Drops vs Duolingo:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Duolingo had more branded searches than Drops among language learning apps worldwide. Duolingo had about 9.1 million branded searches, while Drops had 5,400. Duolingo made up 88.8% of all language learning app searches we track, and Drops accounted for 0.05%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about language learning apps, Duolingo appeared in all five answers and Drops in none.
Who do people search for more?
Duolingo, about 1693 searches for every 1 for Drops
Who does AI mention more?
Duolingo, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Duolingo, the only one of the two named
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Top language learning apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Duolingo appeared in all five answers. Drops did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Duolingo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Babbel5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Busuu4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pimsleur3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Rosetta Stone1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Memrise1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Drops0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about language learning apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which language learning app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best language learning apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best language learning app for learn a language?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“language learning app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learn spanish app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Drops or Duolingo more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Drops and Duolingo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven language learning apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Duolingo, Drops. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Duolingo | Rosetta Stone | Busuu | Babbel | Memrise | Pimsleur | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 88.2% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 0.71% | 0.08% |
| Nov 2025 | 85.3% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 87.1% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.08% |
| Jan 2026 | 85.2% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 1% | 0.11% |
| Feb 2026 | 87.9% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.87% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 87.1% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.86% | 0.08% |
| Apr 2026 | 89.1% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 0.88% | 0.08% |
| May 2026 | 89.3% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 0.88% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 89.7% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.89% | 0.06% |
| Jul 2026 | 88% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.08% |
| Aug 2026 | 89.2% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.88% | 0.06% |
| Sep 2026 | 88.8% | 5.3% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.72% | 0.05% |
How has the Drops and Duolingo comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Duolingo was ahead of Drops in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Drops’ share of searches among language learning apps worldwide moved from 0.08% to 0.05%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Duolingo’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide moved from 88.2% to 88.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.1M.
How did search popularity change for language learning apps worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Drops worldwide fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 5.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Drops’ and Duolingo’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among language learning apps
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