Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Promova vs Duolingo

Promova 4.6★ · Free + IAP 45
Winner Duolingo
Duolingo 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Duolingo is the better choice for most language learners due to its broader content, more established platform, and fewer critical issues, despite its own challenges with ads and gamification.

Full reviews: Promova · Duolingo

Duolingo offers a more comprehensive and stable language learning experience with a wider range of content, while Promova struggles with content depth, AI accuracy, and significant billing issues reported by users. Although both apps have free tiers and in-app purchases, Promova's paid model is heavily criticized for misleading charges and poor value.

Head to head

Content & Course Depth edge: DuolingoR1R3R9R13
Promova Promova users report that courses can be surprisingly short and lack depth, with some languages like Japanese having only about a week's worth of content R1. Users also find lessons random, not intuitive, and sometimes too basic for their stated level, or conversely, too advanced for beginners R9R13R28. Some specific language content, like Arabic, is criticized for bugs and incorrect grammar R3.
Duolingo Duolingo offers a wide variety of languages, including less common ones, and some users praise its effectiveness in teaching vocabulary and pronunciation . However, some users find the content repetitive and note that it may not be sufficient for achieving fluency, especially for grammar . There are also complaints about nonsensical sentences in some European languages .
AI & Speaking Practice tieR1R2R6R10
Promova Promova heavily advertises AI features, but users report that the AI mode is often not available or performs poorly R1R6. The speech recognition is frequently inaccurate, misinterpreting words or translating them incorrectly R2R10. Users desire more interactive AI conversations with open questions and better feedback on mistakes .
Duolingo Duolingo's AI for speech recognition also faces criticism, with users reporting that the app often marks correct pronunciations as incorrect . While it offers speaking practice, some users feel it lacks depth in areas like spelling, reading, and writing sheets . Recent updates have been described as AI-driven, buggy, and frustrating .
Ease of Use & User Experience edge: DuolingoR7R9R39R59
Promova Promova's onboarding process is criticized for being lengthy and delaying access to learning content R7. Users find the app not intuitive, with confusing graphics and random lessons R9. Some report frequent app crashes, especially during role-play sessions R39. There are also complaints about the lack of a back button to review previous questions R59.
Duolingo Duolingo is generally praised for being easy, simple, and entertaining . However, some users find the gamification excessive, requiring many clicks to start a new lesson . The app has also been criticized for being difficult to delete .
Pricing & Value (Free vs. Paid) edge: DuolingoR22R25R31R38
Promova Promova faces widespread accusations of misleading billing practices. Many users report being charged immediately despite signing up for a 'free trial,' and then being unable to cancel or get refunds R22R31R43R46. The app is also criticized for showing ads even to paying subscribers R38 and for asking for credit card information before users can even see how the platform works R25.
Duolingo Duolingo's free tier is popular, but users frequently complain about excessive ads, especially for its paid 'Super' or 'Max' versions, which disrupt learning . Some users feel forced to pay to continue learning due to limitations on 'energy' or 'gems' . Despite paying for ad-free versions, some still report seeing ads for family plans .
Reliability & Support edge: DuolingoR4R16R22R31
Promova Promova users report significant issues with customer support, stating that they receive no response to refund requests and are 'fobbed off' R16R43. The unsubscribe button for promotional emails is also reported as non-functional R4. Billing problems, including charges during free trials and difficulty canceling, are a major concern R22R31R43R46.
Duolingo Duolingo users report issues with subscription payments not going through despite funds being available . Some users also mention being charged without notification or after canceling, with attempts to charge even after uninstalling the app . Notifications for streaks can be annoying .
Pick Promova if

Pick Promova if you are looking for a patient and clear learning pace, and if you find its explanations of grammar and pronunciation particularly helpful, especially for languages where its content is well-developed .

Pick Duolingo if

Pick Duolingo if you want a widely recognized, gamified app to get started with a new language, appreciate its multi-modal learning approach (audio, visual, speaking, typing), and are willing to tolerate or pay to avoid frequent ads and monetization tactics R75.

Evidence note: Promova's reviews are heavily skewed towards negative experiences with billing and AI, making it difficult to find balanced positive feedback on all dimensions. Duolingo's large user base provides a broader range of feedback, but recent negative reviews often focus on monetization and AI changes.

Frequently asked

Which app has better AI for conversation practice?
Neither app consistently delivers excellent AI for conversation practice; Promova's AI is frequently reported as unavailable, inaccurate, and slow, often misunderstanding user input R1R2R6R10, while Duolingo's AI also struggles with accurate speech recognition and has been criticized for being buggy and unhelpful in recent updates .
Are there issues with free trials and subscriptions?
Yes, both apps have reported issues with free trials and subscriptions, but Promova has significantly more severe complaints, with numerous users stating they were charged immediately despite signing up for a free trial and then were unable to cancel or get a refund R22R31R43R46; Duolingo users also report being charged without notification or after canceling, and excessive ads even in paid versions .
Which app is better for beginners?
Duolingo is generally considered better for beginners due to its engaging, gamified approach that helps users get started with a new language R75, whereas Promova's beginner lessons can be confusing, sometimes assuming advanced knowledge or focusing on irrelevant vocabulary like soccer terms R28R34R37.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Promova 1/5 · US Promising start but course is super short and worthless: I liked the program and decided to subscribe. Imagine my dissatisfaction when I found out the whole Japanese course was about one week worth of learning. There is nothing beyond that. And advertised AI mode is not available by the way. So definitely false advertisement
  2. [R3] Promova 3/5 · US Arabic Is Worthless: The Arabic lessons have tons of bugs in them. Functionality is a pain. Beyond that the grammar and vocabulary is a bit off. I have friends who speak Arabic and they looked and told me to not waste my time.
  3. [R9] Promova 3/5 · US Opinion thus far: This app is just okay. I have been using Duolingo for the last year (learning Spanish) and wanted something that included opportunities for dialogue as well as learning new words, etc. I selected Promova based on reviews, and sadly, I am a bit disappointed in the app. It is not as intuitive as I hoped, the graphics are not particularly helpful (and at times confusing), and the le
  4. [R13] Promova 2/5 · US Confused or False advertising?: I downloaded the app for Korean. It shows you the dialogue on the ad but when you do the modules, you don’t see the dialogue or text practices. I am somewhere past beginner level and just about intermediate, but the app is limited to what they say “intermediate” but I would say it’s pretty beginner level vocabulary and grammar. At least advertise what you offer just
  5. [R2] Promova 4/5 · US Like it a lot but….: I’ve only been using this for a few days, but I already really like how it’s phrases and sentences instead of just grammar. However, I’m getting a little frustrated because when doing the conversation type lessons, the input is very incorrect. It’s like it’s trying to take what I’m saying in Spanish and put it into English. I honestly need that more than anything so I might en
  6. [R6] Promova 3/5 · US Poor AI: I’ve studied French extensively, including with four native speakers. The AI in this app is very poor. I speak clearly with a good French accent according to all of my teachers but the AI misunderstood me multiple times. I’m canceling my trial subscription.
  7. [R10] Promova 2/5 · US Can’t understand me: When I speak in Spanish the app takes the words I say if there is an English equivalent and puts that instead. For example, I said “si” so they wrote “see”. There is no way to fix what you say in the chat when AI gets it wrong. Super frustrating. Also why are we talking about soccer? Is it because of the World Cup? If I didn’t already know about soccer in English I would hav
  8. [R7] Promova 1/5 · US Great if you like onboarding screens: This application is a master class in onboarding screens. Took about three minutes before I even saw anything related to language learning. There are better resources don't waste your time or money.
  9. [R39] Promova 3/5 · US Roll play crash: The app crash frequently in roll play sessions
  10. [R59] Promova 4/5 · US Ok so far: I’ve done a few lessons, but the hard part is I wanna go back and repeat the previous question and like there’s no back button
  11. [R22] Promova 1/5 · US Misleading Charges: There’s supposed to be a 7-day free trial before the actual subscription, yet I got charged directly and could not get a refund.
  12. [R25] Promova 1/5 · US Scam: Just another stupid language app that asks you 1 million questions about your goals and then ask for your credit card before you can even see how the platform works
  13. [R31] Promova 1/5 · US 7 day free trial: They charge you day one then you can’t cancel
  14. [R38] Promova 4/5 · US Good app, but I don't like the advertising: It feels strange to me that then you are paying $99 subscription, you still have to watch two ads after every lesson🤦🏻‍♀️
  15. [R4] Promova 1/5 · US Avoid: Poor product, there are much better options out there. And their unsubscribe button doesn’t work on the many many promo emails.
  16. [R16] Promova 1/5 · US Subscription: I used the free app, and when the time ran out, they couldn't charge me and blocked my access to downloading other apps. Customer support keeps passing the buck. · translated
  17. [R43] Promova 1/5 · US Don’t ever give them your CC info: I disputed a $49.99 charge from Promova for a subscription that I canceled on the same day it was charged. I did not intend to continue the subscription beyond the initial period, and I canceled immediately after realizing the renewal. I have not used the service after canceling. I attempted to contact the company multiple times by email and phone to request a
  18. [R46] Promova 2/5 · US Charged for cancelling free trial: I didn’t like the product. It was about the same as Duolingo but with much more repetition for the same four words. I cancelled within a week of the free trial starting. Naturally, I get charged $22.04 for the subscription anyway. Subpar app and I got scammed, great.
  19. [R28] Promova 1/5 · US These lessons make no sense: I’ve been using Duolingo to learn French for a while, but thought I’d check this out to improve my speech. I’m intermediate level, but the first “lesson” assumed I was advanced because I didn’t understand any of it. So I chose Beginner level to see how it would proceed, and the first “lesson” drilled me on a bunch of soccer/football equipment and terminology. I doubt t
  20. [R34] Promova 1/5 · US Terrible format: A beginner French lesson expects you to know vocabulary for a football (soccer) match.
  21. [R37] Promova 2/5 · US Made no sense!: So started teaching me in a way I liked except I started learning soccer terms… which likely won’t help me in France and after feeling good about the few French soccer words AI chats starts asking me about the weather in the lesson. In full sentences using none of the vocabulary it taught me in the first lesson and wanting me to respond in French sentences. Super weird. I will canc
  22. [R75] Duolingo 3/5 · US Pretty good: Not amazing to be fluent in a language, but it’s nice to get started on. Little weird but in a funny way. I would also like to include that it teaches math, music, and chess. Good for older kids. 👍🏻🥒🫪

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store