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Apps › Compare › Lingopie vs Duolingo

Lingopie vs Duolingo for French (2026)

Duolingo is the better start for a complete beginner, free and built for a daily habit. Lingopie is better from about B1, when you can learn from real French TV shows and films with interactive subtitles.

Checked October 2026 on both official sites ·

Lingopie vs Duolingo at a glance

LingopieDuolingo
Price€12.99/mo; 3 months €38.97; annual €77.94 (standard €155.88); lifetime €219; 7-day free trialchecked 2026-10-09 (lingopie.com/pricing)Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yrchecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store)
LevelsA2–C1 (beginner to advanced)A1–B1 (beginner and intermediate)
Free to useYes, at least in partYes, at least in part
Real-speed FrenchYesNo
Transcripts or subtitlesSubtitlesNot a feature
Taught inEnglish, FrenchEnglish
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, Web
Best forGood for B1 and up who will really watch; not a course.The easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it.

Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.

Which is better for beginners?

Duolingo. Its bite-sized, game-style lessons cover reading, writing, listening and speaking, and every course is free. Lingopie does not teach you French from scratch: it is a streaming app of TV shows and films, and a beginner will understand too little to learn much.

Which teaches real spoken French?

Lingopie. Its shows are real French at real speed, with interactive subtitles: tap any word for a translation and save it for review. Duolingo's sentences are short and recorded for learners, which is why many people finish it and still cannot follow two French people talking.

Which is cheaper?

Duolingo, because every course is free; Super starts at $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year on the US App Store. Lingopie gives a 7-day free trial, then €12.99 a month or €77.94 a year (standard €155.88), or €219 for lifetime, on its pricing page.

Which takes you further?

Lingopie, if you are already past the basics: it is useful from A2 to C1. Duolingo realistically covers A1 to B1.

Can you use both?

Yes, and it is a natural progression: Duolingo for the first months, then Lingopie when you can follow a simple show with French subtitles. Overlap them for a while as you move from one to the other.

Which is better for building a habit?

Duolingo, for most people: short lessons and a streak are easy to keep. Lingopie works as a habit only if you will really watch French TV most evenings, and a show you half understand is entertainment, not study, unless you stop and review.

What neither does

Neither gives you a person to talk to or feedback on your speaking. Duolingo is built for learners, and Lingopie is a tool for watching, not a course. Add a tutor or exchange partner once you can manage a simple conversation.

How it compares

AppPriceLevelsReal-speed FrenchBest for
Lingopie€12.99/mo; 3 months €38.97; annual €77.94 (standard €155.88); lifetime €219; 7-day free trialchecked 2026-10-09 (lingopie.com/pricing)A2–C1YesGood for B1 and up who will really watch; not a course.
DuolingoFree; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yrchecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store)A1–B1NoThe easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it.
French with AmélieFree weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yrB1–C1Yes, with a slow version and a transcriptReal-speed dialogues by email and a private podcast. Not an app. Visit

Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.

Read more

The full listings: Lingopie (app) and Duolingo (app). More like these: Duolingo alternatives for French.

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