Duolingo Mobile vs Desktop: Which one is better in 2024?

One of the biggest platforms that helps you learn the language is Duolingo. It is a platform that supports both mobile as well as desktop versions. When user uses the platforms it becomes important to understand the difference between both of them. Thus, here I will give you a complete guide on Duolingo mobile vs desktop version.

Quick Takeaways

• Below are the key differences for both of the platforms-

1. Practice hub
2. Drag and Drop
3. Shopping store
4. Currency of the platform
5. Heart system
6. Timed Challenges
7. Friends quest
8. Learning path
9. Monthly Badge Challenge
10. Daily Goal Options 

However, you must read the end so that you get a better understanding of what are the key differences between both of the platforms.

Duolingo mobile vs Desktop: What are the key differences?

Following are the key differences between both versions-

1. Practice hub

Both desktop and mobile versions of the practice center (barbell icon) are accessible but the way it’s presented is a little different. On the mobile device edition, there is an option known as “Target Practice” once you enter the practice area. On the other hand in the desktop version, you will be getting the “Unit Rewind”. Here, you can evaluate incorrect responses through the “mistakes” review in practice.  

2. Drag and Drop

When responding to a question, you can rearrange the words or drag & drop them on the mobile version. In the desktop version, you must click on the word to form a phrase. If you make a mistake in the sentence’s order, you will have to start over and eliminate any words that come before it.

You cannot drag and drop words to alter their order. It is therefore preferable to use only the keyboard to respond to questions on the desktop.  At the bottom of the exercise, you will get the clickable keyboard icon, which simplifies the answers to typing. 

3. Shopping store

A shopping section will be included in both versions but are different from each other. One of the biggest differences between the shop sections is the feature of purchasing Merchandise like Duo plushies. You can purchase this merchandise only on the desktop version and not on the mobile app. Another main difference between both of the versions is the availability of the Timer boosts. 

4. Currency of the platform

When you are using the platform on the Desktop version you will see the currency known as the Lingots. These lingots are in red color which is different from the currency colour on the mobile version. The currency you get on the mobile version is known as the Duolingo Gems. These gems are in the blue color that you can use for purchasing the boosters or unlocking the new lessons.

5. Heart system

The heart system is the feature where you can get five lives or the chance to make only five mistakes while practicing in the lessons. However, this feature is only available on the mobile app and not on the desktop version. It means that there are unlimited hearts when you use the Desktop version. Also if you want to get unlimited health on the mobile version, then you can take up the subscription plan which is also known as Super Duolingo.

6. Timed Challenges

Timed challenges are basically no changes that you have to compete against the time period. At present there is no time challenge on the desktop version of Duolingo. They are very important features when it comes to building up the knowledge of the language and taking a break from the path. One of the reasons why there may be no time challenge on the desktop is that you cannot drag and drop on the desktop easily. As it could be very challenging to perform speed activity on the desktop, they may only provide the time challenge on the mobile version.

7. Friends quest

Friends quest is basically a challenge in which you can take part with the friends you have made on Duolingo. The main difference between both versions is that the desktop version does not offer friend quests to the users. This is one of the very interesting features as due to it you can make new friends using Duolingo. Of course, it is an engaging way of learning the language. There is no specific reason for not having it on the desktop version. Maybe the Duolingo team is trying to Focus solely on the course of the bathroom. 

8. Learning path

The learning path is also very different when we learn the course on the desktop and the mobile version. When you are using it on the mobile app you will see that there are different sections in the course. On the other hand for the desktop version, there are only units but not the sections for it. Also, you will see that the number of units at which you are may be different for the unit on the mobile app. Suppose you are learning the French language and are at the 60th unit on a desktop. But if you open up the mobile app it may be a different unit.

9. Monthly Badge Challenge

Monthly badges are basically the rewards that you get on completing the monthly goal. This feature will help you to stay active in learning the language. There are a lot of monthly badges that you will be receiving each month. This feature is not available on the desktop version. It is very surprising that there are Daily Quest and Duolingo League available on the desktop version but not it. However, it is very confusing as it can be an easy feature to be added to the desktop.

10. Daily Goal Options 

Another strange difference between both of the versions is the availability of the daily goals. When you are using the desktop version you will get to see the Duolingo daily goals based on the earnings of the XP score. Whereas, if we talk about the mobile device, the daily goals are based on the duration of using the platform.

Conclusion

Duolingo is a platform that helps you to learn a new language either on the desktop or on the mobile app. The features you get on the desktop version are different from the features you get on the mobile app. The main difference between both of the platforms is the availability of the heart system. The heart system is available on the mobile app and due to it you only get 5 chances to make a mistake while practicing.

Also, the currency that you get on this platform has different names for both of the versions. When you are using Duolingo on the mobile app the currency that you get is known as Duolingo gems whereas on the desktop they are known as lingots.