Sign in

Browse by category

More

Comparison · Language learning apps

Busuu vs Duolingo: which is better in 2026?

Busuu88.5#2 in best language learning appsDuolingo92.5#1 in best language learning apps

Duolingo ranks higher in our list of language learning apps (#1 against #2, score 92.5 against 88.5).

How we rank Share

  • 88.5
    Editorial score
    92.5
  • 3
    Platforms
    3
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Busuu if you want

Guided courses with speaking practice and a community.

Expert-written courses with speaking practice and a community of native speakers. Premium plans are a separate paid tier, and it feels more like a course than a game compared with Duolingo.

Choose Duolingo if you want

Free daily practice with a clear course path.

The broadest free start in this list, with short lessons on iOS, Android and the web. Its course path is fixed and the extras need Super Duolingo, unlike Clozemaster's free-to-play model.

Side by side

BusuuDuolingo
Score88.592.5
Rank in list#2 of 10#1 of 10
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesLearn for free; Busuu Premium plans are paidFree plan, paid upgradesFree app; Super Duolingo is a paid subscription
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, AndroidWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Made byNot statedDuolingo, Inc.
Main skill practisedSpeaking and pronunciationVocabulary, grammar and speaking
Lesson formatExpert-written coursesShort exercises
Speaking practiceYesYes
Best forGuided courses with speaking practice and a communityFree daily practice with a clear course path
Strengths
  • Speaking practice with pronunciation feedback
  • Courses written by language experts
  • Community of native speakers to practise with
  • Short lessons that fit into a few minutes a day
  • Apps for iOS and Android, plus the web
  • Clear course path for each language
Limits
  • Premium plans are a separate paid tier
  • Less suited to games or flashcard-only study
  • Advanced extras need the paid Super Duolingo subscription
  • Fixed course path gives less control over what you study
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Busuu vs Duolingo

Is Duolingo better than Busuu?
Duolingo ranks higher in our list of language learning apps (#1 against #2, score 92.5 against 88.5). Busuu is best for: guided courses with speaking practice and a community. Duolingo is best for: free daily practice with a clear course path.
Which is cheaper, Busuu or Duolingo?
Busuu: Learn for free; Busuu Premium plans are paid. Duolingo: Free app; Super Duolingo is a paid subscription.
Do Busuu and Duolingo run on the same platforms?
Busuu supports Web, iOS, Android. Duolingo supports Web, iOS, Android.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

Read more about Busuu and Duolingo

All articles