Duolingo is built for learning languages (and now chess) in bite-sized lessons, Coursera is a library of career courses, certificates and degrees, and Question Avenue writes a new course on any subject you choose, around your goal and level. Which is best depends on what you want to learn.

We make Question Avenue. The details below for Duolingo and Coursera come from their own UK App Store listings, as read on 2 October 2026.

At a glance

Duolingo Coursera Question Avenue
What it is for 40+ languages and chess, in quick, bite-sized lessons 8,000+ courses, projects, certificates and degrees from companies and universities A course on any subject you choose, written around your goal and level
Who writes the course Duolingo’s own courses Partner companies and universities Written for you when you ask
Starting level Courses for all levels Choose from the catalogue You tick what you already know and pick a starting level
Lesson formats Speaking, reading, listening and writing practice On-demand courses, flexible schedules Cards, a long read or audio
Revision Practice in the app Course quizzes and projects Revision cards that come back before you’d forget
Price to download Free Free Free; first two courses free, then a monthly Course allowance

Choose Duolingo if…

You want to learn a language (or chess) with daily, game-like practice.

Choose Coursera if…

You want a recognised certificate, a structured university course or a degree for your career.

Choose Question Avenue if…

You want to learn a particular subject your way (say, how mortgages work, the basics of SQL or the Roman republic), starting from what you already know, with an outline you approve before any lesson is written.

Sources

We make Question Avenue. Prices and features change; check each app's store page before you choose.