Duolingo Costs 2026: Super Duolingo vs. the Free Version

Duolingo is the world’s most popular language-learning app – and the best part: the basic version is completely free. But is Super Duolingo (formerly Duolingo Plus) worth it? We explain the subscription models (as of October 2026), compare alternatives and show when the premium subscription pays off.

Duolingo prices at a glance

Duolingo does not publish its subscription prices on its website but only shows them in the app or in your account. The amounts differ by platform (App Store, Google Play, web), subscription length and current promotion. The following values should therefore be treated as a guide; you will see the binding price in the order step before you sign up.

Version	Price (guide)	Highlights
Duolingo Free	0 €	All courses, with ads, limited daily allowance
Super Duolingo (monthly plan)	approx. 13 €/month	Ad-free, unlimited practice
Super Duolingo (annual plan)	approx. 84 €/year (≈ 7 €/month)	considerably cheaper than monthly
Super Family	approx. 120 €/year	Up to 6 users
Duolingo Max	considerably dearer than Super	With AI features

Duolingo Free: what do you get for nothing?

The free version is surprisingly complete:

Included in Duolingo Free

All 40+ languages can be learned in full
All lessons from beginner to advanced
Podcasts (for Spanish, French, English)
Stories (for selected languages)
Leagues and streaks for motivation

Restrictions

Ads: short adverts after lessons (15–30 seconds)
Limited allowance: the free version limits how much you can practise in one go. Duolingo gradually replaced the earlier hearts system with an energy system in 2025; details may vary by account.
Refilling: the allowance regenerates over time or can be topped up through exercises or ads
Feature walls: some features are for premium only

Suitable for: casual learners who practise 10–20 minutes a day.

Super Duolingo: the premium version

The premium subscription costs the equivalent of about 7–13 €/month (depending on plan and platform) and offers:

Premium features

Unlimited practice: no hearts or energy limit
Ad-free: no more interruptions
Mistake review: personalised exercises for weak spots
Progress test: regular language tests to assess your level
Offline mode: use lessons without internet

Is Super Duolingo worth it?

Yes, if:

you learn for more than 20 minutes a day
you get frustrated by the practice limit
you find ads disruptive
you are preparing intensively for a trip or exam

No, if:

you only learn occasionally (5–10 min/day)
30 seconds of advertising does not bother you
you cope with the practice limit

Tricks without a subscription

Before you pay, try these options:

Refill the allowance: through repetition exercises
Use streak freezes: protect your streaks
Use the trial period: Duolingo usually offers new customers a free Super trial (length depending on the offer)

Duolingo Family plan: for households

For around 120 €/year (≈ 10 €/month), up to 6 people can use Super Duolingo:

Each user has their own account and progress
Ideal for families or flat shares
With full occupancy, effectively around 1.67 €/month per person

Tip: from 2 people it is usually cheaper than two individual annual plans.

Duolingo Max: the AI premium version

Duolingo Max is the most expensive tier; Duolingo only shows the price in the app. In addition to Super, Max offers:

Roleplay and video call: conversation practice with an AI character
Explain My Answer: AI explains mistakes
Availability: Max is now also available in Germany, but not for all language courses

Conclusion: interesting for anyone who wants to practise speaking specifically – for pure vocabulary and grammar training, Super is enough.

Duolingo vs. alternatives

App	Cost	Strengths
Duolingo	0 € to approx. 13 €/month	Gamification, motivation
Babbel	7–13 €/month	More structured, grammar focus
Busuu	6–10 €/month	Community, corrections
Mondly	4–10 €/month	Cheap, AR features
Memrise	0–9 €/month	Videos, native speakers

Recommendation: Duolingo Free + Babbel Premium is a strong combination.

Cost-benefit analysis

Annual cost of learning languages

Method	Cost/year
Duolingo Free	0 €
Duolingo Super	approx. 84–156 €
Adult-education language course (VHS)	100–200 €
Online tutor (italki)	300–600 €
Language trip (2 weeks)	1,000–3,000 €

Duolingo is by far the cheapest way to learn languages – especially in the free version!

Money-saving tips for Duolingo

Choose the annual plan: considerably cheaper than the monthly plan
Wait for promotions: Duolingo occasionally offers discounts on the annual plan
Share the Family plan: with family at full occupancy, under 2 € per person
Compare platforms: prices can differ between App Store, Google Play and web
Keep your streak: motivates continuous learning

What a subscription costs per year: worked examples

A simple comparison shows when each option pays off. According to the indicative figures, the monthly plan costs around 13 euros and adds up to 156 euros a year. The annual plan at around 84 euros equals 7 euros a month; it becomes cheaper than the monthly plan after about 6.5 months, because 84 divided by 13 is a little over 6.5. If you intend to learn for longer than half a year anyway, the annual plan saves you 72 euros compared with the monthly plan. The family plan costs about 120 euros a year. For two people that is 60 euros each instead of 84 euros on individual plans; at full occupancy with six people it is only 20 euros a year, or about 1.67 euros a month.

Keep in mind that these are indicative figures: Duolingo shows prices only in the app, and they differ by country, platform, promotion and whether you use a trial offer. The amount shown at checkout is the binding one. A price comparison between the App Store, Google Play and the web can be worthwhile if the provider shows different prices there.

Person learning a language with headphones

Cancellation and trials without surprises

Duolingo subscriptions renew automatically. This also applies to free trial periods, which turn into a paid subscription after they end if you do not cancel beforehand. You cancel where you took out the subscription: through the Apple App Store or Google Play you must cancel in the subscription settings of the relevant store, through the Duolingo website in your account settings. Deleting the app or the account is not enough as long as the subscription is still active with the store. Note the end of the trial in your calendar and, if you are unsure, cancel right after the trial starts; access generally remains until the end of the paid or free period.

For contracts with consumers concluded online, section 312k of the German Civil Code requires an easy-to-find cancellation button. If you cannot find one, that is a reason to ask the consumer advice centre. Also check your bank statement: anyone who takes out subscriptions several times through different stores sometimes pays twice without noticing.

How much does a language app really achieve?

Apps are well suited to vocabulary, basic grammar and a daily routine. Anyone who must master a language securely for work or study will, however, usually need speaking practice with other people as well. In Europe, proficiency is described from A1 to C2 under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR); recognised certificates such as DELF, DELE or Cambridge exams are taken with examination providers, not in an app. A language app therefore does not replace proof of proficiency, but it can supplement your preparation.

A realistic split is this: Duolingo Free for getting started and daily revision, and if needed a course at an adult education centre or a tandem partner for speaking. For budgeting, that means the cheapest route is rarely the only method. Professional language courses may in some circumstances be deductible for tax as income-related expenses or business expenses (section 9 of the Income Tax Act); clarify this with a tax adviser or the tax office if needed.

Who benefits from Super and Max: a decision aid

Answer four questions: how often do you practise per week? Does the allowance or the advertising bother you so much that you open the app less often? Do several people in your household learn? Do you want to practise speaking specifically, which the AI features of Max are designed for? If you practise only rarely, every euro for a subscription is too much. If you practise daily and are slowed down by the limit, Super can make your learning time more efficient. For families the family plan is almost always the cheapest per-person solution.

Max is aimed at learners who are already confident with the basics and want to practise conversation. Whether it is available for your course is shown in the app, and the price is higher than for Super. It is better to start with the trial and check after two to three weeks whether you really use the features. Anyone who does not renew after the trial has lost nothing; anyone who forgets to cancel pays for an unused subscription.

Conclusion: Free or Premium?

For the vast majority of learners, Duolingo Free is perfectly sufficient. The free version offers all lessons and is restricted only by ads and the practice limit.

Super Duolingo is worth it for:

Intensive learners (30+ min/day)
Exam preparation
Anyone who hates ads

With the Family plan for under 2 € per person per month, there is no reason not to split the cost if several people in the household want to learn languages!