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Ling alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Ling: course depth varies by language, and mostly beginner-level content. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Ling, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Duolingo currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Duolingo logoDuolingoFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 466.5
2Drops logoDropsFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android3 of 362.6
3Mango Languages logoMango LanguagesFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android3 of 359.6
  1. Duolingo logo

    1. DuolingoTop pick

    Best for: Beginners and casual learners who want a free, fun daily habit

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Ling

    Free and more polished for the major languages it covers.

    Pros

    • Full course path is free
    • Streaks and leagues make daily practice stick
    • Huge choice of languages and courses

    Cons

    • Little explicit grammar teaching
    • Hard to reach advanced levels with it alone
    • Free tier has ads and limits on mistakes
    Visit Duolingo Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 Duolingo a good Ling alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Max tier
    Subscription tier above Super
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blog.duolingo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Super benefits
    Unlimited energy, no ads, personalised review
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blog.duolingo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI features
    Video Call and Roleplay (Max)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blog.duolingo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Max availability
    188 countries on iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blog.duolingo.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Drops logo

    2. Drops

    Best for: Busy learners who want quick visual vocabulary practice in many languages

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Ling

    Visual vocabulary games across 55+ languages.

    Pros

    • Beautiful, quick visual games
    • 55+ languages including rare ones
    • Short sessions are easy to fit in

    Cons

    • Mostly vocabulary, not a full course
    • Free version caps daily practice time
    • Little sentence or conversation practice
    Visit Drops Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 Drops a good Ling alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Languages
    55+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026languagedrops.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Kahoot! (acquired November 2020)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026languagedrops.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Kids app
    Droplets
    Checked Oct 25, 2026languagedrops.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Mango Languages logo

    3. Mango Languages

    Best for: Library card holders and students wanting a solid course in a wide range of languages

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Ling

    70+ languages, often free through a public library.

    Pros

    • Often free through public libraries
    • 70+ languages, including endangered ones
    • Culture and grammar notes in lessons

    Cons

    • Less engaging than gamified apps
    • Limited advanced content
    • Library access depends on where you live
    Visit Mango Languages Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    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 Mango Languages a good Ling alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Languages
    70+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mangolanguages.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Library access
    Free through participating libraries
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mangolanguages.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Library edition
    70+ languages and dialects, plus ESL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mangolanguages.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Ling alternative for…

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

Duolingo logo

Best Ling alternative for most people

Duolingo

Free and more polished for the major languages it covers.

Drops logo

Best Ling alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Drops

Visual vocabulary games across 55+ languages.

Mango Languages logo

Best Ling alternative for iPhone and Android

Mango Languages

70+ languages, often free through a public library.

italki logo

Best Ling alternative for working in the browser

italki

Find a human tutor for almost any less common language.

Ling alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Ling?

Duolingo ranks first right now. Free and more polished for the major languages it covers. Drops and Mango Languages follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Ling?

Yes. Duolingo (free plan + paid), Drops (free plan + paid) and Mango Languages (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Ling?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Ling?

The complaints we hear most: course depth varies by language; mostly beginner-level content; trial only with annual plans.

How is this list ranked?

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