Duolingo Max vs Speak

Duolingo Max

Max is worth it for a learner who already finishes Duolingo lessons daily and wants to speak out loud without a tutor: Video Call is the one Duolingo feature that forces unscripted talking, and Roleplay fills the gap between drills and conversation. Anyone not yet consistent with the free app is paying for features they will not reach, and the price is only visible in the app, differs by country and sits well above Super.

Pros

• +Video Call gives unscripted spoken conversation that adapts to your level, which the free and Super tiers lack
• +Roleplay scenarios come with feedback on what you said, not just a right-or-wrong mark
• +Everything in Super (no ads, unlimited hearts, practice mode) is included, so there is no separate upgrade
• +Backed by a public company with a large, actively updated app on both mobile platforms

Cons

• −The price is shown only in the app's shop and changes by region, so it cannot be compared before installing
• −Video Call and Max purchases are mobile-only; the web app cannot sell or fully run the tier
• −The AI features cover a subset of the 40-plus courses, so learners of smaller languages pay Max prices for Super features
• −Billing runs through the App Store or Google Play, so refunds and cancellation follow Apple's or Google's rules

Speak

Speak is the app to pick if your problem is that you can read a language but freeze when you have to talk: every lesson pushes you to say full sentences and the tutor talks back. It is weaker on grammar explanation and reading, and the price is hidden until you are inside the trial. Six target languages for English speakers is a narrow menu next to Duolingo or Babbel.

Pros

• +Lessons are built around speaking aloud, with real-time pronunciation and phrasing feedback
• +Open-ended AI tutor roleplays (ordering, reservations) go beyond scripted drills
• +7-day free trial before any charge
• +Built with OpenAI and backed by its startup fund, so model quality tracks the frontier

Cons

• −No prices on the website; they vary by region and promotion and appear only in-app
• −Six languages for English speakers, far fewer than mainstream rivals
• −Fees are non-refundable and cancellation needs three days' notice before renewal
• −The method depends on speaking to your phone, which is awkward in public

Does Duolingo Max or Speak have a free tier?

Duolingo Max has a free tier; Speak has paid plans only.