Best Duolingo alternatives in 2026
People leave Duolingo when the gamification stops feeling like progress and they want to actually speak. Short answer: for practical conversation, Babbel; for lessons plus native-speaker feedback, Busuu; for speaking and listening, Pimsleur; for vocabulary with real clips, Memrise. This guide picks by what Duolingo was not giving you. Full breakdown below.
How we chose: an editor’s selection based on conversation focus, teaching depth, speaking practice and pricing model, plus a separate section for rising new language and vocabulary apps surfaced by real visit traffic from the Census ranking.
New language and vocabulary apps rising by real visit traffic on Census
Beyond the big names, Census runs a live count on real traffic and surfaces the newcomers drawing real visits now, often focused on the vocabulary and speaking Duolingo skims:
Calleo, Learn Words with AI5★ App Storeuses AI to make building real vocabulary interactive, beyond tap-the-answer drills.- Seu app aquiGrátis, para semprePublicar meu app
Cards.my, Language Flashcards4.9★ App Storevocabulary flashcards built specifically for language learners.
Vocabyx, Vocabulary Flashcardslets you learn the words that matter to you, in any language.
If you want to actually hold a conversation
Duolingo builds a habit but is often criticized for not getting people speaking. Babbel is the common step up: its lessons are built around realistic dialogue and explicit grammar, aimed at making you conversational for travel and daily life sooner. Busuu goes further by adding feedback from native speakers on your writing and speaking. Both feel more like a course than a game.
If you want to focus on speaking and listening
For pure spoken fluency, Pimsleur’s audio-first method is built around exactly that, listening and repeating aloud, which Duolingo’s tapping exercises never really trained. It suits commuters and anyone who learns by ear. It is subscription-based, trading Duolingo’s free habit-building for targeted speaking practice.
If you liked Duolingo but wanted less of a game
Some people do not dislike Duolingo, they just want the vocabulary and fun without the heavy gamification. Memrise keeps things engaging with real-world video clips of native speakers while focusing more on usable vocabulary, and it keeps a free tier. It is a gentler shift than jumping straight to a formal course.
| App | Best as a Duolingo alternative for | Platforms | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babbel | practical conversation and grammar | iOS, Android, Web | subscription |
| Busuu | lessons + native-speaker feedback | iOS, Android, Web | freemium |
| Pimsleur | speaking and listening | iOS, Android, Web | subscription |
| Memrise | vocabulary with real-world clips | iOS, Android, Web | freemium |
Perguntas frequentes
What is the best alternative to Duolingo for speaking?
For practical conversation, Babbel; for lessons with native-speaker feedback, Busuu; for pure speaking and listening, Pimsleur’s audio method. Duolingo is strong for habit but weak on speaking, so any of these targets the gap directly. Pick by whether you want structured lessons or spoken drills.
Is there a free alternative to Duolingo?
Duolingo itself is the strongest free option, so leaving usually means paying for something more serious. Busuu and Memrise keep free tiers, though their best features are paid. If free is essential, consider pairing Duolingo with free vocabulary apps rather than replacing it outright.
Why do people switch away from Duolingo?
The common complaint is that the gamification stops translating into real ability, especially speaking. People who want to actually converse move to Babbel or Busuu; those focused on speaking aloud move to Pimsleur. It is less that Duolingo is bad and more that it is built for habit, not fluency.