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Apps like Duolingo

The closest apps like Duolingo are Busuu and Babbel for short lessons with more grammar, Memrise and Drops for vocabulary games, and LingoDeer or Mondly for a similar beginner format.

All of these keep Duolingo's short daily sessions. They differ in what they practice, so pick one that covers what Duolingo skips.

Checked October 2026 · 13 listed

Ranked, our picks first

Busuu#1 · app · A1–B2 · iOS, Android, Web
A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier.
Free tiergrammarvocabularyspeaking
Babbel#2 · app · A1–C1 · iOS, Android, Web
The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening.
Paidgrammarvocabularyspeaking
Memrise#3 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web
Native-speaker clips for beginners; a supplement, not a course.
Free tiervocabulary
LingoDeer#4 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web
Duolingo's format with real grammar explanations; beginners only.
Paidgrammarvocabulary
Drops#5 · app · A1–A2 · iOS, Android
Fast, pretty vocabulary games for beginners; no grammar, no sentences.
Free tiervocabulary
Mondly#6 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web
A pleasant beginner phrase app with speech practice; thin past A2.
Free tiervocabularyspeaking
Clozemaster#7 · app · A2–C1 · iOS, Android, Web
Thousands of fill-the-gap sentences, free, good for volume from A2.
Free tiervocabularygrammar
Lingvist#8 · app · A1–B2 · iOS, Android, Web
Efficient frequency-ordered vocabulary for adults; repetitive by design.
Paidvocabulary
Rosetta Stone#9 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android, Web
Immersion-style basics; slow, and light on explanation.
Paidvocabularyspeaking
Falou#10 · app · A1–A2 · iOS, Android, Web
Speak-from-lesson-one phrases for beginners and travellers; paid after a free lesson.
Paidspeakingvocabulary
Ling#11 · app · A1–B1 · iOS, Android
Duolingo-style games for beginners; built for rarer languages, fine for the basics.
Free tiervocabularygrammar
Promova#12 · app · A1–B2 · iOS, Android, Web
An all-in-one beginner app with AI speaking practice; the core is free.
Free tierspeakingvocabularygrammar
Speakly#13 · app · A1–B2 · iOS
Frequency-ordered vocabulary with speaking drills; there is a lifetime plan.
Paidvocabularyspeaking

How we rank

We rank apps by who they genuinely suit, what they cost, and how much they help with the skill learners neglect most: understanding the real spoken language. Every price and fact was checked on the product's own site or app store listing on the date shown; where a price is not published we say so and what is free. Nobody pays to be listed or ranked, and there are no affiliate links. More about this site.

Questions

Which app is most like Duolingo for French?

LingoDeer and Mondly have the closest beginner format. Busuu and Babbel use similar short lessons but explain more grammar.

Is there a free app like Duolingo?

Memrise has a free plan, Drops has a free version, Clozemaster says everything you need is free, and Busuu has a free tier.

Should I use two apps at once?

Only if they do different jobs, for example a course app plus a vocabulary app such as Anki or Clozemaster. Two course apps mostly repeat each other.