Duolingo Alternatives for Learning Something Besides a Language
If you like Duolingo's short daily habit and want to spend it on something other than a language, Brilliant is the closest fit: game-like daily lessons with streaks and leagues, in math, coding and science. For psychology, money, history or philosophy, pick Mochivia. For free general knowledge, pick Kinnu.
For people who want Duolingo's few-minutes-a-day habit for a subject that isn't a language. Looking for another language app? This list isn't for that: we haven't reviewed language apps here.
Ranked by how well each one keeps a short daily habit while teaching you something new. Mochivia is our app, and it’s ranked by the same rule as the others. Checked .
1. Brilliant
Math, coding, data and science, in short daily lessons.
Lessons that ask you questions before they teach, plus streaks, leagues, XP and levels. Premium includes a daily lesson, and the free plan gives you two lessons and practice sessions a day.
- Limit
- Its subjects stay inside math, computer science, science and data analysis.
- Price
- Free plan: two lessons a day, with occasional ads. Premium: $30 a month or $240 a year on Brilliant's US subscribe page.
- Checked · brilliant.org/subscribe
2. MochiviaOur app
Psychology, money and economics, history, science, philosophy and AI, a few minutes at a time.
Each lesson takes 5–10 minutes, teaches one idea, and asks you to predict, sort or choose before it explains. Lessons connect into roadmaps, and review lessons bring earlier ideas back.
- Limit
- iPhone only: there's no Android app, and lessons aren't on the web.
3. Kinnu
Free general knowledge, with help remembering it.
Short pathways in culture, history, philosophy, psychology, science and technology. Memory Shields help you keep what you learn, and a learning calendar stamps each day you finish a session.
- Limit
- It's a small, young app next to Duolingo: launched in March 2022, with 508 ratings on the US App Store.
- Price
- General Knowledge pathways are free. One optional subscription, Monthly, is $1.99 on the US App Store.
- Checked · apps.apple.com/us/app/kinnu-general-knowledge/id1625333066
4. Elevate
A daily workout for reading, writing, speaking, memory and math skills.
More than 40 quick games, personalized daily workouts, a workout calendar and weekly reports. The free version gives you one three-game workout a day.
- Limit
- It trains skills you already use rather than teaching new subjects.
- Price
- Free: one three-game workout a day. Full version: $39.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, or $9.99 a month with no trial (US App Store prices).
- Checked · themindcompany.com/apps/elevate
5. Anki
Spaced review of anything you can put on a flashcard.
A free flashcard program that, in its own words, helps you spend more time on challenging material and less on what you already know. The FSRS scheduler is built in, and reviews sync across desktop, phone and the web.
- Limit
- It teaches nothing by itself: you make the cards or download shared decks, which Anki says should supplement real study material.
- Price
- Free on Windows, Mac, Linux, the web and Android. AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad is $24.99 once.
- Checked · apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387
Questions
Is there a Duolingo for subjects other than languages?
Yes. Brilliant does math, coding, data and science in short daily lessons with streaks and leagues. Mochivia does psychology, money and economics, history, science, philosophy and AI in 5–10 minute lessons that ask you to predict before they explain. Kinnu does general knowledge, and its pathways are free.
What else does Duolingo teach besides languages?
Duolingo's App Store listing names chess, math for elementary through high school, and music alongside 40+ languages, and says every course is free (October 14, 2026). The apps on this list cover subjects Duolingo doesn't, such as psychology, history, coding and general knowledge.
What is the best free app for learning something new every day?
Kinnu's General Knowledge pathways are free, and Brilliant's free plan gives two lessons a day in math, coding and science. Mochivia is free to download and try, with a Premium subscription that starts with a free trial.
Checked
Sources
- apps.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-language-lessons/id570060128
- brilliant.org/subscribe
- brilliant.org/about
- brilliant.org/resources/choosing-brilliant/is-brilliant-worth-it
- kinnu.xyz
- kinnu.xyz/blog/company/say-hello-to-kinnu-2-0
- kinnu.xyz/kinnuverse
- apps.apple.com/us/app/kinnu-general-knowledge/id1625333066
- themindcompany.com/apps/elevate
- apps.apple.com/us/app/elevate-brain-training-games/id875063456
- apps.ankiweb.net
- docs.ankiweb.net/getting-started.html
- docs.ankiweb.net/deck-options.html
- apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387
Try Mochivia on iPhone
Short lessons that ask you to think before they explain.
