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Drops and Duolingo are both excellent—albeit very different—language learning apps. Having tried each platform for Tagalog and French lessons, respectively, I believe Drops is superior in several key areas.
1Learning Is More Relaxed
One of the main reasons that I prefer Drops over Duolingo is its stress-free, relaxed learning experience. Duolingo emphasizes maintaining streaks, earning points, and receiving virtual rewards. While this is likely more effective for intensive learning, it is easy to become fixated on hitting targets or reaching the next level, which detracts from the ultimate goal of becoming proficient in a language.
While Drops encourages consistency, it doesn’t pressure you to complete daily lessons. You can engage with the app whenever it suits your schedule, and there’s no pressure to dedicate large chunks of time. Furthermore, the lessons are bite-sized, making it easier to focus and absorb the material. This structure works well for me, as I like to study at random times around work and social commitments without feeling overwhelmed.
Download:Drops forAndroid|iOS(Free, subscription available)
2The Interface Is Better
Duolingo is easy to learn. However, it uses a tiered structure where learners must progress through levels, which makes me feel pressured. In contrast, Drops allows you to choose the lessons you want to focus on, providing more flexible and personalized learning.
I like that I can pick up lessons that interest me most or that I need to focus on at the moment, with more control over what I learn and the pace that I wish to set.
Drops stands out for its clean, minimalist design and intuitive interface that offers fewer distractions thanmany other language learning apps. Its vibrant graphics and slick animations combine to create an aesthetically pleasing experience that makes studying more enjoyable.
3Learning Is More Fun
As far as the fun factor is concerned, Drops wins hands down. For me, Duolingo can sometimes feel repetitive and formulaic. Drops takes a different approach, integrating visual learning with games, challenges, and flashcards with colorful graphics that create a more visually stimulating and entertaining experience. You can even test your new knowledge against other Drops users by joining a multiplayer match.
Drops’ focus on images rather than translations is highly effective if, like me, you learn via association and the fun, interactive format makes it easy to stay motivated. I also appreciate the sound effects, animations, and subtle repetition whenever errors occur. The exercises are concise and straightforward, and they keep me engaged without feeling like I’m being forced into completing a daily chore.
4Drops Offers Languages Duolingo Doesn’t
While Duolingo offers over 40 languages, it chiefly focuses on widely spoken ones. I ended up using Drops when visiting the Philippines, as it supports learning Tagalog, whereas Duolingo doesn’t.
On closer inspection, Drops offered many less commonly taught languages, including Farsi, Hawaiian, Icelandic, Maori, and even Swahili, which are unavailable on Duolingo. This makes Drops an excellent choice for those interested in learning languages that are culturally rich but not necessarily mainstream.
Additionally, Drops offers extensive support for both major world languages and their regional variations, such as British and American English and native and Brazilian Portuguese, making it a solid choice if you have specific interests. Whether you want to learn a rare language like Esperanto or expand your proficiency in a more widely spoken one, Drops has you covered in ways Duolingo does not.
5Tracking Your Progress Is Easier
Duolingo tracks your progress through various metrics, including your streak, experience points, and level of completion. Drops, in contrast, places more emphasis on the quality of your learning. Instead of bombarding you with points, badges, or streaks, it bases your progress on the number of words or phrases you have learned.
Drops subtly introduces repetition to ensure that you retain what you’ve learned over time, rather than forgetting words after a few days, and after completing a module, you must pass a checkpoint that revisits everything you covered.
The progress measurement in the app is straightforward and helps you visualize how much you’ve learned and what still needs to be completed. You can also return to previous lessons at any time to review your vocabulary, and a comprehensive list of everything you have covered is kept in your profile.
Although very popular,Duolingo isn’t entirely perfect. Drops offers several advantages that make it the better option for those like me who seek a more relaxed, unpressured learning experience. From its fun, user-friendly interface and engaging design to its wide variety of languages and emphasis on vocabulary retention, Drops provides a refreshing alternative to more rigid and intensive learning apps.
