Duolingo Plus: What It Offers and If It’s Worth It

When you start learning a language with Duolingo, a popular free language-learning app that uses gamified lessons to teach vocabulary and grammar. Also known as Duolingo language app, it’s one of the most downloaded tools for picking up Spanish, French, Japanese, and dozens of other languages. But once you hit the daily streak limit and start seeing ads between lessons, many users wonder: is Duolingo Plus, the paid upgrade that removes ads, unlocks offline mode, and gives you personalized practice actually worth the money?

Duolingo Plus isn’t just an ad-free version—it changes how you learn. Without ads, you don’t lose momentum when a 30-second video interrupts your flow. Offline access means you can practice on your commute, in the subway, or anywhere without Wi-Fi. The personalized practice feature, called Progress Review, a feature that identifies weak areas and creates targeted drills to fix them, helps you focus on what you’re struggling with instead of repeating lessons you already know. And if you’re serious about building real fluency, the ability to take quizzes without time limits gives you space to think, not just click.

But here’s the thing: Duolingo Plus doesn’t teach you to speak. It teaches you to recognize words and structure sentences. Real conversation? That still needs speaking practice with humans, listening to native podcasts, or watching shows without subtitles. Duolingo Plus is a solid support tool—not a magic solution. It’s best for people who want to build daily habits, stay consistent, and avoid distractions. If you’re the type who skips lessons when ads pop up, or you lose progress because you can’t download lessons on the go, then Duolingo Plus fixes those exact problems.

It’s not for everyone. If you’re just testing the waters or learning for fun, the free version works fine. But if you’re serious about making progress—especially if you’re studying for a test, planning to travel, or trying to get a job that requires language skills—then the subscription removes the friction that stops most people from sticking with it. The price? Around $13 a month, or less if you pay yearly. That’s less than a coffee a week. For many, it’s the difference between quitting after a month and actually becoming fluent over time.

Below, you’ll find real stories and comparisons from people who’ve tried Duolingo Plus—and what they learned after using it for months. Some found it life-changing. Others felt it didn’t add enough. We’ll show you exactly what you’re paying for, so you can decide if it fits your goals.