Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Vocabulary.com VS Duolingo

Compare Vocabulary.com VS Duolingo and see what are their differences

Vocabulary.com logo Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary.com is the easiest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary.

Duolingo logo Duolingo

Duolingo is a free language learning app for iOS, Windows and Android devices. The app makes learning a new language fun by breaking learning into small lessons where you can earn points and move up through the levels. Read more about Duolingo.
  • Vocabulary.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-23
  • Duolingo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19

Duolingo

Pricing URL
-
Release Date
2011 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
Pennsylvania
City
Pittsburgh
Founder(s)
Luis von Ahn
Employees
500 - 999

Vocabulary.com features and specs

  • Comprehensive Word List
    Vocabulary.com offers an extensive database of words, including definitions, example sentences, and pronunciations, making it a valuable resource for expanding one's vocabulary.
  • Personalized Learning
    The site uses algorithms to adapt to the user's level and preferences, offering a personalized learning experience that focuses on areas where the user needs improvement.
  • Interactive Quizzes
    Vocabulary.com features engaging quizzes and activities that test users on word meanings, usage, and pronunciation, making learning more interactive and fun.
  • Integration with Curriculum
    Teachers can integrate the tool into their curriculum, create custom word lists, and track students' progress, which makes it versatile for educational settings.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    The platform is accessible via mobile devices, allowing users to learn on-the-go, which adds to its convenience and usability.

Possible disadvantages of Vocabulary.com

  • Subscription Costs
    While Vocabulary.com offers some free features, access to its full range of tools, including progress tracking and advanced quizzes, requires a paid subscription, which may not be affordable for everyone.
  • Limited Contextual Learning
    The platform focuses heavily on individual word definitions and usage but may not provide enough context for how words are used in larger, more complex sentences or in different fields.
  • Overwhelming for New Users
    The sheer volume of features and resources available can be overwhelming for new users, potentially making it difficult for them to navigate the platform effectively.
  • Internet Dependency
    Since Vocabulary.com is an online platform, an internet connection is required to access its features, limiting its usability in offline scenarios.
  • Less Focus on Grammar
    The platform primarily emphasizes vocabulary learning and may not provide enough resources or activities for improving grammar, which is also crucial for language proficiency.

Duolingo features and specs

  • Gamification
    Duolingo uses game-like features such as points, levels, and streaks to motivate learners to practice regularly.
  • Accessibility
    Duolingo is available on multiple platforms, including web browsers, iOS, and Android, making it easy to use anywhere, anytime.
  • Free Tier
    The app offers a substantial amount of content for free, making language learning accessible to users without financial commitment.
  • Variety of Languages
    Duolingo offers courses in numerous languages, providing learners with a wide range of options to choose from.
  • Interactive Learning
    The app includes various exercises that require active participation, such as typing translations, listening, and speaking practice.
  • Regular Updates
    Duolingo frequently updates its content and adds new features, ensuring that the learning experience remains fresh and current.
  • Community and Social Features
    Includes forums and social media-style interactions where learners can connect, share experiences, and motivate each other.

Possible disadvantages of Duolingo

  • Lack of Depth
    The app often focuses on vocabulary and simple sentences, which may not be sufficient for advanced learners looking for in-depth language skills.
  • Ad Interruptions
    Free users experience frequent ads between lessons, which can be disruptive and annoying.
  • Limited Practice for Conversations
    While Duolingo offers some speaking exercises, the app lacks the ability to simulate real-life conversation scenarios fully.
  • Accuracy of Content
    There are occasional errors in translations or exercises, which can be confusing for users.
  • Repetitive Exercises
    The types of exercises available can become repetitive over time, potentially leading to decreased engagement.
  • Gaps in Grammar Coverage
    The app does not always provide comprehensive grammar explanations, which may leave users with gaps in their understanding.
  • In-App Purchases
    While the free tier is generous, some advanced features and ad-free experience are locked behind a subscription paywall.

Analysis of Vocabulary.com

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Vocabulary.com is considered a valuable tool for enhancing vocabulary skills. It is user-friendly and effective for both casual learners and those seeking to improve their language proficiency for academic or professional purposes. While it may not replace more comprehensive language courses, it serves as a beneficial supplement for targeted vocabulary development.

Why this product is good

  • Vocabulary.com is well-regarded for its interactive and engaging approach to vocabulary building. It employs adaptive learning technology, which helps tailor the experience to individual users' needs, making it suitable for a wide range of proficiency levels. The platform offers a vast array of words, meanings, and usage examples, alongside activities and quizzes designed to reinforce learning. Its community features, including leaderboards and achievements, can motivate users to continue improving their vocabulary.

Recommended for

  • Students looking to improve their vocabulary for tests and assignments.
  • Professionals aiming to enhance their verbal communication skills.
  • Language enthusiasts who enjoy daily challenges and word games.
  • ESL learners seeking to expand their English vocabulary knowledge in a structured yet enjoyable manner.

Analysis of Duolingo

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Duolingo is generally considered a good platform for beginners and intermediate learners to start learning a new language due to its engaging format, variety of language options, and cost-effectiveness.

Why this product is good

  • Engaging and Interactive: Duolingo uses gamification to make language learning fun and addictive, which helps keep users motivated.
  • Free to Use: The app offers a substantial amount of content for free, making language learning accessible to a broad audience.
  • Variety of Languages: Duolingo offers a wide range of languages, including popular ones like Spanish and French, as well as less common options like Welsh or Hawaiian.
  • Flexible Learning: Users can learn at their own pace and fit lessons into their own schedules, whether they want to practice for five minutes or an hour each day.
  • Community and Support: Duolingo has a large community of users who contribute to discussions, language tips, and support, enhancing the learning experience.

Recommended for

  • Beginners: Those new to a language can find Duolingo's structured approach helpful in building foundational skills.
  • Casual Learners: Individuals looking for a light, informal way to learn a language without significant time or financial commitments.
  • Learners of Multiple Languages: Users interested in exploring or maintaining multiple languages can benefit from the platform's diverse offerings.

Vocabulary.com videos

How to use Vocabulary.com

Duolingo videos

Duolingo Review: Does it really work?

More videos:

  • Review - ONE THOUSAND (1000) days of Duolingo ๐Ÿ”ฅ - Was it worth it? (+FULL REVIEW)
  • Review - DUOLINGO Review - What is Duolingo and what do I think about it?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Vocabulary.com and Duolingo)
Education
7 7%
93% 93
Studying
12 12%
88% 88
Language Learning
6 6%
94% 94
Spaced Repetition
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Vocabulary.com and Duolingo

Vocabulary.com Reviews

Vocabulary.com vs Lockcard
It's worth noting that Lockcard is a young app built by two language enthusiasts who happen to work as product designers by day. Therefore, there is a strong focus on smart interactions and minimalist visual design to give you a comforting experience every time you open the app. However, they currently lack in some resources; their dictionary is not as complete as...

Duolingo Reviews

  1. A review

    It's incredibly easy to use and the regular reminder from the app about practicing more keep you consistent. Besides,in my opinion,it also can be not only a tool for learning languages,but a good entertainment for kids too. I've been practicing here almost every day throughout the year and i highly recommend Duolingo:))

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    I added everything i want to be mentioned above
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Perhaps the design may look "too childish" for some adults,but it's only the matter of taste
  2. Pretty good

    Duolingo is a quite nice language learning app for the begginers and for those who want to know a certain language on a pretty good medium level(It's like something between A2-B1,i suppose). Moreover, I'd like to admit it's can be useful for kids as well because the app has cute design and playable interactions , challenges and its own little app - shop where you can buy different bonuses for you ,and in my opinion,children could like an idea of learning languages in a playable form. Though, Duolingo can be rather annoying, when you miss one or two days of studying ,so it'd be really awesome if my brother,for example, who uses this app ,could make his own studying schedule here.

  3. Nefertiti235
    Best Language Learning App
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Supports multiple languages|Variety of languages|Tasks|Daily routines

Best Memrise Alternatives (February 2025)ย โ€“ UPDATED
Our team of dedicated writers and language enthusiasts is committed to bringing you insightful content and expert advice to enhance your Duolingo experience. From language-learning tips to in-depth analyses of Duolingo courses, we're here to guide you on your journey to linguistic mastery. Join us as we explore the exciting world of languages together and unlock the doors to...
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Considering that constructed languages such as High Valyrian and Klingon have made it to Duolingo, itโ€™s a bit frustrating that the above languages are still not in the app. And with the now-defunct Duolingo Incubator, you canโ€™t even see if Duolingo plans to add your desired language to their courses.

Social recommendations and mentions

Duolingo might be a bit more popular than Vocabulary.com. We know about 70 links to it since March 2021 and only 67 links to Vocabulary.com. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Vocabulary.com mentions (67)

  • Speaking of CB's shopping question...
    I happy Hobonichi releases their next year's lineup 4 months in advance. At first, I didn't get it, but now I understand! Hobonichi is pricey, and one needs to plan in advance on what to purchase but more importantly, what they need/see themselves actually using consistently throughout the year. So many unboxings on YouTube tells me, this is a great yearly splurge for most ppl in the planner world. I agree... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Resources for learning Somali
    Thank you! Probably ฤฐ will use any tools available but still Iโ€™m researching. My project is to improve the Somali language in any way possible, but my goal is opensource text-to-speech(tts) and speech-to-text(stt) models for language. ฤฐm learning ML so im still a beginner. As for now I collected 47k+ somali words & Somali-Somali dictionary in text file with different formats(Sql, Csv, txt). ฤฐ will be then creating... Source: over 2 years ago
  • What does this mean???
    Interestingly, according to vocabulary.com,. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Holy shit guys you're not bad at chess
    Definitions of chess player, per vocabulary.com. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I need serious helpโ€ฆ
    You can do this! There's nothing wrong with Junior college, very economical, even if you find a roommate and move to a different locale. The California system is Built on Community College. There might be tutors at your public library (there are in Miami, FL). Or a peer tutor (but that can be hard on an ego sometimes). a few other ways to boost RW- vocabulary dot com, membean dot com (am I allowed to write in the... Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Duolingo mentions (70)

  • how gamifying my life helped me build better habits and achieve my goals
    Duolingo: a language-learning app that uses points, levels, and rewards to keep you motivated. This is the most effective when you do it with your friends or a group of people who share your learning goals. I got really addicted to checking my leaderboard rankings everyday. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Brushing up on Spanish
    Hi! I wish I'd seen a post like this a few months ago. I would have been interested then. By now it's a little late for me. I just signed up for the 2 week free trial since that's about all the time I have left before I leave. If you can, use a desktop computer/laptop to do duolingo.com and it will have no ads and unlimited hearts! Not as convenient as the app on a phone but saves tons of time and you can do it... Source: about 2 years ago
  • What is the best method to learn Japanese?
    If you want a guided course try Memrise or Duolingo. Source: over 2 years ago
  • This is where you can change your avatar to a custom profilephoto!
    I appreciate the energy to help, but if there are 5 posts in a day all on the same topic with the answer 'use duolingo.com' I don't expect anyone who has the "I'll just create a reddit post" idea to find this post and read it, they didn't read any of the others. Source: over 2 years ago
  • [OC] Started learning French over again but this time from Spanish, was curious how different the vocabulary was
    Source: duolingo.com for my vocabulary lists. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Vocabulary.com and Duolingo, you can also consider the following products

Memrise - Learn a new language with games, humorous chatbots and over 30,000 native speaker videos.

Busuu - Join the global language learning community, take language courses to practice reading, writing, listening and speaking and learn a new language. Learn English with busuu's .

Rosetta Stone - Rosetta Stone is the world's most popular software for learning languages. It is offered at a cost of just $169 when purchased outright, but it is also possible to purchase language programs in a subscription format that offers ongoing support.

Babbel - Babbel is a paid language learning service that aims to strike a balance between thoroughness and cost efficiency.

Bialect - Learn languages faster with personalized practice tailored to the words you're learning.

Clozemaster - Learn a language through mass exposure to useful vocabulary in context.