Is Duolingo Good? G2 Users’ Insights on Its Effectiveness

Hola! Hello! Annyeonghaseyo! If you’re exploring language learning apps, Duolingo must be on your radar.

You’ve probably encountered the cute owl mascot making Instagram reels or haunting your dreams when your streak breaks. 

Duolingo’s popularity arises from its approachable design, gamified lessons, and the quirky green mascot that has become a cultural icon. But beyond its playful charm, is Duolingo good for learning languages, or should you consider another app to achieve fluency? ​​And with Duolingo Super available, is it worth the upgrade, or does the free version do the trick?

In this article, I’ll share my personal experience with Duolingo, combined with insights from G2 users, to help you decide if it’s the right language-learning tool for you!

Duolingo ranks #2 in the language learning software category based on G2’s Fall 2024 grid report. Buyers are encouraged to consider individual needs when making a purchase decision.

What G2 users like and dislike about Duolingo

Duolingo has its fair share of fans and critics. For some, it’s an engaging way to start learning a foreign language, while for others, the limitations quickly become apparent as they progress. In this section, we’ll break down the key aspects users love about Duolingo and the areas where it falls short. 

Whether you’re new to the tool or considering it for the long haul, understanding Duolingo's pros and cons will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your language-learning journey.

What I like about Duolingo

Let’s start with the positives—here are the key pointers that I love about Duolingo.

• User-friendly interface: Duolingo’s design is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and encourages consistent use with its clean layout and clear instructions. The gamified approach keeps you engaged without overwhelming you.

• Free access: Duolingo’s basic version offers access to lessons and exercises in over 30 languages completely free of charge. It’s an attractive option for anyone exploring a new language without committing to a paid subscription.
• Gamified learning: The app’s game-like features, such as streaks, rewards, and competitive leaderboards, create a fun, motivating environment. These elements make language learning feel like a game rather than a chore, helping users stay engaged over the long term.

• Variety of languages: Duolingo offers courses in over 30 languages, ranging from popular ones like Spanish, French, German, and Chinese to more niche languages like Welsh and Hawaiian. This diversity makes it accessible to learners with different linguistic interests and needs.
• Bite-sized lessons: Lessons are broken into short, manageable chunks that only take a few minutes to complete. This works well for busy learners, who can maintain their streaks even on the go.

• Progress tracking: Duolingo’s built-in progress tracking shows your learning journey in real time, helping you stay motivated as you track new milestones. You can easily see how far you’ve come and what areas need more attention, which helps with goal-setting and improvement.

What G2 users like best:

“I have been using Duolingo for about a year now, and I love how I can keep going over the same lessons to refine my knowledge and review my weak areas. I am also using it in conjunction with my Spanish courses, and it is helping me out with the coursework. The other great thing is that I decide when to move on to the following lessons. I do it when I feel ready. In a traditional classroom, you have to go along with the course schedule and not feel entirely prepared.”

- Duolingo Review, Seychelle D.

What I dislike about Duolingo

While Duolingo has its strengths, it also has some areas that could use improvement.  

• Limited speaking practice: Duolingo focuses primarily on reading, writing, and listening. While it does include some speaking exercises, they are relatively minimal compared to other platforms. This can be a limitation for users who want to improve their conversational skills or pronunciation.
• Lack of grammar explanations: The app emphasizes basic vocabulary and grammar but often lacks depth. If you're trying to master a language with complex grammar rules and writing systems—like when an English speaker learns Japanese—you may find Duolingo insufficient.
• Repetitive and monotonous lessons: Duolingo’s learning process is heavily based on repetition, which can be both a strength and a weakness. While repetition is useful for memorizing, it can become tedious and monotonous over time, leading to a decline in motivation for learners who need variety.
• Limited real-world context: Duolingo doesn’t always provide the cultural or contextual learning necessary for real-world conversations. You may struggle to understand the nuances of the language or how it’s used in daily situations.

What G2 users dislike:

“Its lessons and sentences just aren't practical enough for anyone who wants to truly become fluent or intermediate in a language. So basically, you think you're getting a free language learning app, but really, it's a supplemental study at best. You will need to buy lessons if you actually want to learn.”

- Duolingo Review, Tessa A.

What G2 reviewers say about Duolingo features

From games that make practice fun to tools that track your growth, Duolingo offers a variety of features to keep learners on track. To find out if Duolingo is good for language learning, check out this overview of the application's offerings.

Mobile compatibility 

Duolingo’s mobile app is optimized for both Android and iOS to allow access to nearly all features available on the desktop version. Its mobile design offers ease of use, intuitive navigation, large icons, and touch-friendly lessons. This accessibility makes it easy for users to practice consistently, anytime and anywhere.

Gamification

Gamification lies at the heart of Duolingo’s approach. It uses rewards, points, and engaging visuals to keep users motivated. Elements like streak counts reward daily practice, while gems and XP points can be earned and spent within the app to unlock features like streak freezes, more hearts, and bonus skills. Leaderboards introduce a social, competitive element where users can compete with friends or other learners globally. 

This game-like structure boosts user engagement and retention by making learning interactive and fun.

Self-paced lessons

Duolingo’s short lessons can be easily completed in as little as 5 to 10 minutes. On top of that, users can move at their own pace, repeat sections if needed, or skip ahead when ready for a challenge. The app also lets users set daily goals (ranging from casual to intense) and adjusts to match their pace and consistency. 

The flexibility offered by Duo is beneficial for learners who may only have short breaks to study. It allows them to build language skills without the pressure of a strict, one-size-fits-all schedule.

Multimedia learning

Duolingo provides a diverse range of multimedia tools, including audio clips for pronunciation practice, visual aids for vocabulary building, and interactive quizzes for grammar. Pronunciation exercises incorporate speech recognition technology, giving learners a chance to practice speaking and receive immediate feedback. 

In addition to core lessons, Duolingo offers Duolingo Podcasts in selective languages for immersive listening practice. These varied formats support different learning styles, so language enthusiasts can engage with the language in a more well-rounded way.

What G2 users like:

“The app is user-friendly and quite easy to navigate which makes it ideal for newbies. It also uses gamification to make language learning fun and entertaining. Users can earn points, level up, and unlock new content as they progress. Duolingo helps users to set personalized learning goals and select their preferred learning speed.”

- Duolingo Review, Abhishek G.

What G2 users dislike:

“The exercises tend to be repetitive with limited speaking practice. The app emphasizes gamification over deep learning and sometimes features awkward or unnatural sentence examples.”

- Duolingo Review, Musawwir K.

How much does Duolingo cost?

Duolingo provides flexible options for language learners, with plans and offerings for individuals, teams, students, and groups. 

Let’s break down each plan so you can decide which is best suited to your language goals.

Free plan 

Duolingo’s Free Plan offers access to all language courses and core lessons at no cost. This ad-supported tier includes the “hearts” system, which limits how many mistakes you can make before needing to pause and wait for hearts to generate. Despite these limitations, the Free Plan provides a fully functional language learning experience.

Super Plan 

Formerly known as Duolingo Plus, the Super Plan is Duolingo’s primary paid offering. It offers unlimited hearts, additional legendary challenges, personalized practice, and a rainbow app icon. The Super Plan is available as a monthly ($12.99 per month) or annual subscription ($59.99 for the year), with the annual plan offering cost savings. New users can try it for free with a 14-day free trial before committing.

Super Family Plan 

It offers the benefits of the Super Plan for up to six users under a single subscription. It’s a cost-effective solution for families or friend groups. Priced at $119.99 per year, the Super Family Plan plan provides a premium experience to multiple users.

Max Plan

This subscription includes all Super Plan benefits, with two new AI-powered features: Explain My Answer and Roleplay. Explain My Answer offers users detailed explanations of mistakes to reinforce learning, while Roleplay allows for simulated conversations with an AI chatbot, helping users practice real-world dialogues. The Max Plan is currently available exclusively for select languages in certain countries and limited to iOS devices.

Besides these, Duolingo offers special plans designed for businesses and schools. Let's break them down.

Duolingo for Business

Designed for organizations, Duolingo for Business enrolls employees in language training courses with Super Plan benefits. Here, companies gain access to progress tracking and analytics to monitor employee engagement and improvement. Pricing is determined based on the number of learners. For groups of 500 to 1,000, the cost is fixed at $49.99 per user per year. For teams exceeding 1,000 learners, you can reach out to the Duolingo team for a customized quote.

Duolingo for Schools

Duolingo for Schools is a free, classroom-friendly version of the app designed to help teachers incorporate language learning into their curriculum. Teachers can set up classrooms, assign lessons, and monitor students’ progress through a dashboard.

What G2 users think

“There are many great features to speak about this application, but the best among them is that it is free for the user, where one can learn a language of his choice to the fullest. And, the learning interface they offer is unparalleled.”

- Duolingo Review, Revanth G.

Is Super Duolingo worth it?

We’ve covered Duolingo features, the pros and cons of the application, and the pricing. But should you opt for a paid plan? Is Duolingo Premium worth it? Let’s find out. 

Duolingo Premium, called Super Duolingo, promises to enhance the language learning experience with added features and fewer interruptions. For a monthly fee, users gain access to an ad-free platform, unlimited mistakes on 'hearts,' and better progress monitoring and skill building.

For learners who want a more seamless and uninterrupted experience, Super Duolingo can be a great option. The ad-free environment removes distractions, while the unlimited hearts system provides a more relaxed learning pace. What’s more, Super Duolingo offers you progress quizzes to test your skills, mistake reviews to practice weak areas, and early access to new features.

However, whether these extra features justify the cost depends on your learning goals. If you’re a casual learner or just starting out, the free plan might provide everything you need to get started. Ultimately, it comes down to how much value you place on the added features.

What G2 users think

“I don't like how many ads Duolingo makes you watch between lessons. Offline learning is not possible in Duolingo. Additionally, the learning interface becomes a bit repetitive, which may frustrate some users.”

- Duolingo Review, Ghazala P.

Duolingo: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q. Can you become fluent with Duolingo?

Duolingo can help you build a strong foundation in a language, but achieving full fluency requires additional practice and immersion beyond the app's lessons.

Q. Can I learn multiple languages at once on Duolingo?

Yes, Duolingo allows users to learn different languages simultaneously, even on the free plan. Each language has its own progression and levels, so you can switch between them at any time.

Q. Does Duolingo have ASL?

As of 2024, Duolingo does not offer a course on American Sign Language (ASL). However, other dedicated apps and resources are available for interested users.

Q. Is Duolingo good for kids?

Yes, Duolingo can be a useful tool in introducing kids to learning new languages. However, parents should make sure the lessons match their child’s age and learning level. For kids under 5, Duolingo ABC teaches reading, writing, and phonics in a fun way, building early literacy skills. 

Q. Is Babbel better than Duolingo?

Duolingo is a free language learning software that focuses on quick lessons, gamification, and accessibility. Babbel, on the other hand, emphasizes structured courses and is a paid-only platform. The choice depends on your learning style and goals.

Q. Can I cancel my Duolingo subscription anytime?

Yes, Duolingo allows users to cancel their Super Duolingo subscription at any time. If canceled before the next billing period, users retain Super access until the subscription expires.

So does Duolin-go or stay?

From my experience, I found Duolingo enjoyable to use. While some of the repetitive lessons got a bit tedious, overall, the app was fun, and I was able to grasp the basics fairly quickly. There are many language learning tools out there—some struggle to keep you engaged, others lock content behind paywalls, and a few don’t offer much real-world application. 

What’s most important is finding a tool that keeps you motivated, whether that’s through a quick five-minute lesson or a longer, more in-depth session.

Duolingo shines in its accessibility, gamified elements, and flexible learning pace, making it a solid choice, especially for beginners or those looking for consistent practice. While it might not be perfect, it offers great value, especially in its free version. If you’re curious, I’d recommend giving Duolingo a try and seeing if it fits your learning style. 

Need more options? Check out our listicle on the 9 best free language learning apps to find the right tool for yourself.