Duolingo: Learn Languages Free

Duolingo is a resourceful app that contains educational content for learning foreign languages wherever you are. You can download Duolingo at Google Play and the App Store.

Functionality 4/5

This application gives you access to fun and engaging activities which enable you to sharpen your understanding and mastery of various foreign languages. You will do things that involve listening, reading and writing as you play education-oriented games. The app takes you through the language courses gradually. First, you are introduced to preparatory content, and the complexity increases as you learn your way up the various language levels.

Design 5/5

Duolingo has an impressive design and is simple enough for flawless navigation. Icons and illustrations are cartoonish and lively, appealing to both younger and older learners. Color gradient applied gives the interface a beautiful, welcoming look, and you will surely love it. Consistency in pages design has been maintained, so you can identify navigational elements with ease. Learning languages can get tough, and the design makes sure you are drawn back in to keep going.

Usability 4/5

This application has flawless usability since you can intuitively use features and navigate even without any tutorials or prompts. The minimal use of visual elements on the user interface is appreciated; you see only what you need to with no extra fluff. It is worth pointing out in this Duolingo review that the teaching methodology used in the app is very effective. You will be able to get the basic grasp of the language you choose to go for. The app presents the content in a fun and interactive manner, motivating you to keep going with its achievement and level system. You can clearly see where you started off and just how much you’ve learned so far. However, you will only be able to get basic proficiency with any foreign language offered. While the developers did add some advanced content, you may still find it lacking. But one thing is for sure — you will not face major difficulties using this app while getting a solid language foundation.

Cross-Platform Use 4/5

Duolingo has great cross-platform usability as it can run on iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices. There is no specific Android OS version needed as compatibility depends on the device you are using. Duolingo is compatible with all iOS 10 and up devices, such as iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. As to Windows devices, the minimum OS version required is Windows 10 1024.0.

In-App Purchases

This app is available to download for free, but the developers introduced some optional in-app purchases too. The app offers you a paid Duolingo Plus subscription for such features as getting rid of irritating ads and offline access. You can get the subscription for $9.99 a month. There are also some Gems and health refills available for purchase, but again, they are entirely optional and have no considerable impact on the actual learning experience.

The Bottom Line

Download Duolingo and learn a new language free of charge. You can also take advantage of the Plus subscription for even more efficiency and convenience during your learning process. With more than 20 languages to choose from, you can learn an extra language or sharpen your skills and competency with those that you already know. This is definitely an app worth giving a try.