Duolingo Max is the paid tier that removes ads and adds AI features

Duolingo Max is Duolingo's premium subscription. It costs $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year (paid upfront). The main differences from the free version are no ads, faster lesson completion, and access to two AI-powered features: Explain My Answer and Roleplay.

Duolingo also offers a middle tier called Duolingo Plus for $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, which removes ads and speeds up lessons but does not include the AI features. Max is the highest tier available.

You can try Max free for seven days before your payment method is charged. After that, you can cancel anytime through your account settings, and your access ends at the end of your billing period.

Key Takeaways

  • Duolingo Max costs $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year and includes ad removal, faster lessons, and two AI features.
  • The two AI features are Explain My Answer (which breaks down why an answer was wrong) and Roleplay (which lets you practice conversation with an AI character).
  • A seven-day free trial is included, and you can cancel anytime through your account settings without penalty.
  • Duolingo Plus ($7.99/month) removes ads and speeds up lessons but does not include the AI features.

What the AI features actually do

Explain My Answer appears after you complete a lesson. If you get a question wrong, you can tap the feature to see a breakdown of the correct answer and why your response did not work. This is meant to help you understand grammar or vocabulary rules rather than just memorize.

Roleplay lets you have a conversation with an AI character in your target language. You choose a scenario (ordering food, asking for directions, meeting someone), and the AI responds to what you type or speak. The AI can correct you mid-conversation and explain mistakes. This feature is available in some languages but not all.

Both features are only available to Max subscribers. The free version and Plus tier do not have access to them.

How to start a Max subscription

Open the Duolingo app or website and go to your profile settings. Look for the subscription section, which will show your current plan (or "Free" if you have not subscribed). Tap or click to upgrade to Max.

You will be asked to choose a billing cycle: monthly ($14.99) or annual ($119.99). Enter your payment method. You will then see a seven-day free trial offer. After seven days, your payment method will be charged automatically on the same day each month or year, depending on which cycle you chose.

If you are already a Plus subscriber, you can upgrade to Max from the same settings screen. You will pay the difference between what you already paid and the Max price, prorated to your current billing cycle.

How to cancel or change your subscription

Go to your profile settings and find the subscription section. Tap or click "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Subscription." You will see options to downgrade to Plus, downgrade to Free, or cancel entirely.

If you cancel, your Max access ends at the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged again, but you will lose access to the AI features and ad-free experience as soon as that period ends. You can resubscribe at any time.

If you downgrade to Plus, you keep the ad-free experience and faster lessons but lose the AI features. If you downgrade to Free, you lose everything except the core language lessons.

Which subscription makes sense for different learners

Choose Free if you want to test Duolingo before spending money or if you are comfortable with ads and the standard lesson pace. The free version includes all core lessons and most features except ad removal, speed boosts, and AI tools.

Choose Plus if ads bother you or you want lessons to move faster, but you do not need AI help understanding mistakes or practicing conversation. Plus is roughly half the price of Max and covers the most common reasons people upgrade.

Choose Max if you want the AI features, especially Roleplay for conversation practice or Explain My Answer for deeper understanding of grammar. Max is worth it if you are serious about learning and want personalized feedback, or if you use Duolingo daily and ads are a real annoyance.

What happens during the free trial

The seven-day free trial gives you full access to Max features: no ads, faster lessons, Explain My Answer, and Roleplay. You can cancel anytime during the trial without being charged. Cancellation must happen before the seven days end, or your payment method will be charged on day eight.

To cancel during the trial, go to your subscription settings and select "Cancel Subscription." You will see a confirmation that your trial is ending and no charge will occur. After cancellation, you drop back to the Free version immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Max on multiple devices?

Yes. Your Max subscription is tied to your Duolingo account, not to a specific device. Log into your account on any phone, tablet, or computer, and you will have Max access on all of them as long as your subscription is active.

Does Max work in all languages?

Max is available in all languages Duolingo offers. However, the Roleplay feature is not available in every language yet. Check the Roleplay section of the app to see if it is available for your target language.

What if I forget to cancel before the trial ends?

You will be charged on day eight. Contact Duolingo support through the app or website to request a refund if you cancel within a few days of being charged. Refund policies vary, but Duolingo often refunds first charges if you act quickly.

Is Max worth it compared to other language apps?

That depends on what you value. Max is cheaper than many competitors and includes AI features that some apps charge extra for. If you already use Duolingo and like it, Max is a reasonable upgrade. If you are choosing between apps, compare the free versions first.