Head to head
Duolingo vs Clozemaster
Two popular ways to learn a language, side by side: how each teaches, where each is strong or weak, and who should pick which.
- Free forever plan
- No card needed
- 77 languages
Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
Lesson preview
Step 4Estoy cansado.
I am tired.
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start freeDuolingo
Duolingo is a gamified app with short lessons, a streak system and many languages. Most exercises are tapping, matching and typing, with some speaking prompts.
Strengths
- Playful, habit-forming daily lessons.
- A real free tier.
- Many languages and plenty of variety.
Weaknesses
- Mostly tapping and typing, with limited speaking.
- Sentences can feel disconnected from real conversation.
- Progress can slow at intermediate level.
Best for: Building a daily habit and getting broad early exposure.
Cost model: Free with limits; paid tier removes limits and adds extras.
Clozemaster
Clozemaster has you fill in missing words in real sentences, ordered by word frequency. It suits learners who already have the basics and want to grow vocabulary in context.
Strengths
- Vocabulary in real sentence context.
- Frequency-based ordering.
- Free and paid options.
Weaknesses
- Not beginner-friendly on its own.
- No speaking practice.
- Little explanation.
Best for: Intermediate learners growing vocabulary.
Cost model: Free with a paid pro tier.
Which is better for what: Duolingo or Clozemaster?
| If you want | Pick |
|---|---|
| speaking practice | Neither is a main strength |
| beginners | Duolingo |
| free learning | Both are good fits |
| grammar | Neither is a main strength |
| vocabulary | Both are good fits |
| Japanese, Korean and Chinese | Neither is a main strength |
| conversation | Neither is a main strength |
| intermediate learners | Clozemaster |
| travel | Neither is a main strength |
| commuting and hands-free | Neither is a main strength |
Where 4ToSpeak fits
If speaking is the skill you want to build, 4ToSpeak adds what neither of these leads with: every sentence ends with you saying it out loud, with word-by-word feedback, on a free plan with no card. Many learners use Duolingo or Clozemaster for what it does best and 4ToSpeak for daily speaking reps. 4ToSpeak vs Duolingo · 4ToSpeak vs Clozemaster
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Is Duolingo better than Clozemaster?
Neither is better for everyone. Duolingo is best for building a daily habit and getting broad early exposure. Clozemaster is best for intermediate learners growing vocabulary. Choose by what you want to improve.
Which is better for speaking, Duolingo or Clozemaster?
Neither is mainly built around speaking. If speaking is your goal, a speaking-first app such as 4ToSpeak, or a tutor, will give you more practice than either.
Is Duolingo or Clozemaster better for beginners?
Duolingo is the more beginner-friendly of the two. The other is better once you have the basics.
Can I use Duolingo and Clozemaster together?
Yes. Many learners combine apps that cover different skills. Many learners use Duolingo for variety and light daily exposure, and 4ToSpeak for focused speaking practice on the sentences they need. Clozemaster to expand vocabulary, 4ToSpeak to say what you have learned.
Related guides
Keep comparing
Free · no card · 77 languages
Want more speaking in your day?
Whichever you choose, add a daily speaking habit. Free to start, no card.