Duolingo vs Speak: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Duolingo and Speak side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Speak leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Duolingo
Learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons.
Best for you if:
- • You want fun language learning
Speak
The most effective way to learn a language by speaking out loud with an advanced AI tutor.
Best for you if:
- • You want AI language learning app
| At a Glance | Duolingo | Speak |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $1.67/mo, billed yearly Super Family plan | Free plan, paid from $19/mo, billed monthly Individual plan |
Category | Language Learning Online Course Platforms | Language Learning AI Assistants |
Rating | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 1,122 reviews | 4.9/5 G2 4.9 28 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Family plan requires 6 users for lowest per-user price | Overage fees for transcription minutes |
Choose Duolingo or Speak?
Choose Duolingo if
- You want fun language learning
- You want good gamification
Choose Speak if
- You want AI language learning app
- You want conversational practice focus
In-Depth Analysis
Duolingo
Learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons.
Duolingo's pricing is generally fair, offering a robust free tier for casual learners.
Watch out
Family plan requires 6 users for lowest per-user price
Strengths
- Pro: Fun language learning
- Pro: Good gamification
- Pro: Free core features
- Pro: Many languages
- Pro: Good mobile app
Weaknesses
- Con: Not for fluency
- Con: Ads on free
- Con: Subscription expensive
- Con: Limited advanced content
- Con: Translation focused
Key features
Speak
The most effective way to learn a language by speaking out loud with an advanced AI tutor.
Speak's pricing is generally fair, offering a flexible Pay-As-You-Go option at $0.025 per minute for light users.
Watch out
Overage fees for transcription minutes
Strengths
- Pro: AI language learning app
- Pro: Conversational practice focus
- Pro: Speech recognition feedback
- Pro: Personalized learning paths
- Pro: Available anytime for practice
Weaknesses
- Con: Subscription for full access
- Con: Limited language selection
- Con: May not replace human tutors
- Con: Accent recognition varies
- Con: Grammar depth limitations
Key features
Plans and prices: Duolingo vs Speak
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo |
| duolingo.com/pricingread Oct 3, 2026 |
| Speak |
| speak.comread Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Duolingo pricing and Speak pricing.
Key Takeaways
Duolingo
- Choose if you want learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons
Speak
- Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.6/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Speak leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Speak has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 1,122 reviews for Duolingo, 4.9/5 from 28 reviews for Speak).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Duolingo $1.67/mo, billed yearly; Speak $19/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Duolingo and Speak compare in 2026?
On the data below, Speak leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Speak has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 1,122 reviews for Duolingo, 4.9/5 from 28 reviews for Speak). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Duolingo $1.67/mo, billed yearly; Speak $19/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are Duolingo and Speak used for?
Duolingo: Learn a new language with fun, bite-sized lessons. Speak: The most effective way to learn a language by speaking out loud with an advanced AI tutor.
What does Duolingo cost vs Speak?
Duolingo's cheapest paid plan is Super Family at $1.67/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Speak's cheapest paid plan is Individual at $19/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Duolingo and Speak?
Duolingo's main strength: fun language learning. Speak's main strength: AI language learning app.