Duolingo vs Khan Academy
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading education & e-learning solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Duolingo if you need 40+ languages and prefer a free starting option. Choose Khan Academy if you prioritize Video lessons and want a free tier to start. Khan Academy has a higher user rating (4.8 vs 4.7).
Duolingo vs Khan Academy: At a Glance
| Criteria | Duolingo | Khan Academy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | freemium | free |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android, Huawei | Web, IOS, Android |
| Category | Education & E-Learning | Education & E-Learning |
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 |
Feature Comparison: Duolingo vs Khan Academy
| Feature | Duolingo | Khan Academy |
|---|---|---|
| 40+ languages | ||
| Gamification | ||
| Streaks | ||
| Leaderboards | ||
| Stories | ||
| Podcasts | ||
| Speaking exercises | ||
| AI tutor | ||
| Google Classroom | ||
| Schools dashboard | ||
| API | ||
| Web support | ||
| IOS support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Huawei support | ||
| Video lessons | ||
| Practice exercises | ||
| Mastery system | ||
| Progress tracking | ||
| Personalized learning | ||
| Teacher tools | ||
| Parent dashboard | ||
| Test prep | ||
| Clever | ||
| LMS systems | ||
| School SIS |
Duolingo vs Khan Academy: Pricing Breakdown
Duolingo Pricing
Model: freemium
- All languages
- Basic features
- Hearts system
- No ads
- Unlimited hearts
- Mistakes review
- Mastery quiz
- Explain my answer
- Roleplay
- All Super features
Khan Academy Pricing
Model: free
- Video lessons
- Practice exercises
- Progress tracking
- Personalized learning
Pros and Cons
Duolingo
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, IOS, Android, Huawei)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong 40+ languages functionality
- Strong Gamification functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Khan Academy
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.8/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, IOS, Android)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Video lessons functionality
- Strong Practice exercises functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Duolingo vs Khan Academy?
Choose Duolingo if you:
- Need 40+ languages
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and IOS
- Value Gamification
Choose Khan Academy if you:
- Need Video lessons
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and IOS
- Value Practice exercises
Frequently Asked Questions: Duolingo vs Khan Academy
Is Duolingo better than Khan Academy?
It depends on your needs. Duolingo has a 4.7/5 user rating while Khan Academy has 4.8/5. Duolingo excels in 40+ languages and Gamification, while Khan Academy stands out with Video lessons and Practice exercises. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Duolingo or Khan Academy?
Duolingo offers a free plan and starts at Free. Khan Academy offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Duolingo and Khan Academy together?
While both are education & e-learning tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core education & e-learning needs.
What are the main differences between Duolingo and Khan Academy?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs free), platform support (Web, IOS, Android, Huawei vs Web, IOS, Android), and feature focus. Duolingo emphasizes 40+ languages, Gamification, Streaks while Khan Academy focuses on Video lessons, Practice exercises, Mastery system. User ratings differ slightly: 4.7 vs 4.8 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Duolingo and Khan Academy.