If you're exploring apps to learn a new language — whether for travel, work, or simply to challenge yourself — Duolingo is almost always one of the first names mentioned. But as of mid‑2025, with changes to its features, restrictions on free users, and the introduction of more advanced tiers, many are asking: is Duolingo still the top choice for free learners around the world (including U.S., UK, Canada, Australia)? This detailed analysis looks at what Duolingo offers now, how the free version stacks up, what its paid versions deliver, and whether it still makes sense to use it as your main tool.
What is Duolingo Now? Free Version + Paid Versions
Duolingo operates under a freemium model: anyone can download and use it for no charge, with core courses available for dozens of languages. But there are limitations in the free version, balanced by ad‑support, usage caps, and fewer advanced tools. To get more features, users can upgrade to either Super Duolingo or Duolingo Max, which add perks like offline lessons, ad removal, more practice tools, AI‑powered conversation features, etc.
What Free Users Still Get (And What They Lose)
What's Available for Free
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Full access to each course's lesson content: vocabulary, grammar in bite‑sized units, listening, reading, speaking, and matching exercises.
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Gamification elements: daily streaks, rewards, XP points, leaderboards. These help maintain motivation by making progress visible.
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Stories (in select languages) and some speaking/listening exercises, though sometimes these are limited or less polished.
What Free Users Are Facing Now as Limitations
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"Heart" or "Energy" system: Mistakes cost hearts; if you run out, you must wait, do review exercises, or perform prior lessons to regenerate them. Recently, the system has been changed by some users to "energy", restricting how many lessons or perfect lessons one can do in a row without paying.
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Ads between lessons / after mistakes: Free users see interruptions. Sometimes those ads are frequent, which users say can break momentum.
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Locked or delayed access to certain review or practice tools: Tools to practice weak skills or mistakes may be behind paywalls or less accessible to free users. Also, offline use is typically not available.
What Paid Versions Bring: Super vs. Max
Upgrading resolves many limitations; here's what the other tiers offer:
| Feature | Free | Super Duolingo | Duolingo Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ads removed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited hearts / energy or no energy/heart caps | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offline lesson access | No | Yes | Yes |
| Practice tools & weak skill drills | Limited / delayed | Full access | Full access plus AI enhancements |
| Advanced conversation / roleplay with AI, "explain my answer" feature | Not available | Not available | Available (for supported languages) |
| Pricing | $0 | ~ $12.99/month (or lower with annual plan) | Higher than Super, varies by region / family plan options |
Note: cost differs by country, and promotional or regional discounts may apply.
New Developments & User Concerns in 2025
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The shift from hearts to the "energy" system: users report that even correct answers can consume energy, limiting how many lessons one can do in a session. This has sparked debate about how free is "free."
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Growing prominence of AI features, especially in Max: roleplay, "explain my answer", more interactive speaking practice. But availability is limited to a few languages so far. Some users feel these are being aggressively pushed to encourage upgrading.
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User experience concerns: ads remain intrusive, navigation to certain features (practice hubs, strength drills) is made confusing or buried. Some complaint that paid version users still see heavy promotion of the higher paid tier (Max).
How Duolingo Compares With Other Free & Paid Language Learning Options
To understand whether Duolingo is still best among free apps, it helps to consider what others do:
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Many free apps have fewer ads or more generous practice without penalties but may have less polished gamification or fewer languages.
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Paid apps often offer dedicated speaking practice with human tutors, deeper grammar instruction, more real-world dialogue, or cultural immersion modules.
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For serious learners who aim at fluency or professional usage, Duolingo helps build vocabulary, listening skills, and regular habits, but tends to fall short in advanced speaking, adapting to uncommon dialects, or delivering nuance in grammar or idioms.
Who Duolingo Free Is Best For, and When Upgrading Makes Sense
Ideal Scenarios for Using Duolingo Free
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Beginners or casual learners wanting to build basic vocabulary, phrases, and foundational grammar
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People learning a language for travel or general proficiency rather than professional or academic use
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Learners with limited budget who value consistency and habit formation
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Those who enjoy gamified learning styles, bite‑sized lessons, and milestone tracking
When to Consider Upgrading
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If frequent ads or heart/energy limits slow down or frustrate your study flow
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If you need offline access (travel, unreliable internet)
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If you want more control over review tools: weak skills review, mistake explanations, or roleplay practice
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If you are preparing for a test, using language in professional / business / academic settings where fluency and accuracy matter
Verdict: Is Duolingo Still the Best Free Option?
On balance, as of mid‑2025:
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Duolingo remains one of the most accessible, polished, and broadest in terms of language offerings among free language apps. Its gamified structure is appealing, and for many users, enough to make steady progress.
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However, recent changes have reduced the convenience and fluidity of the free experience (ads, energy/heart caps, locked practice features). For some users, these changes may tip the scale away from Duolingo if they expect more freedom or speed.
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For learners with serious goals (fluency, professional use, certifications), Duolingo—even upgraded—may still need to be supplemented with other resources: conversation partners, immersion, grammar‑specific materials, speaking practice, etc.
So yes, for many users, it's still among the best free tools — but its distance from "best possible" is growing unless you're willing to pay or mix tools.
Tips to Get the Most from Duolingo Free Version
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Use daily short lessons rather than binge sessions, to avoid hitting energy/heart caps.
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Prioritize consistent streaks — they help unlock small bonuses sometimes.
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Make use of weak skills review; repeating old skills strengthens retention.
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Practice speaking and listening outside the app — via podcasts, language exchange — to compensate for limitations.
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Turn off non‑essential notifications or distractions which might increase ad exposure or interrupt sessions.
Should You Use It Over Alternatives?
If you live in U.S., UK, Canada, or Australia, many alternatives compete: free tiers in apps like Memrise, Busuu, HelloTalk; paid services with trial periods. The decision depends on how much you value:
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Having many languages available
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Learning by doing (gamification) rather than formal lessons
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Minimizing cost vs speed & depth
Duolingo still wins for sheer reach, polish, and brand recognition — and as a free option, few match it in terms of production quality. But the gap in free vs paid performance is widening, and for serious learners, the value proposition of paying (for Super or Max) or using a mixed approach becomes more compelling.
