Duolingo offers a wide range of tools for learning languages, with short, bite-sized lessons designed to help you study English from home at your own pace.
But many users still wonder: does it really work, or is it better used as a supplement?
Today, there are plenty of platforms—like Papora—that provide more complete, 360° learning experiences. In addition to everything Duolingo offers, they also include features such as live classes with native-level teachers.
In this article, we’ll help you discover whether Duolingo is enough on its own, or if a more comprehensive option might be the better choice.
The best alternative to Duolingo for learning English is Papora
Start speaking from day one with unlimited classes led by native-level teachers.
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How does Duolingo work?
First, you will need to download the app, as it only works on mobile devices. It is available for Android and iOS.
Once you have the app on your phone, you will need to register and log in, entering your personal details such as your first name, last name, and email address.
When you log in, you will see that you can choose from a wide variety of languages in the menu, including Italian, Portuguese, French, German, and, of course, English.
Then you will have to follow the steps indicated, select Spanish as your native language, and take a test to measure your level of English or the language you have chosen.
When you begin using Duolingo, you’ll first set a daily goal and decide the level of progress you’d like to achieve.
The platform uses a method based on progressive lessons that gradually teach you vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and pronunciation—mainly through patterns and repetition.
As you move through the lessons, you earn experience points that add up to gems, which can be used to unlock extra items or new units, much like in a game. But be careful—making mistakes can cost you some of those benefits.
The app is organized into modules, each with quick, simple lessons on different topics. These allow you to practice and test your knowledge step by step, keeping the learning process dynamic and interactive.
Can I achieve a high level of English just by using Duolingo?
Although Duolingo is a tool with excellent content for studying a wide variety of languages online, it is much better as a supplement to a course that teaches you everything you need to know.
The main function of the app is to teach you vocabulary that will be useful in conversation, regardless of your level.
In each lesson, you will learn new words, and depending on your goal, this can be an enriching tool for your education.
Discover why Duolingo has a 1.6 rating on Trustpilot and Papora has a 4.4 rating
The Papora method is comprehensive, and the figures speak for themselves.
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Advantages and disadvantages of learning with Duolingo
Check out our comparison chart and discover if this is an easy way to learn English quickly.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✅ Flexibility of time and place: You can learn from home and in your free time from work, school, or business | ❌ Excessive repetition of sentences: The exercises often show the same phrases, becoming repetitive |
| ✅ Ideal for immediate goals: It's an easy way to learn English quickly if you need the language for a trip | ❌ Persistent notifications: Constant messages that can interrupt you at important moments or cause annoyance |
| ✅ Multi-platform availability: You can download the app for Apple and Android devices | ❌ Advertising in free version: To keep moving forward, you have to watch a lot of ads, which can be distracting |
| ✅ Interactive game-based activities: Dynamic exercises that make the experience feel like a fun game | ❌ Not tailored to individual needs: Lessons are the same for everyone, with no interaction with a teacher or personalized adjustments |
| ✅ Attractive visual design: Beautiful, repetitive images that help you memorize vocabulary easily | ❌ Artificial audio: Robotic voices make it difficult to truly understand the language and develop listening skills. |
| ✅ Motivation through gems: The more you accumulate, the more benefits you get within the app | ❌ It is only a complementary tool.: It helps reinforce vocabulary, but it does not replace a complete course with professional guidance |
In short, while Duolingo is an excellent option for learning new vocabulary and as a complementary game, it is nothing more than that: a great extra tool for practicing English in your free time, just like learning English with Busuu or learning with Preply.
That's why you should consider finding a course that matches your learning level and fits your goals.
Learn more by reading our article on Duolingo and Open English: Which is better?
User reviews
Don't just take our word for it. We've gathered opinions from internet users who have used the app so you can read about their experiences.
That way, you can see which one you identify with most, whether the app for learning English suits your needs, and if it could be the perfect companion for your basic English course.
“It is useful, but as an accessory to language learning.”
Keep in mind that learning doesn’t depend on a single tool; it’s best to complement your course or private tutor with additional resources and platforms.
“One of the best ways to get the most out of this app is to use it as a complement.”
Vocabulary is important when learning a new language, but grammar is what really gives you the structure to speak, write, and understand it properly.
“In my opinion, I find it entertaining and dynamic for practice, however, I believe that it does not accurately assess your level, does not have an adequate structure, does not explain verbs clearly, and if you have no prior knowledge, it is quite confusing.”
So... is Duolingo an option for learning English?
The truth is that it will depend on your consistency, needs, motivation, goals, and everything else we have mentioned throughout this article.
If you are looking to learn very basic English, the Duolingo app could definitely be an option for you.
That said, if your goal is to truly master the language and reach a higher level of proficiency, we recommend choosing a structured course or a qualified teacher that fits your needs. Apps like this one, Memrise, or ABA English can be useful, but only as complementary tools.
Papora, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for serious learning. With unlimited lessons from expert, native-level teachers, it gives you everything you need to progress up to a C1 level.
Through live video-call classes and a self-paced course, you’ll be able to study flexibly while accessing high-quality content designed to help you achieve fluency.
Want to go beyond the basic level?
While Duolingo keeps you focused on basic concepts, Papora takes you all the way to level C1 with over 300 specialized lessons.
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Frequently asked questions about learning English with Duolingo
Your progress in any language depends largely on the effort you put in. That said, if Duolingo is the only tool you use, you’ll likely remain at a basic level. To go beyond beginner stages, a more complete option like Papora is recommended, as it provides deeper and more structured learning.
Por fortuna, en Internet hay muchísimas alternativas para aprender idiomas, y en específico miles de opciones para el inglés, más allá de Duolingo. Recuerda que lo mejor es que escojas con el que mejor te sientas. Plataformas como Papora, la BBC learning English y el British Council son increíbles opciones.
It is possible, but your progress will likely be very slow and your level or way of speaking will be very basic, which can be a limitation when communicating with a native speaker, as your behavior and vocabulary may seem very robotic.
