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Duolingo vs Pimsleur
Duolingo scores higher overall (8.6 vs 7), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Duolingo if…
Beginners and casual learners who want a free daily habit, with optional AI speaking practice
8.6/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Pimsleur if…
Commuters and auditory learners who want to speak from day one
7.0/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Duolingo | Pimsleur | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.6/10 | 7/10 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 10 | #9 of 10 |
| Price | Freemium · from $9.99/month | Free trial · from $19.99/month |
| Free version | Full courses free with ads and limits on mistakes | — |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Made by | Duolingo, Inc. | Simon & Schuster |
| Learning quality | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Ease of use | 9.5 | 8 |
| Features | 8.5 | 6.5 |
| Value for money | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Platforms | 10 | 7 |
Duolingo: what the AI does
- Video Call with AI character Lily
- Roleplay conversation scenarios
- Explain My Answer (now free)
- AI-generated course content and Speaking Adventures
- Best free plan in the category
- Habit-forming streaks and game design
- Video Call remembers past conversations and leaves transcripts
- Works on web, iOS and Android
- The AI speaking features need the $29.99-a-month Max plan
- Max is limited to a subset of languages
- AI conversations can feel rigid for advanced learners
Pimsleur: what the AI does
- AI Voice Coach pronunciation feedback
- AI Conversation Coach (beta, Latin American Spanish only)
- Speak Easy role-play transcripts
- Proven audio method that gets you speaking early
- 50+ languages, with All Access shared by 4 users
- Hands-free lessons suit driving or walking
- AI conversation is in beta for one language
- Expensive month to month
- Little reading, writing or grammar explanation