Duolingo Super alternatives
Killing $12.99/mo (~$156/yr) — here are 2 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.
the answer medium migration
Anki · Free (iOS app paid) ⭐ 30.0K stars Spaced-repetition gold standard — shared decks cover every language.
you stop paying $12.99/mo → keep ~$156/yr
head-to-head
| Duolingo Super | Anki | |
|---|---|---|
| price | $12.99/mo | Free (iOS app paid) |
| self-hostable | no | yes |
| license | proprietary | AGPL-3.0 |
| verified | — | 2026-08 |
| migration | — | medium effort |
free & open source (1)
cheaper, but not open source (1)
Language Transfer cheaper
Free (donations)
Brilliant audio courses that teach thinking, not streaks.
trade-offs: Limited language set
migration guide
Anki replaces Duolingo (and teaches better)
⏱ ~30 min setup, 20 min/day- Download Anki desktop (free) + AnkiDroid (free) — note AnkiMobile on iOS is a paid app, still cheaper long-run.
- Search AnkiWeb shared decks for your language; pick one high-rated deck with audio.
- Set daily new-card limit to 10-15 to avoid burnout.
- Pair with free audio courses (Language Transfer) for the speaking side Duolingo never really taught.
- Streaks are now self-enforced — put review time in your calendar.
- Cancel Duolingo Super before renewal.
faq
What is the best free alternative to Duolingo Super?
Anki is the top free option — Spaced-repetition gold standard — shared decks cover every language.
How much can I save by switching from Duolingo Super?
Duolingo Super costs $12.99/mo, so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $156/year per seat.
Can Duolingo Super be self-hosted?
Yes — Anki can be self-hosted for free.