At a glance
| Topic | Ziplex | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| All six levels, A1 to C2 | A1 to C2 | Beginner to intermediate |
| The same post at your level | Every post at every level | One version of each lesson |
| A German feed you want to scroll | Short German posts, like social media | Lessons and exercises |
| Lots of German to read and hear | Daily posts to read and hear | Short sentences and some short stories |
| Tap any word for its full entry | Meaning, article, plural, cases and verb forms | Short word hints in exercises |
| Fun word games for German | Remember new words for good and get articles and verb forms right | Game-like lessons, no games just for German |
| Points and badges to collect | Collect points in games and earn badges as you learn | Points, leagues and a streak calendar |
Which one fits you?
Where are you with German?
How do you like to learn?
How much time do you have?
Just a rough guide. Plenty of people use both.
Who should pick which
Choose Duolingo if…
- You're starting German from zero and want step-by-step lessons.
- You like streaks and leagues to keep you going.
- You want something free to start with.
- You want to practise speaking out loud.
Choose Ziplex if…
- You know some German and want to read and hear much more of it.
- You want German at your exact level, from A1 up to C2.
- You'd rather read posts than do exercises.
- You'd rather earn badges at your own pace, with rest days.
Duolingo + Ziplex
Can you use both?
Yes, and it's a good mix. Do your Duolingo lesson for structure, and use Ziplex when you'd normally open a social feed. The words you learn in lessons show up in real posts, and that's where they stick.
We make Ziplex, so we're not neutral, but we've tried to be fair. Details about Duolingo were checked on its own website on 22 October 2026. Apps change, so check Duolingo's site for the latest features and prices. Duolingo is a trademark of its owner; we're not affiliated with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duolingo enough to learn German?
Duolingo is a good start, especially for vocabulary and basic sentences. Most learners also need a lot of real German to read and hear, at their level, to get comfortable. That's the gap Ziplex is built for.
Is Ziplex free like Duolingo?
Not quite. Ziplex starts with a full free week. After that it's a subscription. Duolingo has a free version with ads and paid plans.
Can beginners use Ziplex?
Yes. Posts come at A1 and A2 with short, clear sentences, and you can tap any word for its meaning. If you're at absolute zero, a few weeks of a lesson app first will help.