Customer Reviews (100)

Marc Neil • 2025-10-21T14:29:23.112Z

With other language learning apps, this one has the capability to learn your mistakes and learn your lessons at your own pace. This also is an enjoyable experience for me as I've tried language learning apps and this is one, by far, the best language learning apps I've seen on the store. Maybe, it could improve on the user experience side or the design side of the app for more enhancements and could further improve the app to a certain extent. But overall, I love the lessons so far.

bob head • 2025-10-21T07:31:25.867Z

Complete trash, can't even get started.

Manjunath • 2025-10-21T04:02:51.700Z

very good excellent 👌🏼💯 app

Ling – Language Learning App Review Analysis

1. Summary of Key Insights

Ling appears to be a well-received language learning app, particularly praised for its offering of less common languages and the use of native speaker audio. Users appreciate its engaging lesson structure and the absence of disruptive ads in the free version. However, the app faces criticism regarding its high subscription cost, occasional bugs (especially with speech recognition), and difficulties with unsubscribing. While many find it superior to Duolingo, particularly for specific languages like Thai and Serbian, others cite issues with incorrect grammar, beginner-level content being too basic, and a lack of dark mode.

Key Strengths: Wide range of languages (especially less common ones), use of native speakers for audio, engaging lesson structure, absence of disruptive ads in the free version.

Key Weaknesses: High subscription cost, buggy speech recognition, difficulty unsubscribing, occasional incorrect grammar, lack of dark mode, freezing issues.

Overall Sentiment: Positive, with a strong emphasis on the app's unique language offerings and effective learning methods. However, the high cost and technical issues are significant drawbacks.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Approximately 4.2 out of 5 stars (based on the score distribution).
  • 5-Star Reviews: 59%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 19%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 7%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 3%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 12%

2. Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the content.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral comments), keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned features, issues, and requests), and thematic analysis (grouping reviews based on common themes).

3. Key User Pain Points

  • High Subscription Cost: Many users find the subscription fees (monthly, half-yearly, yearly, lifetime) prohibitively expensive, especially given the limited free content.
  • Speech Recognition Issues: Numerous users report problems with the speech recognition feature, where correctly pronounced words are not recognized, leading to frustration.
  • Difficulty Unsubscribing: Several users claim that the process of unsubscribing is intentionally difficult, bordering on deceptive.
  • Bugs and Freezing: Some users experience freezing issues, particularly after completing lessons, which disrupts the learning flow.
  • Lack of Dark Mode: A significant number of users request a dark mode for easier use in low-light environments.
  • Grammar Errors: A few users have reported instances of incorrect grammar in certain language courses.
  • Repetitive Beginner Content: Some users with prior knowledge find the initial beginner lessons too basic and repetitive.

4. Frequently Requested Features

  • Dark Mode: A dark mode is frequently requested for improved usability in low-light conditions.
  • Placement Test with "I Don't Know" Option: Users want a placement test to accurately assess their skill level and avoid starting with overly basic content. The option to indicate "I don't know" is crucial for accurate assessment.
  • Offline Mode Improvements: While an offline mode exists, users suggest further improvements and stability.
  • Male/Female Voice Selection: Some users want the ability to choose between male and female voices for learning.
  • Home Screen Widget: A home screen widget to track streaks and progress is desired.
  • More Free Content: Users suggest adding more free content or a one-time payment option to make the app more accessible.
  • Grammar Section: Some users reported the disappearance of the grammar section for Croatian.

5. Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Wide Range of Languages: Ling offers a diverse selection of languages, including many that are not available on other popular language learning apps like Duolingo.
  • Native Speaker Audio: The use of native speakers for audio pronunciation is highly valued, particularly for tonal languages.
  • Engaging Lesson Structure: Users find the short, interactive lessons effective for building vocabulary, grammar, and language skills.
  • Gamification: The gamified elements (points, streaks, leaderboards) help to keep users motivated.
  • No Disruptive Ads (Free Version): The absence of intrusive ads in the free version is a significant advantage.
  • Good Alternative to Duolingo: Many users specifically mention Ling as a better alternative to Duolingo, especially for learning specific languages or for those who prefer real people over AI voices.
  • Helpful for Learning Fundamentals: Users find it helpful for learning the fundamentals of a new language.

6. Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Speech Recognition Issues: Address the bugs in the speech recognition feature to improve accuracy and user experience. This is a critical issue that directly impacts learning effectiveness.
  • Simplify Unsubscription Process: Make the unsubscription process transparent and easy to complete within the app or website. This is essential for building trust and avoiding negative reviews.
  • Address Grammar Errors: Thoroughly review and correct any instances of incorrect grammar in the language courses.
  • Fix Freezing Issues: Resolve the freezing issues that occur after completing lessons to ensure a smooth learning experience.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Dark Mode: Add a dark mode option to improve usability in low-light environments.
  • Develop Placement Test with "I Don't Know" Option: Create a placement test to accurately assess users' skill levels and tailor the learning experience.
  • Review Pricing Structure: Re-evaluate the subscription pricing to make the app more accessible, potentially by offering a one-time payment option or more free content.
  • Improve Audio Quality: Ensure the audio quality is high and consistent across all lessons.
  • Improve Beginner Content: Provide options to skip or test out of very basic beginner content for users with some prior knowledge.

Low Priority:

  • Add Home Screen Widget: Develop a home screen widget to track streaks and progress.
  • Offer Male/Female Voice Selection: Allow users to choose between male and female voices for learning.

7. Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Language Learning App with Focus on Specific Dialects: Create an app that focuses on teaching specific dialects within a language, catering to users who want to learn a particular regional variation (e.g., specific dialects of Chinese, Spanish, etc.).
  • Affordable Language Learning Platform with One-Time Purchase Option: Develop a language learning platform that offers a comprehensive learning experience with a one-time purchase option instead of a recurring subscription.
  • Language Learning App with Enhanced Speech Recognition Technology: Build an app that utilizes advanced speech recognition technology to provide more accurate and personalized feedback on pronunciation.
  • Community-Based Language Learning App: Create an app that connects language learners with native speakers for real-time conversation practice and cultural exchange.
  • Language Learning App Focused on Cultural Immersion: Develop an app that integrates cultural context, videos, and interactive experiences to enhance the language learning process.

8. Trends and Observations

  • Comparison to Duolingo: Ling is frequently compared to Duolingo, with some users preferring Ling for its language offerings and native speaker audio. However, Duolingo's free access remains a strong competitor.
  • Demand for Less Common Languages: There is a clear demand for language learning resources for less common languages, which is a key strength of Ling.
  • Importance of Accurate Pronunciation: Users highly value accurate pronunciation, emphasizing the need for native speaker audio and reliable speech recognition.
  • Price Sensitivity: The high cost of the subscription is a recurring concern, suggesting that users are price-sensitive and may be deterred by expensive subscriptions.
  • Requests for specific languages: Several reviews request the addition of specific languages like Sanskrit, Odia and Awadhi.

9. Conclusion

Ling is a promising language learning app with several strengths, including its wide range of languages, native speaker audio, and engaging lesson structure. However, the high subscription cost, speech recognition issues, and difficulty unsubscribing are significant drawbacks that need to be addressed. By prioritizing these issues and implementing the requested features, Ling can significantly improve its user experience and attract a wider audience. The app's focus on less common languages provides a competitive advantage, but it needs to be balanced with affordability and technical stability.

Overall Recommendation: Focus on fixing the high-priority issues (speech recognition, unsubscription process, grammar errors, freezing) to improve user satisfaction and retention. Re-evaluate the pricing structure to make the app more accessible and competitive.

10. Original App Link

https://play.google.com/work/apps/details?id=com.simyasolutions.ling.universal