Is Duolingo Free? What To Consider This May

Ah, Duolingo. Just seeing that friendly green owl, Duo, probably brings back memories of late-night language practice or maybe a gentle (or not-so-gentle) reminder to keep your streak going. This platform has become an absolute giant in the world of language learning, bringing lessons right to your phone or computer screen and making the whole process feel a bit more like playing a game than hitting the books.

Duolingo is famous for its mission: to make top-notch language education universally accessible and free for everyone, everywhere. It's built its massive user base on this idea, offering courses in a wide variety of languages, from Spanish and French all the way to Navajo and Hawaiian, as well as fictional languages like Klingon and High Valyrian.

So, what exactly is Duolingo at its core? It's an online platform that uses bite-sized lessons, interactive exercises, and gamified elements like points, levels, and streaks to teach languages. This approach is designed to be engaging and build a consistent learning habit, which is key to picking up any new skill, especially a language. While the free version is what put Duolingo on the map, you might have also heard whispers of premium options like Super Duolingo or Duolingo Max. This hints at the platform's "freemium" model – a common setup where the basic service is free, but extra features or an ad-free experience come with a price tag.

Duolingo is always evolving, too, constantly adding new content and features, sometimes even leveraging fancy tech like artificial intelligence to create courses faster. All this innovation is exciting, but for you, the smart deal seeker, the real question is: can you get a solid language education here without draining your wallet? In this guide, we're breaking down Duolingo's free options, its paid tiers, how to snag a free trial, and most importantly, how DealNews helps you find the very best ways to save money while you chase that fluency goal.

Duolingo Free Trials & More

Super Duolingo Subscription

Free 1-week trial

New users can join Super Duolingo and get an entire week to try out everything it has to offer for free! If you want to dive into learning a new language, this could be the service for you, as it offers unlimited hearts, skills practice, mistakes review, free challenge entry, and no ads to interrupt your flow. Note that you'll have to choose the annual plan in order to get the free trial period and after your trial is up, you'll automatically be charged the then-current yearly rate ($95.99 at the time of publishing) unless you cancel at least 24 hours before your trial is up.

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Duolingo Super Family Subscription

Free 1-week trial

If you're curious about Duolingo and want to share with friends or family, giving the Super Family plan a try should be on your to-do list. You'll be able to share with up to 5 people and it offers perks like full access to lessons, no ads, personalized practice, unlimited mistakes, and the ability to try Legendary without gems. Note that after your 7 days of trial service, it will automatically renew at the then-current annual rate ($119.99 at the time of publishing) unless you cancel at least 24 hours before your trial is up.

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Duolingo Max Individual Subscription

Free 1-week trial

If you want to take your language learning to new heights, consider signing up for Duolingo Max. This is basically like Super Duolingo plus AI assistance to help you become fluent even faster. Note that these aren't available for every language offered by Duolingo (yet!) but are available to some of the most common languages on the app. Perks include things like Explain My Answer, Roleplay, Video call with Lily, and more. Note that if you're on a lesson that doesn't support Max features, you'll still have access to Super Duolingo perks for those.Signing up for Duolingo Max must be done via the app as it's not currently offered on desktop interfaces. Once your free week-long trial is up, you'll be automatically charged the then-current rate ($167.99 at the time of publishing) unless you cancel before your trial is up.

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Duolingo Max Family Plan Subscription

Free 1-week trial

If your Super Duolingo Family plan isn't cutting it, consider upgrading to Duolingo Max Family for even more support and tools to learn your preferred language. You can share the Max Family plan with up to 5 other users and use perks like Explain My Answer, Roleplay, Video Call with Lily, and more on eligible languages. If your chosen language doesn't offer these Max perks, you'll still get all the benefits of Super Duolingo to learn without ads, unlimited hearts, and more.In order to sign up for Duolingo Max, you'll need to do so through the app, as it's not currently offered through web subscriptions. Additionally, once your free trial is up, you'll be charged for the then-current rate ($239.99 at the time of publishing), unless you cancel at least 24 hours before your trial ends.

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Super Duolingo Student Plan

$47.99/year

If you're a student on a budget but still want to learn a new language in your free time, Duolingo often has a Super Duolingo Student Plan available. You'll need to download the app in order to sign up for this particular plan, and it's important to note that it can come and go, so if you don't see it right away, check back often as it'll likely become available again.You'll have to verify your student status for this plan and may need to re-verify every year in order to continue receiving the discounted price. Doing so means getting a year of the service for 50% less than the typical Individual price. Super Duolingo offers the same learning content as the free tier with the added benefits of unlimited hearts, skills practice, mistakes review, free challenge entry, and no ads to learn at your own pace without interruptions.

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Can I Use Duolingo for Free?

Absolutely! In 2025, Duolingo holds true to its promise of offering free language education. The core of the Duolingo experience – the fun, gamified lessons that teach you vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and listening skills – is completely free to access for all languages they offer. It's the foundation that has made Duolingo so incredibly popular worldwide.

And that's just the start. Believe it or not, there are lots of ways to enjoy Duolingo without spending a dime. Here's how:

Duolingo for Free

You don't need a subscription or a credit card to start learning Spanish, Mandarin, Swahili, or Klingon (yes, really!). This free tier is a fantastic way to dip your toes into a new language, build a daily learning habit, and see if Duolingo's teaching style clicks with you.

So, how does Duolingo manage to offer so much for free? As we touched on, it's the freemium model at work. The free version is supported by advertising. You'll encounter ads between lessons or activities, typically short video or banner ads, that help fund the platform and keep it accessible to millions who might not be able to afford paid options. Think of watching those ads as your small contribution to keeping Duolingo's language education available on a global scale. While the ads are the trade-off for the free access, the core learning path remains unlocked and available as long as you're willing to engage with them.

1-Week Free Trial of Super Duolingo

Beyond the standard free tier, Duolingo usually offers a free trial for its premium subscription, Super Duolingo. These trials are your golden ticket to experiencing the platform without ads and with additional features designed to boost your learning, all at no cost for a limited time. While free trials for the premium service are the most common way to get "more" of Duolingo for free temporarily, they occasionally have other promotions tied to partnerships or specific events that might offer limited free access to certain features, though trials remain the primary method. Right now, users can score 7 days for free — but we've often seen two-week trials and even limited-time promo codes for a full month.

Duolingo ABC

If you've got little ones at home or know someone who does, you might be interested in Duolingo ABC. This is a completely separate app designed specifically for young children (ages 3-8) to learn reading and literacy skills. It uses fun, interactive lessons and games to teach letters, sounds, phonics, and sight words. Best of all? Like the core language app's mission, Duolingo ABC is entirely free to use, with no ads or in-app purchases whatsoever, making it a safe and accessible tool for early education.

Duolingo for Schools

Teachers, listen up! Duolingo offers a free platform specifically designed to help educators use Duolingo in their classrooms or for homeschooling. Duolingo for Schools allows teachers to create virtual classrooms, assign lessons to students, track their progress easily, and customize the learning experience. This service is entirely free for educators to use, providing them with tools to integrate Duolingo's engaging language lessons into their curriculum and support their students' learning journey.

Duolingo Math

Who knew Duo was also good with numbers? Integrated directly into the main Duolingo app, Duolingo Math offers lessons to help users brush up on or learn foundational math skills. It covers topics like basic arithmetic, fractions, geometry, and measurement through Duolingo's signature bite-sized, gamified approach. Whether you're a student needing extra practice or an adult looking to refresh your math chops, the core Duolingo Math lessons are available for free, bringing that accessible learning model to a whole new subject.

Duolingo Music

Feeling the rhythm? Duolingo has also added a music course right within the main app! This feature lets you learn how to read music, understand basic musical concepts, and even practice playing simple tunes on a virtual instrument. It uses interactive exercises to teach rhythm, pitch, and notation, making learning music fundamentals approachable and fun, just like the language lessons. Access to the main Duolingo Music lessons is available for free to users on the core app.

Duolingo Chess

Get ready to shout "Checkmate!" because Duolingo is now teaching chess. Their new chess course, which just rolled out in late April 2025, is designed to teach beginners the rules, piece movements, and basic strategies of the game through interactive lessons and puzzles. You can learn the fundamentals and even play mini-matches against an AI opponent (Duo, perhaps?) right within the app. The core lessons for Duolingo Chess are part of the free offerings available to all users.

Who Is Eligible for Free Trials?

Eligibility for a Duolingo free trial usually depends on a few factors. Primarily, free trials are offered to new users as an incentive to try out the premium experience. If you've never had a Duolingo account or haven't used a free trial before, you're likely a prime candidate. Sometimes, eligibility can also be based on your location or specific promotions Duolingo might be running in certain regions. The best way to confirm if you're eligible is to check the Duolingo app or website directly, usually when you sign up or navigate to the Super Duolingo section.

Any Free Trial Limitations?

Ah, the important fine print! While a free trial is awesome, there are usually a couple of things to be aware of. Most Duolingo free trials require you to enter payment details when you sign up. The subscription will then automatically renew at the standard paid rate once the trial period is over, unless you cancel it beforehand. This is super important for deal seekers – set a reminder a day or two before your trial ends if you don't want to be charged! Also, as mentioned, trials are typically for new subscribers, so you might not be eligible if you've taken advantage of a free trial in the past, especially recently.

Free Trials for Other Duolingo Plans?

You mean all these other free options aren't enough? Although free trials for the standard Super Duolingo are quite common, trials for other specific plans or products are less frequently advertised or may vary greatly. The Super Family plan, being primarily an annual subscription for multiple users, doesn't typically have a standard free trial option in the same way. Your best bet for finding any specific promotional trial offers for these other plans or products is always to check the official Duolingo app, website, or their social media channels, as promotions can pop up.

Other Ways to Save on Duolingo

So, you've mastered the free Duolingo experience, maybe even crushed a free trial of Super Duolingo, and decided the premium perks are worth a little cash. Or perhaps the ads just aren't your thing, and you're ready for an uninterrupted learning flow. Whatever your reason for considering a paid subscription, you don't necessarily have to pay full price! As your friendly neighborhood deal experts, we've dug into the best ways to get Super Duolingo (or even Super Family) without spending more than you need to. Here are the savviest strategies for keeping more money in your pocket while you level up your language skills.

Choose the Annual Plan

This is probably the most straightforward way to save big if you plan on using Duolingo consistently for a year or more. While the monthly cost for Super Duolingo is typically around $12.99, committing to a full year drops the price to approximately $59.99. Crunching the numbers, that works out to just about $5 per month. That's a huge discount compared to paying the full $12.99 every 30 days, offering you significant savings annually just for planning ahead. If you're serious about your language goals, the annual plan is definitely the more budget-friendly route.

Opt for the Super Family Plan

Got a study buddy? Or maybe your whole crew wants to learn together? The Super Family plan is an absolute game-changer for value. Available as an annual subscription costing around $119.99 per year, this plan allows you to share Super Duolingo access with up to five other people, for a total of six users. If you manage to fill all six spots, the cost per person drops dramatically to roughly $1.67 per month. This is the cheapest way per user to get all the premium features, making it perfect for households or groups of friends dedicated to learning together.

Keep an Eye Out for Seasonal Sales and Promo Codes

Duolingo isn't shy about offering discounts, especially during popular shopping seasons. Deal seekers should be on high alert around events like Black Friday, the period after Christmas, and the back-to-school rush. Duolingo often rolls out limited-time promotions during these periods that can give you a percentage off a Super Duolingo subscription. While finding generic promo codes online might be less common now, keeping an eye on official announcements and checking reputable deal sites (like ours!) during these key times can score you a nice price break.

Check DealNews Regularly

Okay, we had to mention it! Finding those fleeting seasonal sales or regional promotions on Duolingo subscriptions can be tricky and time-consuming. That's where DealNews comes in. Our team is constantly monitoring the web for the latest verified discounts and offers on services like Super Duolingo. By checking our site or signing up for our Deal Alerts, you can trust that we'll surface the best available ways to save on Duolingo, helping you make an informed decision when it's time to subscribe.

Duolingo Plans, Features, and Pricing

While Duolingo built its fame on being free, the platform has grown and now offers a range of options to suit different learners and needs, from individual language enthusiasts to families and even schools. Understanding these different tiers is key to deciding if the free version is enough for you or if a paid plan offers the right value for your learning goals and budget. Let's walk through what's available, from the completely free basics to the premium perks.

Pricing This Year

For 2025, Duolingo maintains its popular freemium model, ensuring the core language courses remain accessible to everyone. However, for those seeking an uninterrupted, enhanced experience, the premium subscriptions are the way to go.

We've already covered the free plans, so here's a look at the typical costs for the premium tiers and other services you might encounter. Remember that exact prices can sometimes fluctuate slightly based on your country or region.

As you can see, the most budget-friendly way to access the premium features is either by opting for the annual Super Duolingo plan (which significantly drops the monthly equivalent cost) or by splitting the Super Family plan with up to five other people. The free version remains incredibly robust, offering access to all the language content, but you'll need to contend with ads and limitations like finite hearts.

Duolingo Max represents their top-tier offering, leveraging artificial intelligence, but it's important to note that its availability and pricing aren't as standardized across all languages and regions as Super Duolingo. Always check directly with Duolingo for the most accurate Max pricing for your needs.

Prices in Previous Years

Duolingo's pricing structure, particularly for its premium offerings, has seen some evolution over the years as the platform has grown and introduced new features. Understanding this history can give you context for the current costs and show how the value proposition might have changed. Let's break down the price tags for what we now know as Super Duolingo, starting in 2020 when the plan was called Duolingo Plus.

Looking back, the monthly price for the core individual premium plan saw a jump between 2020 ($9.99) and 2021 ($12.99), and it has remained steady ever since. The annual price saw some slight variations, dipping to $79.99 in 2021 and settling at $83.99 in the following years. The big news for 2025? A significant reduction in the annual Super Duolingo price to $59.99, making it a much more attractive option for long-term learners compared to recent history.

How Does Duolingo Compare to Alternatives?

When you're ready to learn a language, there's a whole universe of apps and services out there vying for your attention (and your wallet!). While Duolingo is famous for its free model, it's smart to see how it stacks up against other popular platforms. Different services have different teaching styles, focus areas, and, of course, pricing structures. Comparing them can help you figure out which platform offers the best value and features for how you want to learn.

Here's a look at how Duolingo's offerings compare to some major players in the language-learning space. Keep in mind that listed prices for competitors are approximate standard rates, and they often run promotions or offer slightly different pricing based on the package you choose.

Duolingo's most significant advantage for deal seekers is clearly its free version, which provides access to the entire course library – something most competitors don't offer. While Babbel, Busuu, and Memrise have limited free tiers, they generally gate much more content behind a paywall than Duolingo does.

When comparing paid options, Duolingo's annual Super Duolingo price of $59.99 in 2025 is competitive, often landing below the standard annual costs of many rivals like Babbel or Rosetta Stone when broken down monthly. However, unlike Rosetta Stone, Duolingo doesn't currently offer a lifetime purchase option. So, if you're looking for a one-time payment solution for decades of language learning, Duolingo isn't your current pick, but for accessible free content and a reasonably priced annual premium tier (especially that new $59.99 rate!), it remains a very strong contender.

So, Do You Have To Pay For Duolingo in 2025?

Alright, you've got the lowdown on Duolingo's free access, the premium tiers, how to save a few bucks, and how it measures up against the competition. Before you dive in and start racking up those XP points (or maybe even grabbing a Super Duolingo trial this month!), there are a few more practical things savvy readers like you should keep in mind to make the most of your language learning journey without any surprises. From signing up to making sure you don't get charged unexpectedly, here's the final scoop.

Getting started with Duolingo is super easy – you can simply download the app on your phone or tablet or head to their website on a computer. Signing up for the free version takes just a minute. If you decide to try a free trial of Super Duolingo, just remember that key point we hammered home: you'll almost certainly need to provide payment information upfront. This is standard practice for many subscription services, but it means you must actively cancel the trial before it ends if you don't want it to convert into a paid subscription. Duolingo provides instructions on how to cancel through the app store you used (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) or their website if you subscribed there, so make sure you know where to go!

Another thing to be aware of, especially if you're eyeing the Super Family plan, is account sharing. Duolingo accounts are generally intended for individual use to track personalized progress accurately. While the Super Family plan allows multiple separate accounts under one payment, sharing a single account with someone else isn't recommended by Duolingo, as it can mess with your personalized learning path and streak. Stick to the individual account model, whether on the free tier, Super Duolingo, or within a Super Family plan. Also, remember that even on the free tier, there are terms and conditions regarding usage and content, so it's always wise to be generally aware of those.

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