Looking for the best Duolingo alternatives in 2025? While Duolingo is a popular language-learning app, it may not suit everyone. Whether you need structured lessons, conversation practice, or speaking-focused lessons, there are plenty of other language-learning apps that might be a better fit for your needs.
This guide explores the top 10 alternatives to Duolingo, covering their features, pricing, and how they compare. Whether you’re looking to learn Thai, Spanish, Japanese, or Arabic, these platforms offer flashcards, spaced repetition, speech recognition, and professional teachers to improve your listening skills, reading skills, and pronunciation practice.
Top 10 Best Language Learning Apps Like Duolingo (2025)
Drops
Best for: Visual-based learning & quick sessions
Drops is a gamified app designed for visual learners. Instead of traditional grammar explanations, it teaches foreign language vocabulary through pictures, animations, and quick five-minute lessons. This is ideal for people who struggle with reading and prefer a game-like session.
Key Features:
- 50+ languages including Thai, Turkish, Dutch, and Danish
- No grammar explanations – Focuses on vocabulary building
- Five-minute lessons designed for fast learning
- Freemium and Premium services with a lifetime subscription available
Pricing:
| Plan | Price |
| Monthly Plan | $11.99/month |
| Annual Plan | $8.33/month |
| Lifetime Plan | $299 one-time |
iTalki
Best for: 1-on-1 language tutors & conversation practice
If you prefer real-life speaking practice, iTalki connects learners with community tutors and professional teachers via Skype or Zoom. This app is excellent for exam preparations, business communication, and personalized learning plans.
Key Features:
- Hourly rates start from $6
- Choose between community tutors or professional teachers
- Speaking-focused lessons for English, Spanish, Japanese, and French
- User-generated content & personalized lesson plans
Pricing:
- Community tutors: $6 – $20 per session
- Professional teachers: $10 – $40 per session
LingoDeer
Best for: Grammar-heavy languages like Japanese, Chinese & Korean
LingoDeer is perfect for learning languages that require an alphabet system, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Unlike Duolingo, it offers detailed grammar explanations and structured lessons.
Key Features:
- Spaced repetition & flashcards for better retention
- Detailed grammar explanations with exercises
- Supports European & East Asian languages
- Subscription plans available
Pricing:
| Plan | Price |
| Monthly Plan | $10/month |
| Annual Plan | $8.45/month |
Lingvist
Best for: AI-powered vocabulary learning
Lingvist is an AI-based language-learning app that personalizes flashcards based on your current knowledge. If you want a quick and efficient way to expand vocabulary, this is a great choice.
Key Features:
- AI-powered personalized learning
- Grammar explanations included
- Voice-recognition technology for pronunciation practice
Memrise
Best for: Interactive lessons with native speakers
Memrise provides speech recognition and community feedback from native speakers to improve pronunciation practice.
Key Features:
- Speaking-focused lessons
- Interactive video lessons
- Subscription plans available
Rosetta Stone
Best for: Immersive learning with speech recognition
Rosetta Stone is known for its voice-recognition technology, which helps learners perfect their pronunciation.
Key Features:
- No translations – Full immersion learning
- Lifetime subscription available
- Perfect for British & European languages
Pricing:
| Plan | Price |
| 3-Month Plan | $11.99/month |
| 12-Month Plan | $8.33/month |
| Lifetime Plan | $299 |
Mondly
Best for: VR & AR-based learning
Mondly is one of the most innovative Duolingo alternatives, offering virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) learning experiences.
Busuu
Best for: Structured lessons & community support
Busuu provides structured lessons with interactive exercises and a community feedback feature to help you improve your skills.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price |
| Monthly Plan | $8.45/month |
uTalk
Best for: Learning rare languages
If you’re looking to learn Thai, Arabic, or Danish, uTalk offers listening skills and speech recognition for over 140 languages.
Babble
Best for: Business and exam-focused courses
Babble offers structured lessons designed for exam preparations and business communication.
Pricing:
| Plan | Price |
| Monthly Plan | $6.95/month |
Conclusion
While Duolingo is an excellent language-learning app, these top 10 Duolingo alternatives provide unique features like visual-based learning, AI-powered flashcards, conversation practice, and voice-recognition technology. If you’re looking for a gamified app, professional teachers, or lifetime subscriptions, there’s an option that suits you.
With Black Friday Sale discounts and freemium and premium services, investing in the right platform can make your foreign language learning more efficient and enjoyable.
Which Duolingo alternative will you try first? Let us know in the comments!
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