Comparison

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) vs Duolingo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

Master a new language through an immersive, intuitive method that focuses on speaking with confidence. Personalized plans and instant pronunciation feedback help you learn effectively. Download lessons for offline access and sync your progress across devices.

Highlights
  • Personalized language learning plan
  • Intuitive immersion method
  • Instant pronunciation feedback
  • Offline lesson downloads
  • Extended learning exercises
  • Cross-device progress syncing
Features
Read full description

⏺ This app is only available for current Rosetta Stone Classic subscribers, and existing enterprise/education users. ⏺ New to Rosetta Stone? Check out Rosetta Stone Sapphire, the brand new Rosetta Stone experience! There, you can explore all of the latest features from the experts in language learning. Learning a language can be an experience that transforms your life. Over 25 years of language learning experience has taught Rosetta Stone one thing: everyone has the ability to learn to read, write, and speak a language with confidence. Try the Rosetta Stone app yourself for free. Many online language learning apps will promise that you can learn a language in just a few minutes a day. However, there is a significant difference between memorizing vocabulary lists and speaking a language with confidence. Learning a language is about more than just the words. One of the mistakes new language learners make is treating language as an object or an end goal instead of as an experience. Ditch the books, translator, and dictionary, and surround yourself with a language whenever, wherever with the Rosetta Stone mobile app. What are people saying about Rosetta Stone: • CNN Underscored - "There’s a good reason why the language learning app Rosetta Stone is the gros chien (that is, the big dog) of the apps we tested" • Mashable - "one of the OG language-learning services, known for its deep dive into accent pronunciation" • Popular Science - "super-smooth and intuitive, and the lessons neither feel too short so as to be forgettable nor too long so as to be a chore" • PC Mag - "reliable, accurate, and thorough" Rosetta Stone has taught millions of people new languages, and you’re next. From day one, you’ll: • Stay focused with a personalized language learning plan based on your motivation. • Learn a language intuitively using our proven immersion method. • Perfect your pronunciation with instantaneous feedback. • Download lessons to do everything offline. • Access different kinds of exercises with our Extended Learning features. • Sync progress across all your devices. • And never see an ad, ever. Choose from 24 languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, English (American or British), Filipino (Tagalog), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Latin American or Spain), Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Enterprise and Education Learners • Unlimited use of Rosetta Stone's mobile app is available for existing Enterprise and Education Learners. • Features may vary for Enterprise and Education Learners. For questions or assistance, please visit http://support.rosettastone.com Learn a language today with Rosetta Stone. Learn Spanish (Latin American or Spain) Learn French Learn German Learn Italian Learn English (American or British) Learn Japanese Learn Korean Learn Chinese (Mandarin) Learn Arabic Learn Portuguese (Brazil) Learn Russian Learn Dutch Learn Filipino (Tagalog) Learn Greek Learn Hebrew Learn Hindi Learn Irish Learn Persian (Farsi) Learn Polish Learn Swedish Learn Turkish Learn Vietnamese For questions or assistance, please visit http://support.rosettastone.com

About

Duolingo

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
Read full description

Learn a new language, chess & more with the world's most downloaded education app! Duolingo is the fun, free app for learning 40+ languages through quick, bite-sized lessons. Practice speaking, reading, listening & writing to build your vocabulary & grammar skills. Designed by learning experts & loved by hundreds of millions worldwide, our lessons make learning effective & fun and help you prepare for real conversations in Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Italian, German, English and more. And now, you can learn CHESS on Duolingo! Whether you're a total beginner or looking to level up your game, you'll love learning chess the Duolingo way. Play matches and fun chess lessons for all levels, no matter the language - chess, ajedrez, xadrez, schach, Шахматы, الشطرنج. • Chess: Learn the moves, level up your game & play matches in our Chess course. Learn the basics, solve fun chess puzzles & improve your strategy with guided lessons. Whether you're new to chess or already play, our course is designed to help you have fun and build real skills. Checkmate! • Math: Forget lectures and math worksheets! Built by learning experts, our Math course makes math feel like a game. Boost learning and fight the summer slide with standards-aligned math lessons for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. • Music: Learn how to read music & play songs in our Music course, no instrument needed! Using an on-screen keyboard, you'll learn bit-by-bit. Whether you're learning a language for travel, school, career or your brain health, you'll love learning with Duolingo. Why Duolingo? • Duolingo is fun & effective. Game-like language lessons & fun characters help you build speaking, reading, listening, & writing skills, plus enjoy fun chess & competitive online chess in one app. • Duolingo works. Designed by learning experts, Duolingo has a science-based teaching methodology proven to foster long-term knowledge retention across language lessons & chess lessons alike. • Track your progress. Work toward your learning goals with playful rewards & achievements when you make practicing language lessons or chess online part of your daily habit. • Join millions of learners. Stay motivated with competitive Leaderboards as you learn languages & play chess online alongside our global community. • Every course is free. Learn Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish, Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish, Ukrainian, Esperanto, Polish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Hebrew, Welsh, Arabic, Latin, Hawaiian, Scottish Gaelic, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, English, & even High Valyrian! And now, learn Math, Music & improve your Chess skills with fun, bite-sized lessons. What the world is saying about Duolingo: "Far & away the best language-learning app." - The Wall Street Journal "This free app & website is among the most effective language-learning methods I've tried… lessons come in the form of brief challenges, speaking, translating, answering multiple-choice questions, that keep me coming back for more." - The New York Times "Duolingo may hold the secret to the future of education." - TIME Magazine "Duolingo is cheerful, lighthearted & fun." - Forbes "I Can't Stop Playing Duolingo Chess." - Wired If you like Duolingo, try Super Duolingo for 14 days free! Learn a language fast with no ads & get fun perks like Unlimited Energy & Monthly Streak Repair. If you choose to purchase Super Duolingo, payment will be charged to your Apple account, and your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Auto-renewal may be turned off at any time by going to your settings in the App Store after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://www.duolingo.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.duolingo.com/terms

Screenshots

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)4 screens
Duolingo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Duolingo at free with in-app purchases against Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)'s subscription. Duolingo also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and chart position (#1 vs #169). Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)'s advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $44.99 per 3 months 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) against 4.7 for Duolingo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Duolingo has 5.5M ratings behind it against 238K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)'s written reviews are positive against 65% of Duolingo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) ships an update monthly, Duolingo weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) versus Duolingo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRosetta Stone Classic (2024)Duolingo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (238K ratings) — better4.7 (5.5M ratings)
Positive reviews59.0% of reviews64.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings238K5.5M — better
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#169#1 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size204 MB489 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRosetta Stone, Ltd.Duolingo

Customer experience

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

All ratings238,168 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews1,377 reviews
Positive59.0%
Neutral11.3%
Negative29.7%

Duolingo

All ratings5,464,639 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews29,453 reviews
Positive64.6%
Neutral9.6%
Negative25.7%

User reviews

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

From 238K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient learning method
  • 👍 Engaging visuals and audio
  • 🚀 Rapid progress in language skills
  • 👍 Helpful for pronunciation and speaking
  • 👍 Useful for beginners and intermediate learners

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable speech recognition
  • 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and syncing issues
  • 🔍 Lack of English translations and grammar explanations
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Unclear lesson progression and navigation

Duolingo

From 5.5M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🤩 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

Room to improve

  • 🤖 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

Bugs and requests

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Lessons marked as incomplete even after completion
  • Audio playback issues and inconsistent performance
  • Inability to reset progress or redo specific lessons

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to pause and review lessons
  • Option to learn writing/reading in addition to speaking
  • Improved speech recognition and feedback
  • Better sync between app and desktop versions
  • More language options and advanced content

Duolingo

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Rosetta Stone Classic (2024)

Subscriptions8
  • Spanish (Lat. Am.) – 3 Months$44.993 Months
  • English (American) – 3 Months$44.993 Months
  • French – 3 Months$44.993 Months
Show 5 more
  • Spanish (Lat. Am.) – 3 Months$54.993 Months
  • Spanish 12 Months Access3 Days trial$109.991 Year
  • Unlimited Languages - 1 Year$109.991 Year
  • Unlimited Languages - 1 Year3 Days trial$109.991 Year
  • Spanish (Lat. Am.) – 12 Months$119.991 Year
One-time1
  • Spanish (Latin America) (5 Levels)$199.99
16 purchases

Duolingo

Subscriptions10
  • Super Duolingo7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Super Duolingo7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Super Duolingo14 Days trial$12.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Super Duolingo2 variants$59.991 Year
  • Super Duolingo14 Days trial2 variants$79.991 Year
  • Super Duolingo14 Days trial4 variants$83.991 Year
  • Super Duolingo7 Days trial$83.991 Year
  • Super Duolingo7 Days trial4 variants$95.991 Year
  • Super Duolingo1 Month trial$119.991 Year
  • Super Duolingo7 Days trial$119.991 Year
One-time6
  • Chest of Gems$0.99
  • Barrel of Gems (1200)$4.99
  • Chest of Gems (1200)$4.99
Show 3 more
  • Cart of Gems (3000)$9.99
  • Barrel of Gems (3000)$9.99
  • Cart of Gems (6500)$19.99

Questions

Is Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) free?
Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) 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, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Duolingo?
Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) is rated higher. Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) averages 4.8 out of 5 from 238K ratings, while Duolingo averages 4.7 from 5.5M ratings.
Do Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Duolingo have ads?
Duolingo shows ads; Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) does not.
Which is updated more often, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Duolingo?
Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) ships an update monthly, and Duolingo weekly. Most recently, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) was updated on September 24, 2026 and Duolingo on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) or Duolingo?
Rosetta Stone Classic (2024) currently peaks at #169 in the App Store charts, and Duolingo at #1. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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