# LingQ | Learn Languages vs Duolingo

The clearest difference is ads: LingQ | Learn Languages at none against Duolingo's shown. LingQ | Learn Languages also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 65%). Duolingo's advantage is ratings volume (5.5M vs 10K) and chart position (#1 vs #113). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LingQ | Learn Languages sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Duolingo sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for LingQ | Learn Languages against 4.7 for Duolingo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Duolingo has 5.5M ratings behind it against 10K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of LingQ | Learn Languages's written reviews are positive against 65% of Duolingo's.

LingQ | Learn Languages ships an update every 5 days, Duolingo weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LingQ | Learn Languages | Duolingo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lingq-learn-languages/id379385811/reviews) | [4.7 (5.5M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duolingo-language-lessons/id570060128/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 10K | **5.5M** |
| Positive reviews | **80.2% of reviews** | 64.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #113 | **#1** |
| Size | 345 MB | 489 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LingQ Languages Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1774323619) | [Duolingo](https://appshunter.io/developer/570060151) |

## What reviewers say

### LingQ | Learn Languages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lingq-learn-languages/id379385811)

**Currently charting:** #113 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Learn languages naturally by reading and listening to real content. Expand your vocabulary and improve comprehension with interactive tools and AI-powered features. Supports over 50 languages and offers a global community for support.

**Highlights:** Massive content library, Import your own content, Interactive reader with word definitions, AI-powered learning tools, Progress tracking, Offline learning, Community support and tutoring

**Features:** Siri integration, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LingQ Premium (Monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| LingQ Premium (Monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Plus Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| LingQ Premium (6 Months) | $80.99 | per 6 months |
| LingQ Premium (6 Months) | $80.99 | per 6 months |
| LingQ Premium | $89.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium | $101.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium | $109.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium (12 Months) | $119.99 | per year |
| LingQ Premium (12 Months) | $119.99 | per year |
| Premium Plus Yearly | $269.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for reading and listening practice
- 👍 Customizable content and learning experience
- 🚀 Efficient vocabulary acquisition
- 👍 Helpful for improving comprehension and fluency
- 👍 Engaging and enjoyable way to learn

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with sync and performance issues
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🤔 Limited free version functionality
- 🤔 Confusing user interface and navigation
- 🤔 Inconsistent quality of translations and definitions

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Sync issues between app and web version
- Incorrect translations and definitions
- Unreliable streak tracking and progress reporting

**Requested features**

- Improved user interface and navigation
- Better sync and performance across devices
- More content and language options
- Enhanced vocabulary management and review tools
- Affordable subscription plans


### Duolingo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/duolingo-language-lessons/id570060128)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Education, #1 Top Grossing · Education, #25 Top Grossing, #63 Top Free (US App Store)

Learn languages, math, music, and chess through fun, bite-sized lessons. Build vocabulary, grammar, and real-world skills with a science-based methodology. Track progress and stay motivated with a global community.

**Highlights:** Bite-sized language lessons, Speaking, reading, listening, writing practice, Math skills development, Music reading and playing, Chess strategy and gameplay, Progress tracking and rewards

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Super Duolingo | $9.99 | per month |
| Super Duolingo | $12.99 | per month |
| Super Duolingo | $12.99 | per month |
| Super Duolingo | $59.99 | per year |
| Super Duolingo | $79.99 | per year |
| Super Duolingo | $83.99 | per year |
| Super Duolingo | $83.99 | per year |
| Super Duolingo | $95.99 | per year |
| Super Duolingo | $119.99 | per year |
| Super Duolingo | $119.99 | per year |
| Chest of Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Barrel of Gems (1200) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chest of Gems (1200) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cart of Gems (3000) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Barrel of Gems (3000) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Cart of Gems (6500) | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Fun and entertaining learning experience
- 🎉 Motivating streak and league features
- 🎨 Cute and engaging animations
- 📚 Effective for learning vocabulary and basics
- 🤖 Useful AI-powered features like voice lessons

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤖 Issues with voice recognition and pronunciation feedback
- 🤑 Aggressive monetization tactics and paywall for key features
- 🤯 Frustrating heart/health system that penalizes mistakes
- 🤔 Lack of grammar explanations and focus on just memorizing phrases
- 🤷‍♀️ Inconsistent app experience across platforms

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing or crashing during lessons
- Incorrect translations or answers marked wrong
- Inconsistent behavior of certain features like leagues

**Requested features**

- Add more languages, especially less common ones
- Improve grammar lessons and explanations
- Allow more flexibility in navigating the course content
- Provide better feedback and corrections for mistakes
- Sync progress and features consistently across app and web


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LingQ | Learn Languages free?

LingQ | Learn Languages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Duolingo free?

Duolingo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, LingQ | Learn Languages or Duolingo?

LingQ | Learn Languages and Duolingo are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 10K and 5.5M ratings respectively.

### Do LingQ | Learn Languages or Duolingo have ads?

Duolingo shows ads; LingQ | Learn Languages does not.

### Which is updated more often, LingQ | Learn Languages or Duolingo?

LingQ | Learn Languages ships an update every 5 days, and Duolingo weekly. Most recently, LingQ | Learn Languages was updated on September 24, 2026 and Duolingo on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LingQ | Learn Languages or Duolingo?

LingQ | Learn Languages currently peaks at #113 in the App Store charts, and Duolingo at #1. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*