Duolingo Review: Is Duolingo Good for Learning English?

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps in the world, but many learners still ask: Is Duolingo good for learning English? In this detailed Duolingo review, we’ll explore how the app works, whether Duolingo is free, its strengths and limitations, and how it compares to other English learning tools.

This review is especially useful for English beginners, ESL learners, and self-study students.

What Is Duolingo?

Duolingo is a mobile and web-based language learning app designed to help users learn languages through short, gamified lessons. The platform is widely known for Duolingo English, which focuses on vocabulary, grammar, listening, and basic speaking skills.

Official website:
🔗 https://www.duolingo.com

Duolingo uses:

• Bite-sized lessons

• Daily streaks and rewards

• Translation and listening exercises

• Speaking practice with voice recognition

Is Duolingo Free?

Yes, Duolingo is free. The free version gives access to most lessons, making it one of the most popular free English learning apps worldwide.

What Duolingo Free Includes

• English vocabulary practice

• Basic English grammar exercises

• Listening and reading tasks

• Daily practice goals

• Web and mobile access

However, the free version includes ads and some limitations.

Duolingo Plus (Super Duolingo): Is It Worth It?

Duolingo also offers a paid version called Duolingo Plus (now Super Duolingo).

With Duolingo Plus, you get:

• Ad-free learning

• Offline lessons

• Unlimited mistakes (hearts)

• Progress quizzes

For learners who study daily, the premium version improves comfort but is not essential for learning English effectively.

Duolingo English: What Can You Learn?

Duolingo English is best suited for:

• Beginners (A1–A2)

• Lower-intermediate learners (B1 basics)

• Learners building vocabulary and confidence

It helps with:

• Common English words

• Sentence structure

• Present simple and present continuous

• Basic grammar patterns

However, Duolingo does not fully explain grammar rules, which is why many learners combine it with structured resources.

📘 (TutorSpeak):
👉 https://tutorspeak.com/english-grammar-books

This grammar resource covers tenses, verb forms, and sentence structure, complementing Duolingo lessons perfectly.

Is Duolingo Effective for Learning English?

A common long-tail question is: Can you learn English with Duolingo?

✅ Yes, Duolingo is effective for:

• Vocabulary building

• Habit formation

• Reading and listening practice

• Daily exposure to English

❌ But, it is limited for:

• Advanced grammar

• Real conversation practice

• Writing accuracy

• Exam preparation

According to research shared by the British Council, apps are most effective when combined with guided learning:
🔗 https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org

Duolingo English Grammar: How Good Is It?

Duolingo includes implicit grammar practice, meaning you learn grammar through repetition rather than explanation. This works well for beginners but may confuse learners at higher levels.

For clear explanations and correction, many learners use:

• Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com

• QuillBot Grammar Check: https://quillbot.com/grammar-check

These tools help with sentence correction, writing accuracy, and advanced grammar usage.

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Duolingo also offers the Duolingo English Test, an online English proficiency exam accepted by many universities.

Official test page:
🔗 https://englishtest.duolingo.com

Common searches include:

• duolingo english test

• duolingo test vs ielts

• duolingo test practice

The test is affordable and flexible, but not accepted everywhere, unlike IELTS or TOEFL.

Duolingo vs Other English Learning Apps

Learners often compare:

• Duolingo vs Babbel

• Duolingo vs Busuu

• Duolingo vs Rosetta Stone

Duolingo stands out because it is:
✔ Free
✔ Beginner-friendly
✔ Fun and motivating

But for structured learning, live speaking practice, or exam preparation, it should be combined with courses or tutoring.

📘 Internal link (TutorSpeak):
👉 https://tutorspeak.com/learn-english-online

Pros and Cons of Duolingo

✅ Pros

• Free English learning app

• Easy to use

• Great for beginners

• Daily motivation and consistency

❌ Cons

• Limited grammar explanations

• Weak speaking interaction

• Not enough for advanced learners

Final Verdict: Is Duolingo Worth It?

So, is Duolingo good for learning English?
Yes — especially if you are a beginner or casual learner looking for a free, motivating way to practice English daily.

However, for faster progress and deeper understanding, Duolingo works best when combined with:

• Grammar books

• Writing correction tools

• Reading and speaking practice