Duolingo vs Pimsleur:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Duolingo had more branded searches than Pimsleur among language learning apps worldwide. Duolingo had about 9.1 million branded searches, while Pimsleur had 74,000. Duolingo made up 88.8% of all language learning app searches we track, and Pimsleur accounted for 0.72%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about language learning apps, Duolingo appeared in all five answers and Pimsleur in three. Duolingo was mentioned before Pimsleur in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Duolingo, about 124 searches for every 1 for Pimsleur
Who does AI mention more?
Duolingo, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Duolingo, named ahead of Pimsleur in every answer
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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. Pimsleur was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Duolingo was listed before Pimsleur in every answer.
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 Duolingo or Pimsleur more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Duolingo and Pimsleur 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, Pimsleur. 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 Duolingo and Pimsleur comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Duolingo was ahead of Pimsleur in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pimsleur’s share of searches among language learning apps worldwide moved from 0.71% to 0.72%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
How did search popularity change for language learning apps worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Duolingo nor Pimsleur moved beyond provider rounding among language learning apps in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Duolingo’s and Pimsleur’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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