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Duolingo vs Skillshare

Duolingo logo

Duolingo

Software

Learn a language for free, forever

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Skillshare logo

Skillshare

Software

Online learning community for creative skills

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; Skillshare limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
  • They diverge on capability: Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Skillshare covers Video classes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Duolingo and Skillshare actually diverge.

Attributes where Duolingo and Skillshare differ
AttributeDuolingoSkillshare
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20112010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Skillshare

  • Video classes
  • Class projects
  • Discussions
  • Offline viewing
  • Mobile learning
  • Workshops
  • Curated paths
  • Teacher studio

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Duolingo

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

Skillshare

  • Skill developmentnot Duolingo
  • Creative projectsnot Duolingo
  • Career growthnot Duolingo
  • Side hustlesnot 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

Skillshare

  • Limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
  • Focus on creative skills means limited technical or professional development courses
  • Video quality and instructor expertise varies across courses

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$119.99/year
    • Up to 6 users
    • All Super features
    • Family group
  • Max$null/mo
    • All Super features
    • Video Call with Lily
    • Roleplay scenarios

Skillshare

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Select free classes
    • Class projects
  • Premium$13.99/month
    • All classes
    • Offline viewing
    • No ads
  • Teams$undefined/month
    • Team management
    • Analytics
    • Custom content

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 Skillshare if

  • You need video classes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want class projects.
Skillshare review

Questions people ask

Is Duolingo or Skillshare better?
Neither clearly leads. Duolingo starts at Free and Skillshare at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Duolingo or Skillshare?
Duolingo starts at Free and Skillshare at Free.
Does Duolingo or Skillshare run on more platforms?
Duolingo runs on iOS, Android, Web. Skillshare runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 Skillshare is typically brought in for.
What can Duolingo do that Skillshare cannot?
Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Gamification, Streaks, Leaderboards. Skillshare covers Video classes, Class projects, Discussions, Offline viewing. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

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
Skillshare: How much does Skillshare cost?

Skillshare Premium membership costs $167.88 per year (about $13.99 per month) when billed annually, or $17.99 to $32 per month when paying month-to-month. New members receive a free trial before billing begins.

Source
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
Skillshare: What topics does Skillshare cover?

Skillshare offers more than 30,000 project-based classes in design, illustration, photography, video, writing, marketing, and productivity. Courses often include downloadable resources like templates, brushes, and design files.

Source
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
Skillshare: Can I download Skillshare classes for offline viewing?

Yes, Skillshare Premium members can download classes for offline viewing, allowing you to watch content anywhere without an internet connection.

Source
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
Skillshare: Does Skillshare offer certificates?

Yes, Skillshare classes include certificates of completion as part of the project-based learning model, allowing you to track and share your learning progress.

Source
Skillshare: Is there a free tier on Skillshare?

Skillshare offers a free one-month trial to new users who provide card details. After the trial, a paid subscription is required for continued access.

Source
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