Overview
Duolingo AI powers Duolingo’s adaptive lessons and premium Duolingo Max features using a mix of data-driven personalization (Birdbrain) and GPT‑4–style generative AI. It selects exercises at the right difficulty, explains mistakes, and simulates realistic conversations so learners can practice speaking and comprehension in-context.
Pricing
Free
- Free tier includes AI-powered adaptivity from Birdbrain, core language courses, ads, limited hearts, and basic practice modes.drphilippahardman.
- Best for casual learners who are fine with some friction (ads, heart limits) and do not need AI Roleplay or Explain My Answer.
Super Duolingo
- Super Duolingo (ad-free tier) typically costs around 12.99–15.99 USD per month depending on region and platform.
- Adds ad-free learning, unlimited hearts, and extra practice features, but does not include the advanced Duolingo Max AI tools.
Duolingo Max
- Duolingo Max is the top AI tier; 2025 guides show pricing around 19.99–29.99 USD per month or roughly 119.99–168 USD per year for an individual, depending on country and store.
- Family Max plans are often ~29.99 USD/month or ~239–240 USD/year for up to 6 users, including all Max features.
Key Features
- Birdbrain personalization engine – An AI system that processes over 500 million to 1.25 billion daily exercises to adapt difficulty, choose the next exercise, and keep learners in their optimal challenge zone.
- Explain My Answer – GPT‑4–powered feature that lets learners ask why an answer was right or wrong and get a detailed, contextual explanation.
- Roleplay – Interactive AI conversation practice with Duolingo characters in realistic scenarios (e.g., ordering coffee, planning trips) with personalized feedback on accuracy and complexity.duolingo.
- AI Tutor / Video Call with Lily – Simulated video-call sessions with a character (like Lily) for more natural, spoken conversation practice and feedback.
- Adaptive content & course generation – AI helps design and refine course content and exercises, continuously updating based on aggregate learner data.
Best Use Cases
- Beginner to intermediate learners – People starting or building basic fluency who benefit from lots of structured practice and quick corrections.
- Busy learners on mobile – Users who want short, gamified, personalized sessions that fit into daily routines.
- Speaking and conversation practice – Learners who need low-pressure conversational practice via Roleplay and AI Tutor before speaking with humans.
- Self-driven language learners – People comfortable learning largely through an app, using AI explanations instead of live tutors.
- Families and groups – Households using a shared Max family plan to learn multiple languages together.
Pros
- ✅ Highly personalized practice – Birdbrain continuously adapts difficulty and content based on performance, response times, and error patterns.
- ✅ Rich AI features in Max – Roleplay, Explain My Answer, and AI Tutor give more human-like feedback and conversation than traditional drills.
- ✅ Engaging and gamified experience – Streaks, XP, characters, and short sessions make it easier to stay consistent.drphilippahardman.
- ✅ Good value at annual Max pricing – Annual Max plans significantly reduce the effective monthly cost versus paying monthly.
Cons
- ❌ Max is relatively expensive – 19.99–29.99 USD/month (or ~120–170 USD/year) is a premium compared with many other apps, especially in some regions.
- ❌ Not a full substitute for immersion – AI conversations are helpful but still lack the unpredictability and cultural nuance of real-world interaction.
- ❌ Feature availability limited by language – Duolingo Max features (Roleplay, Explain My Answer, AI Tutor) are only available for certain base languages and courses.
Official Website
Duolingo Max & AI features – Official information: https://www.duolingo.com/help/what-is-duolingo-max and https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-max
Release Date: Duolingo’s Birdbrain AI personalization system has been evolving since the late 2010s; Duolingo Max with GPT‑4–powered features like Explain My Answer and Roleplay launched in 2023 and expanded with additional AI Tutor and video call experiences through 2024–2025.
Last Updated: December 2025