Contents
Introduction
What Is Duolingo?
What Is Preply?
Duolingo vs Preply: Which Is Better?
Which One Should You Use?
What About Using Both?
Final Thoughts: Duolingo vs Preply – Which Is Better?
Duolingo vs Preply: Free App or Personal Spanish Tutor?
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June 28, 2025
Introduction
Are you trying to decide whether to use Duolingo or Preply for Spanish? You’re not alone. With more people wanting to speak Spanish for work, travel, or personal growth, picking the right learning tool matters. Two popular options; Duolingo and Preply offer very different ways to learn.
This post compares Duolingo and Preply. You’ll find the best fit for your goals, budget, and learning style.
What Is Duolingo?
Duolingo is a language learning app you can use on your phone or computer. It’s designed like a game, with short lessons, rewards, and fun challenges. Duolingo teaches you vocabulary, grammar, and a little pronunciation.
The app is free to use, though there’s a paid version called Duolingo Super that removes ads and lets you use it offline.
f you enjoy learning by playing games and want something easy to use every day, Duolingo could be a great fit. It’s especially popular among beginners and casual learners who want flexibility and self-paced learning. For more help, check out these Duolingo tips for beginners.
Duolingo Pros:
- Free to start
- Fun and interactive
- Easy to use anytime
- Works on your phone
- Great for beginners
Duolingo Cons:
- Limited speaking practice
- Not personalized
- You learn the same way as everyone else
- Focus is more on reading than speaking
- Pronunciation practice is basic and uses a robot voice
What Is Preply?
Preply is a website where you can find a real Spanish tutor to teach you one-on-one through video calls. Each tutor sets their own price, and you can choose someone who fits your budget and learning needs. If you’re looking for a tutor, you can find some of the top Spanish tutors online with just a quick search.
With Preply, you get personalized learning, meaning your tutor creates lessons based on your level, goals, and interests. You can also focus more on speaking Spanish aloud, get real-time corrections, and ask questions any time during the lesson.
Preply Pros:
- Real human interaction
- Tailored lessons just for you
- Great for speaking practice
- You can pick your own tutor
- Tutors help with culture, slang, and more
Preply Cons:
- You have to pay per lesson
- Lessons are scheduled, so less flexible than apps
- Might feel harder for beginners who are shy speaking
Duolingo vs Preply: Which Is Better?
Let's compare Duolingo and Preply for learning Spanish. We'll look at five key areas: cost, learning style, flexibility, user experience, and speaking practice.
1. Cost vs Free
When it comes to cost vs free, Duolingo is the clear winner if you want to save money. It’s completely free unless you upgrade to Duolingo Super.
Preply costs money, but you’re paying for a real tutor who focuses on your individual needs. You can think of it like investing in yourself.
Keyword usage: Duolingo vs Preply which is better in terms of price? It depends on your budget and how serious you are about learning.
2. App vs Tutor: Learning Style
This is where app vs tutor matters most. Duolingo is great if you like games and want to learn a little every day without pressure. But Preply is better for serious learners who want to improve their speaking and get feedback from a real person.
3. Flexibility and Schedule
Duolingo vs Preply comparison shows that Duolingo works best for busy people. You can learn Spanish anytime; on the bus, in bed, or while waiting in line.
Preply gives you more structure, which some learners need. But you’ll have to set time aside and commit to your lessons.
4. User Experience and Motivation
Duolingo makes learning feel like a game. You earn points, unlock levels, and get daily streaks. This is good for motivation, especially at the beginning.
But some people say the game part can distract from real learning. You might get stuck memorizing words and forget to use them in real conversations.
Preply offers real conversations with real people, which helps you stay motivated in a different way. Many learners feel more responsible when they know a tutor is waiting for them.
Which One Should You Use?
Let’s look at some real-life situations and decide whether Duolingo or Preply for Spanish makes more sense:
If You’re a Beginner on a Budget
Use Duolingo. It’s free, easy, and lets you try Spanish with no pressure. You’ll build a habit and get a basic understanding.
If You Want to Learn to Speak Fluently
Go with Preply. You’ll get speaking practice from day one and learn how to use Spanish in real life. Plus, tutors help you with confidence and pronunciation.
If You’re Super Busy
Stick with Duolingo. You can learn in 5–10 minutes a day, anytime. There’s no need to book lessons or talk to anyone if you’re not ready.
If You Need Fast Progress
Choose Preply. Tutors help you move quickly because the lessons are built just for you. This is especially useful if you’re learning for a trip or a job.
What About Using Both?
Some learners use both Duolingo and Preply. This combo works well:
- Use Duolingo daily to review and build vocabulary.
- Use Preply once or twice a week for speaking practice and grammar help.
This way, you enjoy the fun of a language app and the benefits of personalized tutoring.
Final Thoughts: Duolingo vs Preply – Which Is Better?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the Duolingo vs Preply which is better question. It depends on your:
- Goals (basic phrases vs full fluency)
- Budget (free vs paid)
- Learning style (app vs tutor)
- Schedule (flexible vs structured)
Both platforms are great tools. Duolingo is best for free, daily learning that’s fun and low-pressure. Preply is best if you’re serious about learning and want to speak Spanish aloud confidently.
Still not sure? Try both! You can test Duolingo for free and book a trial session on Preply to see which feels right.
Need More Help Choosing?
If you’re still deciding between Duolingo vs Preply Spanish, don’t worry. At Comligo, we help students like you find the best language learning paths. Whether you’re learning Spanish for travel, school, or work, we’ll guide you toward the best tools for your goals.
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