Unfortunately, there’s no Urdu on Duolingo, but you don’t have to worry, as luckily there’s a better alternative available: the Ling app. It offers a Duolingo-like Urdu language course, but with more fun writing exercises and real-life speaking practice.
So, let’s find out how the Ling app’s balanced approach to speaking, reading, and writing Urdu is actually helpful for serious learners and explore why there’s still no Urdu on Duolingo, despite Urdu having over 170 million speakers worldwide.
Why Is Urdu Missing From Duolingo?
Duolingo hasn’t provided any official statement as to why it doesn’t offer an Urdu language course. However, there can be several possible reasons, including Duolingo’s focus on globally recognized languages, Urdu’s unique script, and the perception that Urdu and Hindi are largely similar languages.
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Let’s look at these three possible reasons individually:
- Duolingo prioritizes languages with high global demand. That’s why on Duolingo you can easily find widely studied languages, such as Spanish, French, and German, rather than regional languages like Urdu, Croatian, Albanian, or Farsi.
- Urdu’s unique Perso-Arabic script can be a bit difficult for English speakers, as it is entirely different from the Latin alphabet. So, learners who aren’t familiar with it also have to master the new writing system along with vocabulary and grammar.
- Mutual intelligibility: As both Hindi and Urdu speakers can communicate with each other easily without switching languages, these two languages are considered mutually intelligible in speech. So maybe Duolingo treats both languages the same, and probably that’s why there’s no Urdu on Duolingo yet.
Is Urdu Hard To Learn?
In my opinion, learning Urdu isn’t difficult at all. Although you might find it complicated at first compared to English, it is at least easier than learning Chinese! Just begin with basic Urdu words and greetings, like saying hello or how are you in Urdu, and other everyday Urdu phrases. This will help you start using the language instantly.
Once you have mastered these, you can then move on to topics that require more time and focus, like grammar. Thus, as an estimate, learning conversational Urdu may take 3 to 6 months. It can even take a year, though, depending on your speed and consistency. But I can at least surely say that with the Ling app, you can learn Urdu considerably faster as you learn to read, write, and speak the language all at once. Let’s see how!
But before that, see that there’s nothing to worry about there being no Urdu on Duolingo because you have the Ling app!
Ling: The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning Urdu In 2026
Let’s see how the Ling app is the best alternative to Duolingo for learning Urdu online:
- Ling’s structured lessons and user-friendly interface make it easier to choose your desired learning level and language skills to focus on. So, whether you are a beginner or just want to practice speaking, the Ling app has it all.
- The voice recognition feature of the Ling app helps you accurately pronounce every word you learn.
- With Ling’s finger-tracing writing exercises, you can easily master Urdu’s unique script and start writing Urdu efficiently.
- Cultural Notes scattered among Urdu lessons help you understand the context behind every phrase you learn.
- The incorporated native-speaker audio, with every word, lets you hear how locals use the language in real life.
- Game-like practice exercises, such as flashcards and match-the-card, make language learning feel less like a chore.
- You can practice speaking in real-life situations with Ling’s dialog feature. It helps you practice what you’ve learned so far and gives you the confidence to speak your favorite language fluently.
- The best part is the streaks, leaderboard, and Banana Points that help you stay on track and keep you motivated to complete your lessons on time.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
Ling is best for learners who want to build vocabulary and develop real-life communication skills, especially in less-commonly taught languages like Urdu. So, the Ling app is a strong choice for:
- Absolute beginners who have just started learning Urdu
- Travelers who want to master useful everyday phrases before their trip
- Passionate learners who want comprehensive courses for niche and underserved languages that most major apps ignore
- Heritage hunters who want to reconnect with their culture and family
- Language enthusiasts who enjoy learning multiple languages simultaneously
However, Ling might not be a good option for you if you prefer live tutoring or want a language completion certificate.
Duolingo Vs Ling: Which One Supports Urdu?
The quick answer is Ling, as it supports Urdu while Duolingo doesn’t, but let’s do a comparison between Ling vs Duolingo to help you decide for yourself which one is better for you:
| Features | Ling | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Offers Urdu Course | Yes | No |
| Gamified Practice Exercises | Yes | Yes |
| Native-speaker audio | Yes | No |
| Ideal for beginner and intermediate learners | Yes | Yes |
| Support Android and iOS devices | Yes | Yes |
| Practice exercises for all learning skills | Yes | Limited |
| Culture notes | Yes (yet available for limited languages only, including Urdu) | Limited |
See, Ling offers a complete, structured Urdu course built for beginners and intermediate learners, while Duolingo doesn’t support Urdu. That’s what mainly makes Ling a clear winner in this comparison between Ling vs Duolingo.
Why Do Serious Learners Choose The Ling App?
Serious learners primarily choose the Ling app because everyone can use it easily to learn their favorite languages, regardless of age or learning level.
The Ling App offers structured, bite-sized lessons tailored to different learning levels, along with game-like practice exercises that make language learning less boring and more fun for everyone. Additionally, it serves as an all-in-one language platform where you can simultaneously master speaking, writing, and reading most languages, including Urdu.
What’s more? You even get cultural and grammatical insights into each language through Ling’s blog. Interesting, right? But these aren’t just my words. The dedicated Ling users also second this. Here’s the proof:
“It’s very good for my child. It’s fun and educational for little kids to learn Urdu. I am proud of him.”
Shemi Suhail (Google Play Store)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Other apps only have Hindi, and I really like this app. It works very smoothly, you can customize it to your needs, and it makes you learn through playing.”
Stas Mureyko (Google Play Store)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What You Can Achieve In The First 7 Days Of Joining Ling
Did you know that Ling offers a 7-day free trial? Yes, it’s true. Let’s see what you can learn in just a week of joining Ling:
| Days | What You’ll Learn | Examples from the app |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Basic words and phrases | You watch a movie. – aap film dekhtay hain. (آپ فلم دیکھتے ہیں.) |
| Day 2 | Basic sentences | He reads a Chinese book. – woh aik cheeni kitaab parhta hai. (وہ ایک چینی کتاب پڑھتا ہے.) |
| Day 3 | Numbers and family | We are a family of four. – hum chaar logon ka khandan hain. (ہم چار لوگوں کا خاندان ہیں.) Culture Note: “Greetings and Polite Phrases in Urdu” |
| Day 4 | Numbers and counting | I live in building number eight. – mein imarat number aath mein rehti hon. (میں عمارت نمبر 8 میں رہتی ہوں.) Grammar Note: “Numbers” |
| Day 5 | Activities | I like swimming. – mujhe tairna pasand hai. (مجھے تیرنا پسند ہے.) |
| Day 6 | Food and tastes | I don’t want to eat chicken. – mein murghi ka gosht nahi khana chahti hon. (میں مرغی کا گوشت نہیں کھانا چاہتی ہوں.) |
| Day 7 | Vegetables and fruits | She wants to buy a box of pears. – woh nashpati ka aik dabba khareedna chahti hai. (وہ ناشپاتی کا ایک ڈبہ خریدنا چاہتی ہے.) |
No Urdu On Duolingo: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Urdu On Duolingo?
No. Duolingo doesn’t currently offer an Urdu language course. If you want to learn Urdu, you can try other apps, such as Ling, which offers a complete Urdu language course with structured lessons, native-speaker audio, cultural insights, real-life speaking practice, and finger-tracing writing exercises.
Which Language Learning App Has Urdu?
Some of the best language apps that offer Urdu language courses are the Ling app, which has a complete Urdu course with equal focus on all learning skills; Mango Languages, ideal for mastering Urdu grammar with cultural context; uTalk, which works as a mini Urdu dictionary; and 50Languages, great for quickly mastering basic words and phrases.
Can I Use Hindi To Learn Urdu?
Yes, but only partially. Hindi can help you master basic conversational skills in Urdu, but for the script, some grammar rules, and Arabic and Persian vocabulary, you have to learn Urdu separately.
Can I Wait For Duolingo To Launch An Urdu Course?
If you want to learn Urdu now for travel or academic purposes, waiting may not be a good option since Duolingo hasn’t announced any release date for an Urdu course. To start learning Urdu immediately, you can use other dedicated language apps like Ling that already offer structured Urdu lessons with real-life speaking and writing practice.
How Can I Choose The Best Language App For Learning The Urdu Language?
When choosing the best language app to learn Urdu, look for features such as structured lessons, practical examples, native-speaker audio, and real-life speaking practice. Detailed cultural insights and writing practice exercises are also essential for learning Urdu, as they’ll help you understand Pakistan’s rich culture and master Urdu’s unique Perso-Arabic script easily.
Start Learning Urdu With Ling Today!
See, there’s nothing to worry about with there being no Urdu on Duolingo, as you can now master your favorite language with the Ling app in no time.
Ling’s structured lessons, gamified interface, and writing and speaking practice will help you start speaking Urdu from day one. The best part is that Ling offers a 7-day free trial, so you can start learning Urdu right away and decide for yourself if it works well for you.
Nonetheless, 10M+ downloads and 4.7/5 stars on the App Store and Google Play Store prove that the Ling app is trusted by millions of serious learners worldwide.
So, what’s the wait for? Download the Ling app now and start your Urdu language learning journey from the comfort of your home!
