Chamelingo vs Duolingo
Both apps gamify Korean learning. Chamelingo goes deeper, with a university-grade curriculum, explicit grammar teaching, AI voice tutoring, and TOPIK exam prep.
Exercise types
CEFR coverage
Annual price
TOPIK prep
Why learners switch
Duolingo is a great starting point. But its Korean course has well-documented gaps that serious learners hit quickly.
Grammar goes untaught
3 lessons on honorificsDuolingo introduces Korean particles (은/는, 이/가, 을/를) with zero explanation of what they do. Honorifics are covered in just 3 lessons, mixing formal and casual randomly. Chamelingo teaches grammar explicitly, with dedicated particle drills, conjugation morphing animations, and structured honorific progression.
The A2 ceiling
A1-A2 max levelDuolingo's Korean course only reaches A1-A2, roughly TOPIK I level 1-2. Reviewers consistently report outgrowing it within 6-12 months. Chamelingo's 16 SNU-aligned chapters take learners through upper-intermediate, with specialized content packs for TOPIK II.
No exam preparation
0 TOPIK contentDespite Korean being Duolingo's 6th most popular language (17.4M learners), there's zero TOPIK or KIIP content. Anyone studying, working, or immigrating to Korea needs these scores. Chamelingo has dedicated TOPIK I/II prep modules and a KIIP immigration course.
The energy gate
~3 lessons then lockedIn May 2025, Duolingo replaced hearts with an energy system that drains even on correct answers. Free users get roughly 3 lessons before being locked out for up to 18 hours. Chamelingo's free tier gives you 3 full chapters with no energy gating or ads.
Feature-by-feature
Chamelingo wins 25 of 32 features
| Feature | KQ | Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Structured chapter-based curriculum | ||
| University textbook alignment (SNU) | ||
| Reaches upper-intermediate (B2) | ||
| Explicit grammar explanations | ||
| Honorific/speech level framework | ||
| 30+ exercise typesDuolingo has ~12 | ||
| Gamified exercises | ||
| Production exercises (build sentences) | ||
| Conjugation morphing drills | ||
| Pronunciation karaoke | ||
| AI voice tutor (real-time WebRTC)Duolingo has Video Call in Max ($30/mo) | ||
| AI text tutorDuolingo: Explain My Answer (free) | ||
| Curriculum-aware RAG tutor | ||
| Multiple tutor characters | ||
| K-drama clips with quizzes | ||
| K-pop lyrics breakdowns | ||
| Interactive storiesDuolingo: 40 stories | ||
| Cultural context & phrases | ||
| Real-time multiplayer arenaDuolingo has passive XP leagues | ||
| Ranked seasons with MMR | ||
| Daily quests | ||
| Streaks & achievements | ||
| FSRS spaced repetitionDuolingo uses proprietary HLR | ||
| Word analytics dashboard | ||
| Anki / CSV flashcard import | ||
| TOPIK I & II prep | ||
| KIIP immigration prep | ||
| No ads (even free tier) | ||
| No energy gateDuolingo: ~3 lessons then 18hr cooldown | ||
| Mobile appChamelingo mobile coming soon | ||
| 40+ languages | ||
| Free to start |
A closer look
Where the differences matter most for Korean learners.
Grammar & Honorifics
The biggest gap in Duolingo's Korean course
Chamelingo
- Explicit explanations for every grammar concept introduced
- Dedicated particle drills for 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 with usage explanations
- Conjugation morphing animations showing verb stem + ending transformations
- Structured honorific progression that teaches when and why to use each speech level
- Grammar correction exercises with animated particle insertion
Duolingo
- Particles introduced with no explanation of function
- Honorifics covered in only 3 lessons, mixing formal and casual randomly
- Grammar expected to be absorbed through pattern recognition
- No framework for avoiding social offense from wrong speech level
- Reviewers call it a "glorified awkward sentence memorization machine"
AI Tutor
Conversation practice that knows your curriculum
Chamelingo
- Claude-powered with RAG so the tutor knows your level, mistakes, and current chapter
- Full voice conversations via LiveKit WebRTC (not just text)
- 5+ tutor characters with distinct personalities and teaching styles
- Customizable: push-to-talk, open-mic, Korean/English ratio, interruption control
- Free tier: 5 text messages/day. Pro: unlimited text + voice ($9.99/mo)
Duolingo
- Explain My Answer: GPT-4 post-exercise explanations (now free for all)
- Video Call with Lily: 2-3 min AI conversations, single character
- Video Call requires Duolingo Max at ~$30/mo
- No curriculum RAG, so the tutor does not know your specific progress
- Roleplay feature has uncertain Korean availability
Gamification & Competition
Skill-based ranking vs XP grinding
Chamelingo
- Real-time 10-player arena with 15-second timer per question
- StarCraft II-style ranking: 7 leagues (Bronze to Grandmaster) with MMR
- 90-day competitive seasons with placement matches
- Hearts system can be disabled in practice mode
- Daily quests with 50 XP bonus for completing all three
Duolingo
- Weekly XP leaderboards with 30-person groups (passive, not real-time)
- Leagues reward grinding easy lessons, not skill
- Friends Clash: 1v1 timed XP race (new, limited)
- Energy system drains even on correct answers (~3 lessons then 18hr wait)
- Streak culture is strong - 9M users with 1+ year streaks
Pricing comparison
Chamelingo Pro includes AI voice tutoring, arena, and TOPIK prep - features that cost $14/mo on Duolingo Max.
Chamelingo Free
$0
forever
- 3 chapters
- 5 AI messages/day
- Basic flashcards
- Leaderboard
- No ads
- No energy gate
Chamelingo Pro
$6.67
/mo (billed yearly)
- All 16 chapters
- Unlimited AI text + voice
- Multiplayer arena
- TOPIK & KIIP prep
- Stories & K-culture
- Word analytics
Duolingo Free
$0
with limits
- Full course (A1-A2)
- Explain My Answer
- Energy-gated (~3 lessons)
- Ads between lessons
- Basic streaks & leagues
- No exam prep
Duolingo Super
$7.00
/mo (billed yearly)
- Full course (A1-A2)
- Unlimited energy
- Ad-free
- Personalized practice
- No AI conversations
- No exam prep
Duolingo Max
$14.00
/mo (billed yearly)
- Full course (A1-A2)
- Video Call with Lily
- Roleplay conversations
- Unlimited energy
- Ad-free
- No exam prep
The honest verdict
Where Duolingo wins
- Massive brand and community (17.4M Korean learners)
- Polished mobile apps on iOS and Android
- 40+ languages if you want to learn more than Korean
- Strong habit-forming design (streaks, notifications)
- Free tier covers the full course (with energy limits)
Where Chamelingo wins
- University-aligned curriculum that goes beyond A2
- Explicit grammar teaching (particles, honorifics, conjugation)
- AI voice tutor with multiple characters at $9.99/mo (vs $30/mo for Duolingo Max)
- Real-time multiplayer arena with skill-based ranking
- TOPIK and KIIP exam preparation
- K-drama clips, K-pop lyrics, and cultural content
- No ads or energy gates, even on the free tier
Duolingo is the better starting point for casual exploration because its brand, mobile apps, and habit-forming design are hard to beat. But for learners who are serious about Korean, Duolingo's course hits a ceiling at A2 with minimal grammar teaching. Chamelingo picks up where Duolingo stops: structured chapters, explicit grammar, exam prep, and AI tutoring that actually knows your curriculum. Many learners use Duolingo to build the habit, then switch to Chamelingo to build the skill.
Frequently asked questions
매주 무료 한국어 드롭
매주 하나의 문법 개념을 명확하게, 바로 받은편지함으로. 스팸 없이, 바로 쓸 수 있는 주간 스킬 부스트.
스팸 없음. 언제든 구독 취소 가능.
Coming from Duolingo?
Pick up where you left off. Chamelingo places you at the right chapter based on your current level, with no starting over.
Start free, no credit card3 chapters free. No ads. No energy gate.