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Duolingo alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Duolingo: little explicit grammar teaching, and hard to reach advanced levels with it alone. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Duolingo, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Babbel currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Anki logoAnkiOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 553.6
  1. Anki logo

    1. AnkiTop pick

    Best for: Self-directed learners who want free, customisable spaced-repetition flashcards

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Duolingo

    Free spaced-repetition flashcards to build vocabulary on your own terms.

    Pros

    • Free and open source on desktop and Android
    • Highly customisable cards and scheduling
    • Large library of shared decks and add-ons

    Cons

    • Dated interface and steep learning curve
    • Official iOS app is paid
    • You must build or choose decks yourself
    Visit Anki Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Anki a good Duolingo alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Sync
    Free AnkiWeb sync
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop price
    Free on Windows, Mac and Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Android app
    AnkiDroid, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    iOS app
    AnkiMobile, paid, funds development
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Deck size
    Handles 100,000+ cards
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best Duolingo alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Babbel logo

Best Duolingo alternative for most people

Babbel

More structured lessons with clear grammar explanations for adult learners.

Anki logo

Best Duolingo alternative for a free option

Anki

Free spaced-repetition flashcards to build vocabulary on your own terms.

Busuu logo

Best Duolingo alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Busuu

Similar short lessons plus feedback on your writing and speaking from native speakers.

Anki logo

Best Duolingo alternative for open source

Anki

Free spaced-repetition flashcards to build vocabulary on your own terms.

Anki logo

Best Duolingo alternative for Mac

Anki

Free spaced-repetition flashcards to build vocabulary on your own terms.

Anki logo

Best Duolingo alternative for Windows

Anki

Free spaced-repetition flashcards to build vocabulary on your own terms.

Anki logo

Best Duolingo alternative for Linux

Anki

Free spaced-repetition flashcards to build vocabulary on your own terms.

Memrise logo

Best Duolingo alternative for iPhone and Android

Memrise

Learn from videos of real native speakers instead of synthetic voices.

Speak logo

Best Duolingo alternative for working in the browser

Speak

AI conversation practice for learners who want to actually talk.

Duolingo alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Duolingo?

Babbel ranks first right now. More structured lessons with clear grammar explanations for adult learners. Busuu and Memrise follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Duolingo?

Yes. Busuu (free plan + paid), Memrise (free plan + paid), LingoDeer (free plan + paid) and Anki (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Duolingo?

Yes: Anki.

Which Duolingo alternatives work on Linux?

Anki runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Duolingo?

The complaints we hear most: little explicit grammar teaching; hard to reach advanced levels with it alone; free tier has ads and limits on mistakes.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Duolingo, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.