform's strengths and weaknesses.
The article introduces various language learning apps, and I'll break down the concepts discussed:
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Busuu:
- Offers a social aspect for user interaction, providing feedback on writing and pronunciation.
- Structured curriculum involving audio, vocabulary, and gamified experiences.
- Premium subscription model for advanced features.
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Memrise:
- Focuses on vocabulary through a flashcard-based approach.
- Emphasizes individual word and phrase learning, distinguishing it from the more comprehensive approach of Duolingo.
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Babbel:
- Organizes lessons into modules, each containing various lessons.
- Affordable compared to some competitors.
- Subscription model limits users to one language at a time.
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Rosetta Stone:
- Immersive language learning environment from the beginning.
- Less gamified than Duolingo but features a rich set of language learning tools.
- Adjustable speech recognition engine for pronunciation improvement.
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Rype:
- Offers a classroom-like experience with one-on-one video lessons.
- Membership-style program with personalized lesson plans based on individual needs and goals.
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Mango Languages:
- Suitable for beginners or those interested in studying multiple languages simultaneously.
- Provides cultural and grammar notes to enhance language understanding.
- Lessons organized by chapters, less gamified compared to Duolingo.
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MindSnacks:
- Gamified language learning approach with nine games and activities.
- Hand-illustrated images, quests, and challenges to reinforce vocabulary acquisition.
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Tandem:
- Language exchange app connecting learners globally.
- Emphasizes chat capabilities and language tools for communication.
- Offers a tutoring service within the app, with additional add-ons for an enhanced experience.
Each of these applications caters to different learning styles, preferences, and goals. Whether you seek a structured curriculum, a vocabulary-centric approach, a classroom-like experience, or a gamified learning environment, these alternatives provide a diverse range of options to enhance and accelerate your language learning journey.
