Duolingo vs. Mondly: The Shocking Upset – How the Underdog Took the Win!

Image rights: © Katrin Adam

Mondly or Duolingo – which language course is better? We tested both solutions and compare them here. Who will end up with more points at the end of this Duolingo vs. Mondly showdown?

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Table of Contents

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Mondly vs. Duolingo – An Overview of the Competitors

Similarities: How Mondly and Duolingo Overlap

From the ads alone, Mondly and Duolingo might not appear all that different. Although there are notable differences – and a definite winner – they do share some traits. Both Mondly and Duolingo work on any device (apps or web), giving you all the same features everywhere.

Each platform positions itself as a central language-learning resource. They both emphasize on short, mobile-friendly lessons that fit easily into everyday routines. Their approaches are also similar: both aim for intuitive learning over tedious memorization, and each has leaderboards to compare your results with other learners.

Differences: Where Mondly and Duolingo Diverge

Now, let’s talk about what sets them apart. While the concept is similar, the execution differs in several ways. Mondly focuses on learning without boring memorization, but it still uses exercises that feel somewhat traditional. Duolingo is more about working through multiple exercises – often guessing new words until you figure them out from context.

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Duolingo follows a fixed learning path in a specific order. Mondly, on the other hand, lets you jump freely between lessons, focusing only on the topics you find relevant or interesting – fully personalized to your needs.

Mondly or Duolingo – Scope and Features

Duolingo currently gives English speakers 40 target languages to study, from Spanish to Hawaiian or Navajo – they cover a lot of variety. Meanwhile, Mondly also covers a whopping 41 languages, including some that are more niche, like Latvian or Afrikaans.

Mondly’s extras include a dialog feature, specialized vocabulary for certain industries, and daily challenges. Duolingo primarily relies on motivation from its mascot, daily streaks, and connecting with friends. Both approaches are good, so:

– Point for Both –

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While this next category may not be the heart of a language course, a clear, intuitive interface can make a big difference. No one wants to click around too many tabs just to find what they need. So how do these competitors measure up?

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Mondly vs. Duolingo – User-Friendliness

Both services have appealing, well-structured interfaces. It’s easy enough to move through each app and keep track of your progress. Duolingo’s brighter theme can look a bit friendlier and more modern, while Mondly’s path is more open-ended, with fewer options—meaning fewer ways to get lost. That’s often a perk for less tech-savvy learners.

Cancelling Mondly can be a bit of a hassle, and you’ll need some basic English skills to do it. Duolingo is more transparent about cancellations, but checking their prices is really annoying. That makes them even once again.

– Point for Both –

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That covers the design aspect, but let’s get to the heart of these courses: their learning method and how well it’s carried out. Which platform – Mondly or Duolingo – excels here?

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Mondly or Duolingo – Learning Concept

Duolingo (on the right) uses various exercises to teach the language – there’s no warm-up phase for simply memorizing content. The gamification is high, but you’ll occasionally need to guess a new word’s meanings until you catch on.

Mondly (on the left) instead offers a series of back-to-back exercises that gradually introduce new words. You’ll find grammar tables or explanations by clicking on the relevant word. Their context-based method combines multiple learning techniques and sensory cues, letting you skip tedious memorization. We find that more effective than plain guesswork.

– Point for Mondly –

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A language course can be amazing—but if you never open it, it’s not going to help. In addition to having a solid learning approach, motivational elements play a huge role. So how do Duolingo and Mondly each keep you coming back for more?

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Mondly or Duolingo – Motivation

This category goes clearly to Duolingo. No one else invests as heavily in a lovable design, tight social integration with friends, and a playful mascot. You can tackle regular missions with buddies, climb weekly leaderboards, and congratulate each other on your progress. For people who enjoy that sense of competition, Duolingo is pretty much unbeatable.

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Mondly also has short, snappy lessons, plus leaderboards and friend connections, but that aspect is less central, so you might not notice it unless you’re specifically looking for it.

– Point for Duolingo –

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Having a great language course is nice, but the price also needs to be fair given the features. The more languages, tools, and effective teaching methods, the easier it is to justify a higher price. So what’s the situation with Mondly or Duolingo in that regard?

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Mondly vs. Duolingo: Value for Money

Duolingo is known for offering a mostly free learning experience, though you’ll see plenty of ads between lessons. You can pay for more personalized features, starting at around $6.99 per month. If you can find up to five additional people who want to learn languages with you, you could opt for the family plan at $9.99 monthly—under $2 per person. This article explains more.

Mondly pushes the bar even higher: a one-time payment of about $120 gives you lifetime access to all 41 languages – no subscription. While Mondly does have various subscription tiers, they don’t compare well to the lifetime deal. Admittedly, cancelling can be a bit complicated, but that lifetime option is extremely hard to beat. You also get free access to Mondly Kids, an excellent children’s version of the course. It’s close, but once again:

– Point for Mondly –

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We’ve detailed five categories. Let’s check out the final outcome:

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Points Summary

Conclusion – Mondly or Duolingo: Who’s the Winner?

In a direct comparison of Mondly vs. Duolingo, Mondly takes the crown with a 4:3 score. The service especially shines with its flexible learning path and creatively structured exercises.

Does that mean Mondly is automatically the perfect choice for everyone? We highly recommend it, but of course not every language course suits every learner’s style. Check out our Top 10 Language Courses for even more options – there’s something for everyone!

Whatever course you ultimately pick, consistent practice is key. What do you think about Mondly or Duolingo? Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear your opinions.