Duolingo got easier when I paid for it. That was the problem
The author reflects on their experience with Duolingo, noting that the app became less enjoyable after subscribing to its premium service. Initially, the gamification and progress tracking were motivating, but over time, the focus shifted from learning to merely maintaining a streak. After canceling the subscription, the author found renewed enjoyment in the free version, despite its limitations.
- ▪The author initially loved Duolingo for its engaging language-learning approach.
- ▪Subscribing to Super Duolingo led to a focus on maintaining a streak rather than actual learning.
- ▪After canceling the premium subscription, the author returned to the free version and rediscovered the joy of learning languages.
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Opinion Duolingo got easier when I paid for it. That was the problem I used to love Duolingo, but paying for it killed my love for the language-learning app. By Dave Parrack Contributor, PCWorld May 20, 2026 8:57 am PDT Image: ilgmyzin / Unsplash In 2015, ahead of my first vacation to Italy, I wanted to learn some Italian. It’s polite to know at least some basic words and phrases when visiting a foreign country, right? Enough to get by, anyway. With about three months to learn, I landed on Duolingo—and instantly fell in love with the way it teaches a language through implicit learning and gamification. As someone who’s never been particularly academic, I still remember those days with a special fondness because I’d never had so much fun while learning something new.
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