Duolingo Energy System: Are Free Users Being Left Out?
The update to Duolingo's energy system has seriously downgraded the experience for free users, making it hard for dedicated learners to achieve their goals. New users are feeling unfairly treated, and many loyal users are leaving. So, what's next for free users? Don't worry – with FamilyPro, you can get Super Duolingo for just $9.99/year. It might just be the better option for you!
What is the Duolingo Energy System?
On July 3, 2025, Duolingo published an article titled "Why Duolingo switched to Energy and how it helps you learn," announcing that the old heart system would be replaced by 25 units of energy. Each mistake still costs one unit of energy, and Duolingo energy system also rewards extra energy when you answer questions correctly in a row. This might sound more user-friendly for free users, right? But in practice, it's actually the opposite. Even if you don’t make mistakes, completing each exercise still consumes one unit of energy, significantly reducing the learning experience for free users. Compared to the previous heart system, this change actually shortens learning time and limits progress.
How Does the Duolingo Energy System Work?
- Users start with 25 units of energy, and each exercise completed consumes 1 unit of energy.
- Even if you answer a question correctly, energy is still consumed; if you answer incorrectly, energy is consumed and additional energy is required to correct the mistake.
- Answering multiple questions correctly in a row can trigger random rewards to restore some energy.
- You earn 2 units of energy upon completing a lesson.
- Energy automatically restores over time, taking about a day.
- Low on energy? You can watch an ad anytime to earn some energy, or use gems to purchase an energy refill.
Duolingo Energy System VS Hearts System
The Purpose of Duolingo Energy System
The introduction of Duolingo's energy system was intended to improve the experience for new users, as they are more likely to run out of hearts while learning a language, which can lead to feelings of frustration. Especially considering that making mistakes is part of the learning process. According to data, Duolingo believes the energy system would better balance the user experience and help more learners complete courses. Sounds reasonable, right? But is that really the case?
Many users who have tried the new energy system have reported that it hasn’t improved their learning experience; in fact, it has significantly lowered it. One user, Alin Navarrete, angrily said,
"I HATE THE ENERGY SYSTEM! Now I'm limited to a couple of lessons. It's a pain in the owl! Now even my rewards are wasted... @Duolingo this sucks!”
The system starts deducting energy as soon as you begin, making it impossible for users to engage in long, deep learning sessions. For new users, this system is even worse. They struggle to answer questions correctly in a row, meaning they rarely earn energy rewards, which ultimately shortens their learning time. To make up for the lost energy, they’re forced to watch more ads! Isn't this a double blow for new users?
The Pros and Cons of Duolingo Energy System
Pros of Duolingo Energy System
- Rewards Correct Answers：The system rewards consecutive correct answers with extra energy, motivating users to stay engaged and keep progressing.
- Prevents Over-Exertion：The energy system limits learning time to prevent fatigue, promoting quality sessions with breaks for better long-term retention.
- Fairer for New Learners：The energy system helps new users by giving 25 units of energy, allowing more chances to make mistakes without harsh penalties like the old heart system.
Cons of Duolingo Energy System
- Limits Learning Time for Free Users：One of the biggest drawbacks is that it limits free users' learning time. Even when users are doing well, energy depletes quickly, forcing them to stop after a few lessons and making it harder to maintain a consistent pace.
- Frustrates Dedicated Learners：The energy system, meant to help new users, frustrates dedicated learners. Once energy runs out, they must wait or watch ads to continue, disrupting their flow.
- Unequal Impact on Beginners：New users struggle to earn energy rewards and may spend more time watching ads or waiting for energy to refill, making the experience feel discouraging.
- Pressure to Pay for Premium Features：The energy system pressures users to upgrade to Duolingo Plus to avoid restrictions, frustrating those who want to learn for free.
- Ad-Heavy Experience:Free users must watch ads to replenish energy, disrupting the learning flow and creating an unnecessary barrier to studying.
The Impact of Duolingo Energy System
Increased Anxiety for Users
The update to Duolingo energy system has increased user anxiety. Now, once you start learning, your energy is immediately deducted, meaning you have to stay fully focused to avoid wasting it. This completely goes against the idea of casual and fragmented learning. Now, when you open Duolingo for a quick, fragmented study session, you’re likely just wasting energy! For those actually trying to learn the language, they now have to spend more time planning their learning, unable to experiment freely or take risks. Instead, they become robotic answer machines! Duolingo energy system has undoubtedly heightened user anxiety—they’re no longer focused on language acquisition but are busy calculating energy costs and relying on the random reward system.
The Trust Issues with the Energy System
Duolingo energy system emphasizes "rewarding correct answers, not punishing mistakes," but in practice, users can't predict how much energy they will receive as a reward—it could be more or less than expected, which feels disproportionate to the effort invested. If, after solving challenging problems, the energy reward is minimal, the stark contrast can demotivate users and negatively affect their learning attitude. Additionally, the probability of making mistakes is clearly higher than answering correctly, so users primarily experience punishment for errors, rather than rewards for success. Over time, will users begin to question whether these unpredictable rewards are controlled, potentially guiding them toward paying for a premium subscription?
Free Users Are Churning
The Impact on Dedicated Learners
Duolingo energy system limits how much users can study at once. For those genuinely trying to learn deeply, this restriction is incredibly frustrating! Even if they're fully engaged and completing exercises correctly, their energy depletes quickly. Once the energy is used up, they're forced to stop and can't continue exploring further, completely disrupting the learning experience. What's worse, learners stop focusing on mastering the language and start stressing over managing their energy. The fear of running out of energy and not being able to continue, or having to stop at the worst moment, creates constant pressure. When dedicated learners realize they’re always running out of energy, they’re left with no choice but to upgrade to Super Duolingo to avoid the limitations of the energy system.
Disappointing Loyal Users
The update to Duolingo energy system is a devastating blow to loyal users who were already accustomed to the old way of using the app. Their habits and mindset are deeply ingrained, and the new energy system's restrictions only intensify their frustration, making the experience uncomfortable. Especially when they realize they can no longer use Duolingo as freely as before or achieve the same progress, the sudden change and stark contrast are simply unacceptable to these loyal users.
Unfair to New Users
As I mentioned before, Duolingo energy system is highly unfair to new users. Although the energy base has increased, the rate of consumption far exceeds what it was before. New users are also more likely to make mistakes during their learning process. Initially, with a larger energy base, new users may have more opportunities to make mistakes, but as they progress, this flaw becomes more pronounced, reducing the amount of time they can spend learning. At the same time, new users often rely on fragmented learning to gradually master the basics of the language, which should be a fun and flexible experience, allowing them to learn anytime, anywhere. However, the energy system limits their study time, significantly reducing learning flexibility. Ideally, this change was meant to make the learning experience more efficient and enjoyable for new users, but in reality, it leaves them feeling restricted, making learning harder and less free.
The Balance of Duolingo Energy System
Duolingo energy system is clearly too forceful, especially for free users, who may feel excluded by it. The previously flexible and free learning experience is now increasingly restricted, and free users are left with no choice but to accept this update. What's even more frustrating is that this change offers them no real benefits, and instead, it feels more like a strategy to push users into watching more ads, making more in-app purchases, and ultimately encouraging them to subscribe to the premium membership. What was once an enjoyable and seamless learning process is now constantly interrupted and disrupted, squeezing the learning experience to its limits. Whether it’s the energy restrictions or the constant ads, all of these factors significantly diminish free users' engagement and satisfaction, leaving them with unprecedented feelings of frustration and disappointment. For those who were used to learning freely, this forced change is simply unacceptable. Instead of being a tool to encourage learning, it now feels more like a sales tactic, turning their learning journey into one full of obstacles.
Comparison with Other Language Learning Apps
Babbel: Structured Lessons with Cultural Context
Strengths:
- CEFR-Aligned Courses: Offers structured lessons that align with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Cultural Insights: Incorporates cultural context into lessons, enhancing real-world language application.
- Grammar Explanations: Provides clear grammar explanations to support language comprehension.
Weaknesses:
- Subscription Required: Requires a paid subscription, which may not be ideal for all learners.
- Limited Language Selection: Offers courses in 14 languages, which may not cover all learners' needs.
Best For: Learners seeking a structured, grammar-focused approach with cultural insights.
Memrise: Vocabulary Building with Native Speaker Videos
Strengths:
- Native Speaker Content: Features videos of native speakers using language in real-life contexts.
- Spaced Repetition: Employs spaced repetition techniques to enhance vocabulary retention.
- User-Generated Content: Allows users to create and share courses, expanding learning opportunities.
Weaknesses:
- Less Structured: Lacks a comprehensive, structured curriculum compared to other apps.
- Community Course Changes: Recent changes to community courses have led to some content being moved to separate platforms.
Best For: Learners looking to expand their vocabulary through exposure to native speakers.
Busuu: Social Learning with Native Speaker Feedback
Strengths:
- Community Interaction: Enables learners to practice with native speakers and receive feedback on writing and speaking exercises.
- CEFR-Aligned Lessons: Offers lessons that align with the CEFR, ensuring a structured learning path.
- Mobile and Web Access: Provides access via both mobile apps and web platforms for flexible learning.
Weaknesses:
- Subscription Required: Access to full features requires a paid subscription.
- Variable Feedback Quality: The quality of feedback from native speakers can vary.
Best For: Learners who value social interaction and feedback from native speakers.
What the User Truly Wants
Through these comments, it's crystal clear what users truly want from Duolingo: an unrestricted learning space. Across social media, there's a growing number of users sharing their experiences of rejecting updates and downloading older APK versions—some even falling for scams in the process. All users want is a smooth, uninterrupted learning experience. A penalty system is fine, but when it comes at the cost of excessively limiting learning time and disrupting the learning flow, that's where the frustration lies. Many free users are holding onto hope that this is just an A/B test, and that Duolingo will return to its former, user-friendly state!
FamilyPro SuperDuolingo for Only $9.99/Year
So, what’s the next step for free users, especially those who have already achieved high levels on Duolingo? I highly recommend purchasing SuperDuolingo through FamilyPro for just $9.99/year—what a steal! By using Duolingo's official Family Plan, you can share SuperDuolingo with up to four family members or friends, splitting the cost while enjoying all the premium features.
If you don’t have many friends using Duolingo, or you’re concerned about potential conflicts and account issues, FamilyPro is the perfect solution. It’s a platform dedicated to account sharing, offering long-term, stable service with independent account management, ensuring no interference between users. And if any account issues arise, FamilyPro will quickly replace the account, so you never have to deal with Duolingo’s energy system again! With FamilyPro, you can focus on learning, take risks, and truly make the most of your study time. Isn’t this the ultimate choice for unbeatable value? For more detailed information, please refer to Is Duolingo Free? How to Save on Subscription?
Conclusion
The recent update to Duolingo's energy system has left many free users frustrated, turning what was once a flexible learning experience into a restricted one. While the system aims to help new users, it’s actually causing frustration for many long-time learners. Limited study time, constant ads, and the pressure to pay to continue have led many to revert to older versions or consider quitting altogether.
For those looking for a smoother, more cost-effective learning experience, FamilyPro offers the perfect solution. For just $9.99/year, you can share SuperDuolingo through FamilyPro with family or friends, enjoying all the premium features without the energy system's limitations. With stable, hassle-free account management and quick resolution of any issues, you can focus on learning without interruptions.
If you're fed up with the restrictions of the energy system, give FamilyPro and SuperDuolingo a try. It’s truly the best value for your language learning journey!