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Duolingo vs Udemy

Duolingo logo

Duolingo

Software

Learn a language for free, forever

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udemy logo

Udemy

Software

World's largest marketplace for online learning

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; Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • They diverge on capability: Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Udemy covers Video courses.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Duolingo and Udemy actually diverge.

Attributes where Duolingo and Udemy differ
AttributeDuolingoUdemy
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20112010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Udemy

  • Video courses
  • Quizzes
  • Assignments
  • Certificates
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline viewing
  • Q&A
  • Reviews

Both cover

  • API
  • 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 Udemy
  • Travel preparationnot Udemy
  • Career developmentnot Udemy
  • Cultural explorationnot Udemy

Udemy

  • Skill buildingnot Duolingo
  • Career transitionnot Duolingo
  • Professional developmentnot Duolingo
  • Team trainingnot 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

Udemy

  • Course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • No formal credentials or degrees offered, unlike Coursera and edX which offer institution-branded certificates
  • Courses are self-paced with no instructor interaction or support, making structured learning difficult for some students

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

Udemy

Free
  • Personal$19/month
    • 11,000+ courses access
  • Team$360/year
    • For 5-20 people

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 Udemy if

  • You need video courses.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want quizzes.
Udemy review

Questions people ask

Is Duolingo or Udemy better?
Neither clearly leads. Duolingo starts at Free and Udemy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Duolingo or Udemy?
Duolingo starts at Free and Udemy at Free.
Does Duolingo or Udemy run on more platforms?
Duolingo runs on iOS, Android, Web. Udemy 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 Udemy is typically brought in for.
What can Duolingo do that Udemy cannot?
Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Gamification, Streaks, Leaderboards. Udemy covers Video courses, Quizzes, Assignments, Certificates. Both handle API, 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
Udemy: Does Udemy offer team/business pricing?

Yes, Udemy's Team plan costs $360 per user annually for groups of 5 to 20 people, in addition to individual Personal plan at $19/month.

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
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
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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