What Duolingo's subscription tiers offer
Duolingo offers a free version with ads and limited features, plus two paid subscription tiers: Duolingo Plus and Duolingo Max. Duolingo Plus removes ads, lets you do unlimited lessons, and gives you a daily streak freeze (so missing one day doesn't reset your progress). Duolingo Max includes everything in Plus, plus access to Stories (longer narrative lessons) and Explain (an AI tool that answers grammar questions about your lessons).
The free version works fully — you can learn a language, complete lessons, and track progress. You just see ads between lessons and have a daily cap on how many lessons you can do before hitting a paywall. The paid tiers remove those limits and add features, but neither subscription teaches you anything the free version doesn't.
Duolingo also sells a separate product called Duolingo English Test, which is an English proficiency exam you take on your computer. That is a one-time purchase, not a subscription, and is separate from the language-learning app.
Key Takeaways
- Duolingo Plus costs roughly $7 per month if you pay monthly, or $80 per year if you pay annually — the exact price varies by country and changes periodically.
- Duolingo Max costs roughly $15 per month if you pay monthly, or $168 per year if you pay annually, and includes everything Plus offers plus Stories and Explain.
- The free version has no time limit and teaches the same content; you just see ads and hit a daily lesson cap.
- You can cancel either subscription at any time, and Duolingo does not charge you again after cancellation.
- Duolingo does not offer refunds for partial months, but annual subscriptions sometimes go on sale during holidays.
Duolingo Plus pricing and what's included
Duolingo Plus removes ads and the daily lesson limit, so you can do as many lessons as you want in one day. It also gives you a streak freeze once per month — if you miss a day, your streak doesn't reset to zero. You get access to a leaderboard where you compete with other learners, and you can download lessons to your phone to use offline.
The monthly price for Plus varies by country and by whether you use iOS, Android, or the web. In the United States, it typically ranges from $6.99 to $7.99 per month when paid monthly. If you pay for a year upfront, the annual cost is usually around $80, which works out to roughly $6.67 per month. Duolingo frequently runs sales on annual subscriptions, especially around the holidays, so the yearly price may be lower if you wait.
You can pause or cancel Plus at any time through your account settings. Duolingo will not charge you again after cancellation, and you keep access to Plus features until your current billing period ends.
Duolingo Max pricing and what's included
Duolingo Max includes everything in Plus — no ads, unlimited lessons, streak freeze, offline access, leaderboard — plus two additional features. Stories are longer, narrative-based lessons where you read dialogue and answer comprehension questions; they teach vocabulary and grammar in context. Explain is an AI chatbot that answers questions about grammar rules and language concepts you encounter in your lessons.
Max typically costs $14.99 to $15.99 per month when paid monthly in the United States. Annual pricing is usually around $168 per year, or roughly $14 per month. Like Plus, Max prices vary by country and platform, and annual subscriptions sometimes go on sale.
Max is newer than Plus and is still being expanded. Duolingo has said it plans to add more AI-powered features to Max over time. If you subscribe to Max, you can downgrade to Plus or cancel at any time.
How to buy and manage your subscription
You start a subscription through the Duolingo app or website. On the app, tap your profile icon, then look for "Subscription" or "Upgrade." On the web, go to your account settings and select the subscription option. You choose whether to pay monthly or annually, then enter a payment method — Duolingo accepts credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes PayPal or Apple Pay depending on your device.
Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year. You can see your renewal date and current plan in your account settings. To cancel, go to your subscription settings and select "Cancel Subscription." Duolingo will ask you why you're canceling, but you don't have to answer — you can skip that step and cancel immediately.
If you bought a subscription through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you may need to cancel through that platform instead of through Duolingo's website. Check your app store account settings under subscriptions to see where your Duolingo subscription is managed.
Price differences by country and payment method
Duolingo prices its subscriptions in local currency and adjusts them by country based on purchasing power and local market conditions. A subscription in India costs significantly less than the same subscription in the United States or United Kingdom. If you travel or move, your subscription price may change at your next renewal.
Prices also differ slightly by platform. The iOS app sometimes costs more than the Android app or the web version because Apple takes a commission on in-app purchases. If you want the lowest price, buying through the web version is often cheaper than buying through an app.
Duolingo occasionally runs promotions — discounts on annual plans, free trial periods, or reduced first-month pricing. These offers appear in the app or on the website when they're active. There is no single "best time" to buy, but annual subscriptions are most often discounted during November and December.
What happens if you cancel or let your subscription lapse
When your subscription ends, you revert to the free version. You keep all the vocabulary and progress you've learned — nothing is deleted. You just lose the features that came with your subscription: ads return, the daily lesson limit comes back, and you can no longer download lessons for offline use.
If you had a streak freeze remaining, it disappears when your subscription ends. Your leaderboard ranking also disappears, though you can rejoin the leaderboard if you resubscribe later.
You can resubscribe to Plus or Max at any time. If you resubscribe, you start a new billing cycle at the current price — Duolingo does not pro-rate or credit you for the time you were unsubscribed.
Refunds and billing disputes
Duolingo does not offer refunds for partial months or unused time. If you pay for a month and cancel after one week, you do not get a refund for the remaining three weeks. However, if you cancel before your next renewal date, you will not be charged again.
If you were charged twice or see an unexpected charge, contact Duolingo Support through the app or at support.duolingo.com. Provide your account email and the date of the charge. Duolingo's support team can investigate and may issue a refund if the charge was an error.
If you bought your subscription through an app store and want a refund, you may need to request it through that platform instead. Apple and Google both allow refunds within a certain window (usually 14 to 15 days) if you request them through your account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Duolingo for free forever?
Yes. The free version has no expiration date and teaches the same content as the paid versions. You see ads and hit a daily lesson limit, but you can learn a language completely on the free plan. Many people use Duolingo free for years.
Is Duolingo Plus worth the cost?
That depends on how much the features matter to you. If ads bother you, if you want to do many lessons in one day, or if you want offline access, Plus adds real value. If you're happy with the free version's pace and don't mind ads, there's no reason to pay.
What's the difference between Plus and Max?
Max includes everything Plus has, plus Stories (longer narrative lessons) and Explain (an AI that answers grammar questions). If you don't use those features, Plus is the better value. Max is worth it if you want AI explanations or prefer learning through stories.
Do I have to pay for a full year, or can I cancel anytime?
You can pay monthly or yearly, and you can cancel either one at any time. If you pay yearly and cancel after two months, you don't get a refund for the remaining ten months, but you won't be charged again.
Will my progress disappear if I cancel my subscription?
No. All your vocabulary, lessons completed, and streak stay on your account. You just lose the paid features like ad removal and offline access. If you resubscribe later, everything is still there.