Duolingo
: How to use it, features, and the business problems it solves
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What is Duolingo?
The world's most-used language-learning app, learning 40+ languages gamified (500M+ learners). From Japanese you can study EN/KO/ZH/FR/ES/DE/IT/PT plus math, music, and chess. The higher Duolingo Max tier adds AI conversation practice (Roleplay, Video Call, Explain My Answer).
Business problems it solves
About "Duolingo"
What is Duolingo
Duolingo is the world's most-used language-learning app, where you learn 40+ languages gamified. Streaks, leagues, and XP make it easy to keep going, and you can study reading, listening, and speaking from a few minutes a day. Run by Duolingo, Inc. (US, NASDAQ-listed), it has 500M+ learners.
Duolingo's core is that it makes learning a habit through gamification, while going as far as AI conversation practice. The higher "Duolingo Max" tier adds AI features: Roleplay (converse with AI), Explain My Answer (AI explains mistakes), and a Video Call with the character Lily (Max is mobile-app only).
AI conversation practice is a "Duolingo Max" feature — including Roleplay, Explain My Answer, and Video Call with Lily. At Max's launch, use of OpenAI's GPT-4 was announced; the current official wording is the broader "latest AI technology." Math, music, and chess courses have also been added.
How to use
Pick a course and make a little progress every day.
Pick a course
Choose a language (or math/music) course.
Daily lessons
Do short lessons and build a habit with streaks and XP.
AI conversation practice
Practice with Max's Roleplay, Explain My Answer, and Video Call.
Keep going / certify
Compete in leagues and, if needed, certify with the Duolingo English Test.
The free tier has ads and consumes HP (hearts) on mistakes (migrating to a new "Energy" system). Super has a 1-week free trial.
Key features
01Gamified learning
Streaks, leagues, XP, and gems make daily learning easy to sustain. Short lessons cover reading, listening, and speaking. Beyond 40+ languages, there are math, music, and chess courses.
02Duolingo Max AI features
The higher "Duolingo Max" tier offers Roleplay (converse with AI), Explain My Answer (AI explains mistakes), and a Video Call with the character Lily (mobile-app only) — for practical conversation practice.
03Duolingo English Test (DET)
An online English proficiency test you can take from home in ~1 hour, with results in 2 days, accepted by 6,500+ institutions (a separate service from the learning app).
Pricing
You can start free; paid options are Super and the higher Duolingo Max, with Family plans (up to 6 people).
| Plan | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Free | Learn with ads and an HP (hearts) system |
| Super | Ad-free, unlimited HP, 1-week free trial |
| Duolingo Max | Super + AI features (Roleplay, Explain My Answer, Video Call) — app only |
| Family | Share Super/Max with up to 6 people |
The free tier's HP (hearts) is migrating to a new "Energy" system that refills over time and with correct answers. Exact JPY prices aren't public on the web — check in-app purchase listings on the App Store/Google Play or after signing in. Check the official site/app for the latest (as of August 2026).
How it differs from other language-learning services
Duolingo stands out because it makes learning a habit through gamification, is free to start across many languages (plus math/music), and offers AI conversation practice on higher tiers. That's a broader scope than single-focus apps.
| Aspect | Duolingo | SpeakBuddy | Textbooks/classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Multi-language gamified learning | AI English conversation | Systematic study |
| AI | Conversation/explanation in Max | AI English conversation | Limited |
| Ease of starting | Free, minutes a day | Easy in-app | Requires blocks of time |
Alternatives to compare include AI-English-focused SpeakBuddy and systematic textbooks/classes. If you want to start many languages gamified for free and add AI conversation practice as needed, Duolingo is a go-to choice.
Information on this page is based on the official website as of August 2026. Please check the official site/app for the latest specs and pricing.
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