Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps out there, but it may not be your cup of tea. Are you looking for Duolingo alternatives for Spanish? We certainly have some for you!
We know learning a new language can be challenging, and each person learns differently. Lucky for you, there are more tools than we can count to help in your journey. But that also means you might have to spend considerable time finding the right one.
In this article, we will cover different Duolingo alternatives for Spanish language learning at all levels. We will focus on apps, online courses, websites, and YouTube channels. First, we will give you a general idea of how they work and what they can do for you. Then, we will highlight their key features. We hope this makes finding the perfect Spanish learning tool effortless!
Duolingo alternatives for Spanish: apps
We thought we’d start with something similar: apps! Here are five worthy Duolingo alternatives for Spanish in app form.
Memrise
With different modules that are appropriate for your level, Memrise helps you memorize words and phrases. Through the app, you listen to recordings or watch videos (by native speakers) to work on your vocabulary. Once you’ve cemented each word or phrase in your brain, you keep building on it through writing exercises and more related vocabulary.
Memrise’s approach is based on neuroscience, and its technology leverages AI to provide feedback. The app offers a wide variety of everyday topics and includes review plans, and gamified tests.
Memrise is available for free, but the Pro membership is ad-free and provides extra features. These include access to all AI buddies, role-play, and culture tips.
Key features
- Grow your vocabulary
- Learn phrases for real-life situations
- Chat with other learners
- Online phrasebook
Clozemaster
Clozemaster focuses on contextual learning that helps you build on your vocabulary and grammar skills faster and more efficiently. The app uses a fill-in-the-blank methodology, which is where the name comes from: a “cloze test.” This is a type of test where you are given a portion of a text with one or more words missing.
As you play, you score points that will help you rise in the leaderboard while you compete with other users. You can also play different categories, such as Most Common Words or Grammar Challenges.
You can sign up for Clozemaster and access many features for free, but if you want to step up your game, there is also a Pro version. The Pro version includes unlimited listening practice, custom settings, and automatic Google translations, among other features.
Key features
- Countless fill-in-the-blanks exercises
- Progress tracking
- Gamification
- Listening and grammar challenges
Babbel
Babbel is one of the few Spanish apps that focuses on improving your conversation skills. The app offers matching and listening exercises with a wide array of Spanish accents. Your subscription includes full access to Spanish courses on the mobile app and website.
Babbel covers a variety of topics and includes a review feature. Each course is planned around your interests and your native language. The app also uses speech recognition to help you learn and improve your pronunciation.
Babbel is a paid app. It provides access to one free lesson, but after that, you will have to choose from three subscription options for 3, 6, or 12 months.
Key features
- Interactive lessons
- Variety of activities
- Practice conversation skills
- 24/7 customer service
LingoDeer
LingoDeer focuses on grammar to teach languages comprehensively. The app uses gamification, strategic pacing, and learning tips to make learning fun and easy. You can also customize the app regarding text size, fonts, and background color.
Their grammar-based curriculum, designed by language teachers, includes detailed explanations. The lessons are voiced by native speakers, and you can practice speaking with engaging stories that include interesting cultural facts.
LingoDeer offers some free content and a free 7-day trial of its Premium plans, which are available monthly, quarterly, yearly, and for life.
Key features
- Grammar notes
- Native audio
- Offline mode
- Speech recognition to improve pronunciation
Busuu
You could say Busuu provides the whole package. This app includes lessons on speaking, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It also offers exercises, examples, and grammar and writing tips. This means it covers the four essential language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
One of its most remarkable features is that no internet connection is required to use the app. Busuu covers various topics and includes fun quizzes to test how much you’ve learned. It also offers live lessons with a qualified teacher.
After testing to set your current level of language proficiency, Busuu will recommend a specific plan for you. You can continue with a basic free plan or subscribe to the Premium or Premium Plus plans to be paid yearly. The premium plans allow extra features such as more personalized learning, offline mode, and the possibility of adding more languages.
Key features
- Covers all four language skills
- Personalized
- Offline mode
- Live lessons
As you can see, these apps focus on different aspects or cater to different learning styles. What all of these Duolingo alternatives for Spanish have in common is that they include gamification, making learning easy and fun for all.
If you are an intermediate Spanish speaker, this article has more information on even more mobile apps!
Duolingo alternatives for Spanish: online courses
If you prefer the structured learning offered by online courses, here are some other Duolingo alternatives for Spanish language learning.
Udemy
Udemy is a global e-learning marketplace that offers a wide range of courses on various topics. Millions of people have used this incredible tool, which includes around 100,000 courses from thousands of instructors worldwide.
It also has a section devoted to learning Spanish. This includes both free and paid (but affordable) courses at every level. You can find their Spanish courses here.
Key features
- Structured content
- Lectures
- Quizzes
- Subtitles
Coursera
You have probably also heard about Coursera. This site offers free and paid (but affordable) online courses on various topics. It has partnered with over 200 universities and organizations, so you can use their resources remotely and even earn diplomas for them!
Coursera offers many Spanish courses for every level. There are also language courses for specific purposes.
Key features
- Video lectures
- Interactive quizzes
- Flexible learning
- Certificates/Diplomas
Duolingo alternatives for Spanish: other sites
Your search for Duolingo alternatives for Spanish should not be confined to apps or online courses. There are plenty of other resources on the web. We focus on three of these below.
These three options are quite different from the rest of the resources in this article. We want you to find the most suitable learning method.
PROFE de ELE
Profe de Ele is a website that contains courses for different levels or resources for a specific topic or area. Levels range from A1 to CW, and categories include Grammar, Vocabulary, Functions, Spelling, Culture, and Tests.
Their activities include fill-in-the-blanks, presentations, readings, songs, escape rooms, and Kahoots. You can also look for specific topics, such as Latin Countries, Therapy, and Values.
All of the content on the website is in Spanish, which can be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it. It has the benefit of being an immersive experience, but it may be a bit daunting for beginners.
Key features
- Interactive activities
- Grammar explanations
- Video lectures
- Tests and quizzes (including Kahoots)
StudySpanish.com
StudySpanish.com is an educational website focused on Spanish. It includes sections on grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and verb drills.
The website is free to students but also offers paid memberships. This includes extra podcasts, tests, and exercises, as well as access to their immersion conversational course.
Key features
- Bite-sized sections
- Real-life vocabulary
- Verb quizzes
- Grammar explanations
Preply
If you learn best by interacting with others, Preply might be your best option. Once you set your preferences, the website will match you with a tutor who works for both your budget and your schedule.
You then book a trial lesson to see if you’re a good fit. Once you are happy with your tutor, you can subscribe and start your learning journey!
This is a paid service that is charged every four weeks, and you can take as many lessons as you want.
Key features
- Customized lessons
- Schedule flexibility
- Trial lessons
- Progress tracking
Duolingo alternatives for Spanish: YouTube channels
If you find yourself scrolling YouTube often, this might be a good option. There are plenty of channels that serve as Duolingo alternatives for Spanish.
YouTube is an incredible platform for finding resources, with the added benefit of being available for free. Here are three channels you might find helpful:
Butterfly Spanish
Butterfly Spanish covers grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and culture. The teacher, Ana, is super passionate about the language and has content to help you reach different goals. Her lessons are very practical and include over 150 videos, with more released every month or so.
Key features
- Video lessons
- Regular new content
- Cultural content
Culture Alley
Although this channel no longer publishes content, its existing videos are pretty helpful. These revolve around grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Key features
- Video lessons
- Bite-sized lessons
- Easy to follow
The Spanish Dude
The Spanish Dude traveled around Spain and Latin America to improve his language skills. His channel includes videos on vocabulary, grammar, and learning strategies. If you prefer to listen to the audio, his 140+ lessons are also available as podcasts.
The Spanish Dude’s website also offers premium content, including a travel Spanish crash course and two conjugation boot camps.
Key features
- English-speaker point of view
- Bite-sized lessons
- Easy to follow
Duolingo alternatives for Spanish: final thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of different Duolingo alternatives for Spanish learning. Some may be suitable for a specific type of learner or focus on a particular aspect of the language (like vocabulary building or speaking practice), while others are more comprehensive. We hope you find the perfect fit and that you will be talking to natives in no time!
If you are looking for more resources for your Spanish language learning, this article’s got you covered. And this one will help you learn the language on your own.
Clozemaster has been designed to help you learn the language in context by filling in the gaps in authentic sentences. With features such as Grammar Challenges, Cloze-Listening, and Cloze-Reading, the app will let you emphasize all the competencies necessary to become fluent in Spanish.
Take your Spanish to the next level. Click here to start practicing with real Spanish sentences!