Breaking Down the Costs: What It Really Takes to Build a Duolingo-Style Language Learning App

Hola!! Alguna vez has imaginado conversar sin esfuerzo en un idioma extranjero o conseguir ese ansiado trabajo en el extranjero? Did the language barrier prevent you from understanding what we were saying? Fear not—you may utilize excellent applications to learn the language or open Duolingo or Google Interpret to interpret the sentence. 

 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to converse in a foreign language effortlessly with your peers or to land your dream job abroad but fail to converse with your colleagues due to the language barrier between you and them? Undoubtedly, language barriers have broken several dreams by posing a significant obstacle to individuals unaware of the language. 

 

Over time, the intricacies, restricted access to language learning tools and lack of engagement impede the personal growth and professional advancements of individuals dreaming of building a career in a foreign land. However, worry not! Technology has evolved, leading to a revolution in the language learning process, as now one can learn a new language in no time with help from language learning apps like Duolingo, which allows individuals to learn through a series of well-planned courses.  

 

These apps, with their engaging content and personalized learning pathways, have allowed individuals interested in learning a new language to do so from their homes with a few taps, thanks to their handheld friend known as a smartphone.  

 

The triumph and tremendous growth achieved by Duolingo and similar language teaching apps has encouraged app development companies to take the risk of creating similar apps to generate revenue and help individuals with dreams of working abroad turn it into a reality. Even though apps like Duolingo have ignited a spark of curiosity in entrepreneurs to build a similar app, many remain uncertain about taking the risk and seizing the opportunity.  

 

Well, language learning apps like Duolingo have taken the world by storm due to their inviting offers of fun games and twisted challenges to users that encourage them to maintain their streaks and keep their names on the leaderboards.  

 

Duolingo has won millions of hearts as it is now a family of over 500 million users taking assistance from the app to learn a new language and turn their dreams into a reality. The cost of creating an app similar to Duolingo depends on several variables, such as the app’s functionality, design complexity, deployment platform selection, and team location.  

 

What Is Duolingo? 

 

Are you someone with a passion for learning new languages? If yes, then Duolingo, with its Gamified challenges and streaks, is your perfect partner to learn your desired language in a fraction of the price and time required to learn a ne language from scratch. For people still wondering what Duolingo is, it is a language learning tool launched in 20120 and developed by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker to help individuals learn new languages at reasonable prices.  

 

American educational technology startup Duolingo, Inc. creates language certification programs and learning applications. In addition to 43 languages—from English, French, and Spanish to less frequently studied languages like Welsh, Irish, and Navajo—Duolingo offers classes on music math. The gamification of interactive lessons with timed repetition and points and awards is incorporated into the learning approach to encourage users. The software promotes practice in phases with brief, daily sessions. 

 

In addition, Duolingo provides the children’s literacy software Duolingo ABC and the online language test Duolingo English Test. The business uses a freemium business model, with optional premium packages that offer extra features and are ad-free, such as Super Duolingo and Duolingo Max.  

 

The most loved language-learning app in the world, Duolingo, adds more than 100 million new users monthly.  

 

A comprehensive analysis of Duolingo’s research from 2012 to 2020 revealed a dearth of studies on the platform’s effectiveness for language learning, indicating comparatively high levels of user pleasure, enjoyment, and favourable opinions of the app’s efficacy. The business has also received recognition for its potent brand engagement and effective marketing strategies. 

 

 

Growth Of Duolingo In Australia 

 

The brilliant language learning app has transformed language learning for everyone with its innovative Gamified challenges, leading to a tremendous surge witnessed by the app globally.   

 

One of the most used language-learning platforms, Duolingo, has been observed to grow in popularity considerably in Australia recently. Since 2024, the app has attracted more than 5 million monthly active users across Australia, indicating its significant growth since earlier years.  

 

Most likely, the primary factor for this phenomenon is that Duolingo managed to revolutionize learning languages through gamification and bite-sized lessons appealing to a diverse demographic. 

 

One significant factor is that Duolingo included native Australian languages, among the other regionally native languages, to appease the local learners. The gamified app format proved highly exciting for Australian learners who require highly flexible and easy-to-use products for language learning. 

 

Other contributing factors include effective marketing strategies, partnerships with educational institutions, and focused promotional campaigns aimed directly at the Australian market. Duolingo has gained collaboration with local schools and universities that implemented it as part of their educational programs, further increasing its exposure and popularity. 

 

It is noticeable here that Australian user demographics vary from young students to retirees interested in learning a new language. Such broad appeal is promoted by Duolingo’s free-to-use model, which allows full access to high-quality educational content without any economic barriers, reaching a wide variety of audiences. 

 

Continuous improvement with app updates, improvements toward AI-driven learning tools, and many language courses available constitute the prime contributors to sustained growth and engagement experienced by the app in Australia. A reputable app development company can help you build an app like Duolingo within budget. 

 

Due to its successful localization, Duolingo has been rapidly expanding throughout Australia, and as a result, it may be considered a significant player in the digital education space. 

 

 

Analysing The Benefits Of Creating An App Like Duolingo 

 

Did you know that language learning apps like Duolingo have managed to win millions of hearts? Duolingo, the innovatively brilliant language-learning app, has encouraged app development companies and entrepreneurs to invest in the booming business and create a similar app to earn millions and help individuals learn new languages. The market for developing language-learning apps is expanding, and by 2026, it’s predicted to reach a valuation of over $400 billion. The unique language-learning app has generated around $126.8 million in revenue from users interested in learning new languages.  

 

1. Global Reach And Scalability- 

 

The best part about developing a language learning app in today’s time is that it would reach a broader audience, thus helping you generate better revenue. Global internet access and smartphone use have accelerated, which has greatly aided in improving your revenue and expanding your language capabilities.  

 

2. Engaging And Effective Learning- 

 

Gamification elements, including challenges, rewards, and quizzes, boost motivation since they bring real enjoyment and competitiveness to learning. Giving clear goals is the aspect of challenges, making progress, and quizzes allow for self-assessment of knowledge that can be reinforced.  

 

Interactive features include vocabulary builders, pronunciation guides, and speaking exercises that keep the participants engaged. It expands word banks through contextual practice pronunciation guides to ensure proper pronunciation, and exercises in speaking encourage the practical application of language. All these create a dynamic learning experience that motivates continuous improvement and sustained interest in acquiring the language. 

 

3. Personalized Learning Journey- 

 

Another best part about developing a language learning app is that users can learn their favourite language in their own time and personalize their learning journey by choosing their skill sets and challenge levels. The gamified version of exercises helps individuals focus on their language of choice, learn them faster and continue to remain in their position on the leaderboard. Thanks to the development of app functionalities like progress monitoring and tailored recommendations help ensure users can tailor the language learning app to match their learning goals. 

 

4. Flexibility And Convenience 

 

The language learning app access at any time allows users to integrate language learning to fit their busy lives, enabling them to study anywhere and at any time. In actuality, students can interact with the program by their obligations or timetables. This flexibility overcomes the confines of a classroom setting where fixed timings are required, and people have to be physically present themselves.  

 

The tool increases access to education by offering a portable and self-paced learning experience, thus providing the advantage of accessing language training for those who may be restricted by limitations in mobility or time. In other words, the facility in question makes language learning more practical and accessible for everyone. 

 

5. Measurable Progress And Feedback- 

 

Language learning apps like Duolingo allow users to monitor their progress and focus on their weaknesses to improve their language skills in their favourite language through several challenges and games. These apps provide instant access to users’ feedback on language improvements, thus helping them gauge their favourite language proficiency.  

 

6. Diverse Learning Resources- 

 

It provides all students with a rich set of learning tools like audio files, interactive exercises, and vocabulary lists that are quite comprehensive, thus offering an assortment that is pretty suitable for different kinds of student learning styles. 

 

Audio files enhance listening and pronunciation, interactive exercises allow the student to practice hands-on and reinforce concepts through engagement, and vocabulary lists enable word building and retention. It ensures a range of pedagogical approaches, from immersive and auditory learning to visual and kinaesthetic methods, where learners can tailor their experience for maximum effectiveness and enjoyment. 

 

7. Revenue Generation Potentials- 

 

Creating apps like Duolingo allows users to generate better revenue by enabling them to learn their favourite language for a while through a freemium model, thus giving them the choice to continue learning on their schedule.  

 

You can see this in apps like Duolingo, as they offer basic learning features with limited slots to make mistakes for free to learners but charge an affordable price for advanced learning. Partnering with trained professionals, advertisers, publishers, and language teaching schools can help you generate better revenue.  

 

 

Understand How Much It Costs To Build An App Like Duolingo In Australia- 

 

Most cost factors may affect the final budget of developing an app like Duolingo in Australia. Typically, a language learning app development on one platform could cost between $35,000 and AUD 120,000. This estimate includes typical base features, like user interface, content management, and core functionalities.  

 

However, if you choose a hybrid app that can run on iOS and Android, costs may range from $AUD 100,000 to $AUD 200,000. Hybrid development is generally a bit more complex in programming and testing to ensure perfect functionality on different devices and operating systems, thus costing between $75,000 and $150,000.  

 

The precise requirements and characteristics of the technology you want to implement will determine how much each of these general estimates ends up being. You will incur costs if your project calls for sophisticated tech stacks, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to support adaptive learning or more sophisticated gamification elements.  

 

The ultimate expenses will increase with the addition of large exercise sets, sophisticated backend data management systems, or real-time voice recognition capabilities. A React Native app development company can help you understand the cost of building an app like Duolingo. 

 

Technology/Features And Cost – 

 

1. Backend- $20-30000 
2. Frontend- $15-20000 
3. Content And Exercises- $30-50000 

Understand Factors That Would Have Influenced The Development Of Duolingo Like App 

If you want to develop an app like Duolingo, you should know that it will be difficult to build something comparable because it has been difficult to create an app that is on par with the well-known one, requiring in-depth research and conversations to comprehend the different factors that contributed to its creation. 

 

1. App Platform– 

 

There are numerous technological platforms from which you can choose, thereby launching your app to the world and giving your app a head start. Developing a native app for iOS versus Android or cross-platform app development requires a delicate balancing of several considerations.  

 

Native development, built within platforms, is always created at the expense of another platform. In this way, native development usually leads to better performance, usage of features unique to the platform itself, and an overall better user experience. Of course, it costs more and takes longer to develop per platform. 

 

On the other hand, cross-platform development lets you create a single app that can run on iOS and Android simultaneously, potentially reducing costs and speeding up the development process. However, it may mean giving away performance and access to some native functionalities.  

 

2. App Design– 

 

App design is another critical aspect affecting the process and outcomes of creating a Duolingo-like app due to the factors influencing the interest of users of your app. 

 

The app interface should be brilliant, and simplicity should be one of the main characteristics of a successful language-learning app. This would be achievable by hiring a professional who has hands-on experience making intuitive applications as well as applications that are pleasing to the eye. A bright and experienced designer would ensure the app matches users’ expectations and industry standards.  

 

They’ll let the user experience connect with the user at a deeper level, making it less challenging to use while the consumer is still learning. The produced visual elements will be clean and efficient, with interactive qualities, thus making learning fun and efficient. It can thereby make the app in question successful.  

 

3. Complexity Of Features– 

 

Developing an app like Duolingo requires you to offer your users unique features to attract them towards your app over your competitors, thus helping you gain a competitive advantage. Key characteristics of an appropriate language app like Duolingo are identified and used.  

 

Essential components would be interactive lessons, engaging users with dynamic content and exercises. The vocabulary exercise will support the development and consolidation of vocabulary, and the clarification of grammar will help understand how the rules of the language are applied.  

 

Speech recognition technology enables pronunciation practice with the application of real-time feedback. The feature of progress monitoring keeps the user motivated by empowering the tracking of accomplishments. Social aspects like the leaderboards or interactions amplifying competition and cooperation can enhance general engagement and user motivation.  

 

4. Content Creation And Localization– 

 

When developing an app like Duolingo, you ensure the content you provide to your users is prime and correct, which has become very influential in keeping the user interested. 

 

Superb language courses and content require native speakers, good translators, and language experts to make the material linguistically elegant, culturally insightful, authentic, and fascinating. Creating learning material, localization, and updating periodically to make the material current and relevant will keep a business owner with cost considerations. Such investment is a pivotal factor in sustaining and improving the effectiveness and quality of language courses in various languages.  

 

5. Gamification And Engagement– 

 

Some of the most valid gamification elements include achievement, badges, and rewards with leaderboards. This would cause an increase in the user’s motivation and engagement because of such tangible rewards and recognition of progress as well as success. 

 

Such features would enhance customer happiness and interaction, altering the overall experience into a very engaging and pleasing experience. Such gamification features would, however, add costs and effort in development. It revolves around designing and implementing Gamified systems to work with no bugs while ensuring its maintenance and updating, thus keeping people interested and participating over time.  

 

6. Integration With Third-Party Services- 

 

Third-party services refer to social media sharing, translation APIs, and speech recognition APIs that can be used to enhance the capabilities of an app. Social media sharing offers a seamless way to link and share status with others.  

 

This pertains to community engagement. Multi-lingual functionality is enabled through translation APIs, where the app becomes accessible to a larger population group. Speech recognition APIs enhance the functionality of interactive learning since they issue real-time pronunciation feedback.  

 

All of these enable integration in a big way and add more value to the user experience as this app becomes more versatile and appealing. It will be relatively simple and cost-effective to collaborate with a seasoned education app development company that can take care of integration. 

 

7. Backend Development And Infrastructure- 

 

Developing a robust, scalable backend architecture is not to be underestimated. Real-world implementations of Strong authentication and Authorization technologies to safeguard the user’s data against unauthorized access. A mobile app development company can help you choose the perfect technological stack for your Duolingo clone.  

 

Cloud service opportunities for self-scaling to accommodate varying loads and allow for expansion in the future.  Implement a CDN to reduce the speed and reliability it takes to deliver content. 

 

Invest frequently in security audits and encrypt your sensitive data. Finally, for the environment to be cost-effective over the long run, it should be optimized where costs related to server servicing, hosting, and data storage remain as low as possible. A React Native app development company is your best bet to building an app like Duolingo.  

 

1. Documentation- $350-450 
2. UI design- $6,000-8,000 
3. Design implementation- $5,000-7,000 
4. Multiple resolution support- Depends on the app development company 
5. Core logic- Depends on the app development company 
6. Testing- $9,000-15,000 
7. App setup and launch- $5,500+ 
8. Total- $30,000-$50,000 

 

Essential Features To Offer Your Users– 

 

When creating an app like Duolingo, the most important thing to remember is to ensure you provide your consumers with something special to keep them around because, eventually, everyone will move on to the newest and greatest product on the market.   

 

1. Interactive Lesson– 

 

While developing an app like Duolingo, remember to add elements like interactive lessons and challenges to entertain your learners and ensure their progress.  To help users learn more effectively, interactive, one-of-a-kind lessons that incorporate various components, like games, puzzles and multimedia, should be offered. 

 

Apart from the fact that these characteristics are even simpler and more fun to work with, they address different forms of learning for better success at making one retain and absorb more. Games and puzzles can offer a competitive and problem-solving approach, while multimedia content such as video clips, animations, and interactive simulations can provide dynamic, visual, and audible learning experiences. Hire an Android app development company or an iPhone app development company to build your dream app. 

 

2. Reading Comprehension– 

 

Developing reading comprehension skills can also be exercised with activities that challenge the learners to check their reading. These exercises can include comprehension questions based on a text, condensing passages, main ideas and supporting details.  

 

For a learner to make forward pushes in understanding, some activities like an interactive cloze test wherein learners fill in missing words and matching that associates the theme of a passage with the passage itself can also be incorporated. 

 

Frequent practice from these exercises will allow students to achieve enhanced skills in comprehension and text analysis while helping them to become even better mainstream literates and to possess a much more acute awareness of general, complex written text. 

 

3. Writing Exercise– 

 

App users must have opportunities to compose writing in the target language to solidify their understanding of grammatical rules, sentence structures, spelling, and other essential language components. Composition exercises for essay writing, short stories, and answering various prompts make the user put the learned material into practical context.  

 

Such a practice helps to drill those language rules into memory and enhances fluency by forcing the user to build sentences and paragraphs properly. In addition, the ability to deliver instant feedback or error correction makes it possible for learners to discover their mistakes and rectify them live, thus influencing better writing skills and overall language ability. 

 

4. Vocabulary Building– 

 

The app must provide users with various tools and exercises useful for vocabulary expansion and an in-depth understanding of word usage development. It can be accomplished through configurable word lists tailored to individual needs or user interests and interactive word banks that allow users to discover and sort new terms.  

 

Other examples will help you understand how different words are used in distinct sentences and situations, thereby explaining aspects that users may not be familiar with. In this approach, the program improves the user’s capacity to learn and apply new words, which enriches his language and understanding abilities. 

 

5. Listening Exercise– 

 

Allowing listening practice through a portion of the app enables users to practice speaking and enhance their understanding of spoken language. Such exercises include listening to dialogues, podcasts, or native speakers’ pronunciations to build up auditory-oriented comprehension and pronunciation skills. 

 

Users can even more effectively listen to the varied accents and speech patterns framed in diverse contexts by continuously exposing themselves to various listening resources. This practice not only promotes the interpretation and identification of spoken language but also brings about the development of more natural and accurate pronunciation in users.  

 

Along with these, there are listening practice exercises that can also help develop overall language fluency by improving comprehension and response-ability in conversations. A mobile app development company can help you integrate latest technologies in your app.  

 

6. Speaking Practise 

 

Speaking exercises- pronunciation drills with dialogue simulation and speech recognition technology provide the basis for good practice in speaking confidently and correctly. Pronunciation drills sharpen focused practice on distinct sounds and intonation patterns, thereby improving the clarity and accent of the users.  

 

Dialogue simulation: Users can engage in conversation and practice acceptable and natural responses to most circumstances with this interactive tool. Speech recognition technology provides users instant feedback on pronunciation and flow of speech; this way, they can correct mistakes and perfect their speaking habits.  

 

These exercises have positively offered users practical experience, built confidence, and developed an authentic and effective speaking ability in the target language. 

 

 

7. Progress Tracking– 

 

It is necessary to monitor performance in several language skill competency domains, including vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing ability, and speaking fluency, to track the development of learning levels. All of these can be depicted graphically using charts and graphs.  

 

Detailed reports will give the user an idea of how much improvement they have been making over time and what they need to concentrate on. The system should allow the users to set and change achievable goals, which motivates and guides them in their learning path. Feedback and performance details regularly keep the user on track, ensure engagement, and continually improve the language abilities. 

 

8. Multi-Language Support 

 

Support for multiple languages from diverse linguistic backgrounds ensures it is convenient for users to access the app and learn any language of their choice. This feature allows the accommodation of a wide range of native languages: this makes the app highly inclusive and accessible to users from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. 

 

The provision of interfaces, instructions, and learning materials in different languages assists in easy flow through the app and a better understanding of its functionalities. This approach makes learning smoother and enables users to get immersed more profoundly with the target language by filling gaps in comprehension and making the educational experience overall rewarding. 

 

9. Offline Mode– 

 

Facilitating downloads of lessons, exercises, and resources for offline access ensures users can learn freely without depending on the internet connection. It allows users to continue their learning anywhere, any time, while travelling, in connectivity-scarce areas, or simply for preference, without online distractions.  

 

Offline access helps keep learning consistent and flexible: you can review material, work through exercises, and practice skills at your own pace. This allows the app to accommodate different learning environments and personal preferences, thus allowing education to be accessible and convenient for any user. 

 

10. Quizzes 

 

The feature assists users in reinforcing their learning with exciting ways to test their understanding of the information. Users can examine how much they understand the material through interactive quizzes, games, and activities. These interactivity assessments are engaging activities that make learning enjoyable and provide instant feedback on what needs more practice.  

 

This dynamic approach to evaluation, which incorporates entertaining features, keeps users motivated to fill up the knowledge gaps they have found. It also promotes active engagement, repeated practice, and chances at retention and mastering of content. 

 

11. Mobile Accessibility– 

 

The application needs optimisation for mobile devices. Mobile enhancement is pivotal because users learn on the go and access lessons when they want in any place. Mobile improvement ensures that the interface and usability of the app run fluently across various screen sizes and resolutions, thus offering a smooth and convenient experience.  

 

Users can easily switch between different devices, like smartphones, tablets, or computers, without losing progress or having compatibility problems. With this flexibility, learning becomes convenient as education is adapted to integrate into one’s busy schedule while commuting, travelling, or even at home leisure time. 

 

12. Flashcard– 

 

This characteristic is a simple yet very effective way to learn vocabulary, phrases and grammar rules with rapid exercise, thus enhancing recall and retention of language concepts. The feature will enable such users to interact with pivotal language elements repeatedly, techniques such as flashcards, spaced repetition, and interactive quizzes.  

 

The feature is intended to be easy to use and will ensure that the student makes review sessions an instinctual part of daily routine. It is effective for displaying areas of difficulty to the user, enabling them to go back and review these sections. This targeted approach gives users more efficient treatment of essential language concepts, thus boosting proficiency and confidence. A reputable React Native app development company can help you integrate unique features and technologies in your app for a seamless user experience. 

 

13. Gamification Elements– 

 

Some gamification features such as badges, rewards, leaderboards, and challenges provide extraordinary motivation to the users while the learning experience becomes interesting. The badges and rewards are evidence of concrete achievement when milestones are mastered by the user, giving feelings of accomplishment that seek to continue on this path. A friendly, competitive atmosphere fostered by leaderboards encourages potential users to improve and become more involved.  

 

Challenges offer dynamic, interactive means of applying knowledge, making learning exciting and integrative. These gamification elements then turn education from a passive experience into an active journey that excites, thus improving user satisfaction and keeping progress consistent through a fun, rewarding approach. 

 

14. Language Proficiency Certification–  

 

It shall enable users to validate their language skills and qualifications using official assessments, certifications, or proficiency tests. Using the structured presentation of capabilities, users can build credibility in academic and professional streams.  

 

The users can demonstrate their language proficiency through recognized certifications or detailed performance reports for prospective employers, educational institutions, or professional networks.  

 

This validation adds value to their resumes and boosts their confidence since there’s evidence of their capabilities as desirable human beings in the global job arena and academic circles. 

 

Conclusion– 

 

Building an application like Duolingo is, therefore, a major investment ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. Such a massive cost range reflects the complexity of producing quality language-learning software.  

 

The key contributors to this investment include skills for development, sophisticated design, robust feature set, and much content production. 

An Australian mobile application development company by the name 7 Pillars, can help you learn the market and about their needs to create a unique strategy that will separate your app from the rest and be valuable to its users and thus drive long-term success. 

 

Assembling an efficient team of developers, designers, and quality assurance experts forms the bottom line and will work behind every successful app. The overall aggregate of their expertise ensures the app is not only functional but engaging and user-friendly as well. This retention of users means high-quality design and a seamless user experience can drive up costs but are important for long-term success. 

 

7 Pillars is a mobile application development company that can assist in designing an app comparable to your competitors with unique features that will make your business stand out from the competition and attract clients. 

 

A well-executed app can help you access incredible opportunities within this rapidly growing market. Because of this, although the cost may be high, the potential to influence digital education landscapes makes it worthwhile for those prepared to navigate the complexities of developing an app. So, if you are an entrepreneur planning to build an app like Duolingo, look no further and connect with our team at 7 Pillars today.