Duolingo Alternatives for Learning English
Fair, practical Duolingo alternatives for English learners, grouped by what you need: more grammar, more speaking, better vocabulary review or a free browser course.
By LearnLingo Team · Updated · 6 min read
Quick Answer: The best Duolingo alternative for English depends on what you feel is missing. For more grammar explanation try Babbel or Busuu, for vocabulary review Anki, for speaking a tutor platform like italki, Cambly or Preply or a pronunciation app like ELSA Speak, and for a free structured course in your browser LearnLingo. Many learners keep Duolingo and add one of these instead of switching completely.
Key takeaways
- Name the gap first: grammar, speaking, vocabulary memory, listening or price.
- Babbel and Busuu add more explanation; Busuu organizes courses by CEFR level.
- Anki is free on desktop and Android and uses spaced repetition for long-term vocabulary memory.
- Tutor platforms are the most direct way to get real conversation, but they are paid per lesson or plan.
- Run a new app alongside your old routine for two weeks before switching.
- One course app plus one speaking or listening tool is usually enough.
First: what do you want that Duolingo does not give you?
Duolingo is popular for good reasons. It is easy to start, it has a free tier, and its streaks and leagues help many people practice regularly. Learners usually look for alternatives for one of these reasons:
- They want clearer grammar explanations.
- They want more speaking with real people.
- They want to remember vocabulary for longer.
- They want longer, real-world listening.
- They want a different style or a different free option.
Pick the alternative that fixes your specific problem.
If you want more grammar explanation
Babbel
Babbel lessons are built around practical conversations and short grammar notes that explain why a sentence works. It is mostly a paid subscription.
Busuu
Busuu organizes English by CEFR level and includes grammar review. Learners can submit written and spoken exercises for feedback from other users. Many features require a paid plan.
Free grammar resources
You do not need an app for grammar. Clear free explanations exist online, including our English grammar hub.
If you want more speaking
italki, Cambly and Preply
These platforms connect you with tutors for live lessons. This is the closest you get to real conversation without traveling. You pay per lesson or per plan, and quality depends on the tutor, so try a few.
ELSA Speak
ELSA Speak gives automatic pronunciation feedback. It is useful for specific sounds and stress, but it is not a conversation partner.
Free options
Language exchange apps and local conversation groups let you trade practice: you help someone with your language, they help you with English. See how to improve your English speaking for more ideas.
If you forget vocabulary
Anki
Anki is a free, open-source flashcard program that uses spaced repetition, showing words right before you are likely to forget them. Desktop and Android versions are free; the iOS app is paid. It takes some setup but is very effective for serious learners.
Memrise
Memrise focuses on words and phrases with short videos of native speakers, which helps with real pronunciation and usage.
If you want a free structured course in a browser
LearnLingo
LearnLingo is a free English course that runs in your browser, organized by CEFR level from A1 to B2. Like Duolingo, it uses short lessons and daily streaks, and it adds spaced review of words you have learned. It is focused only on English and is a smaller, newer project, so expect fewer extras than the big apps. It works well if you want a structured path without paying.
BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English offers free lessons, videos, audio programs and grammar explanations for different levels. It is great for listening and real-world topics.
If you want real listening
Apps rarely give you long, natural listening. Add podcasts, YouTube channels and series at your level. Our guide to learning English with podcasts shows how to do this in a structured way, for example listening once for the main idea, a second time with a transcript, and a third time while shadowing.
Quick comparison
| Need | Alternatives to try | Free option |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar explanation | Babbel, Busuu | LearnLingo, BBC Learning English |
| Speaking with people | italki, Cambly, Preply | Language exchange |
| Pronunciation | ELSA Speak | Shadowing with audio |
| Vocabulary memory | Anki, Memrise | Anki (desktop, Android) |
| Structured free course | LearnLingo | LearnLingo |
| Listening | Podcasts, BBC Learning English | Most podcasts |
Prices and features change often. Check each app's official site before you subscribe.
Which alternative fits you? Three examples
| Learner | Problem | Sensible addition |
|---|---|---|
| A1 beginner, long streak | Cannot explain why "She go" is wrong | A grammar resource or Busuu-style explanations |
| B1 office worker | Freezes in meetings | Weekly tutor sessions plus speaking practice |
| A2 student, no budget | Forgets new words after a week | Anki plus a free browser course |
In each case, the learner adds one tool for one problem. Nobody needs to delete their old app on day one.
How to switch without losing progress
- Take a level test. Do not restart from zero if you are already A2 or B1.
- Run both for two weeks. Keep your old routine while testing the new app.
- Keep one daily habit. Choose one main app for daily lessons.
- Add, do not multiply. One course app plus one speaking or listening tool is enough.
You can find your starting point with LearnLingo's free 5-minute level test.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a new app to fix motivation. Habit matters more than the tool.
- Collecting apps. Five apps with five streaks usually means none of them gets done well.
- Never leaving apps. At B1 and above, real content and conversation drive most progress.
- Ignoring your goal. For exams, add official practice tests; no general app replaces them.
For a broader overview, read best apps to learn English, and for completely free options, see free English courses online.
People Also Ask
Is there anything better than Duolingo for English?
It depends on your goal. Babbel and Busuu give more explanation and CEFR structure, Anki is stronger for vocabulary review, and tutor platforms are better for speaking. Duolingo remains strong for motivation and daily habit.
What is a free alternative to Duolingo?
Free options include LearnLingo's browser-based course, BBC Learning English, Anki on desktop and Android, and free tiers of several apps. Combining a free course with podcasts covers a lot.
Should I stop using Duolingo?
Not necessarily. If it keeps you practicing every day, keep it and add what is missing, such as speaking practice or longer listening. Switch only if it no longer helps you progress.
Which app is best for English speaking practice?
For real conversation, tutor platforms like italki, Cambly or Preply are the most direct. For pronunciation feedback, ELSA Speak is a popular choice.
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