Duolingo vs Busuu · The comparison

Duolingo vs Busuu: which app fits your learning goal?

For a habit of short practice sessions, try Duolingo. For a course with community corrections, try Busuu. Your language and the skills you want to practise matter more than a universal winner.

Compare the two apps Try a reading

Reading, translations and explained answers. No account needed.

Choose for your next session

Duolingo: short sessions to keep practising.
Busuu: a course with community feedback.
Lira: a complete reading to check understanding.

Choose for your next session

Duolingo: short sessions to keep practising.
Busuu: a course with community feedback.
Lira: a complete reading to check understanding.

Compare how you will use them

Two apps, plus Lira for reading.

Checked 12 October 2026. Features vary by language, platform and plan. Check official offers for prices in your country.

Swipe the table to see every column.

Apps compared by use and pricing, including Lira
Tool	Use and access	Pricing
Duolingo	Courses and free practice: words, mistakes, listening and speaking. Stories depend on the course. Subscriptions add features.	Free; paid Super and Max plans.Official pricing
Busuu	Essential course, community feedback and basic tracking are free. Grammar and vocabulary review are Premium features; Premium Plus adds further tools.	Free; paid Premium and Premium Plus plans.Official pricing
LiraOur app	Guided reading from A1 to B2, books and articles you import, contextual translation and FSRS vocabulary review. Free: two new guided lessons per day.	Free plan + Premium€19.90/yearor €3.99/monthSee plans

Competitor prices and promotions vary by country, platform and plan. USD amounts remain in USD. Lira’s annual plan is billed in one payment.

Official sources and how we compare

Published by Lira. Recommendations by use are our assessment; no ranking guarantees a learning outcome.

Choose for your next session

Want to return for five minutes daily? Try Duolingo practice. Want to write or speak and receive feedback? Try a Busuu community activity and assess the feedback you receive. Availability and response times can vary.

Can you combine them ?

Yes. Give each tool a task: a session for the habit, a piece of writing or speech for correction. For a reading goal, add a complete text and check your understanding with the exercise below.

Try it for yourself

One invitation. Three questions. Your first reading.

Read this English A2 text, translate a word if you need to and check your understanding. The guide begins with this same reading.

Reading lesson · Level A2

An invitation to the garden

Identify the welcome session for new members and confirm attendance.

Tap any word or select a phrase to translate it.

Hi Ellis,

You said you would like to try gardening. Our small shared garden in Bristol has a welcome session this Saturday. New members meet at the blue gate at ten. The regular group starts at nine, but you do not need to come that early. We will show you the beds and find a small task together. Bring a drink and an old jacket. We have tools and gloves to lend you. If you want to join us, please reply by Thursday evening. You can stay for one hour or until lunch. There is no charge for this first visit.