Is Duolingo Really Free? Free vs Paid Plans Explained

Everyone wants to learn a new language without breaking the bank, and Duolingo is the first name that pops up. But is the platform truly free, or are there hidden costs lurking behind the cute green owl? This guide breaks down exactly what you get when you sign up for the free version, where the paid tiers step in, and how to make the most of the service without reaching for your wallet.

What the Free tier actually offers

When you create an account, Duolingo puts you straight into a Duolingo is a language‑learning app that follows a freemium model, delivering a core set of lessons at no charge. The free tier includes:

• Access to all supported languages (over 40 as of 2025).
• Daily lessons structured as short, bite‑size exercises - the classic “microlearning” approach.
• Gamified elements such as streaks, XP points, and leaderboards that keep motivation high.
• Limited lives (hearts) that reset after a short cooldown or after watching an ad.
• Standard practice modes like “Practice”, “Stories”, and “Listen”.

All of these features are genuine; there’s no secret paywall that blocks the lessons themselves. The core curriculum, including grammar explanations and vocabulary drills, is fully accessible for free.

When the free experience hits its limits

Even though the lessons are free, the platform inserts a few constraints that can feel annoying after a while:

• Ads appear after you run out of hearts. Watching a 15‑second video refills one heart, but it interrupts the flow.
• Some premium content - like “Duolingo Plus” exclusive story packs or “Super” advanced skill trees - is locked.
• Hearts regenerate slowly (about one every 5 minutes), which may stall progress during a marathon study session.
• No offline download of lessons on mobile devices.

These are the points where the company aims to convert free users into paying subscribers.

Paid tiers: Duolingo Plus and Duolingo Super

Duolingo offers two paid options, each built on top of the free foundation:

• Duolingo Plus removes ads, provides unlimited hearts, and unlocks offline lesson downloads. It costs $6.99 per month or $79.99 per year (2025 pricing).
• Duolingo Super includes everything in Plus plus advanced features like “Super Stories”, “Duolingo Labs” early‑access content, and a personalized AI‑driven coaching dashboard. The Super plan is $12.99 per month or $149.99 per year.

Both tiers keep the core lessons identical - you’re not paying for extra vocabulary - but they smooth out the learning experience by eliminating interruptions and adding premium content.

Feature‑by‑feature comparison

How to maximize the free experience

If you’re happy staying on the free tier, these tricks keep the learning curve smooth:

1. Plan short, frequent sessions. Because hearts refill quickly, a 10‑minute daily habit beats marathon sessions that run out of lives.
2. Use the Practice* button after each lesson to reinforce memory without spending hearts.
3. Take advantage of the web version on a desktop; ads are less intrusive and you can switch browsers if one starts showing too many video ads.
4. Earn extra hearts by completing daily quests and maintaining streaks - the app rewards consistency with bonus lives.
5. Join community forums (like the Duolingo Reddit) for free supplemental resources such as grammar PDFs and speaking clubs.

These steps let you stay within the Duolingo free ecosystem while still progressing steadily.

When it makes sense to upgrade

Consider a paid plan if any of the following apply to you:

• You commute and need offline access to lessons on the train or plane.
• Ads disrupt your concentration, especially during intensive study blocks.
• You’ve hit a plateau and want the AI‑driven coaching that Super offers.
• You’re learning a language with scarce free content and want the premium “Super Stories” for extra immersion.

Even then, it’s worth testing the free tier for a couple of weeks before committing. The cancellation policy is straightforward, and you can switch between Plus and Super mid‑year if your needs change.

Bottom line: Is Duolingo actually free?

Yes - the core learning experience, including all standard lessons, is completely free. The only barriers are optional ads, limited hearts, and premium‑only extras. If those don’t bother you, you can master a language without paying a cent. If you value an ad‑free, offline, and AI‑enhanced journey, the Plus or Super plans provide clear value.