Busuu and Duolingo are two prominent players when it comes to language-learning platforms. Both platforms offer a number of languages for beginners as well as for professionals looking to learn a new language or strengthen their grip on a certain. Thus, the companies have millions of active users.
But if you are looking to choose one of these platforms, the job can be really hectic. While each of them has its strengths, they have weaknesses, too. Busuu has a higher quality but only offers 14 languages, while Duolingo offers 40+ languages; the quality is questionable.
So the question is, Is Busuu better than Duolingo? Let’s find through this detailed analysis!
Busuu: An Overview
Busuu is a language learning app that offers a comprehensive learning experience, including grammar lessons, reading and listening exercises, and writing and speaking practice with native speakers. It has more than 120 million users from different parts of the world and it offers courses in more than 14 languages which include English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, and Polish. Other than that, it offers courses in languages that are less frequently taught.
Busuu’s courses are designed to be self-paced and interactive, and they cover all levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. There are different activities that come with every lesson such as grammar exercises, reading comprehension exercises, and other interactive sessions. Learners can practice these exercises to improve their skills. Busuu’s content is updated and well-developed which helps learners to learn the skills needed.
One of the unique features of Busuu is its “community” and social features. Learners can actually interact with native speakers to improve their language skills in any language they are learning. Learners can easily practice conversation through this. They can also ask questions and get help through Busuu’s community forum.
As far as the pricing is concerned, Busuu offers both free and premium plans. The free version provides access to basic content, while the premium plan (Busuu Premium) offers additional features, including offline learning, grammar units, and more in-depth lessons. Pricing for the premium plan varies depending on subscription duration.
Read the complete in-depth review of Busuu.
Duolingo: An Overview
Duolingo is a free language learning app that uses a gamified learning experience to keep users engaged and motivated. Duolingo teaches grammar and vocabulary with the help of a variety of exercises. It also provides a wide range of languages for the learners to choose from.
Duolingo’s lessons are designed to be short and easy to complete, and they are structured like a game. This way, the learners are kept motivated.
One of the unique features of Duolingo is its use of crowdsourcing. Duolingo relies on its community of users to translate and review its content. So, Duolingo’s content is updated.
Duolingo is a popular language learning platform that offers a fun and gamified approach to language acquisition. Duolingo offers 40+ languages to choose from, as well as accessibility and community features. Duolingo is particularly suitable for beginners and learners who want to build and improve their vocabulary and basic language skills. Duolingo may not provide the same level of in-depth grammar and equip you for real-world conversations, but it is quite engaging and has extensive language offerings.
Busuu vs Duolingo: A Comparative Analysis
Busuu and Duolingo are two of the most popular language-learning apps available, and both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s have a Busuu vs Duolingo and answer your question: is Busuu better than Duolingo or not?
Overview
Duolingo is a free app that offers a gamified and interactive learning experience. Its main focus is to teach vocabulary and grammar through a variety of exercises, such as translation, fill-in-the-blanks, and multiple-choice questions.
Busuu is a paid app that offers a more detailed and comprehensive learning experience. It has grammar lessons, reading and listening exercises. It also helps learners to practice writing and speaking with native speakers.
Busuu vs Duolingo: Key Differences
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between Busuu and Duolingo:
| Feature | Busuu | Duolingo |
| Price | Paid | Free |
| Catalog | Offers 14 languages | Offers 40+ languages |
| Content | Grammar lessons, reading and listening exercises, writing and speaking practice with native speakers | Vocabulary and grammar exercises, translation, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice |
| Focus | Comprehensive learning experience | Gamified and interactive learning experience |
| Level of difficulty | More challenging | Less challenging |
| Target audience | Beginners to advanced learners | Beginners to intermediate learners |
Busuu vs Duolingo: Strengths & Weaknesses
Here is a more detailed look at the strengths and weaknesses of each app:
Busuu Strengths
- Comprehensive learning experience: Busuu covers all areas through which one learns a language, including grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
- Writing and speaking practice with native speakers: Busuu’s “Community” feature allows you to connect with native speakers of the language you are learning to get feedback on your writing and speaking.
- Adaptive learning: Busuu uses adaptive learning technology to tailor the content to your individual needs and learning style.
- Variety of exercises: Busuu offers a variety of exercises to keep learners engaged and motivated. It includes different grammar exercises, reading comprehension exercises, and other interactive exercises.
Busuu Weaknesses
- Paid subscription: Busuu is a paid subscription service, which can be a barrier for some learners.
- Can be slow-paced: Busuu’s lessons can be slow-paced, especially for learners who already have some knowledge of the language.
Duolingo Strengths
- Free: Duolingo is a completely free app to use.
- Gamified learning experience: Duolingo uses a gamified learning experience to keep learners engaged and motivated.
- Wide range of languages offered: Duolingo offers over 100 languages to learn, which is more than any other language learning app.
- Easy to use: Duolingo is very easy to use; even beginners can easily use it.
Duolingo Weaknesses
- Focus on vocabulary and grammar: Duolingo does not cover all areas needed to learn a language, such as reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
- Can be repetitive: Duolingo’s exercises can be repetitive, which can lead to boredom for some learners.
- Limited grammar explanations: Duolingo does not provide detailed explanations of grammar rules, which can be frustrating for some learners.
Busuu vs Duolingo: Which app is right for you?
The best app for you will depend on your individual learning style and goals. Busuu is a great option for learners who are seeking a complete, thorough, and challenging learning experience.
Here is a summary of which app is better suited for different types of learners:
Beginners: Duolingo is a good option for beginners because it is free and easy to use. On the other hand, Busuu is a good option for beginners who are serious about learning a language, as Busuu offers a more comprehensive learning experience.
Intermediate learners: Busuu is a good option for intermediate learners because it offers a variety of exercises to practice all aspects of language learning. Duolingo can also be a good option for intermediate learners in this regard.
Advanced learners: Busuu is a good option for advanced learners because it offers challenging exercises and writing and speaking practice with native speakers. Duolingo is not as well-suited for advanced learners because the exercises can be too easy.
If you are still not sure which app is right for you, we recommend trying both Busuu and Duolingo to see which one you prefer. You can always switch to the other app later if you are not happy with your choice.
Final verdict: Is Busuu better than Duolingo?
The question of whether Busuu is better than Duolingo ultimately depends on your specific language learning goals, preferences, and needs. Both Busuu and Duolingo are popular language-learning platforms, but they have different features and approaches.
Busuu primarily operates on a subscription-based model, offering more structured and comprehensive language courses, along with interactive exercises, quizzes, and feedback from native speakers. With the help of Busuu’s well-structured lessons, beginner-level learners can upgrade to advanced levels. Busuu has a wide range of languages and helps the learners develop all sorts of language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Duolingo offers a free version with ads and a premium version (Duolingo Plus) that is ad-free. The free version provides basic language learning content. Since Duolingo has a gamified approach, it makes learning feel like a game. It’s often seen as more casual and accessible for beginners. While Duolingo offers courses for many languages, the depth and quality of content can vary depending on the language you’re learning.
If you are a beginner language learner looking for a free and fun app, Duolingo is a good option. However, if you are looking for a more comprehensive and immersive language learning experience, Busuu is a better choice.
Here is a recommendation based on your learning style and goals:
• For beginners looking for a free and fun app: Duolingo
• For learners looking for a more comprehensive and immersive experience: Busuu
• For learners who want to focus on conversational skills: Busuu
• For learners who want to focus on grammar and vocabulary: Duolingo
So, ultimately, the best choice depends on your preferences, budget, and the specific language you want to learn. Choose any of these language learning platforms and have the best experience!