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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

IXL vs Duolingo

IXL 4.3★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner Duolingo
Duolingo 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75

Duolingo is generally preferred for language learning due to its engaging format and wider subject offerings, while IXL is a more polarizing app, often seen as a tool for academic practice with a frustrating point system.

Full reviews: IXL · Duolingo

Duolingo offers a fun and accessible way to learn languages, math, and music, despite some user frustration with ads and the 'energy' system. IXL is primarily a practice tool for math and English, but its aggressive point system and perceived lack of genuine teaching often lead to student dissatisfaction.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: DuolingoR11R17R22R23
IXL IXL offers a wide variety of subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and Spanish, with content broken down by year groups R23R11R48. However, some users report that it primarily focuses on math and English, with other subjects being less accessible or absent R30R36. It includes games and graphs R17R22.
Duolingo Duolingo is praised for teaching many languages, and also offers courses in math, music, and chess R80. Users appreciate the variety, though some note that the music course needs updating to include more genuine music theory . Some users also wish for additional languages like sign language .
Ease of Use and Engagement edge: DuolingoR3R4R6R7
IXL Many students find IXL boring and frustrating due to its point system, which heavily penalizes wrong answers and can make progress feel slow or even regressive R4R6R7R9. Some users experience glitches, such as incorrect answers being marked wrong or loading issues R3R19R42.
Duolingo Duolingo is often described as fun, addictive, and easy to learn, making language acquisition exciting . However, some users find the app repetitive, with constant pop-ups and notifications that can be annoying and interrupt the learning flow . There are also reports of glitches, such as incorrect answers being marked wrong, voice activation issues, or freezing screens .
Effectiveness for Learning edge: DuolingoR5R7R8R11
IXL Parents and some students find IXL useful for learning and improving academic results, especially over the summer R5R8R11. However, many students feel it doesn't genuinely help them learn, or that the punitive point system discourages them and causes stress rather than aiding comprehension R7R19R22.
Duolingo Duolingo is widely praised for helping users learn languages and other subjects, with many reporting significant progress R80. Some users, particularly beginners, feel it lacks sufficient explanation for basic concepts . A few users also report that the app's 'mistakes' can be frustrating, especially for native speakers R80.
Reliability and Performance tieR3R10R19R42
IXL Users report various technical issues with IXL, including glitches where the app thinks answers are wrong, loading problems, and keyboard malfunctions R3R19R42. There are also complaints about the problems changing too much R10.
Duolingo Duolingo users experience bugs such as points being taken away, flashcard frenzies repeating the same words, speech recognition issues, and the app crashing or freezing . Delays in the app are also mentioned, sometimes forcing users to use paid time extensions .
Price and Value tieR27R30R48R51
IXL IXL is considered expensive by many, with some mentioning a cost of around £100 per month R48. While it offers free memberships or guest access, these are often limited, pushing users towards paid subscriptions R27R30R51. Some users feel the value isn't there, especially given the frustration it causes R27R30R48.
Duolingo Duolingo offers a free tier, but users frequently complain about aggressive monetization tactics, including constant ads, limited 'energy' or 'hearts' that restrict learning, and persistent prompts to upgrade to Super Duolingo R64R79. The cost of Super Duolingo and Duolingo Max is also a concern, with Max being $250 .
Support and User Experience tieR7R13R18R21
IXL There is no direct feedback on customer support for IXL. However, many users express strong negative emotions, feeling punished by the app and wishing for changes to its point system R7R13R18R21.
Duolingo Duolingo users report difficulty getting help when something isn't working, with one user stating there's 'little way to get help' . Customer service is described as 'horrible' and unhelpful regarding billing issues . Users also complain about constant, nagging notifications and pop-ups .
Pick IXL if

You are a parent looking for a comprehensive practice tool for your child, particularly for math and English, and are willing to overlook student frustration with the point system R23R5R11.

Pick Duolingo if

You want a fun, engaging app to learn a new language, or explore basic math, music, or chess, and are prepared to navigate ads or consider a paid subscription for an uninterrupted experience .

Evidence note: IXL reviews are heavily skewed towards student frustration with the point system, often expressing strong negative emotions, while Duolingo reviews, while also containing complaints about monetization and bugs, generally maintain a more positive tone regarding the learning experience itself.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for learning multiple subjects?
Duolingo has an edge for learning multiple subjects, offering a wide range of languages, plus math, music, and chess R80. IXL covers Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish, but some users find its coverage outside of math and English to be limited or difficult to access R23R30R36.
Do these apps have free versions?
Both IXL and Duolingo offer free versions, but users report significant limitations and pressure to upgrade to paid subscriptions in both R27R51R64R79. Duolingo's free tier is often interrupted by ads and restricted by an 'energy' or 'hearts' system R79.
Are there common complaints about the point systems in these apps?
Yes, both apps have point systems that draw user complaints, though for different reasons. IXL's point system is a major source of frustration for students, as it heavily penalizes wrong answers, causing progress bars to drop significantly and making it feel like 'ragebait' R6R9R21R22. Duolingo users complain about losing 'energy' or 'charge' even when getting things right, limiting how much they can learn in a session without paying .

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. [R11] IXL 5/5 · US Kerri-Ann will talking about IXL: IXL is really fun. It helps other people learn it even helps me learn it’s the best learning app ever and I want everyone to try it cause it’s good. It could help people if they’re struggling in math Spanish and stuff reading language arts but all you need is IXL learn everything over and over again and then you can make some progress. This is why you want to try
  2. [R17] IXL 5/5 · US We love IXL!: The one thing that I like about this app is that it allows you to see the entire search and there is GAMES!
  3. [R22] IXL 1/5 · US total ragebait: this app is the 2nd most annoying form of ragebait even the games and the graphs and the skills My parents make me do this a million times a day and learning is not fun and you cannot learn anything Unpurposeful app = this +2 and -10 so unfair Ragebait app = this Hdhuatkhghdsikhsjcehjy
  4. [R23] IXL 5/5 · US IXL is a must-get.: Amazing for doing a wide variety of stuff. From Math to Science to Social Studies to English. If you are getting this for your kid, with parental experience, IXL will not be a waste of your money.
  5. [R3] IXL 3/5 · US Glitching Problems: This is good for learning, but sometimes when I go to this app and I do sixth grade math the thing latterly glitches and thinks I’m wrong. But, it’s still a good App for math. Honestly I think it’s just me.
  6. [R4] IXL 1/5 · US It’s freaking boring: It is the most boring, boring, boring thing ever
  7. [R6] IXL 3/5 · US Takes away too many points: I’ve been studying with my dad every day. I like this app. i’ve been learning a lot, but the thing that I don’t like is that it takes a way too many points. Sometimes it takes away 5,10 or even 15 please fix this and I agree in AaronYol it is NOT FUN thanks for the app. That’s a learning education. But please make it less more points If you do it wrong, like at least do
  8. [R7] IXL 1/5 · US I feel bad for whoever made this app: This app punishes you it’s a bad example and it sucks whoever made this It’s so dumb and stupid. I hate them.
  9. [R5] IXL 5/5 · US It is great.: Vary useful over the summer
  10. [R8] IXL 4/5 · US A good world: I try every time you get it wrong you go back why can’t you just keep it at where it is but I understand because you need to learn as a kid it helps me it’s great for helping with subjects
  11. [R10] IXL 1/5 · US Cam: IXL sucks the problems change way too much and I am tired of it and fixing bugs y’all do.😡😡😡
  12. [R19] IXL 1/5 · US I HATE THIS APP: I hate this app because it takes forever to do stuff and it doesn’t really help me learn like at all wrong answers are right answers and right answers are wrong answers by the way I am a student
  13. [R42] IXL 3/5 · GB Not as good as before..: IXL is a great app for learning stuff - don’t get me wrong. BUT, now I cannot access the learning bits (the roman numerals e.t.c). It shows the loading screen and I wait A LONG TIME JUST FOR IT TO NOT LOAD.
  14. [R27] IXL 3/5 · GB Good but Not impressed: This is a good app but I don’t wanna pay cuz I’m looking forward to studying for Sats but it pays to go allll the way! I understand that this is how you guys make money but just not the money for me as I can use different apps for free ＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ I hope you understand 😉˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊
  15. [R30] IXL 3/5 · GB It only has maths and English: I had a history test but I thought this might help cuz it’s a learning app but when I tried it doesn’t have it and it’s soo expensive like guests don’t get much to learn and it says it has Spanish resources but try searching it up and they say they can’t find what we’re looking for so it u want math and English only download it but other than that don’t . :(
  16. [R48] IXL 3/5 · GB It’s a good app in some areas, but… 😕: First of all, let’s start with the PRICE. Not much people can really spend their money 💸 on an app that costs £100 (more or less) per month! But aside that, it’s an okay app that has many learning concepts and features, even fun maths games too! It has English and Maths, and also breaks down all topics into year groups, eg. Year 1 - Year 13! But a main downsi
  17. [R51] IXL 3/5 · GB Ixl: When I need to constant practice Ixl is used when I need additional time to get it the tasks that is done so I can step into the diagnostics and complete some more on there Ixl offers free memberships and also it helps me to get better at math and English in the class that I am also getting stronger and ether answer quickly or at your pace . If you are at your standard level. It motivated me
  18. [R13] IXL 1/5 · US Rahhh: Fix ur point system
  19. [R18] IXL 3/5 · US things that NEED to be changed: this app is ok. it’s good for learning, but why the heck do you drop lower when you get something wrong? that discourages students like me. it takes longer to finish the ixl. JUST KEEP THE STUDENT IN THE SAME SPOT DONT MOVE THEM DOWN!!!!
  20. [R21] IXL 3/5 · US Rager Learning App: This app frustrates me a lot because every time you get something wrong, you get 5-15 points off and each time you get one correct you get 10 at first in the beginning for about 5 times until 53 and then you only get 1-3 points for each you get correct. The app is a great learning app for kids and all people and i would recommend this learning app for people who likes to rage😅😅
  21. [R36] IXL 3/5 · GB So annoying doesn’t teach anything apart from math: I am on my last straw with IXL. It always brings me back when I get it wrong and is so frustrating when it does happen. I learn nothing only in the math videos and I really wish it had videos for English and science. But no. I don’t recommend this if you want to learn something. Never using this again. Also, doesn’t even encourage or take you ste
  22. [R80] Duolingo 5/5 · US Amazing except…: Duolingo teaches so many languages, even chess and piano! But sometimes they would make mistakes and say that you’re wrong, even though I’m a native speaker of that language and Duolingo is the one that is wrong. Do not get if you want to learn a language well. Only get it if you want to learn for the fun of it.
  23. [R64] Duolingo 1/5 · US Hate: This is so annoying why are they greedy for money cuz I’m just trying to learn Spanish
  24. [R79] Duolingo 1/5 · US 60 day review: Overall the app is ok but business-wise they are shady. If you want to do more than the 1-3 minute free lesson a day you’ll run into constant adds which restrict you from completing a lesson. I eventually tried the 7 day trial. After 7 days I was ok continuing to a monthly subscription but they instead charged me for a full year. Support said- “too bad, can’t change it”. They advert
  25. [R9] IXL 3/5 · US It works well, but it has some things that need to be better: First, yes all the material is very helpful but if you want someone to actually keep going and not cheat maybe you should fix how it takes way more points when we get a question wrong than when we get it right.

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