Fair comparison
Language with Songs vs Duolingo ABC
Duolingo ABC teaches young children to read in English; Language with Songs teaches a second language through bilingual songs. Here's how they differ and how they fit together.
By the Language Learning with Songs team · Last checked: October 2026 · Updated
The short answer
Duolingo ABC and Language with Songs do different jobs. Duolingo ABC is a free app that teaches young children to read in English, with phonics, letters and sight words. Language with Songs teaches a second language (Spanish, French, German, Italian, European Portuguese or Dutch) through bilingual songs. They don't compete; many families could use both.
- Duolingo ABC is an English early-literacy app, not a foreign-language app.
- Duolingo ABC is free, with no ads or in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing.
- Language with Songs teaches a second language through songs, with a free first unit and paid Premium.
- If your goal is a second language, Duolingo ABC isn't designed for that; if your goal is learning to read English, we aren't.
At a glance
| Duolingo ABC | Language with Songs | |
|---|---|---|
| What it teaches | Reading in English: letters, phonics, sight words, vocabulary | A second language: Spanish, French, German, Italian, European Portuguese or Dutch |
| Format | 700+ interactive lessons with tracing, drag-and-drop activities, stories and mini-games | Bilingual call-and-response songs (English line, then target-language line) with karaoke-style lyrics and the English meaning on screen |
| Ages | Preschool to 2nd grade (App Store listing) | Ages 2–8 |
| Price | Free | Free: first unit (6 songs). Premium: $9.99/month or $59.99/year, all languages included; 7-day free trial |
| Ads / in-app purchases | None, per the App Store listing | No ads; optional Premium subscription |
| Platform | iOS and Android apps | Web app in the browser (phone, tablet or computer) |
Competitor details come from their own websites and app store listings (see Sources) and were last checked in October 2026. Prices and features change, so check before you buy. Product names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify them; we aren't affiliated with them.
A common mix-up
Because Duolingo is best known for its adult language-learning app, parents sometimes assume Duolingo ABC teaches children a foreign language. It doesn't. Duolingo ABC is a learn-to-read app. It teaches English-speaking young children letters, phonics, sight words and early reading through short interactive lessons and stories. Its App Store listing describes over 700 lessons, aimed from preschool to second grade, and says the app is free with no ads or in-app purchases.
That's genuinely good news for families: a free, ad-free early-literacy app from a well-known company is a useful tool. It just answers a different question from the one Language with Songs answers.
What Language with Songs does
Language with Songs helps children aged 2–8 pick up a second language through original bilingual songs. Each song is call-and-response: a line in English, then the same line in the target language. Lyrics scroll karaoke-style with the English meaning on screen so parents can sing along even without knowing the language. There are 134 songs per language in 32 themed units in each of six languages. The first unit (6 songs) is free; Premium unlocks all songs in all languages.
Where Duolingo ABC is stronger
- It's free. Completely, according to its listing, with no ads or in-app purchases.
- Reading instruction. Duolingo ABC teaches the mechanics of reading in English (phonics, blending and sight words), which we don't attempt.
- Interactive practice. Tracing letters, drag-and-drop activities and mini-games give children hands-on practice.
- Native mobile app. It installs from the App Store and Google Play.
Where Language with Songs is stronger
- It teaches another language. If you want your child to say hola, bonjour or hallo and understand everyday words, that's what we're built for.
- Listening and singing. Songs build an ear for new sounds and can be played as audio in the car or at bedtime. See why songs help kids learn languages.
- Parents learn too. Every line shows its English meaning, so you can reuse words at home.
Using both
There's no conflict between learning to read in your first language and hearing a second language. Learning two languages doesn't confuse children or delay development; see our guide to raising a bilingual child at home. A simple pattern many families like: a few minutes of reading practice in the morning, and songs in a second language during car rides or bath time. Keep total screen time in mind (our screen time guide covers how), and remember that songs can be played as audio without a screen at all.
Try 6 songs free, in any of 6 languages
Bilingual call-and-response songs for ages 2–8, with every line and its English meaning on screen. The first unit is free forever, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
Does Duolingo ABC teach Spanish or other languages?
No. Duolingo ABC teaches young children to read in English, with letters, phonics and sight words. For a second language, you need a different tool, such as bilingual songs, videos or classes.
Is Duolingo ABC free?
Yes. When we checked in October 2026, its App Store listing described it as free, with no ads or in-app purchases.
Can a young child use the regular Duolingo app?
Duolingo's main app is a general-purpose language app whose exercises lean heavily on reading, so it tends to suit children who already read confidently. For pre-readers aged 2–8, songs, picture books and short videos with an adult tend to be a better fit.
Can my child use Duolingo ABC and Language with Songs together?
Yes. They teach different things: English reading in Duolingo ABC, and a second language through songs in Language with Songs.
How much does Language with Songs cost?
The first unit (6 songs) is free with no card. Premium is $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year, and includes every song in all six languages. See pricing.
Sources
Last checked: October 2026.
Disclosure: this page is written by the team that makes Language Learning with Songs. Spotted something out of date or inaccurate? Tell usand we'll fix it.