Duolingo Spanish is a partly free Spanish app for beginner and intermediate learners (A1–B1). The easiest free daily Spanish habit for A1 to A2; add real listening and someone to talk to.
Checked October 2026 on the official site ·
About Duolingo Spanish
Duolingo Spanish is Duolingo's course for English speakers learning Spanish: short lessons in sections and units, with streaks, leagues and stories, all free. Super removes the ads and the limits on mistakes, and one subscription covers every course on your account. By our reading the course leans Latin American (ustedes for 'you all'; vosotros barely appears). Spanish was one of the first courses to show a Duolingo Score aligned to CEFR levels, and Duolingo says its most advanced courses now run to the end of B2. It suits a beginner who needs a daily habit and a first vocabulary. It does not get you following native speakers at real speed or holding a conversation.
Quick answers
| Is Duolingo good for Spanish? | Good for a free daily habit, vocabulary and reading at A1 to A2; weak at real-speed listening and speaking. More in is Duolingo effective? |
|---|---|
| What does it cost? | Free. Super from $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year (US App Store, checked 6 October 2026); every plan on the Duolingo page. |
| Which Spanish does it teach? | Mostly Latin American usage, by our reading: ustedes, not vosotros. |
| What to add | Real listening such as Dreaming Spanish, and a weekly conversation with a tutor. |
| How far does it go? | Duolingo says its most advanced courses cover content to the end of B2. Our Duolingo Score tool turns your score into a CEFR level. |
What Duolingo Spanish does well
It makes Spanish a daily habit, and for a complete beginner that matters more than any feature. Lessons drill high-frequency words and the present, past and future in small pieces, and the stories add short reading and listening.
It is also the cheapest way to find out whether you will stick with Spanish at all: the whole course is free, and Super only removes ads and limits. See is Duolingo free? for the limits.
Where it stops
The audio is short, clean and recorded for learners, so the first real conversation feels like a different language. You will also type and tap far more than you speak.
Most learners move on, or add something, around A2. For a structured step up see Babbel Spanish and Babbel vs Duolingo; for listening, Spanish listening practice; for free extras, free Spanish learning apps.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed Spanish | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo Spanish | Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yr (one plan for every course on your account)checked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | A1–B1 | No | The easiest free daily Spanish habit for A1 to A2; add real listening and someone to talk to. |
| Babbel Spanish | From €8.99/mo on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year); lifetime €299.99; first lesson free (shown from Germany)checked 2026-10-09 (babbel.com/prices, shown from Germany) | A1–C1 | No | The most course-like Spanish app: a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
| Language Transfer: Complete Spanish | Free (donation-supported)checked 2026-10-10 (languagetransfer.org/complete-spanish) | A1–B1 | No | The best free Spanish course for understanding how sentences are built; 90 audio tracks, donations only. |
| Dreaming Spanish | Free plan; Premium €8.99/mo; Premium Double (Spanish + French) €12.99/mo (VAT incl.; USD not shown from our location)checked 2026-10-10 (app.dreaming.com/premium) | A1–C1 | Yes | The best way to train your ear for Spanish by level, entirely in Spanish; free plan, Premium €8.99 a month. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Guides
Questions
Is Duolingo Spanish free?
Yes, the whole course is free with ads and a limit on mistakes. Super, from $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year on the US App Store (checked 6 October 2026), removes both.
Can you become fluent in Spanish with Duolingo?
Not with Duolingo alone. It builds vocabulary and a habit; fluency needs hundreds of hours of real listening and regular conversation.
Does Duolingo teach Latin American or Spain Spanish?
By our reading, mostly Latin American: it uses ustedes for 'you all' and barely teaches vosotros. Spain Spanish learners can still use it and add the vosotros forms.
