phase6 vs Duolingo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
phase6
This app helps students master vocabulary and grammar for German language learning. It aligns with textbooks and uses a science-based spaced repetition system for long-term retention. Track progress and improve grades with engaging exercises and personalized feedback.
- 1,400+ textbook-aligned vocabulary sets
- Spaced repetition system for long-term memory
- Grammar trainer with AI feedback
- Progress tracking and learning statistics
- Cross-device compatibility (desktop, smartphone, tablet)
- Ad-free learning environment
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LEARN VOCABULARY SUCCESSFULLY With the phase6 vocabulary trainer, you can prepare perfectly for your next vocabulary test. Plus, you’ll also remember what you’ve learned for the long term ;-). Developed in Germany, phase6 is especially designed for students learning with German schoolbooks or attending schools in Germany and Austria. It also offers content for learners of German as a second or foreign language (DaZ / DaF) and includes materials from adult education courses such as the VHS. Our approach combines proven scientific methods with fun, motivating learning experiences – helping you learn vocabulary faster and more effectively. phase6 has been helping students succeed for over 20 years. • • • LEARN VOCABULARY EXACTLY AS IN YOUR TEXTBOOK Find vocabulary sets that match your schoolbooks from leading publishers like Klett, Cornelsen, C.C. Buchner, PONS, and more. Whether you’re learning with Green Line, Découvertes, À Plus!, Go Ahead, Lighthouse, Campus, or many others – we’ve got them all. That means you learn exactly the vocabulary covered in class. With over 1,400 vocabulary collections, your textbook is sure to be included. • • • YOUR VOCABULARY, YOUR PACE The app adapts to your individual learning progress to ensure stress-free, effective studying. phase6 repeats your vocabulary at increasing intervals – using a spaced repetition system based on the proven Leitner method – until every word truly sticks. • • • NEW – THE PHASE6 GRAMMAR TRAINER Your companion for mastering English grammar. Review and strengthen grammar topics from grade 5 onwards. Practice with vocabulary you already know and work through engaging, topic-based exercises. Our AI provides personalized feedback to help you master even tricky grammar points. • • • AN AWARD-WINNING LEARNING METHOD Trusted by over 15,000 teachers – and for good reason. phase6’s scientifically grounded spaced repetition learning system helps you store vocabulary securely in your long-term memory. So you’re not just learning for the next test – you’re learning for life ;-). The grammar trainer works the same way: with helpful hints, tips, and example sentences that guide you naturally to the right answer. phase6 has been recognized with the Comenius EduMedia Seal 2025. Independent research by hopp Marktforschung confirms that more than 87% of students improve their grades and 98% recommend phase6. • • • EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR LANGUAGE SUCCESS ■ 1,400+ vocabulary sets – perfectly aligned with your schoolbooks ■ Science-based learning – memorize vocabulary for the long term ■ Includes English grammar practice – because language is more than words ■ Motivating learning stats – track and celebrate your progress ■ Learn anywhere – at home or on the go, on desktop, smartphone, or tablet ■ Stay focused – a distraction-free, ad-free learning environment • • • YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS Notebook, tablet or smartphone – with phase6 you can learn vocabulary anytime, anywhere. Try the phase6 vocabulary and grammar trainer free for 7 days – full access, no commitment. For more information, resources, and language-learning tips, visit www.phase6.de.
Duolingo
Master new languages, chess, and math with fun, bite-sized lessons. This popular education app uses game-like challenges and expert-designed methods to build vocabulary, grammar, and strategic skills. Track your progress and compete with a global community.
- Bite-sized language lessons
- Learn chess strategy and play matches
- Interactive math courses
- Music reading and playing
- Progress tracking and achievements
- Competitive leaderboards
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: phase6 at none against Duolingo's shown. phase6 also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 65%). Duolingo's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (5.6M vs 206). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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
Both are free to download. phase6 sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 3 months and Duolingo sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Duolingo holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Duolingo has 5.6M ratings behind it against 206, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of phase6's written reviews are positive against 65% of Duolingo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
phase6 ships an update monthly, Duolingo every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | phase6 | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (206 ratings) | 4.7 (5.6M ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 64.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 206 | 5.6M — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #1 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 143 MB | 499 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | phase-6 GmbH | Duolingo, Inc |
Customer experience
phase6
Duolingo
Bugs and requests
phase6
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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
phase6
- phase6 Premium (Sync, Reports)$6.993 Months
- phase6 cloud (12 Monate)$9.991 Year
- phase6 Silber (12 months)2 variants$24.991 Year
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- Silber (1 Jahr)$26.491 Year
- Gold (1 Jahr)$31.991 Year
- À plus! Nouvelle édition Audio$9.99
- Klett Découvertes Série jaune$9.99
- Klett Découvertes Série Jaune Band 2 (Audio)$9.99
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- Apúntate 1 Spanisch Schulbuch$9.99
Duolingo
- Super Duolingo7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Super Duolingo14 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Super Duolingo14 Days trial$79.991 Year
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- Super Duolingo14 Days trial$83.991 Year
- Super Duolingo7 Days trial$95.991 Year
- Super Duolingo1 Month trial$119.991 Year
- Chest of Gems$0.99
- Barrel of Gems (1200)$4.99
- Cart of Gems (3000)$9.99
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- Cart of Gems (6500)$19.99









