Duolingo transformed how millions start learning a new language, with quick lessons, daily streaks, and a playful design that made it instantly engaging. But as progress builds, many learners begin to feel stuck. Grammar explanations are shallow, speaking feels unnatural, and writing barely exists. It’s a great starting point, but not always enough to go beyond the basics. If you’re learning Spanish, exploring Japanese, or improving your German or French, you may need more. This guide highlights five of the best free Duolingo alternatives for 2025, each with strengths to support deeper, more effective learning.
Why You May Need Duolingo Alternatives
I started my language journey like most people, with Duolingo. It was exciting at first: earning streaks, unlocking new topics, and breezing through daily lessons. But somewhere between mastering Spanish and tackling verb conjugations in Spanish, I realized something was missing.
Alt text: Why You May Need Duolingo Alternatives
The lessons felt repetitive. There was no clear explanation of grammar rules, and speaking practice was just me repeating sentences into a microphone with no real feedback. When I switched to learning Japanese, I noticed even more gaps; the course felt rushed and incomplete. It made me wonder: Are there better Duolingo alternatives out there that go deeper?
The answer is yes, and I’m not alone in this search. Many learners hit a plateau with Duolingo and begin looking for free Duolingo alternatives that offer richer instruction, cultural immersion, and structured learning paths. Whatever you're studying, German, French, or something more niche, Duolingo often isn’t enough to push you past the intermediate level.
Over time, I found that the best language learning apps didn’t just teach words, they taught context, grammar, and conversation. If you’re also outgrowing Duolingo or want apps like Duolingo but with more substance, this guide is for you. From Duolingo alternatives for Spanish to Japanese and German, what comes next can truly transform your learning experience.
5 Best Duolingo Alternatives – Features, Pros & Cons
Once I realized that Duolingo wasn’t helping me move beyond the basics, I began searching for other tools, ideally free Duolingo alternatives that could offer more structure, better grammar support, and real conversation practice.
What I discovered is that no single app does everything perfectly. But several apps like Duolingo stand out in specific areas, from immersive video content to native speaker interactions and structured grammarbreakdowns.
Below, I’ve reviewed five of the best language learning apps that I personally tested, focusing on their strengths, limitations, and the kind of learner they best serve. Whether you're looking for Duolingo alternatives for Spanish, Japanese, French, or German, there's likely a better match for your learning style in this list.
1. Memrise
When I first tried Memrise, it felt like stepping out of a textbook and into a street conversation. Compared to Duolingo’s static sentences, Memrise was refreshingly real, filled with short videos of native speakers using everyday phrases in context. If you’re tired of robotic voice overs and want to hear how Spanish, Japanese, or French is actually spoken, this is one of the top Duolingo alternatives to try.
Memrise is a gamified language learning app focused on real-life language exposure. It’s ideal for learners who want to improve their listening comprehension, vocabulary, and natural phrasing, especially in Spanish, French, or German.
Key Features:
Real-life video clips of native speakers
Spaced repetition (SRS) for memory retention
Gamified learning with daily streaks and challenges
Pros:
Excellent for building vocabulary and natural listening skills
Real-world video content makes learning feel immersive
Covers 20+ languages, including strong support for Duolingo alternatives, Japanese, Spanish, and French
Cons:
Weak in grammar explanation and sentence structure
Writing and speaking features are limited
What stood out to me was how natural everything felt. I practiced French with short, casual dialogues that looked and sounded like TikTok. The UI was intuitive, and the review system helped reinforce the phrases I had trouble with. It didn’t feel like studying, more like tuning into a local language stream. But after a few weeks, I wished it had deeper grammar integration. That’s when I realized it’s best used alongside another app.
Memrise proves that language learning doesn’t have to feel like homework. It brings language to life through native expressions and casual conversations that go far beyond Duolingo’s structured paths. If your goal is to understand how people actually speak, not just how sentences are built in theory, Memrise is a refreshing and effective alternative. For learners focused on Duolingo alternatives for French and other languages, it’s a strong and good first step
2. Babbel
If you’ve ever found yourself guessing grammar rules on Duolingo, Babbel might be the structure you’ve been missing. When I began exploring Duolingo alternatives for German early this summer, I wanted an app that didn’t just show me what was right, but told me why, and Babbel delivered. It feels more like a real course, designed by linguists, with practical dialogues and grammar instruction baked into every lesson.
Babbel is a language learning platform that emphasizes grammar, conversational phrases, and cultural insights. It’s a great choice for learners who are serious about building a strong grammatical foundation.
Key Features:
Lessons designed by language experts
Built-in grammar explanations within context
Speech recognition for pronunciation practice
Cultural tips for real-world understanding
Pros:
Strong focus on grammar and sentence construction
Realistic dialogues for practical conversations
Clean, easy-to-navigate interface with guided learning paths
Cons:
Limited free access, full lessons require a subscription
Pacing can feel slower compared to gamified apps like Duolingo
What stood out to me while using Babbel for Spanish was how naturally grammar was introduced, not in isolation, but in real sentences you’d actually say. I appreciated the brief cultural notes that explained local customs or expressions. The lessons felt like they were crafted by teachers, not algorithms. While the free version is quite limited, even the trial gave me a clearer understanding of the structure than weeks on Duolingo ever did.
3. Mondly
When I first used Mondly, it was basically like Duolingo had been upgraded with a sleek interface and a talking robot. As someone who learns best with visuals and repetition, I found Mondly to be one of the more creative Duolingo alternatives, especially for casual practice in French, Japanese, and German.
Mondly is a visually rich language learning app that combines gamified lessons with augmented reality (AR) and chatbot-based conversation. It’s ideal for learners who enjoy immersive tech experiences and want a more playful way to pick up new vocabulary and sentence structures.
Key Features:
Augmented reality lessons for a hands-on experience
Chatbot conversations for casual speaking practice
Daily lessons and quizzes with speech recognition
Covers 40+ languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, and German
Pros:
Engaging AR and VR features make lessons feel fresh and modern
Chatbot helps build basic conversation confidence
Strong visual cues help with word association
Cons:
Light on grammar and in-depth explanations
Some features are locked behind the premium version
I used Mondly as a supplementary app for Duolingo alternatives Japanese, and while it wasn’t the most rigorous, it was definitely fun. The chatbot mimicked real conversation better than Duolingo’s speaking exercises, and the AR feature felt like magic at first. I was placing 3D animals in my living room and learning their names in Spanish! It’s not a full-course replacement, but for visual learners like me, it added much-needed variety.
4. Busuu
Out of all the Duolingo alternatives I tried, Busuu was the first that genuinely made me feel like part of a language learning community. When I submitted a writing exercise in Spanish, real native speakers corrected it, and their feedback was more helpful than any auto-generated message Duolingo ever gave me. It felt human, supportive, and motivating.
Busuu is a language learning platform that blends structured courses with social interaction. It’s ideal for learners who want clear progress aligned with international standards (CEFR) and value real-time feedback from a global community. Whatever you’re learning, be it French, Japanese, or looking for Duolingo alternatives for German, Busuu makes the experience more interactive and goal-oriented.
Key Features:
CEFR-aligned courses from A1 to B2 levels
A native speaker community that reviews your writing and speaking
Built-in grammar tips and cultural context
Covers major languages including Spanish, German, French, and Japanese
Pros:
Real feedback from native speakers adds value and accountability
Structured lessons with clear learning goals
Good balance of reading, writing, listening, and speaking
Cons:
Some corrections may vary in quality depending on the user
Offline features and advanced lessons require a premium subscription
I used Busuu while refreshing my French, and what impressed me most was the CEFR structure. I always knew what level I was at and what I needed to achieve next. Submitting exercises felt a bit scary at first, but the community was surprisingly kind and insightful. One user even explained a grammar point to me better than any app had before. It’s a social, structured upgrade from Duolingo that feels like learning with friends around the world.
5. Pimsleur
If you’re someone who absorbs information better through sound than sight, Pimsleur might be the language learning experience you've been looking for. I first tried it while commuting, earbuds in, no screen needed, and within a few lessons, I found myself instinctively responding in Japanese without translating in my head. It felt like my brain had finally been “tuned” into the language.
Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning app built around real-life dialogues and verbal repetition. It’s ideal for learners who want to improve speaking, listening, and pronunciation skills in a hands-free, immersive way. If you're exploring Duolingo alternatives for Spanish, German, or French, and prefer learning on the go, Pimsleur fits perfectly.
Key Features:
Audio lessons are designed to train pronunciation and conversation
Daily 30-minute sessions focusing on speaking and listening
Real-life dialogue scenarios from the first lesson
Offers courses in 50+ languages, including French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
Pros:
Excellent for developing natural pronunciation and listening skills
Hands-free format is perfect for commutes and multitasking
Lessons build fluency through spoken repetition, not memorization
Cons:
Very limited free access, full program requires a subscription
No visual aids or reading/writing components
I used Pimsleur while walking and doing chores, and honestly, it felt like having a tutor in my ear. The audio pacing was thoughtful, slow enough to follow, but fast enough to feel like real progress. I especially loved the emphasis on correct pronunciation, which helped me feel more confident speaking Spanish aloud. It lacks flashy visuals or gamified elements, but it’s incredibly effective for learning how a language sounds and flows in daily life.
Each of these five Duolingo alternatives offers a unique path forward, from Memrise’s real-life videos to Babbel’s grammar-first approach, Mondly’s visual learning, Busuu’s peer corrections, and Pimsleur’s hands-free audio method.
Comparing the 5 Duolingo Alternatives
With so many apps like Duolingo available today, it’s important to understand how each one measures up in key areas, from grammar support and speaking practice to cost and platform access. After trying all five apps hands-on, I noticed that each one shines in a specific learning style or stage.
This comparison table breaks down the core strengths and limitations of these Duolingo alternatives to help you choose the one that best fits your needs when you're working on Spanish, Japanese, French, or German. And if you're specifically seeking free Duolingo alternatives, you'll find a few that stand out for value, too.
Tool |
Best For |
Grammar Support |
Speaking Practice |
Free Access |
Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Memrise |
Vocabulary & listening |
Low |
Medium |
Yes |
Web/Mobile |
Babbel |
Structured grammar |
High |
Medium |
Partial |
Web/Mobile |
Mondly |
Visual & casual learners |
Medium |
Medium |
Yes |
Web/Mobile |
Busuu |
Social learning |
Medium |
High |
Yes |
Web/Mobile |
Pimsleur |
Audio learners |
Low |
High |
Trial only |
Web/Mobile |
This comparison shows how each of these Duolingo alternatives meets different needs, from mastering pronunciation with Pimsleur to getting peer feedback on Busuu or building vocabulary with Memrise. Language learning isn’t just about keeping a streak; it’s about finding the right tool to help you grow. For learners focused on Spanish, French, Japanese, or German, these apps offer more meaningful paths forward, and many of them come with free access to get started right away.
A Smart Companion Tool for Language Learners – Try AnyDoc Translator
While the five Duolingo alternatives above offer excellent support for grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills, most don’t address the real-world challenges learners face when reading complex texts, writing emails, or translating content for school or work. This is where a different kind of tool becomes essential.
For these situations, AnyDoc Translator isn’t a language learning app in the traditional sense; it’s a powerful companion tool that helps learners understand, translate, and rewrite real documents clearly and correctly. You can be drafting a bilingual resume, refining an essay in Spanish, or translating a message from Japanese; this tool will always fill the gap that most language apps leave behind.
Translate and Rewrite Full Documents or Paragraphs, supports over 100 languages, making it ideal for bilingual writing tasks or study support.
Automatically improves sentence structure, grammar, and tone to help you sound fluent and polished in your target language.
Perfect for translating emails, professional documents, resumes, academic texts, and more, with tone and clarity adjusted for context.
No registration or software download required. Just visit the site, paste your content, choose your language, and translate your content.
Let me walk you through the steps to easily use AnyDoc Translator to translate your PDFs to and from 105 languages.
Step 1: Open your browser and visit the AnyDoc Translator website.
Step 2: Click on the “Translate File” button on the homepage.
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, choose “Spanish” as your target language.
Step 4: Upload your PDF by dragging it into the box or clicking “Select from your Computer.”
Step 5: Let AnyDoc handle the translation; it only takes a moment.
Step 6: Use the side-by-side view to compare the original and translated versions.
Step 7: For a distraction-free reading view, toggle “Hide Original”.
Step 8: Download your file by clicking “Download”, you can pick bilingual or translated-only.
I tested AnyDoc Translator with a paragraph I wrote in Spanish, filled with intermediate-level grammar and a few awkward phrasing choices. The tool didn’t just translate it; it rewrote the paragraph with better flow, clearer structure, and more natural-sounding vocabulary. Compared to Google Translate, which often gives word-for-word translations, AnyDoc felt like it understood the intent behind my sentences.
The grammar corrections were spot-on, and it even adjusted the tone slightly to make it more formal, perfect for an email draft I was preparing. For learners using Duolingo alternatives and trying to apply their skills in real-life writing, AnyDoc is a smart, practical add-on that makes your language feel polished and professional.
FAQs
Q1: Are there free alternatives to Duolingo with more grammar support?
Yes, Babbel and Busuu provide stronger grammar-focused instruction compared to Duolingo. While some features are behind paywalls, both offer limited free Duolingo alternatives to get started.
Q2: Can I combine different apps to learn faster?
Absolutely. Many learners use Duolingo for daily review, while combining it with apps like Babbel for grammar, Busuu for writing feedback, or Pimsleur for speaking. Supplementing your learning with tools like AnyDoc Translator can also boost your real-world writing and comprehension.
Q3: How is AnyDoc Translator different from Google Translate?
Unlike Google Translate, which focuses mainly on direct translation, AnyDoc Translator rewrites your content with improved grammar, tone, and clarity, making it ideal for full paragraphs and polished, professional writing.
Q4: Which tool is best for speaking practice?
Both Busuu and Pimsleur excel in speaking and pronunciation. Busuu offers community feedback on speaking exercises, while Pimsleur focuses entirely on audio-based conversational fluency, perfect for hands-free learners.
