Customer Reviews (100)

AMBIKA MURUGAN • 2025-07-12T06:50:53.880Z

Best app for learning language

Necro Vortex • 2025-07-11T08:22:21.890Z

This is a very great and addictive app and it helps you to learn with fun and I'd say that it's great!Duolingo even listened to me and fixed my complaint bug about me not getting the word collector badge!But now I have another problem so I again decreased to 4 stars cuz every time I try to skip a listening question it marks it as wrong!I don't know how but this really annoys me!Please fix this as well Duolingo.You broke my heart and fixed it but since you did it a second time please fix again :D

Alexander Sobolev • 2025-07-11T01:09:01.442Z

Pretending, not studying. Over gamified. Quality of material is low. Questionable novice vocabulary. List of learned words does not have search - very strange ordered and populated list. Lack of rules. Lesson summary does not list all new words and rules. Verbs do not include forms. Listening exercises are limited. No speed control, rewind, limited size. Ask AI to make a 3 min story from provided vocabulary. Speaking practice does not have playback. And overwhelmed with gay-lesby topics.

Duolingo App Review Analysis

1. Summary of Key Insights

Duolingo is generally well-received, with users praising its fun, engaging, and effective approach to language learning. The app's gamified lessons, diverse language offerings, and focus on foundational skills are major strengths. However, several recurring issues detract from the user experience, including intrusive ads in the free version, frustrating energy/heart systems, perceived decline in quality due to AI integration, audio quality issues in certain languages, and a lack of granular control over learning (e.g., slowing down audio, redoing specific sections). The overall sentiment is positive, but these issues could be addressed to further improve user satisfaction. The score distribution is heavily skewed towards positive ratings, with a significant majority giving 5-star reviews.

Overall Rating: High (based on review scores). Score Distribution: 1-star (10%), 2-star (3%), 3-star (7%), 4-star (13%), 5-star (67%).

2. Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, assuming recent reviews.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (based on star ratings and review text), keyword extraction (identifying frequently used words and phrases related to positive and negative aspects), thematic analysis (grouping related issues and suggestions).

3. Key User Pain Points

  • Intrusive Ads (Free Version): Many users find the frequency and intrusiveness of ads in the free version disruptive to their learning experience.
  • Restrictive Energy/Heart System: The energy/heart system limits learning time and is a common source of frustration. Users feel penalized for making mistakes and forced to wait or pay to continue learning. Some users report a change from hearts to an energy system, which they dislike.
  • Perceived Decline in Quality due to AI: Several users mention a decline in quality due to the increased use of AI-generated content, including stories, questions, and voiceovers. Issues include incorrect sentences, skipped words, and generally lower quality content.
  • Audio Quality Issues: Some users report poor audio quality in specific languages (e.g., Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Gaelic), making it difficult to understand and learn effectively.
  • Lack of Granular Control: Users want more control over the learning process, such as the ability to slow down audio playback, repeat specific sections, and easily review learned material.
  • Technical Glitches: Some users experience technical glitches, such as words not being selectable or the app freezing.
  • Vibration Issues: Some users find the vibration feedback (especially the lightning animation) to be intrusive and annoying, with no option to disable it.
  • Cost of Super Duolingo & Add-ons: Some users feel that the cost of Super Duolingo is too high, especially considering that some features (like AI conversation) require additional payment.

4. Frequently Requested Features

  • Offline Mode: While not explicitly mentioned in these reviews, it is a common request for language learning apps.
  • Improved Grammar Explanations: Users want more comprehensive grammar explanations to supplement vocabulary learning.
  • Slow Down Audio Option: A consistent and easily accessible option to slow down audio playback, especially for challenging languages.
  • Ability to Redo Specific Sections: Users want to be able to repeat specific lessons or exercises without having to restart the entire unit.
  • More Detailed Vocabulary Lists: Users want searchable lists of learned words, including verb conjugations and other grammatical information.
  • AI Conversation with Explanations: Many users want to be able to have conversations with AI and have their mistakes explained to them.

5. Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Fun and Engaging: The app is praised for its gamified lessons and engaging characters, making language learning enjoyable.
  • Effective Learning: Many users report that Duolingo is effective for learning the basics of a new language and building vocabulary.
  • Accessibility: The app is accessible anytime and anywhere, making it easy to fit language learning into a busy schedule.
  • Variety of Languages: Duolingo offers a wide range of languages, catering to diverse learning interests.
  • Free Content: The availability of free language courses is a major draw for many users.
  • Math and Music Courses: The addition of math and music courses is a welcome addition for some users.
  • Widget Functionality: Some users appreciate the Duolingo widget for quick access and reminders.

6. Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address AI Quality Concerns: Investigate and address the perceived decline in quality due to AI-generated content. Focus on improving the accuracy and naturalness of AI voiceovers and ensuring that lessons are free of errors.
  • Re-evaluate the Energy/Heart System: Consider relaxing the restrictions of the energy/heart system or offering alternative ways to earn energy. Explore options that don't penalize users for making mistakes.
  • Improve Audio Quality in Problematic Languages: Prioritize improving the audio quality in languages with reported issues (e.g., Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Gaelic). Consider using native speakers for recordings.
  • Provide a Vibration Toggle: Add an option to disable vibration feedback, especially for the lightning animation.

Medium Priority:

  • Offer More Granular Control: Implement features that allow users to slow down audio playback, repeat specific sections, and easily review learned material.
  • Optimize Ad Frequency: Re-evaluate the frequency and intrusiveness of ads in the free version. Consider offering less disruptive ad formats or reducing the number of ads per lesson.
  • Enhance Grammar Explanations: Provide more comprehensive grammar explanations to supplement vocabulary learning.
  • Address Technical Glitches: Investigate and fix reported technical glitches, such as words not being selectable or the app freezing.

Low Priority:

  • Improve Vocabulary Lists: Make vocabulary lists searchable and include verb conjugations and other grammatical information.

7. Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI-Powered Language Tutor with Personalized Feedback: Develop an app that offers AI-powered language tutoring with personalized feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. This could address the limitations of Duolingo's current AI integration.
  • Language Learning App with Focus on Cultural Immersion: Create an app that combines language learning with cultural immersion experiences, such as virtual tours, interactive videos, and authentic cultural content.
  • Specialized Language Learning App for Specific Industries: Develop language learning apps tailored to specific industries, such as healthcare, tourism, or technology. These apps could focus on the vocabulary and communication skills needed for those fields.

8. Trends and Observations

  • AI Backlash: There's a clear negative sentiment towards the recent increase in AI usage, with users perceiving a drop in quality.
  • Monetization Concerns: Users are sensitive to changes that make the app feel more monetized, especially if it negatively impacts the free experience.
  • Desire for Deeper Learning: While Duolingo is praised for its ability to teach the basics, some users express a desire for more in-depth grammar explanations and cultural context.
  • Importance of Audio Quality: Audio quality is crucial for effective language learning, and issues in this area can lead to significant user frustration.

9. Conclusion

Duolingo is a popular and effective language learning app with a strong foundation. However, addressing user pain points related to ads, the energy system, AI quality, audio issues, and lack of granular control is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and preventing churn. By prioritizing these improvements, Duolingo can further solidify its position as a leading language learning platform. The app should carefully consider the impact of AI integration and monetization strategies on the user experience.

Overall Recommendation: Address key user pain points related to AI quality, the energy system, and audio quality to improve user satisfaction and retention.

10. Original App Link

https://play.google.com/work/apps/details?id=com.duolingo