In the vast landscape of language learning platforms, Duolingo often takes centre-stage. And deservedly so in many respects – the Duolingo project has made language learning accessible to the masses.

However, a bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone, and at Polyglossic.com, we’re all for choice! Here are four platforms that can give you an alternative to the owl when you need it.

Lingvist

Estonian platform Lingvist takes a personalised approach to vocabulary acquisition, employing adaptive algorithms to tailor learning experiences based on individual progress. By focusing on high-frequency words, it aims to accelerate language acquisition efficiently. While premium features are available, the free version provides a great array of tools for tailoring and tracking your language journey.

50Languages

For those eager to explore a multitude of languages, Germany-based 50Languages is a treasure trove, offering materials for over 50 tongues. On the surface, the platform is a bit of a glorified phrasebook, but organised thematically and very useful for a mass-sentence learning technique. It focuses on practical vocabulary and phrases, facilitating real-life communication. All resources are freely accessible, supporting self-paced learning without financial barriers.

The downside? It’s pretty heavily ad-supported, so you’ll have to navigate some intrusive screen content. That said, I did give it a run in the Brave browser, which suppresses most of them (although bear in mind you’ll be starving a small site of its income by using ad-blockers).

Duostories – Community-Sourced Duolingo Clone

A bit of a cheat, this one, as it is Duolingo… Well, almost. Duostories is a community-sourced website that has licensed much of the story content of Duolingo proper. The twist? Community members have translated them into a good many more languages than the original site offers. You can enjoy the cheesy story content in Catalan, Icelandic, Telugu and more, all in the familiar Duolingo layout. A great alternative to the site that spawned it, at least while users wait for official ports for each of those languages.

Busuu

Busuu, a former UK startup before it was acquired by educational giant Chegg.com, provides courses in 14 languages, and while that’s fewer than Duolingo, it nonetheless covers a great range of ‘mainstream’ ones. Its strength is in its lesson format, which is a bit like a supercharged Rosetta Stone  – interactive exercise units combine with community-based learning for a double whammy. The standout feature is the opportunity to practice with native speakers, supporting authentic conversational skills. While it’s a freemium model, the free version offers substantial resources.

Each of these platforms proves that there are options beyond Duolingo. Some are much simpler, like 50Languages, and others are more fully-developed – Lingvist has features to rival the biggest platforms. But all offer diverse methodologies and features that can complement your language learning journey. If you’re tiring of the owl, why not give them a try? We won’t tell.