Duolingo covers a lot of popular choices, but it still skips some of the most sought-after courses, which leaves learners looking for alternatives. Let’s learn about the main languages Duolingo doesn’t have, like Thai, Serbian, Khmer, Urdu, Lao, Albanian, Tagalog and so on, and what to try instead when your first choice is missing.
After all, the best language app is not always the one everyone keeps recommending. It comes down to something much simpler: does it actually teach the language you want to learn?
Key Takeaways
- Duolingo offers 40+ language courses, but many popular and underserved languages are still missing.
- Ling offers 70+ language courses, including many courses that cannot currently be found on Duolingo.
- Ling and Duolingo both apps use short, gamified lessons, but Ling focuses much more on lesser-taught languages.
- Ling includes features like interactive dialogs, script tracing, and cultural notes to make difficult languages easier to learn.
- When choosing an app, pick the language first, then look for audio, practical lessons, and support for the writing system.
Why Isn’t Duolingo Always The Best Fit?
Duolingo is one of the most popular language apps out there, yet when people download it, they often end up disappointed. Not because the app is bad, but simply because it doesn’t offer them the language they’re looking for.
Duolingo has a strong coverage for widely studied languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, German, and Italian. In fact, it teaches 40+ languages, including two fictional ones, and it even offers courses on math, music, and chess. And yet, a learner who wants to learn Serbian, Thai, Albanian, Khmer, Lao, Georgian, Armenian, Mongolian, Tamil, Urdu, or Yoruba needs to look beyond the usual app list.
The best option in 2026 for underserved languages that aren’t found everywhere is the Ling app. Ling offers 70+ languages, including many Duolingo does not currently cover.
That makes Ling a better choice if your target language is missing from the popular app list. You still get the easy, bite-sized app experience everyone loves, but with far more options, especially for Asian, Eastern European, and lesser-taught languages.
What Languages Does Duolingo Not Have That Ling Supports?
There are many similarities between Duolingo and Ling. Both use short, gamified lessons with streaks, levels, listening exercises, and beginner-friendly practice designed for daily learning.
The biggest difference is the language selection. Duolingo focuses mostly on some of the world’s biggest languages, while Ling offers far more underserved languages.
Here are some languages that can be found on Ling, but not on Duolingo.
| Region | Found on Ling, but not on Duolingo |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | Thai, Tagalog, Malay, Khmer, Lao, Burmese, Cebuano, Javanese, Sundanese |
| East Asia | Cantonese, Taiwanese Hokkien, Mongolian |
| South Asia | Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Nepali, Sinhala, Pashto |
| Balkans | Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian, Bulgarian, Slovenian, Macedonian |
| Baltic and Northern Europe | Icelandic, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian |
| Middle East and Central Asia | Persian, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Uzbek, Armenian |
| Africa | Afrikaans, Somali, Amharic, Yoruba |
| Lesser-taught European languages | Georgian, Sorbian, Romani, Catalan |
Quick takeaway: Duolingo is still a strong choice for major global languages, but learners of underserved languages often need an app like Ling with broader course coverage.
What Are Ling’s Top Features For Language Learning?
Ling was created with the aim of connecting people from different cultures. While many language apps focus on the same handful of popular languages, Ling was made specifically for learners seeking to study languages that are a little more interesting, niche, or harder to find in other apps.
Ling teaches hard languages by making them less intimidating through real conversations, writing practice, and daily lessons. Here are the most useful features you can find in the app.
Interactive Dialogs
Ling offers interactive language dialogs, which means each lesson includes short conversations where you respond to prompts, practice pronunciation, and learn how the language is actually used in real situations.
Cultural And Grammar Notes
Many courses in Ling include Grammar Notes that explain difficult concepts in a simple, beginner-friendly way. They also include several Culture Notes, which are quite practical since research supports the idea that cultural learning can improve language learning.
Level Progression
Ling is structured across five levels: beginner, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced, and expert, so there is always something new to work towards.
Finger Tracing For Non-Roman Scripts
Ling has a built-in finger-tracing feature that shows you exactly how to write characters correctly in complex languages like Thai, Japanese, Korean, and Hindi.
Sentence Building Exercises
Instead of endless multiple-choice questions, Ling uses tap-to-build sentences that help you naturally get used to how a language’s sentence structure works.
Tips On Choosing An App For A Language Duolingo Does Not Have
If your target language is not on Duolingo, do not rush into the first app you find. A few small things can make a huge difference in how enjoyable and useful the course actually feels.
- Search for the language you want to learn: Don’t search only for “Balkan languages” or “Indian languages”. Look up specifics like “best Serbian language app” or “best app to learn Khmer,” etc.
- Listen before you commit: In tonal languages, changes in pitch can completely change a word’s meaning, which is why you need an app with native audio to hear how it’s said correctly.
- Test one beginner lesson: A good first lesson should help you communicate right away through useful phrases, not random vocabulary. For example, greetings, introductions, polite phrases, and travel basics are better than isolated nouns.
- Check the writing system: Languages like Thai, Khmer, Georgian, Armenian, Tamil, and Bengali need script support. Look for tracing features, reading practice, or clear native script examples.
- Look for something to build a daily routine: The goal is not to rush, but to return often enough for the language to stay active. It even works if you do it only five minutes a day.
- Download the Ling app for underserved languages: This step makes sense if your target language is missing from Duolingo and you want structured lessons with dialogue practice, audio, and script support across 70+ languages.
FAQs: Languages Duolingo Doesn’t Have
Why Doesn’t Duolingo Add Any New Languages?
Duolingo doesn’t add new languages because building a full course takes a lot of time, research, native speakers, curriculum design, and testing. They tend to focus on languages with the biggest global demand first. That is where Ling stands out a bit more, because it puts much more focus on languages that most apps tend to ignore.
Does Duolingo Have Thai?
No, Duolingo does not currently offer Thai. Learners who want to learn Thai need to look for an app with native-speaker audio, tone practice, and Thai script support.
Does Duolingo Have Serbian?
No, Duolingo does not currently offer Serbian. A Serbian learner should look for lessons with Cyrillic or Latin script support, pronunciation practice, and everyday Balkan travel phrases.
What Is The Best App For Languages Duolingo Doesn’t Have?
The best app for languages Duolingo doesn’t have is usually one that focuses on underserved languages instead of only the most popular ones. Ling stands out because it offers a much wider range of courses while still keeping the same easy, beginner-friendly app style people already enjoy.
How Many Languages Does Ling Offer?
Ling offers 70+ languages, including underserved Southeast Asian, Eastern European, and African ones.
What Are Some Languages That Duolingo Doesn’t Have?
Some languages Duolingo doesn’t have are Thai, Tagalog, Malay, Cantonese, Khmer, Lao, Mongolian, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil, Serbian, Croatian, Albanian, Slovenian, Georgian, Armenian, Icelandic, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Yoruba, Amharic, and Somali. Duolingo currently offers 40+ languages, while Ling offers 70+, including many underserved Southeast Asian, Eastern European, and African languages.
How To Choose The Right App? Depends On The Language
The main languages Duolingo doesn’t have are often the exact languages learners need for exploring their heritage, traveling more confidently, connecting with people, or simply learning something a little less mainstream.
A good language learning app should match your target language first, then support daily practice through spoken audio, useful phrases, and clear beginner lessons. When your language is missing from the Duolingo app, the best thing you can do is stop looking for the most popular app and start looking for the one that actually teaches what you want to learn.
Learn Rare Languages With Ling
To learn your target language, all you need is the right app that supports it. Ling was built for learners who want access to underserved languages with dialogue-based practice, native-speaker audio, and beginner-friendly lessons.
If you want to learn Tagalog, Thai, Serbian, Albanian, Khmer, Lao, Georgian, Armenian, Mongolian, Tamil, Urdu, Yoruba, and many more options, then download Ling and see how quickly you can progress just by doing short lessons every day.
