Duolingo vs. Mondly: Level-Up Features Compared

When choosing between Duolingo and Mondly for learning Spanish, it all comes down to your preferences and goals. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Duolingo focuses on gamification with features like XP points, streaks, leaderboards, and badges. It’s great for beginners who enjoy a structured, competitive learning experience.
• Mondly emphasizes conversational skills through daily challenges, a chatbot, and immersive AR/VR tools. It’s ideal if you want to practice speaking in realistic scenarios.

Quick Comparison

If you love gamified learning and tracking your progress, Duolingo is the way to go. If speaking and practical usage are your priorities, Mondly may suit you better.

Mondly vs Duolingo (Which Language App Is More Effective?)

Duolingo Level-Up System

Duolingo has turned learning Spanish into a game, and it’s working. The app’s revenue skyrocketed from $13 million in 2017 to over $161 million in 2020, largely thanks to its gamified approach [2]. In fact, 80% of language learners say they enjoy using Duolingo specifically because of its game-like features [2].

Game-Based Structure

Duolingo’s system revolves around interactive features like skill trees, XP points, crowns, and streaks. Every Spanish lesson you complete earns you XP (experience points), which track your progress and keep you motivated. The skill tree organizes lessons into a logical sequence, unlocking new topics as you master earlier ones.

Crowns measure your proficiency in each skill, with higher levels introducing more complex exercises. This setup not only reinforces essential Spanish vocabulary and grammar but also gives you the flexibility to revisit foundational concepts whenever needed.

The streak feature is a standout tool for building daily habits. A 7-day streak, for example, can make you 3.6 times more likely to complete your course [5]. Zan Gilani, a product manager at Duolingo, explained their focus on habit formation:

"We realized we needed to encourage people to form a daily learning habit" [2].

To help users maintain their streaks, tools like "Streak Freeze" have been introduced, reducing churn by 21% among learners at risk of missing a day. Even small tweaks, like adding streak animations, have boosted user retention by 1.7% within the first week [5]. These elements come together to create a structured, engaging way to build language skills.

Content Access and Skill Building

Duolingo’s Spanish lessons follow a step-by-step system designed to ensure you master the basics before moving on to more advanced material. Each topic includes multiple skill levels, represented by the crown system. For example, the "Food" section starts with simple vocabulary like manzana (apple) and agua (water), gradually advancing to tasks like translating sentences, constructing phrases, and practicing with audio exercises.

The platform also adapts to your learning pace. If you’re struggling with a particular concept, Duolingo offers extra practice to help you catch up. This adaptive approach keeps the experience balanced - challenging enough to stay engaging, but not so difficult that it becomes frustrating [1].

Motivation Tools

To keep learners engaged, Duolingo uses an array of motivational features. Leaderboards encourage friendly competition, with users competing for XP points completing 40% more lessons per week [3]. Similarly, leagues have increased lesson completion rates by 25% [3], while limited-time events like "Double XP Weekend" have driven a 50% jump in activity [3].

Badges are another powerful motivator. Earning badges for completing lessons makes users 30% more likely to finish their Spanish course [3], and the introduction of badges even led to a 116% increase in referrals [2].

Daily challenges add variety to the learning experience. When Duolingo rolled out "Daily Quests", daily active users rose by 25% [3]. The "Treasure Chest" reward system also contributed to a 15% boost in lesson completion [3].

Even push notifications are designed to keep learners coming back. Adding Duo the owl to notifications increased daily active users by 5% [2], and displaying streaks in an iOS widget resulted in a 60% jump in user commitment [3].

CEO Luis von Ahn summed up Duolingo’s mission perfectly:

"We created Duolingo in 2011 with a mission to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available... Our vision is to create a world where more money can't buy you a better education" [4].

Mondly Level-Up System

Mondly takes a hands-on approach to Spanish learning, focusing on real-world conversations and immersive experiences. Its efforts have earned it recognition, including the Editors' Choice award on Google Play and Apple's Best New App accolade[6]. Rather than relying on points and streaks like Duolingo, Mondly gears its features toward preparing learners for genuine Spanish conversations. Test Prep Insight rated the app with a strong score of 9.0, highlighting its effective progression system[8].

Interactive Learning Progress

Mondly organizes its lessons into manageable chunks, with daily exercises, weekly quizzes, and monthly challenges, each lasting between 5 to 15 minutes[8]. To ensure users retain what they learn, the app uses a spaced repetition system. This approach is rooted in research that shows spacing out learning sessions strengthens memory and helps new knowledge stick. As learning expert J. Howard puts it:

"Work involving higher mental functions, such as analysis and synthesis, needs to be spaced out to allow new neural connections to solidify. New learning drives out old learning when insufficient time intervenes." [7]

Mondly’s interactive drills include matching phrases to images, practicing pronunciation, spelling exercises, translating sentences, and engaging in mock conversations. This method encourages learners to absorb grammar naturally through context[8][7].

On top of these drills, Mondly offers immersive experiences through its advanced AR and VR technology.

AR and VR Technology

In 2017, Mondly became the first to introduce a language-learning VR app, and it now offers VR experiences in 30 languages[11][10]. The VR app places users in lifelike scenarios - whether it’s shopping, ordering food, or checking into a hotel - allowing them to practice conversations in a realistic setting. The VR app is a one-time purchase of $5 and requires an Oculus headset[8].

Mondly AR, on the other hand, brings a virtual teacher and objects into your real-world environment using augmented reality. While this feature is visually engaging, some users feel it doesn’t add much to the learning experience[13].

Dr. Britt Andreatta, author of Wired to Grow: Harness the Power of Brain Science to Learn and Master Any Skill, explains why VR is a game-changer for language learning:

"VR is so powerful because it mimics this learning. And some studies show that VR experiences code in the brain as a lived memory." [11]

In a study conducted in December 2024, involving 34 students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Thailand, Mondly VR users showed significant vocabulary improvement compared to those using traditional methods[9].

While the tech is impressive, Mondly also emphasizes practical vocabulary for everyday conversations.

Everyday Vocabulary Focus

Mondly’s lessons prioritize high-frequency vocabulary that’s essential for daily interactions, such as ordering coffee, booking a room, or planning a weekend[12]. The app includes 50 topics and 41 real conversations designed to build fluency[6]. Each of its 40 topics offers general lessons, a vocabulary section, and a conversation module where users can practice speaking[14]. Phrases like "I need to buy a ticket" or "Where is the bathroom?" are covered, along with job-specific courses for industries like marketing, customer service, and finance[8].

An AI-powered chatbot adds another layer of practice, simulating real-world conversations in a safe environment[13][15]. Research backs this approach, showing that knowing just 100 words can help you understand 50% of any text, while 1,000 words can increase comprehension to 75%[7].

"Love that there's a free new lesson every day. I'm learning so much with Mondly!" - Emiliano M. [6]

Mondly Premium is available for $12 per month or $58 per year, with occasional lifetime deals priced at $96[8].

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Side-by-Side Analysis: Results and User Experience

Both apps integrate gamification into their platforms, but they approach it in very different ways.

Motivation Methods

Duolingo thrives on its game-like atmosphere, making language learning feel like play. Users earn experience points (XP) for completing lessons, track their progress toward daily goals, and collect in-app currency called lingots to unlock extra features. The app also includes leaderboards, allowing users to compete with others, which adds a competitive edge and a sense of accomplishment.

Mondly, on the other hand, takes a more immersive route. It offers daily challenges and rewards for lesson completion, but its standout feature is the VR experience. This places users in lifelike settings - think coffee shops or bus stations - where they can practice speaking with simulated locals. This approach shifts the focus toward building conversational skills in realistic scenarios, offering something beyond traditional gamification.

The main difference lies in their motivational strategies: Duolingo leans on external rewards like competition and tracking achievements, while Mondly prioritizes practical, real-world application. This divergence naturally caters to different learning styles and preferences.

Learning Style Support

The two apps also differ in how they align with individual learning preferences, which can influence how effective their systems are for various users. Duolingo uses a multimodal approach, combining listening, reading, and speaking exercises. Its adaptive system tailors lessons based on performance, making it a good fit for learners who thrive on structure and clear milestones.

Mondly, however, is ideal for those who enjoy conversational practice and interactive experiences. Its tools include a chatbot, augmented reality (AR) lessons, and voice recognition, which are particularly engaging for visual learners and those who prefer hands-on, immersive activities. While Duolingo appeals to users motivated by competition, Mondly shines for those who want to dive into practical, conversational scenarios.

Feature Comparison Table

Here's a side-by-side look at how the two apps stack up:

Duolingo’s gamified approach is perfect for learners who enjoy achieving milestones and tracking progress. Meanwhile, Mondly’s VR and chatbot tools offer an interactive way to practice real-world conversations. Both apps cater to busy users by offering short, focused lessons, but their motivational techniques and learning styles set them apart.

Conclusion

Deciding between Duolingo and Mondly comes down to your personal learning style and goals. Duolingo’s gamified approach - with features like XP points, streaks, and leaderboards - is perfect for beginners and those who enjoy a competitive, milestone-driven experience. Plus, its free version makes it accessible to nearly everyone, while the Super plan, priced at $13 per month, removes ads and unlocks additional features.

Mondly, on the other hand, leans into immersive, conversational learning. With a higher rating of 4.1/5 compared to Duolingo’s 3.7/5 [16], it’s ideal for learners who want to practice real-world dialogue. Its VR app (around $5) and AR features create interactive, life-like scenarios, making it a standout choice for those who prefer hands-on learning.

The two platforms also differ in how they handle practical language use. Mondly emphasizes everyday vocabulary and natural translations, which can be particularly helpful for professionals needing job-specific language skills. Meanwhile, Duolingo offers a wider variety of exercises, though some phrases may feel less relevant for daily conversations.

Cost is another factor to consider. Duolingo provides a strong free option and a premium Super plan at $13/month. Mondly’s premium plan, priced at about $58/year, includes advanced speech recognition tools and more refined translations, offering good value for those seeking a more immersive experience.

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