We open the Duolingo app, start the one-week free trial, and when it comes time to choose a paid plan, no clear summary appears. The price depends on the platform used (App Store, Google Play, or website), the region, and ongoing promotions. Duolingo no longer publishes a detailed official pricing grid, which complicates any direct comparison. Here’s what we concretely know about the plans and their prices in France.
Actual price of Super Duolingo: what changes depending on the platform
The first instinct when looking for the price of the Duolingo subscription is to check the official website. The problem: the amounts displayed in French articles are only a rough estimate. The price varies depending on whether you subscribe via iOS, Android, or the web browser.
When going through Apple’s App Store, the 30% commission applied by Apple often affects the final price. On Android or via the website, the annual amount tends to be slightly lower. For individual Super Duolingo, recent guides mention around 110.99 euros per year (about 9.25 euros per month) on the annual plan, but this figure fluctuates.
The most reliable recommendation remains to check the price directly in the app at the time of purchase, on the device you are using. A difference of a few euros per year may seem negligible, but over several years of learning, the difference adds up.
Duolingo Family Plan: the game-changing calculation
The Super Duolingo Family plan costs about 122.99 euros per year and covers up to six accounts. Each member retains their own progress, languages, and dashboard. Divided by six, the cost drops to less than 20 euros per person per year.
In practical terms, if we compare it to the individual subscription (around 111 euros per year for one person), the family plan becomes cost-effective with just two users. For a couple each learning a different language, it’s already more advantageous than two separate subscriptions.
Who can join a family plan
Duolingo does not verify the family relationship between members. Therefore, you can share the subscription with friends or colleagues. Subscription-sharing platforms even allow you to split the cost with strangers, bringing the bill down to a few euros per month.
The only point of caution: the plan administrator manages the invitations and can remove a member at any time. So, it’s important to ensure a minimum level of trust among participants.
Duolingo Max and its access limits in 2026
Duolingo Max adds two AI-based features: conversation mode (Roleplay) and detailed error explanations (Explain My Answer). In 2026, the Max subscription remains limited to iOS and Android mobile apps.
It is impossible to subscribe to Max from a web browser. This is a detail rarely mentioned, but it is significant: if you prefer to learn on a computer, you will not benefit from the AI features specific to Max, even when paying the highest price.
AI features of Max: for whom
The Roleplay mode simulates conversations with a virtual character, which helps practice speaking in a guided setting. The error explanation breaks down the grammar behind each mistake. These tools are mainly aimed at intermediate learners who want to move beyond repetitive exercises.
For a beginner discovering a language, Super Duolingo largely covers the needs: unlimited lives, ad removal, personalized training, and error review. Switching to Max right from the start doesn’t offer much if you don’t yet have enough vocabulary to hold a conversation.
Free version of Duolingo: how far can you go without paying
The free version provides access to all language courses (over 100 combinations available). You find lessons, vocabulary and grammar exercises, and a level progression system. The limitations focus on three specific points:
- Lives are limited: after five mistakes, you must wait several hours or earn lives through review exercises. In practice, this slows down long sessions.
- Ads interrupt the lessons, breaking the learning rhythm. According to feedback, they appear every two to three lessons.
- Skill targeting and personalized training are reserved for paying subscribers. The free version does not allow you to work on your weaknesses in a targeted way.
For someone doing one lesson a day without pressure, the free version remains functional. Frustration rises when trying to string together multiple sessions or progress quickly on a specific skill.
Comparing Duolingo to other language learning methods
Duolingo’s pricing positions it among the cheapest apps on the market. Alternatives like MosaLingua offer comparable plans, with different pedagogical approaches (spaced repetition, personalized flashcards). Other methods, such as online courses with an instructor, are significantly more expensive but provide human support.
Duolingo excels in its fun aspect and consistency: gamification (daily streaks, leaderboards, rewards) keeps motivation high over time. However, feedback varies on this point; the app does not replace a structured course to reach an advanced level or prepare for a certification.
For complementary learning of basic vocabulary and grammar, the value for money of Super Duolingo (around 9 euros per month on an annual plan) remains hard to beat. The family plan pushes the advantage even further for households where multiple people want to progress in a language.
The choice between free, Super, and Max ultimately depends on the desired learning pace. A daily five-minute lesson can be done without a subscription. As soon as you want to string sessions together, removing ads and life limits radically changes the experience.