When you start learning a language on Duolingo, a popular mobile app that uses gamified lessons to teach languages through short, daily exercises. Also known as language learning app, it’s one of the most downloaded tools for picking up Spanish, French, Japanese, and dozens of other languages—free of charge. But if you’ve used it for more than a week, you’ve probably seen the pop-ups: "Upgrade to Duolingo Plus" or "Remove ads for just $7 a month." So what’s the real value? Is the paid version worth it, or are you just paying to stop seeing ads?
Duolingo Plus, the paid subscription tier that removes ads, unlocks offline lessons, and gives you unlimited hearts, costs $12.99 a month if you pay monthly, or as low as $5.99 a month if you commit to a full year. That’s cheaper than a coffee every week. But here’s the catch: the free version works just fine for casual learners. You get full access to the core lessons, streaks, and practice drills. The paid features? They’re convenience upgrades—not learning boosters. No one learns Spanish faster because they paid. They just avoid interruptions and can download lessons for their commute. And if you’re serious about fluency, language learning apps, digital tools designed to teach vocabulary and grammar through repetition and interactive exercises. Also known as language learning platforms, they’re great starters but rarely enough on their own. Apps like Duolingo help you build habits, but real conversation skills come from speaking with people, watching movies, or reading real texts. Duolingo doesn’t teach you how to order food in Paris or argue about politics in German. It teaches you how to say "I want a croissant" and "the cat is on the table."
Compare that to other tools like language tutoring services, one-on-one instruction with native speakers, often delivered via video call. Also known as online language tutors, they cost $15–$40 an hour but give you real feedback, corrections, and personalized practice. Duolingo Plus can’t replace that. But if you’re just trying to keep your Spanish from rusting, or you’re studying for a trip, the free app does more than enough. And if you’re a student, a parent, or someone on a budget, the fact that Duolingo offers 40+ languages for free is a huge win.
So is Duolingo pricing fair? Yes—if you know what you’re buying. You’re not paying for better lessons. You’re paying for a cleaner experience. No ads. No lost hearts. No waiting to retry. If that sounds like a relief, Plus is worth it. If you don’t mind the pop-ups and can handle losing three hearts and restarting a lesson, stick with free. The app doesn’t lock content behind a paywall. It just makes the free version slightly more frustrating. And that’s okay. Because the real question isn’t how much it costs. It’s whether you’ll actually use it. And that? That’s free too.
Below, you’ll find real user experiences, comparisons with other apps, and tips to get the most out of Duolingo—whether you’re paying or not.
Duolingo offers free English lessons, but ads, limited features, and lack of real conversation make true fluency hard. Here's what you really get - and what you need beyond the app.