Is Duolingo Plus worth the money?

Answered by Willian Lymon

In my personal opinion, Duolingo Plus is not worth the money. I have been using Duolingo for several years now, and I have found that the free version of the app offers all the necessary features and resources to effectively learn a new language.

Firstly, let’s consider the cost of upgrading to Duolingo Plus. The annual subscription fee of $83.88 may seem reasonable for some, but when you compare it to the free version of the app, it becomes harder to justify the expense. With the free version, you have access to all the same lessons, exercises, and quizzes as the Plus version. The only significant difference is the absence of ads in the Plus version, which in my experience, have never been intrusive or disruptive enough to justify the cost.

Furthermore, Duolingo offers a gamified learning experience that keeps you motivated and engaged. The app provides a wide range of lessons, covering various topics and language skills, such as vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking. The lessons are designed to be interactive and enjoyable, making language learning a fun and rewarding experience.

Additionally, Duolingo’s community aspect allows users to connect with fellow language learners, participate in discussions, and receive feedback on their progress. This sense of community and support is available to all users, regardless of whether they have a Plus subscription or not.

Personalization is another feature that Duolingo offers to all users. The app adapts to your individual learning pace and provides personalized recommendations and reminders to practice. This level of customization is crucial for effective language learning and is not limited to Duolingo Plus users.

Of course, it’s important to note that everyone’s language learning journey is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some individuals may prefer the ad-free experience offered by Duolingo Plus or may find value in the additional features, such as offline access and progress tracking. However, in my experience, these features do not significantly enhance the language learning experience to justify the cost.

After years of using Duolingo, I firmly believe that upgrading to Duolingo Plus is not necessary. The free version of the app provides all the resources, lessons, and community support needed to effectively learn a new language. While Duolingo Plus may offer some additional features, they do not significantly enhance the learning experience to justify the annual subscription fee.