Duolingo
FreeGamified language learning across 40+ languages: bite-sized lessons, streaks, leagues and spaced repetition. The free tier includes the full course content with ads and limited hearts.
Bonus: install Duolingo from your browser
Why we recommend Duolingo
Duolingo cracked the hardest problem in self-directed learning — showing up tomorrow. The streak mechanic, leagues and relentless owl notifications are frequently mocked, but the retention data behind them is why hundreds of millions of people practice a language daily instead of abandoning a textbook in week two. The full course content remains genuinely free, which is rare at this production quality.
Best use cases
Best for: building a daily practice habit from absolute zero in a new language, maintaining a language you once studied, and pre-travel basics. Strongest for vocabulary and reading comprehension in major languages; the stories and listening exercises meaningfully train comprehension.
Honest limitations
It will not make you conversational alone — speaking practice is shallow and grammar explanations are thin, so serious learners pair it with tutoring or immersion. The hearts system on the free tier interrupts long study sessions, and course depth varies wildly between popular and niche languages.
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