Speak vs Duolingo at a glance
| Speak | Duolingo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium $17.99/mo or $83.99/yr; Premium Plus $39.99/mo or $164.99/yr (App Store); 7-day free trial | Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yrchecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) |
| Levels | A1–C1 (beginner to advanced) | A1–B1 (beginner and intermediate) |
| Free to use | No (trial or sample only) | Yes, at least in part |
| Real-speed French | No | No |
| Transcripts or subtitles | Not a feature | Not a feature |
| Taught in | English | English |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | Lots of out-loud speaking practice with an AI tutor; paid after a 7-day trial. | 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 speaking?
Speak. It is built around speaking: each lesson teaches useful phrases with a native-speaking teacher, has you repeat them out loud until they come without thinking, then puts you in a back-and-forth conversation with an AI tutor that gives feedback on pronunciation and phrasing. Duolingo has speaking exercises, but most of its practice is tapping and typing short sentences.
Which is cheaper?
Duolingo, because every course is free; its paid plans remove ads and add extras. Speak has a 7-day free trial, then a subscription: the US App Store lists Premium at $17.99 a month or $83.99 a year, and Premium Plus at $39.99 a month or $164.99 a year.
Which is better for beginners?
Duolingo is the easier free start; Speak is the better start if speaking is what scares you. Duolingo covers reading, writing, listening and speaking in bite-sized lessons. Speak is light on reading and grammar explanation, so a beginner who wants to understand how French works will want something alongside it.
Which teaches real spoken French?
Neither trains your ear for French at full speed between natives. Duolingo's sentences are short and recorded for learners. Speak gets you producing French, but the conversations are with an AI tutor, not two French people talking over each other.
Can you use both?
Yes, and they fit together better than most pairs: Duolingo for the broad daily habit and Speak for out-loud practice. If you pay for only one, pay for the one that covers your weakest skill.
What neither does
Neither app gives you real-speed French to listen to or a human to talk to. Practising with an AI is low-pressure, which helps, but real conversations are faster and less predictable. Add real listening and, once you can manage a few sentences, a tutor or exchange partner.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speak | Premium $17.99/mo or $83.99/yr; Premium Plus $39.99/mo or $164.99/yr (App Store); 7-day free trial | A1–C1 | No | Lots of out-loud speaking practice with an AI tutor; paid after a 7-day trial. |
| Duolingo | Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yrchecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | A1–B1 | No | The easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it. |
| French with Amélie | Free weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yr | B1–C1 | Yes, with a slow version and a transcript | Real-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: Speak (app) and Duolingo (app). More like these: Duolingo alternatives for French.
Guides
- Is Duolingo free? What the free version gives you for French (2026)
- Duolingo French: how far it takes you, honestly
- How much is Duolingo? Super and Max prices (2026)
- Duolingo energy and hearts: how to keep learning French without the limits
- Is Duolingo effective? What it teaches and what it skips
- Is Duolingo a waste of time? Is it accurate? Is it dead?
- How to cancel Duolingo Super