Duolingo Max

Duolingo Max is Duolingo's bet that AI can fix the app's oldest criticisms: no real conversation practice and no grammar explanations. For the most part, the bet pays off — with caveats about price and language coverage.

What we like

Video Call with Lily is the standout. Speaking a new language to a judgment-free AI character removes the single biggest barrier for shy learners, and the conversations adapt to your level rather than following a script. Explain My Answer is quietly just as valuable: instead of memorizing that an answer was wrong, you finally learn why, in plain language. All of this sits on top of the best habit engine in education software — streaks, leagues, and quests that have kept millions of people practicing daily for years.

Where it falls short

The price-to-benefit math is questionable. Max costs roughly double Super, and the AI features are only available in a handful of major languages — learners of less common courses pay for features they can't use. The AI conversations, while impressive, stay within fairly safe conversational lanes and won't challenge upper-intermediate speakers. And the core Duolingo limitation remains: gamified lessons build vocabulary and habit, not fluency.

Verdict

If you're learning Spanish, French, or English and you actually use the speaking features weekly, Max is worth it — the conversation practice alone replaces a chunk of what a tutor provides at a tenth of the cost. If you're learning a smaller course or you mostly grind lessons on the bus, stick with Super or the free tier and put the difference toward an occasional iTalki session. Max is a genuinely good product wearing a slightly ambitious price tag.