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

Duolingo vs Speak & Learn English

Duolingo 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Duolingo
Speak & Learn English 4.6★ · Free + IAP 30

Duolingo is the clear winner for language learning due to its engaging, gamified approach and broader language offerings, despite user frustrations with its free-tier limitations and recent updates, while Speak & Learn English faces significant criticism for misleading free advertising and high subscription costs.

Full reviews: Duolingo · Speak & Learn English

Duolingo offers a fun and educational platform for learning multiple languages, math, and music, but users often encounter issues with its 'energy' system, intrusive ads, and inconsistent lesson updates. Speak & Learn English, while praised by some for its effectiveness, is widely criticized for deceptive advertising regarding its free access and its high weekly subscription fee.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: DuolingoR1R2R7R9
Duolingo Duolingo offers a wide variety of languages, and also includes lessons for math, music, and chess, making it a versatile learning platform . Users appreciate the gamified structure, which makes learning addictive and fun R2. However, some users feel the app doesn't teach actual conversational fluency, focusing more on vocabulary R9R15R46. There are also complaints about random untaught words appearing in lessons and recent course updates messing up progress R1R7R34R37.
Speak & Learn English Speak & Learn English is designed specifically for English language learning, with some users finding it effective for practicing and receiving corrections . However, it offers limited language options beyond English . Some users have noted that the AI can go off-script or mumble , and that the app primarily uses an American accent, which is not ideal for those learning British English .
Ease of Use and Engagement edge: DuolingoR2R4R6R8
Duolingo Many users find Duolingo engaging and addictive due to its game-like structure, daily streaks, and gem accumulation R2. The app is generally easy to use and helps users build vocabulary R15. However, the 'energy' system, which limits lessons unless users pay or wait, is a major source of frustration R4R6R8. Users also report app crashes R12 and issues with the microphone not picking up pronunciation correctly .
Speak & Learn English Speak & Learn English is described as easy and straightforward by some users . However, the app is criticized for freezing and for its speech recognition requiring exact phrasing . The constant push for the paid version also makes the free experience unpleasant .
Reliability and Performance edge: DuolingoR7R12R18R24
Duolingo Duolingo users report issues with the app crashing in the middle of lessons, leading to lost progress R12. Some updates have also been problematic, changing lesson orders and adding unknown words to learned lists R7R34R37. There are also complaints about the 'energy' system not refilling correctly even after spending gems R24. Some users also report glitches where they receive the same lesson repeatedly R18.
Speak & Learn English Speak & Learn English users experience the app freezing and issues with lessons not progressing or the computer going off-script R67.
Price and Value edge: DuolingoR4R6R8R10
Duolingo Duolingo offers a free tier, but it comes with limitations like an 'energy' bar that restricts learning sessions and frequent ads R4R6R8R10. The paid 'Super Duolingo' is seen as expensive, especially the family plan R8. Users feel pressured to upgrade due to these restrictions R4R6.
Speak & Learn English Speak & Learn English is heavily criticized for misleading advertising that claims the app is free, only to reveal a paid subscription upon opening R64R67R73R85. The subscription is considered very expensive, with one user mentioning $14.99 per week R85. Users report being charged even after canceling during a free trial . The free version is extremely limited, offering only a few messages or minutes per day .
Pick Duolingo if

You want a gamified and engaging experience to learn a variety of languages, math, music, or chess, and are willing to tolerate ads or consider a paid subscription for an uninterrupted experience R2. You prefer an app that starts you based on your existing knowledge .

Pick Speak & Learn English if

You are specifically looking to learn English and find its direct approach helpful, and you are prepared to pay a potentially high subscription fee .

Evidence note: Reviews for Speak & Learn English are heavily skewed towards negative feedback regarding its pricing model and misleading advertising, making it difficult to assess its core learning effectiveness fairly. Many positive reviews for Speak & Learn English are very short or generic, offering little detail.

Frequently asked

Is Duolingo truly free?
Duolingo has a free tier, but it comes with limitations such as an 'energy' bar that restricts the number of lessons you can do, frequent ads, and pressure to upgrade to 'Super Duolingo' R4R6R8R16.
Does Speak & Learn English offer a free version?
Speak & Learn English is advertised as free, but users report that upon opening the app, they are immediately prompted to start a paid subscription, often after a very limited free trial of only a few messages or minutes per day R64R67R73R85.
Can Duolingo help me become fluent?
While Duolingo is good for learning vocabulary and making language learning fun, many users feel it does not teach conversational fluency or the actual meaning of some words and phrases, making it difficult to hold full conversations even after extended use R3R9R15R46.
What are the main complaints about Duolingo's updates?
Duolingo's updates have been criticized for messing up user progress, introducing untaught words into lessons, and changing the order of lessons, forcing users to re-learn or encounter unfamiliar content R1R7R34R37.

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] Duolingo 1/5 · US Random untaught words: Starting off with the app it was absolutely fun and engaging. However, I don’t know if it’s the learning process, but in subsequent lessons I’m asked to translate an English word (to German) when that particular word or words was never reviewed whatsoever. It’s annoying, frustrating, and a major put down because I feel like I missed something when I know I didn’t because I’
  2. [R2] Duolingo 5/5 · US Shocked: Got 3 months for free through my phone plan! I didn’t expect to use it, but I was bored decided to try it out. Heard of Duolingo before. I’ve always wanted to learn Japanese, tried the old school methods n always failed. I have a hard time concentrating. But this app is set up like a game and I’m a gamer lol. It’s so addictive but in a good way! I love seeing my gems accumulate, keeping m
  3. [R7] Duolingo 1/5 · US Thanks a lot: Logged on and found out my course was updated it messed up all my progress and added words I didn’t know to my learned words and now I have phrases I don’t know that I have to figure out the hard way thanks so much for another thoughtful Duolingo update that was much needed so smart of the development team
  4. [R9] Duolingo 3/5 · US Duolingo!: Fun! But I am not learning that much. Like in German I have a 150 day streak but I can’t even say a full sentence. And my sister with almost a 1000 can’t talk simple conversations Chess is fun though
  5. [R4] Duolingo 1/5 · US horrible app: Thr energy bar is really annoying, and they keep forcing Super Duolingo on you. Which for such a big company they shouldn't even have to do. The words are almost USELESS and, you will not get fluent. Do not use this bad app.
  6. [R6] Duolingo 3/5 · US Good, but “Energy” is a scam: The whole energy refill is a scam to persuade learners to get Super Duolingo! Previously when it was “hearts” instead of “energy” at least there was a logic behind it. You had five hearts and you would lose one with each mistake. The whole energy thing makes absolutely no sense!! You lose energy just by practicing! Also sometimes they change and update the order of le
  7. [R8] Duolingo 4/5 · US The family plan is too expensive: It’s really good but the family plan is way to expensive, but without the plan there is so many adds and I keep losing my progress because I run out of energy, also it sometimes makes me lose energy when it got the answer correct
  8. [R12] Duolingo 3/5 · US Fun App … but: Duolingo makes learning fun, but the app keeps crashing. It crashes in the middle of a lesson, causing you to repeat lessons, which can be very frustrating.
  9. [R18] Duolingo 3/5 · US Super Glitchy now: I’ve had Duolingo pro for ages. Used to love it. Recently, it’s been giving me the same lesson over and over again even when I achieve different “units”. Weird and frustrating because I feel like I’m not learning anything new. Languages should also focus on more helpful phrases a lot quicker or have a “country travel” option where you can practice common phrases that you’ll actu
  10. [R24] Duolingo 3/5 · US Doulingo what?: When I was learning on it I saw that I was out of energy so I used gems to refill but when I tried to do a lesson it said that I need more energy and like what I paid the gems and it says I need energy pls help me understand why my gems did not work
  11. [R10] Duolingo 1/5 · US Too much distractions: The constant pressure is a bit much, and it’s annoying repeatedly having to pause engagement due to a battery limit now
  12. [R16] Duolingo 1/5 · US 1 star: The app is good, but they've introduced a subscription now; there's no more unlimited energy. The free portion is enough for a maximum of two lessons, even though triple XP is given for 10 minutes to an hour. It seems I'll have to stop learning with this app. · translated
  13. [R64] Speak & Learn English 1/5 · US Mentira que es gratis: Todavía no empiezo y ya están cobrando? Desde un principio digan cuánto cuesta y no engañen a la gente. Nada es gratis , es entendible. Pero no mientan diciendo que es gratis.
  14. [R67] Speak & Learn English 1/5 · US Que mala aplicación: Yo estaba descargándome la app por qué soy muy mala y tengo un viaje próximo cuestión que nada al entrar ya me decía que tengo que pagar cuando en los anuncios dice que es gratis cuestión que me registro y yo soy una persona con mucha paciencia al final me hizo enojar y le dije que podíamos realizar una conversación para mejorar mi inglés y me puso clase finalizada empezó otro
  15. [R73] Speak & Learn English 1/5 · US Lie/ Propaganda enganosa: Misleading advertising, they do charge! And very expensive.
  16. [R85] Speak & Learn English 1/5 · US Esperaba una app gratis no lo es: “La descargué porque el anuncio decía que era gratuita, pero al abrirla me pidió iniciar una prueba que se convierte en una suscripción de $14.99 por semana. Me hubiera gustado que esto se explicara claramente desde el prin
  17. [R3] Duolingo 3/5 · US Languages, words, and phrases: It doesn’t have a whole lot of languages and it doesn’t teach you the actual meaning of some words or phrases
  18. [R15] Duolingo 3/5 · US Good for vocabulary: The app is decent if your goal is learning random vocabulary words; however, it is not helpful if you want to learn a language with the goal of traveling to another country and being able to converse. Day 200 and I’m not comfortable ordering a meal in a restaurant.
  19. [R46] Duolingo 1/5 · US DO NOT DOWNLOAD: I have a 123 day streak on Duolingo for German 🇩🇪 and I don't Even know how to have a normal conversation in German it teaches you different words in each lesson and expects you to remember how to spell them and pronounce them right for the rest of your streak. I’m 11 years old and it wants me to spell sister in German i’m learning how to speak German. Why does it expect me to spe
  20. [R34] Duolingo 2/5 · US Spanish Course Update: The new Spanish course update is a mess. I’ve received credit for lessons I’ve never taken. The lessons I’m supposed to be in now are using a bunch of terms I’ve never covered. I basically have to go back to the very beginning of the unit now.
  21. [R37] Duolingo 1/5 · US Course update: They updated the German course and now there is so many words I don’t even know but it assumes I’ve practiced already and I can’t go back and review because it doesn’t go through them like it would the normal courses you haven’t completed yet!

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