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Education · head to head

Duolingo vs Flowkey

Duolingo logo

Duolingo

Education

Learn a language for free, forever

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Flowkey logo

Flowkey

Education

Piano learning app with microphone or MIDI listening and a large licensed song catalogue

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Duolingo free tier includes ads and energy-based hearts system limiting daily practice without paying; Flowkey microphone-only users, without a MIDI keyboard, still hit the same accuracy limits as Simply Piano on fast or dense passages.
  • They diverge on capability: Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Flowkey covers Large licensed song library.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Duolingo and Flowkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Duolingo and Flowkey differ
AttributeDuolingoFlowkey
Pricing modelUnknownPer user per year or month
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Duolingo

  • 40+ languages
  • Gamification
  • Streaks
  • Leaderboards
  • Stories
  • Podcasts
  • Speaking exercises
  • AI tutor

Only in Flowkey

  • Large licensed song library
  • MIDI keyboard support
  • Microphone listening
  • Slow-down and loop tools
  • Video lessons
  • Progress tracking

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Duolingo

  • Language learningnot Flowkey
  • Travel preparationnot Flowkey
  • Career developmentnot Flowkey
  • Cultural explorationnot Flowkey

Flowkey

  • An adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficultynot Duolingo
  • Someone with a MIDI-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alonenot Duolingo
  • A learner motivated by a large, varied song catalogue rather than a strict beginner curriculumnot Duolingo
  • A pianist wanting slow-down and loop tools to work through a specific difficult passage in a real piecenot Duolingo

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Duolingo

  • Free tier includes ads and energy-based hearts system limiting daily practice without paying
  • Gamification focus may appeal to casual learners but lacks depth for serious language study beyond conversational basics
  • Limited to short, bite-sized lessons without extensive grammar explanations or cultural context

Flowkey

  • Microphone-only users, without a MIDI keyboard, still hit the same accuracy limits as Simply Piano on fast or dense passages.
  • Its curriculum is less structured around fundamentals than Simply Piano for a complete beginner with no prior reading ability.
  • It is piano only, so a household wanting to cover guitar or other instruments needs a separate subscription elsewhere.
  • The song licensing model means catalogue availability can shift over time as licences change, occasionally removing a previously available arrangement.
  • Full benefit of its more precise feedback mode requires owning a MIDI-capable keyboard, which is an additional cost beyond the subscription for anyone with only an acoustic piano.

Pricing, plan by plan

Duolingo

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All language courses
    • Ad-supported
    • Limited hearts (5-heart system)
  • Super$12.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Unlimited hearts
    • Extra practice tools
  • Super Family$119.99/year
    • Up to 6 users
    • All Super features
    • Family group
  • Max$undefined/mo
    • All Super features
    • Video Call with Lily
    • Roleplay scenarios

Flowkey

Free
  • FlowkeyFree
    • Limited free songs and lessons
  • Premium$119.99/year
    • Full song library and difficulty arrangements
    • MIDI keyboard support
    • Progress tracking

Which should you pick?

Choose Duolingo if

  • You need 40+ languages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want gamification.
Duolingo review

Choose Flowkey if

  • You need large licensed song library.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want midi keyboard support.
Flowkey review

Questions people ask

Is Duolingo or Flowkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Duolingo starts at Free and Flowkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Duolingo or Flowkey?
Duolingo starts at Free and Flowkey at Free.
Does Duolingo or Flowkey run on more platforms?
Both run on iOS, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Duolingo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Duolingo best used for?
Duolingo is most often used for language learning, travel preparation, career development, cultural exploration. Of those, language learning and travel preparation are not what Flowkey is typically brought in for.
What can Duolingo do that Flowkey cannot?
Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Gamification, Streaks, Leaderboards. Flowkey covers Large licensed song library, MIDI keyboard support, Microphone listening, Slow-down and loop tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Duolingo: What is Duolingo's pricing model?

Duolingo offers free tier with ads and limited features, Super Duolingo at $12.99/month (ad-free, unlimited hearts, extra practice), Super Family at ~$119.99/year for up to 6 users, and Duolingo Max with AI features like Video Call and Roleplay.

Source
Flowkey: Does Flowkey support MIDI keyboards?

Yes, connecting a MIDI keyboard gives more precise note detection than microphone listening alone.

Duolingo: Is Duolingo effective for language learning?

Duolingo has 135+ million monthly active users as of Q3 2025, making it the world's most widely used language-learning app. Its gamified approach and free tier have driven massive adoption.

Source
Flowkey: How is it different from Simply Piano?

Flowkey emphasises a large licensed song catalogue with graduated arrangements, while Simply Piano leans more into a structured beginner curriculum.

Duolingo: What AI features does Duolingo Max include?

Duolingo Max includes Video Call for conversation practice with AI character Lily and Roleplay for scenario-based speaking practice. As of January 2026, Explain My Answer became free for all users.

Source
Flowkey: Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use it?

No, microphone listening works with any piano, but MIDI support improves accuracy if you have compatible hardware.

Duolingo: Does Duolingo work offline?

Duolingo is primarily online, though it may offer limited offline lesson downloads on some platforms. Full features require internet connection.

Source
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