Learning a new language opens up new worlds. But choosing the right app can be hard with so many options. Mondly and Duolingo are top picks, each with its own special way of teaching. This article puts them head-to-head to help you decide.
We’ll check out how they work, what they cost, and how well they teach. After reading, you’ll know which one fits you best.
The Basics of Mondly and Duolingo
What is Mondly?
Mondly is a language learning app that uses modern technology to make learning fun and interactive. It offers courses in over 40 languages and focuses on practical, everyday language use.
Key features of Mondly include:
- Short, interactive lessons
- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences
- Speech recognition technology
- Chatbot conversations
What is Duolingo?
Duolingo is a widely popular language learning app known for its gamified approach. It offers courses in over 30 languages and is famous for its cute owl mascot, Duo.
Duolingo’s main features include:
- Bite-sized lessons
- Gamelike elements and rewards
- A variety of exercise types
- Stories and podcasts for some languages
Key similarities between Mondly and Duolingo
Both apps share some common ground:
- Mobile-friendly design
- Focus on daily practice
- Gamification elements to keep users motivated
- Basic grammar and vocabulary instruction
Features Face-Off: Mondly vs Duolingo
Lesson structure and content
Mondly’s lessons are flexible and topic-based. You can choose which areas to focus on, like travel, business, or everyday conversations. Each lesson introduces new words and phrases through various exercises.
Duolingo, on the other hand, follows a more structured path. Lessons are organized in a skill tree, and you need to complete earlier lessons to unlock later ones. This approach ensures a gradual progression in difficulty.
Language options available
Mondly offers an impressive selection of over 40 languages. This includes popular choices like Spanish and French, as well as less common options like Thai and Hungarian.
Duolingo provides courses for about 30 languages. While this is fewer than Mondly, Duolingo also offers some unique options like Klingon and High Valyrian for language enthusiasts and fantasy fans.
Gamification elements
Both apps use gamification to keep users engaged, but their approaches differ.
Mondly uses a points system and leaderboards. You earn points for completing lessons and can compare your progress with other learners.
Duolingo takes gamification further with its streak system, XP points, and leagues. Users can earn virtual currency (Lingots or Gems) to spend on bonus features or items for their avatar.
Speech recognition technology
Mondly and Duolingo both incorporate speech recognition, but Mondly’s technology seems more advanced.
Mondly’s speech recognition is a key part of its lessons. It provides immediate feedback on pronunciation and allows for more natural conversation practice.
Duolingo’s speech recognition is simpler. It mainly asks users to repeat words or phrases, with less focus on conversational practice.
Progress tracking and motivation
Both apps offer ways to track your progress, but they differ in approach.
Mondly provides a clear overview of completed topics and your daily streak. It also sends reminders to keep you on track.
Duolingo is more game-like in its progress tracking. It shows your daily streak, XP gained, and your position in weekly leagues. This competitive element can be highly motivating for some users.
Pricing Breakdown: Mondly vs Duolingo
Mondly’s subscription plans
Mondly offers several pricing options:
- Monthly plan: $9.99 per month for one language
- Annual plan: $47.99 per year for one language
- Lifetime access: $89.99 for all languages (occasionally on sale)
Duolingo’s free version and Super Duolingo
Duolingo has a free version with ads and a premium version called Super Duolingo:
- Free version: Access to all lessons with ads and limited features
- Super Duolingo: $12.99 per month or $83.99 per year ($6.99/month)
Value for money comparison
Comparing Mondly vs Duolingo in terms of value:
Mondly offers more languages and advanced features like AR and VR, but at a higher cost. Its lifetime access option can be great value if you plan to learn multiple languages.
Duolingo’s free version is hard to beat for casual learners. However, serious learners might find the ads frustrating and prefer the paid Super Duolingo option.
User Experience: Mondly vs Duolingo
App interface and design
Mondly’s interface is clean and straightforward. The design focuses on real-world scenarios and uses high-quality images and audio.
Duolingo’s interface is colorful and cartoon-like. It’s designed to feel like a game, with cute characters and animations throughout.
Ease of use for beginners
Both apps are user-friendly, but they cater to different learning styles.
Mondly allows users to jump into any topic they’re interested in. This flexibility can be great for beginners who want to learn specific phrases quickly.
Duolingo’s structured approach guides beginners through a carefully designed curriculum. This can be helpful for those who prefer a more traditional learning path.
Flexibility in learning paths
Mondly offers more flexibility. Users can choose which topics to study and in what order. This is great for learners with specific goals or time constraints.
Duolingo is more rigid in its learning path. While you can test out of lower levels, you generally need to complete earlier lessons to unlock later ones.
Effectiveness in Language Learning: Mondly vs Duolingo
Vocabulary acquisition
Both apps are effective for building vocabulary, but they use different methods.
Mondly focuses on practical, everyday vocabulary. It introduces words in context, often using full sentences and real-world scenarios.
Duolingo introduces vocabulary more gradually. It starts with basic words and builds up to more complex phrases over time.
Grammar instruction
Mondly provides some grammar explanations, but they’re not the main focus. Grammar is mostly learned through context and repetition.
Duolingo offers more explicit grammar instruction. It includes specific lessons on grammar rules and concepts, though some users find these explanations too brief.
Speaking and listening practice
Mondly excels in speaking practice. Its speech recognition technology and chatbot feature provide ample opportunities to practice pronunciation and conversation.
Duolingo offers speaking exercises, but they’re less advanced. Listening practice is available through audio clips and, for some languages, stories and podcasts.
Reading and writing skills development
Both apps help develop reading and writing skills, but their approaches differ.
Mondly introduces reading and writing naturally through its lessons. Users read sentences and sometimes write them out.
Duolingo places more emphasis on reading and writing exercises. It includes translation tasks and sentence construction exercises.
Additional Tools and Resources
Mondly’s AR and VR features
Mondly stands out with its AR and VR tools. These create immersive learning experiences, placing users in virtual scenarios where they can practice their language skills.
Duolingo’s Stories and Podcasts
Duolingo offers Stories for some languages, which are short, interactive narratives that help with reading comprehension. They also have podcasts for Spanish and French learners.
Offline learning capabilities
Both apps offer some offline functionality, allowing users to download lessons for use without an internet connection.
Community and Social Features
Mondly’s Leaderboards
Mondly uses leaderboards to create a sense of competition among users. You can see how you rank compared to other learners in your country or worldwide.
Duolingo’s Leagues and Clubs
Duolingo has a more developed social aspect with its Leagues system. Users compete weekly to advance to higher leagues. Duolingo also previously had Clubs for group learning, though this feature has been discontinued.
User forums and discussions
Duolingo has an active community forum where users can ask questions, share tips, and discuss language learning. Mondly doesn’t have a comparable community feature.
Pros and Cons: Mondly vs Duolingo
Mondly’s strengths and weaknesses
Pros:
- Advanced speech recognition
- AR and VR features
- Flexible learning path
- Wide range of languages
Cons:
- Higher cost
- Less structured curriculum
- Limited free version
Duolingo’s advantages and limitations
Pros:
- Comprehensive free version
- Gamified learning experience
- Structured curriculum
- Active community
Cons:
- Limited speaking practice
- Occasional unnatural phrases
- Rigid learning path
Who Should Choose Mondly?
Mondly is ideal for:
- Visual learners who benefit from AR and VR experiences
- Those focusing on speaking and pronunciation
- Learners who want flexibility in their study topics
- People learning multiple languages
Who Should Choose Duolingo?
Duolingo is best for:
- Casual learners or those on a budget
- Beginners who prefer a structured learning path
- Learners motivated by game-like elements and competition
- Those who enjoy community interaction
Final Verdict: Mondly vs Duolingo
In the Mondly vs Duolingo face-off, both apps have their strengths. Mondly shines with its advanced technology and flexible approach, making it great for serious learners and those focused on speaking skills. Duolingo’s free version and gamified approach make it perfect for casual learners and those just starting their language journey.
The best choice depends on your learning style, goals, and budget. You might benefit from using both apps to complement each other. Consistency is key with either Mondly or Duolingo. Regular practice can significantly improve your language skills over time.
Remember, language learning is a personal journey. What works best for one person might not be ideal for another. Consider trying both apps to see which one keeps you motivated and learning effectively!
