When most people hear Duolingo, they think adorable mascot and challenges with friends. Unfortunately, as we discovered in our comprehensive test report, this app’s long-term learning results can be underwhelming for some, depending on your goals. In this blogpost we’re introduce three Duolingo alternatives with various approaches and creative application of study methods.
Alternatives to Duolingo: Who Does It Better?
At talkREAL, we think Duolingo feels more like a language-themed mobile game than a designated study course. There’s a lot of guessing involved at times, and grammar explanations are pretty much nonexistent, so meaningful progress might come to a halt over time. Now how do other language courses approach this? We present our favorite Duolingo alternatives:
Mondly – The Motivation Champion
Mondly centers on learning without repetitive memorization. The platform leans on visuals and audio flashcards, letting you discover new words through context you already know. This creates a nice balance of motivation and a brain-friendly teaching method. The course path is also flexible, so you can hop around different topics based on your interests and hobbies.
Mondly is also one of the top Duolingo alternatives when it comes to pricing: for a one-time fee of about $120, you gain lifetime access to 41 languages—no subscription, no hidden costs. And of course, it’s entirely ad-free. Plus, you get the Mondly Kids app at no extra charge! (Check out our extensive Mondly Guide for more details.)
Mosalingua – From Basic Flashcards to Our Favorite App
Mosalingua has really impressed us over time, because no other language course has improved so dramatically. Alongside what may be the best flashcard trainer on the market right now, they offer plenty of extra content—like MosaSeries, for instance—where you follow engaging stories to sharpen your skills. Furthermore, only few providers incorporate artificial intelligence as efficiently as Mosalingua does, and we genuinely enjoy using this app.
Another highlight: Mosalingua lets you learn all of its available languages without locking you into a single choice from the start. The selection of videos, eBooks, audiobooks, and music can vary slightly by language, but you can freely explore thanks to a trial period – no payment details required. (Take a look at our detailed Mosalingua Guide.)
Rosetta Stone – An Intuitive Path to a New Language
Rosetta Stone’s patented “Dynamic Immersion” approach allows for you to learn a new language without relying on English at all. Essentially, you’re thrown into the deep end of a foreign language pool. But the results speak for themselves, since this approach is more aligned with the way our brains naturally acquire language compared to most traditional methods.
Rounding things out is a well-designed “learning suite” that goes beyond just standard lessons. It features short stories, pronunciation training, and even a virtual classroom for live instruction in small groups with a teacher. You can choose from 24 languages, starting at $10.95 per month (yearly payment) or go for a lifetime deal for $399. Find a full cost breakdown in this article. (You can also consult our in-depth Rosetta Stone Guide.)
Conclusion: Lovely Design, Slightly Questionable Method
No one can deny that Duolingo’s delightful interface, fun challenges, and cute mascot, Duo, have a unique charm. But that’s not everything. Right now, Duolingo barely makes it into our top 10 list of the best language courses. If you want to learn a language thoroughly, without wasting time, you might be better off with a competing program.
Providers like Mosalingua, Mondly, and Rosetta Stone do a significantly better job in terms of teaching methods. And that’s ultimately why we use those courses in the first place—to master a new language as effectively as possible. If you’re hunting for apps similar to Duolingo, these options could be just what you need.