Duolingo vs Praktika vs Speak (2026)

Duolingo is the best free, broad start of the three; Speak is best for a structured speaking course with phrases taught before you practise; Praktika is best for open conversation with AI avatars, and it has a free version. None of them replaces real people.

Checked October 2026 · Duolingo price: Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yr (checked 2026-10-06 (US App Store))

Quick answers

Price

Duolingo: every course is free; Super is $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year on the US App Store, checked 6 October 2026.

Praktika: a free version for practice. Premium is $9.99 a month, $49.99 for 3 months, or $119.99 to $139.99 a year on the US App Store, checked 9 October 2026.

Speak: 7-day free trial, then Premium at $17.99 a month or $83.99 a year, or Premium Plus at $39.99 a month or $164.99 a year, on the US App Store, checked 9 October 2026.

Method

Duolingo teaches in bite-sized, game-style lessons that cover reading, writing, listening and speaking, with a streak to bring you back each day. Praktika puts you in spoken conversations with lifelike AI avatars that listen, reply and correct your pronunciation, grammar and word choice as you go, with 1,000+ lessons for travel, work and everyday talk, role-plays, and lessons built from your own photos, PDFs or voice notes. Speak teaches useful phrases with a native-speaking teacher, has you repeat them out loud until they come without thinking, then puts you in a back-and-forth conversation with an AI tutor that gives feedback on pronunciation and phrasing.

How far each takes you

Duolingo realistically covers A1 to B1. Speak says beginners to advanced and Praktika says any level; A1 to C1 is our reading for both. Past B1, an AI partner is no replacement for real people.

Which should you choose?

If you want a free, broad start covering reading, writing and listening too, choose Duolingo.

If speaking scares you and you want phrases taught before you use them, choose Speak.

If you want open conversation, role-plays or lessons built from your own material, choose Praktika.

If you want two, pair Duolingo with one AI app. Speak and Praktika do the same job, so keep only one.

What none of them does

Duolingo's sentences are recorded for learners, and Speak's and Praktika's AI tutors are patient and predictable. None of them trains your ear for native speakers at full speed or gives you a real person to talk to. Add real listening and a tutor or exchange partner as you progress. The two-way pages go deeper: Duolingo vs Praktika, Duolingo vs Speak and Praktika vs Speak. For one language in detail, see Duolingo for French. More options are on the speaking apps page.

Who it's for

Duolingo: beginners who want a free daily habit. Speak: learners who freeze when speaking and want structure. Praktika: learners who want flexible daily AI conversation.

Who it's not for

Anyone expecting an AI to replace conversation with people, and learners who want grammar explained in depth, which none of the three does well.

Questions

Which is best: Duolingo, Praktika or Speak?

Duolingo for a free start, Speak for a structured speaking course, Praktika for open AI conversation. Pick the one that covers your weakest skill.

Which is cheapest?

Duolingo, which is free, and Praktika also has a free version. Paid: Praktika from $9.99 a month, Speak Premium $83.99 a year (US App Store, checked 9 October 2026).

Can I try Speak and Praktika free?

Yes. Speak has a 7-day free trial, then a subscription; Praktika has a free version for practice. Try both side by side for a week, then keep one.