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In the ever-evolving landscape of language learning, mobile apps have become powerful tools to make learning more accessible. And with gamification, language learning has become more fun too.
Two popular language learning apps, Drops and Duolingo, have gained significant traction by offering gamified approaches to language learning. Both apps leverage the power of fun and interactive exercises to teach and motivate users.
So, as a beginner (or someone who needs a refresher), which one’s better?
In this Drops vs Duolingo battle, we’re breaking down the features, benefits, strengths, and weaknesses of each app to find out which one suits you better. Let’s go!
Drops vs Duolingo: A head-to-head comparison
Both Drops and Duolingo share a common goal of making language learning enjoyable through gamified exercises but they differ in their approach and focus.
While Duolingo covers vocabulary, spelling, listening, pronunciation, and some grammar, Drops primarily focuses on vocabulary building through short, focused, and visually appealing lessons. Duolingo’s structured curriculum guides users through a progressive learning journey, while Drops offers a more flexible approach, allowing learners to choose specific topics or words to practice.
Here’s a quick comparison of Drops and Duolingo based on their language offerings and features:
| Points of comparison | Drops | Duolingo |
| Languages offered | 50 languages | 42 languages |
| Learning methods | Primarily vocabulary-focused; uses spaced repetition and gamified lessons | Gamified approach, focus on translated sentences and building vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills |
| Course structure | Option to choose from a structured path or flexible, topic-based lessons; review modes; special challenges | Thematic units with linear path; alphabet lessons for non-Latin languages; review lessons; daily/weekly/monthly challenges |
| Pricing | Free model with limited daily usage; $12.99/month; 7-day free trial | Free model with ads; $12.99/month; 14-day free trial |
| Free features | Vocabulary practice for five minutes every 10 hours; basic gamified lessons | All content is available for free with a limit on mistakes |
| Other features | Multiplayer matches; offline mode and audio gameplay for Premium users | Alphabet charts, stories, podcasts |
The above chart should give you an idea about which app’s more useful for you, but digging deeper will help you decide. Let’s check out the specifics of each app.
Drops vs Duolingo: Languages offered
Knowing if your desired language is available on the app is definitely one of the biggest factors in choosing which app to use. And when it comes to language choices, both Drops and Duolingo offer a wide range of languages to learn.
Duolingo, the most popular language learning app today, boasts an impressive 42 languages, 40 of which are designed for English speakers. The platform caters to learners of popular languages like Spanish, French, and German but it also teaches less-studied languages such as Romanian, Danish, and Irish. Its library even extends to constructed languages like Esperanto and Klingon.
On the other hand, Drops, although younger by four years, has quickly gained popularity for its unique approach and extensive language offerings. With 50 languages and counting, Drops covers both popular and niche languages.
Languages such as Cantonese, Yoruba, Thai, Persian, Ainu, Maori, Galician, Igbo, and Samoan — all missing from Duolingo — are available on Drops, making it a good alternative if you’re seeking to explore less common tongues.
Drop’s learning methods and course structure
Drops is all about vocabulary building through games. Unlike traditional language learning apps, it doesn’t dive into grammar rules or speaking practice. Instead, it uses a colorful and interactive interface and visually appealing illustrations to help you learn vocabulary efficiently.
Upon sign-up, you’ll be asked to choose if you want to follow a structured and personalized learning path called Language Voyage (recommended for beginners) or if you prefer picking out your own starting point. This flexibility is particularly useful for learners who want to focus on specific areas of vocabulary.
Regardless of your choice, your lessons will largely incorporate spaced repetition. This technique ensures that you review vocabulary at optimal intervals, helping you retain information more effectively. You’ll be asked to match words with images and audio and spell out words. Each lesson is designed to be short and sweet.
To keep you motivated, Drops uses gamification elements like progress bars, streaks, and milestones. There are also review modes and special challenges to help you reinforce your learning and keep your skills sharp. For languages with non-Latin scripts, there are writing lessons to help you practice handwriting and typing.
While the free version of Drops offers a taste of the app’s features, it limits you to five minutes of gameplay every 10 hours. To unlock the full potential of Drops, you can opt for a premium subscription. This grants you unlimited access to all lessons and review modes ad-free. It also gives you unlimited gameplay and offline access.
Duolingo’s learning methods and course structure
Duolingo takes a more holistic approach to language learning, as it covers vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking, writing, and some grammar.
The gamified lessons can take anywhere from three to five minutes, requiring you to match words with audio, form and translate sentences, fill in the blanks, and repeat aloud phrases. The lessons feature well-known characters such as Duo the owl, Lily, Zari, Vikram, Eddy, and more.
Play daily to keep your streak, earn XPs (points) that’ll keep you on the leaderboard, and complete quests. If you’re using the free version though, you can only make up to five mistakes before your “hearts” run out.
Unlike Drops, Duolingo follows a linear path. The review lessons are personalized, however, and are seamlessly integrated into the path. For some languages like Spanish and French, Duolingo includes immersive features like Stories, Podcasts, and Adventure within the path. Outside of the learning path, there are timed challenges, weekly challenges, and friend quests to keep you engaged.
As for grammar, Duolingo teaches this in context rather than as isolated rules (although there are grammar notes at the start of units). You’ll naturally acquire an understanding of the grammar concepts as you repeatedly encounter various sentences. And for languages with non-Latin scripts, there are separate writing lessons to help you practice your handwriting.
Drops vs Duolingo: Pricing and free features
Both Drops and Duolingo use a freemium pricing model, meaning you can access a basic version of the app for free. However, to unlock the full potential of these apps, you’ll need to consider a subscription.
With Drops, the free version limits you to five minutes of gameplay every 10 hours. I find that this can be extended by joining a multiplayer game, wherein you play for four minutes against another user. While this is a great way to get a taste of the app, you’ll need a premium subscription to enjoy unlimited access.
Drops offers monthly, annual, and lifetime subscription plans, with the lifetime plan providing the best value for long-term learners. These plans offer unlimited content, unlimited time, ad-free lessons, exclusive gameplay, and access to another Drops app, Scripts.
On the other hand, Duolingo’s free version offers a more generous experience, giving you access to any language course without time limits. However, you have a cap on mistakes and you’ll encounter ads.
A Duolingo Plus subscription removes ads, unlocks exclusive features like practice modes and mistake review, and provides unlimited hearts. You also get unlimited attempts at Legendary levels and timed challenges.
Super Duolingo costs $12.99/month or $83.99/year ($6.99/month). Super Family, which allows you to share a subscription with five other users, costs $9.99/month or $119.99/year. Duolingo Max, which has more AI-powered features, starts at $30/month.
Drops: Pros and cons
Here’s the important part. What do I like (and don’t like) about Drops?
Drops’ biggest draw is its bite-sized and gamified lessons. They’re fun, visually appealing, and ideal for both beginners and busy learners. The quick sessions make it easy to squeeze in some language learning throughout the day.
If I want intense vocabulary practice, Drops would be among my top choices. It really zooms in on vocabulary, building a strong foundation of words through spaced recognition. The repetition of words and illustrations helps strengthen recall.
I also like how Drops organizes its lessons into clear categories. This gives you the freedom to choose topics that interest you and focus on specific areas you want to improve. As I used Drops to study Hebrew Aleph-Bet, I appreciated that I could choose to focus on writing exercises and develop my handwriting skills.
That said, Drops isn’t without its drawbacks. If, like me, you’re used to following a linear, structured path, you might find Drops’ interface a bit disorienting. The app’s flexible approach can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start or what to focus on.
Another major con is that Drops doesn’t offer any grammar or speaking practice. Given its format, it also doesn’t incorporate cultural information. While it’s great for building vocabulary, it’s not a comprehensive language learning solution.
However, the biggest con for me was the limited gameplay. Five minutes was too short for me. If you want to get the most out of the app, consider a premium subscription.
Duolingo: Pros and cons
As someone who’s been using Duolingo for a long time, I can say that it has really mastered the art of gamification. It’s so fun to use that it almost feels more like play than studying. The notifications can be annoying sometimes but the rewards are enough to keep me motivated.
I also appreciate Duolingo’s linear learning path. It’s much easier to navigate than Drops, although it doesn’t give you the luxury of choosing the topics. Having other formats (e.g., Stories, Podcasts, Adventure) make it more immersive too.
The short, manageable lessons are another big plus. You can easily fit a few minutes of language learning into your daily routine, whether it’s during your commute, your lunch break, or before bed. And because the lessons are so well-balanced, you’re constantly practicing different skills, from reading and writing to listening and speaking.
However, I think the best thing about Duolingo is that you can access so much for free. There are virtually no limits on how much you can learn (as long as you have “hearts”) and how long you can use it, even without a premium subscription. This makes it a great option for budget-conscious language learners.
While Duolingo has a lot going for it, it’s not without its flaws. One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of detailed grammar lessons. While you do learn grammar in context (and there are a few explanations here and there), it can be difficult to fully understand the rules without a more structured approach. Additionally, Duolingo doesn’t offer any cultural lessons, which can be important for understanding the nuances of a language.
Another issue is the varying quality of content across different languages. Some languages have more robust and practical courses than others. For example, I’m studying both French and Korean and I find that the French course is of higher quality than the Korean course.
Drops vs Duolingo: Which is better?
Neither Drops nor Duolingo is a magic bullet that will make you fluent overnight. However, both apps have made language learning accessible and fun, lowering the barriers of entry and making it easier for people to start and stick with their language learning goals.
One of the strengths of both apps is their gamification. Both Drops and Duolingo use game-like elements to motivate users and make learning enjoyable. However, I believe that Duolingo does a better job at this, with its more immersive game-like features like Stories, Podcasts, and Adventure and the leaderboard that can stir up your competitive spirit.
Ultimately though, the best app for you will depend on your individual learning style and goals.
If you’re looking for quick and intense vocabulary training, Drops is a great choice. Its short, focused lessons are perfect for busy people who want to learn a few words at a time.
On the other hand, if you want a more comprehensive (at least for beginners) language learning experience that includes vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking, writing, and a little bit of grammar, Duolingo is a better option.
Both apps are also great for practicing writing in languages with non-Latin scripts. However, if budget is a concern, Duolingo is the more affordable choice, as it offers a generous free tier with no time limits.
However, both Drops and Duolingo have zero to limited grammar explanations and cultural insights. I also can’t recommend them to advanced learners. If you’re looking for more challenging lessons, here are apps you can explore:
- For extensive grammar lessons, try Babbel or Rocket Languages.
- For more conversational practice, use Pimsleur or Glossika.
- For practicing with a chatbot, try Ling.
- For personalized coaching, hire tutors on Preply or italki.
Finally, the best way to determine which app is right for you is to try both and see which one you prefer. Since both platforms offer free tiers, you can explore each app and see which one meets your needs.
Once you’ve settled on an app, consider pairing it with other resources like books and podcasts for a well-rounded approach. Remember, the ideal language learning journey involves a mix of tools and personalized methods. Embrace the process, experiment with different tools, and find the path that best suits your learning style to achieve fluency.
Drops vs Duolingo: FAQ
Which app is better, Drops or Duolingo?
The “better” app depends on your learning style and goals. Drops excels in vocabulary building with its short, visually-focused lessons. Duolingo offers a more comprehensive approach, covering vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Ultimately, the best app is the one that motivates you to keep learning.
Are Drops and Duolingo free?
Both Drops and Duolingo offer free versions. However, these free versions have limitations. To access the full features of both apps, you’ll need to subscribe to a premium plan. These premium plans offer additional benefits like ad-free experiences, unlimited practice time, and exclusive features.
Does Drops teach you sentences?
Drops primarily focuses on vocabulary building. While it doesn’t explicitly teach sentence structure, the app’s visual context clues and word combinations often hint at sentence formation. To practice sentence construction, consider combining the words you’ve learned in Drops with grammar resources or language exchange partners.
Can you become fluent with Duolingo?
While Duolingo is a fantastic tool for learning a new language, it’s unlikely to make you fully fluent on its own. It’s best used as a supplement to other learning methods like language exchange, immersion, or formal classes. For fluency, consistent practice and real-life exposure are crucial.
Can I learn a language effectively using only Drops or Duolingo?
While both Drops and Duolingo are excellent tools for language learning, relying solely on either app may not be sufficient for full fluency. Consider supplementing your app-based learning with additional resources like books, tutors from Preply or italki, language exchange partners, or immersion experiences.
What apps can be alternatives for Drops or Duolingo?
Consider Babbel for structured lessons and real-life conversations, Mondly for gamified and immersive lessons, Ling for quick, bite-sized lessons, Pimsleur for audio-based learning, and Rocket Languages for comprehensive language courses.