Duolingo: Best Free Language App

The best free app for learning or practicing a language

- JILL DUFFY

Duolingo was the first free language-learning app to rival expensive paid programs. It offers plenty of self-paced exercises to help you build a base understanding of dozens of languages or review one you already know. It’s easily the best free language app you can find, and it’s our Editors’ Choice winner. Even when measured against paid programs, the content is so good that Duolingo still ranks among the best software for learning a language. Will you become proficient in a language if you use only Duolingo to learn? No. That’s not what language learning apps do. They supplement your learning and give you a place to practice daily, which is merely one part of learning a language. And Duolingo is the best app you’ll find for that.

While Duolingo offers instruction for dozens of languages, some are stronger than others. For example, if you’re learning Spanish as an English speaker, you’ll find a podcast, interactive short stories, and even get-togethers with other learners (which are online-only meetings in light of COVID-19). More boutique languages don’t have as much content, however. Even so, Duolingo is one of the best language learning apps for getting acquainted with a new language or improving your existing skills. It has wonderful exercises, and it works well on both desktop and mobile devices—though I’ll tell you a secret why you should use the desktop versions in a bit.

PROS

• Free

• Excellent podcasts

• Clear structure, great exercises

• Includes languages with no limit on how many you can learn