Photo credit: © Katrin Adam
Duolingo vs Busuu: Which language course does a better job? We’ve tested both solutions and compared them in this article. Who will end up with a higher score when all is said and done?
Table of Contents
Short Verdict: We’re leaning toward Busuu. Its learning concept is more robust and the active community is a real standout. But Duolingo also has its advantages!
Duolingo vs. Busuu – A Quick Overview
Duolingo is famous for its cute mascot and loads of motivational elements -but howgood is its learning approach?
versus
Busuu stands out thanks to its active community feature and a well-thought out, beautifully designed interface.
Similarities: Where Duolingo and Busuu Align
If you go by their advertising alone, these two platforms might seem pretty similar. Despite notable differences—and, ultimately, a clear winner—they do share certain common ground. Both Duolingo and Busuu have apps and web versions that offer full functionality across devices.
Each is pitched as a primary resource for learning a language. The emphasis is on mobile-friendly sessions you can fit into your every day. Both present a fairly well-structured learning path, and you can tackle topics in whatever order you prefer. They also let you learn for free – though some features are locked behind a premium tier on each app provider.
Differences: Where Duolingo and Busuu Diverge
Now let’s look at what sets them apart. Although both aim to help you learn a language, they go about it differently. Duolingo focuses on learning via memorization, relying on a gamified challenge approach to keep you coming back each day.
Busuu, on the other hand, offers a more traditional strategy: structured grammar sessions paired with fitting exercises after. Its standout feature is a unique community aspect: you can interact with native speakers and fellow learners, which leads to more open-ended, creative conversations – and you get direct feedback from a human, too. That’s a major plus!
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Duolingo or Busuu – Scope and Features
Right now, Busuu provides 13 foreign languages for English speakers, including popular picks like Spanish as well as extras like Korean and Dutch. Duolingo offers 40+ languages right now, with some more niche options such as Hawaiian, Scottish Gaelic or Navajo.
The course features a colorful, playful learning path plus personalized reviews that target your frequent mistakes. Challenges, missions, and connecting with friends are at the core of the experience. Busuu stands out with a robust community feature, placement tests in almost every language, and a chance to earn official language certificates.
– Point for Both –
While it may not be the heart of any course, having a clean, intuitive interface can save you from constantly tapping around. So, how do our competitors measure up when it comes to user-friendliness?
Duolingo vs. Busuu – User-Friendliness
Both platforms have attractive, well-organized interfaces. You won’t get lost navigating either of them. Duolingo uses endearing yet not-too-kitschy illustrations. Busuu has more features and thus a touch more complexity, but still quickly becomes second nature after a short while. Neither one loses our good graces here either, so:
– Point for Both –
A fancy design is nice, but let’s get to the core: the learning method and how effectively it’s implemented. Who stands out more in that department – Duolingo or Busuu?
Duolingo or Busuu – Teaching Approach
Busuu (on the right) relies on a classic school-like model, mixing explanations of grammar with varied exercises. It also takes full advantage of its community, where you can assess and evaluate other learners’ answers and receive feedback for your own in return as well.
Duolingo (on the left) mainly follows a string of consecutive exercises that regularly introduce new vocabulary. Unfortunately, you won’t find grammar explanations here, and sometimes you have to guess at unfamiliar words via process of elimination. That leaves room for improvement, so:
– Point for Busuu –
Even the greatest course is useless if you never feel motivated enough to open it. After a solid curriculum, motivation elements are crucial. Let’s see how Duolingo and Busuu each excel at fueling your desire to learn.
Duolingo or Busuu – Motivation
No other platform pushes learners to stay consistent quite like Duolingo does. You’ll see daily reminders and missions, ongoing challenges, and leaderboards where you can compare yourself to others. You can also connect with friends and cheer on their progress or, alternatively, compete against them in a head-to-head race. It’s bursting with gamification—and it pays off.
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Busuu gives you a daily study plan, plus ways to connect and interact with others. Depending on your subscription, you can earn official language certificates as well. However, if you struggled with motivation in a school-style setting, you may want more gamified features. Duolingo wins in that regard, so:
– Point for Duolingo –
Of course, the price also matters. Even if a course is excellent, it should be reasonably priced for what you get. Let’s see how Duolingo and Busuu stack up on cost-effectiveness.
Duolingo vs. Busuu: Value for Money
Busuu’s free tier covers most major features. For more customized content, prices start at $5,25 a month (yearly payment). The free version does not have any advertisements (except for Busuus own paid version, occasionally) and lets you complete the language course in its basic form as well as the community features.
Duolingo also has a free version, but it’s cluttered with ads. The premium subscription removes ads and adds extra features, although it doesn’t drastically change the core lessons. A single-person plan starts at about $6.99 monthly, while the family plan (up to six people) can work out to under $2 per month per person. Still, we feel Busuu gives you more bang for your buck and doesn’t force ads on you, so:
– Point for Busuu –
We’ve covered our five categories in detail. Now it’s time to see the final breakdown of points.
Points Summary
Scope
User-Friendliness
Motivation
versus
Scope
User-Friendliness
Teaching Approach
Value for Money
Conclusion – Duolingo or Busuu: Which One Wins?
In this head-to-head comparison, Busuu finishes with a clear advantage of 4:3, making it the winner. It shines thanks to its diverse exercises and an active community function. In our view, it offers one of the best executions of a traditional learning method in today’s market. Duolingo’s biggest strength lies in gamification—so if you struggle to stay motivated, Duolingo can support you with daily challenges and plenty of fun extras.
So, is Busuu automatically the right choice for everyone? We do recommend it, but not every course suits every learner. If you’re wondering, “is Busuu better than Duolingo?” the simple answer is that it depends on your learning style. Check out our Top 10 Language Courses for even more possibilities—there’s something for everyone!
No matter which language course you pick, the key is consistent use. If you’d like more options, check out our Top 10 list for the best language learning app providers!