Busuu vs Duolingo: which is better for learning English?
Duolingo is the bigger app (40+ languages, over 5 million App Store ratings) and has a generous free tier built around short, game-like lessons. Busuu has 14 languages, more structured courses, and feedback from a community of native speakers. For habit and price, Duolingo wins; for structure and writing or speaking feedback from real people, Busuu is stronger. Neither gives open conversation practice.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 6 min read
Busuu vs Duolingo at a glance (checked 17 October 2026)
- Languages
- Duolingo 40+; Busuu 14, including English
- Free plan
- Both have a free version; both sell a paid tier
- Feedback from people
- Busuu: community of native speakers correct your writing and speaking; Duolingo: automated
- Duolingo paid tier
- Super Duolingo, listed at about $9.99–$12.99 a month or $83.99–$119.99 a year on the US App Store (varies by plan)
- Busuu paid tier
- Premium, listed from about $6.99–$9.99 a month up to about $70–$139 for 12 months, depending on the plan (US App Store)
- App Store rating (US)
- Duolingo 4.7 from about 5.5 million; Busuu 4.7 from about 101,000
On this page
Duolingo: habit and fun
Duolingo’s listing calls it “the fun, free app” for 40+ languages with “quick, bite-sized lessons” covering speaking, reading, listening and writing. Streaks, levels and short sessions make it easy to practise every day. It is strong for vocabulary and for building a routine. Its limit, for English learners who want to speak, is that most exercises are set sentences: you choose, type or repeat, rather than answer a real question.
Busuu: structure and community feedback
Busuu offers courses in 14 languages, including English, and says it connects you with a community of native speakers who give feedback on your writing and speaking. Courses are organised by level. That human feedback is the main difference, and it is useful because it points out mistakes that an automatic checker may miss. Because the feedback comes from other people, it is not instant.
Price
Both have free versions with limits and paid tiers that unlock more. On the US App Store, Super Duolingo is listed at roughly $9.99 to $12.99 a month and $83.99 to $119.99 a year, depending on the plan; Busuu Premium is listed at roughly $6.99 to $9.99 a month, with 12-month plans from about $70 to about $139 (checked 17 October 2026). Several different prices appear for each, because of different plans, offers and regions. Check the screen before you confirm.
Side by side
| Duolingo | Busuu | |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | 40+ | 14 (including English) |
| Style | Game-like short lessons | Structured courses by level |
| Feedback | Automatic | Automatic plus native-speaker community |
| Free plan | Yes, with limits | Yes, with limits |
| Best for | A daily habit and vocabulary | Structure and writing/speaking feedback |
| Weakness | Little open conversation | Smaller, slower feedback loop |
For speaking English, add real conversation
Both are good for building knowledge. Speaking is a separate skill: it needs you to answer unplanned questions in real time. After a lesson or two a day, add 10 minutes of conversation with an AI tutor or a person. See Duolingo alternatives for speaking English, our guide to the best English speaking apps and Rosetta Stone vs Duolingo.
Frequently asked questions
Is Busuu better than Duolingo?
It depends. Busuu is more structured and adds feedback from native speakers, which helps writing and speaking. Duolingo is more fun, has more languages, and is better for building a free daily habit.
Is Busuu free?
Busuu has a free version with limits and a paid Premium tier. Its US App Store prices vary by plan and offer.
Is Duolingo free?
Yes, Duolingo is free to use with limits, and there is a paid tier (Super) that unlocks more. Its US App Store prices vary by plan.
Which is better for speaking English, Busuu or Duolingo?
Neither is a conversation partner. Busuu can give you feedback from native speakers, but for open speaking practice add an AI tutor or a human tutor.
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