Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform and mobile app that offers interactive language courses for various languages. It was created by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker and launched to the public in 2012. Duolingo’s mission is to make education accessible to everyone and provide free language learning tools.

The courses on Duolingo cover various aspects of language learning, including vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, and speaking practice. 

Why look for a Duolingo alternative?

Overall, Duolingo has gained popularity as a convenient and accessible platform for language learners, catering to both beginners and those looking to enhance their language skills.

There could be several reasons why someone might consider looking for alternatives to Duolingo, despite it being a popular language-learning platform. Here are a few possible reasons:

Learning Style: Duolingo’s gamified approach may not suit everyone’s learning style. 

Progression and Assessment: Duolingo’s leveling system might not clearly measure progress or proficiency. And more.

Now here are 5 alternatives to Duolingo you can consider:

• Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone is one of the most well-known language-learning apps. It offers an immersive learning experience that focuses on developing your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The app uses a dynamic curriculum and speech recognition technology to provide personalized feedback on your pronunciation.

Rosetta Stone is a language-learning software program that is widely known and used. It has its strengths and weaknesses, so let’s explore the pros and cons of Rosetta Stone:

Pros:

Immersive approach: Rosetta Stone uses an immersive approach to language learning, which means it emphasizes listening, reading, and speaking in the target language from the very beginning. 

Interactive exercises: The program offers a variety of interactive exercises, including speaking and pronunciation practice, vocabulary building, and grammar exercises. 

Wide range of languages: Rosetta Stone supports a large number of languages, including popular ones like English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more. 

Mobile and offline access: Rosetta Stone offers mobile apps, allowing learners to practice on the go. It also provides offline access to lessons, which can be helpful for those without constant internet connectivity.

Cons:

Expensive: Rosetta Stone is generally more expensive compared to some other language-learning options available in the market. This can be a barrier for some learners, especially those on a tight budget.

Not suitable for advanced learners: The program is primarily designed for beginners and lower-intermediate learners. It may not offer enough depth and advanced materials for learners who have already reached a higher proficiency level.

• Babbel

Babbel is another popular language-learning app that offers courses in multiple languages. It focuses on practical conversations and real-life dialogues, helping you learn useful phrases and vocabulary. The app also includes interactive exercises, speech recognition, and review sessions to reinforce your learning.

Pros 

Structured lessons: Babbel provides well-organized and structured lessons, making it easy for learners to progress systematically through the material. The courses are designed to build upon previous lessons, ensuring a solid foundation in the language.

Real-life dialogues: Babbel incorporates real-life dialogues and conversations into its lessons. This helps learners develop their listening skills and exposes them to authentic language usage.

Mobile accessibility: Babbel has a mobile app that allows learners to access their courses and lessons on the go. This flexibility makes it convenient for users to practice whenever and wherever they want.

Progress tracking: Babbel tracks learners’ progress and provides feedback on their performance. This feature helps users monitor their improvement over time and stay motivated to continue learning.

Cons 

Limited language options: While Babbel offers courses in several popular languages, such as Spanish, French, German, and Italian, the range of available languages is not as extensive compared to some other language-learning platforms. If you’re looking to learn a less common or niche language, Babbel may not have a course available for that language.

Lack of personalized feedback: Although Babbel provides automated feedback on exercises, it does not offer personalized feedback from instructors. This absence of one-on-one interaction can be a disadvantage for learners who require tailored guidance or have specific questions about the language.

Price: Babbel operates on a subscription model, requiring users to pay for access to their courses. While the cost is relatively affordable compared to some other language-learning platforms, it may still be a factor to consider for learners on a tight budget.

• Lingodeer

Lingodeer is a language learning platform offering interactive lessons and various language exercises. While it has gained popularity among language learners, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of using Lingodeer. Here are some of the pros and cons:

Pros 

Structured lessons: Lingodeer provides a well-structured curriculum that takes learners from beginner to advanced levels. The lessons are designed to cover various language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking.

Interactive learning experience: The platform offers interactive exercises, including quizzes, speaking challenges, and listening exercises, which make the learning process engaging and interactive.

Gamified approach: Lingodeer incorporates gamification elements, such as point systems and achievements, which can motivate learners and make the learning experience more enjoyable.

Multiple languages available: Lingodeer offers courses for a wide range of languages, including popular ones like Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, and more. This makes it a versatile platform for learners interested in multiple languages.

Cons 

Limited language options: While Lingodeer supports many popular languages, it may not cover less commonly taught or regional languages. If you’re looking to learn a less mainstream language, you may not find it available on Lingodeer.

Lack of personalized feedback: While Lingodeer offers automated exercises, it may not provide customized feedback on individual learner errors. Some learners may prefer more personalized guidance or human interaction to address their specific challenges.

• Memrise

Memrise combines gamification and spaced repetition to make language learning engaging and effective. It offers a wide range of user-generated courses in various languages, covering vocabulary, grammar, and cultural insights. The app utilizes mnemonic techniques and multimedia content to help you remember words and phrases more easily.

Pros

User-friendly interface: Memrise has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and use. It provides a smooth learning experience for beginners and experienced learners alike.

Diverse language courses: Memrise offers a wide range of language courses, including popular languages like English, Spanish, French, German, and many others. It also covers less commonly taught languages, making it suitable for learners with different language interests.

Gamified learning: Memrise incorporates gamification elements into its courses, making the learning process more engaging and interactive. It uses techniques such as spaced repetition and mnemonic devices to help learners memorize vocabulary and grammar concepts effectively.

User-generated content: Memrise allows users to create and share their own language courses, which means there is a vast library of user-generated content available. This gives learners a broader range of learning materials and different teaching styles.

Cons

Limited focus on speaking and listening skills: While Memrise is useful for vocabulary and reading comprehension, it may not emphasize speaking and listening skills as much. 

Paid features: While Memrise offers a free version with limited access to its features, its subscription-based premium membership provides access to additional content and features. 

• HelloTalk

HelloTalk takes a unique approach to language learning by connecting you with native speakers worldwide. It provides a platform for language exchange and allows you to practice your target language through text, voice messages, and even video calls.

Pros 

Language Exchange: HelloTalk provides a platform for language exchange, allowing you to connect with native speakers of the language you are learning. This gives you the opportunity to practice your target language with real people, improving your speaking and listening skills.

Wide Language Options: HelloTalk supports many languages, so you can find language partners for many languages. This is beneficial if you’re learning a less common language and struggle to find speakers nearby.

In-app Language Tools: HelloTalk provides useful language tools within the app, such as translation, voice messages, and correction features. These tools can help you understand and communicate more effectively, allowing for a smoother language-learning process.

Cons

Language Proficiency Varies: Since HelloTalk is open to users of all language proficiency levels, you may encounter users who are still learning the language themselves. 

Timezone Differences: HelloTalk has a global user base, which means you may encounter time zone differences when trying to communicate with your language partners. 

Free vs. Premium Features: HelloTalk offers both free and premium features. While the free version allows for basic language exchange, some advanced features, such as unlimited translations and voice calls, may require a subscription. 

The Best Alternative to Duolingo?

While we have seen the 5 best alternatives to Duolingo, what is the best alternative to the most popular language learning app, that is, creating your own language learning website? Use an online tutoring software like Pinlearn to build your own language learning platform to clone popular language learning apps like Duolingo, Cambly, etc. 

Being a readymade script, you can customize it to build your own language learning platform where you can interact with your learners through live classes and online courses. 

Conclusion

When choosing Duolingo alternatives, consider individual preferences and learning styles, so what may be a disadvantage for one person could be acceptable or even beneficial for another. It’s recommended to try out the platform’s free trial or sample lessons to see if it aligns with your language-learning goals and preferences.