Lingokids and Language Dex also teach through short, game-like exercises, but Duolingo covers far more ground in a single app. It offers 40+ languages through bite-sized lessons for speaking, reading, listening and writing, and it has added chess, math and music courses. It costs nothing, with ads and in-app purchases supporting it.
The problem: language study that dies after a week
Most people who start a language drop it because the routine is dull or the goal feels distant. Duolingo tackles this with quick, bite-sized lessons that cover speaking, reading, listening and writing. The developer says the app was designed by learning experts and uses a science-based method aimed at long-term retention.
The app is aimed at general learners. Google Play gives it an Everyone content rating, and it is categorized under education.
Courses beyond Spanish, French and German
The language list is long. The description names Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish, Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish, Ukrainian, Esperanto, Polish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Hebrew, Welsh, Arabic, Latin and Hawaiian, among others. It states that every language course is free.
Three newer subjects sit alongside them. The chess course starts with basics and guided lessons and includes online play. The math course covers multiplication, fractions and geometry, with exercises such as calculating tips. The music course teaches reading music and playing popular songs on an on-screen keyboard, so no instrument is needed.
Progress tracking is built around rewards and achievements meant to turn lessons into a daily habit. A community of learners is also part of the pitch, as a source of motivation.
Duolingo Max and what to check before installing
Duolingo Max adds AI features, namely Video Call and Roleplay, which give practice conversations with AI feedback. Check the in-app listing for the Max price before paying for anything.
The app has ads and in-app purchases, though it is free to install. The version number differs by device. The developer offers a support request page at duolingo.com for questions. The app was first released on May 28, 2013, and the latest update is November 3, 2026.
Duolingo pros and cons
Pros
- Free to install, and the developer says every language course is free
- 40+ languages through short lessons that cover speaking, reading, listening and writing
- Chess, math and music courses sit in the same app
- Google Play rating of 4.7 from 51.6 million ratings
- Everyone content rating and updated on November 3, 2026
Cons
- Contains ads
- In-app purchases are present, and the AI features sit under Duolingo Max, which is a paid tier
- Version number varies by device, so build details are not listed
Is Duolingo safe?
Duolingo is published by Duolingo and rated Everyone. It costs nothing, but lessons come with ads and in-app purchases, which matters if a child uses the account. Before installing, look over the permissions and privacy details listed for the app.
How to install Duolingo
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open Duolingo when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
