Both Nomino and Duolingo help millions learn languages, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Duolingo gamifies vocabulary through written exercises and translation. Nomino uses AI to simulate real conversations with instant voice feedback. Here's how they compare—and which one is right for you.
Choose Nomino if: You want to practice speaking and get instant pronunciation feedback through AI conversations. Best for learners who need real-world conversational skills.
Choose Duolingo if: You prefer gamified vocabulary building, written exercises, and a free tier. Best for casual learners building foundational vocabulary.
Use both: Many serious learners use Duolingo for vocabulary and Nomino for conversation practice—they complement each other perfectly.
| Feature | Nomino | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | AI conversation practice | Gamified vocabulary lessons |
| Speaking Practice | ✓ Core feature | Limited speaking exercises |
| Voice Recognition | ✓ Advanced AI feedback | Basic voice recognition |
| Real-time Conversations | ✓ Yes, adaptive AI | ✗ Pre-scripted exercises |
| Grammar Explanations | Contextual, in conversations | ✓ Dedicated lessons |
| Gamification | Streak tracking, progress stats | ✓ Heavy gamification |
| Languages Supported | 11 languages | 40+ languages |
| Pricing | £8.99/mo or £79.99/yr | Free + $13/mo premium |
| Free Trial | 3 days | Free tier (ad-supported) |
| Best For | Speaking fluency, pronunciation | Vocabulary, casual learning |
Nomino throws you into realistic scenarios from day one. You're ordering coffee in Spanish, asking for directions in French, or negotiating in German—all through voice conversations with an AI that responds naturally and corrects you in real-time. There's no translation crutch. You learn to think in the target language by doing what you'll actually need to do: speak.
Duolingo builds vocabulary through translation-based exercises, multiple choice questions, and written responses. You translate "The boy eats an apple" back and forth between languages. It's structured, methodical, and heavily gamified with points, streaks, and leaderboards. The approach works well for vocabulary acquisition but provides limited speaking practice.
💡 Bottom Line:
Duolingo teaches you words. Nomino teaches you to communicate. If your goal is conversational fluency, Nomino's AI-driven approach gets you there faster. If you're building foundational vocabulary from scratch, Duolingo's structured lessons are excellent.
This is where the difference is stark. Nomino is built around voice interaction—every lesson is a conversation. The AI analyzes your pronunciation, intonation, and fluency in real-time, providing specific feedback on what to improve.
Duolingo offers some speaking exercises, but they're basic: repeat after the audio, match the words. The voice recognition is lenient and doesn't push you to improve pronunciation. Many users report completing years of Duolingo and still feeling unable to hold a basic conversation.
🎯 User Insight:
"I used Duolingo for 2 years and knew thousands of words. But when I traveled to Spain, I couldn't order food without freezing up. Nomino forced me to practice speaking every day, and within a month I felt confident having real conversations." — Sarah M., Nomino user
Duolingo's free tier is its biggest draw—you can learn indefinitely without paying, though you'll watch ads and deal with limited lives. Nomino has no free tier but costs less than Duolingo Premium and includes features (AI conversations, advanced voice feedback) that Duolingo doesn't offer at any price.
Many effective learners use Duolingo for 10-15 minutes to build vocabulary, then practice using those words in real conversations with Nomino. The combination gives you the best of both worlds: structured vocabulary acquisition plus conversational fluency training.
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