The short version
Duolingo is a general-purpose language app that covers dozens of languages. It's great for building a daily habit, learning basic phrases, and getting a feel for how Russian sounds. But when it comes to the things that make Russian hard - cases, conjugation, aspect pairs - it stays surface-level.
Slova does one thing: Russian vocabulary with grammar depth. Every word comes with its full paradigm. Exercises make you type the form, and picking from options is only the easier first step for new words. It's not trying to replace Duolingo - it picks up where Duolingo stops being useful.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Duolingo | Slova |
|---|---|---|
| Case training | Introduced implicitly | All 6 cases, fill-in-the-blank drills |
| Declension tables | Not available | Full tables for every noun & adjective |
| Verb conjugation | Shown in context | Full conjugation tables + targeted drills |
| Aspect pairs | Not explicitly taught | Linked pairs with context sentences |
| Exercise format | Mostly multiple choice | Typing-based (production) |
| Vocabulary size | Fixed course (~2000 words) | A1-B1 curated library plus unlimited user-added words |
| Listening & speaking | Audio exercises, speech recognition | Listen button (device voice); no listening course or speech recognition |
| Gamification | Streaks, XP, leagues, hearts | Minimal - focused on learning |
| Spaced repetition | Proprietary algorithm | FSRS with per-word scheduling |
| Custom word lists | Fixed curriculum | Add any word, exercises auto-generate |
| Price | Free (with ads/hearts) or $7/mo | 7-day trial, then $12/mo |
| Languages | 40+ languages | Russian only |
Where Duolingo wins
Let's be fair. Duolingo is better at several things:
- Absolute beginners. If you've never seen Cyrillic before, Duolingo's alphabet lessons and audio exercises are a better starting point.
- Listening and pronunciation. Slova has a listen button that reads words and sentences aloud with your device's voice, but no listening course and no speech recognition. Duolingo has audio for every sentence and (on paid plans) speech recognition.
- Habit building. The streak system, daily reminders, and gamification are genuinely effective at keeping people coming back.
- Sentence translation. Duolingo teaches full sentences from day one, which builds reading comprehension and a feel for word order.
Where Slova wins
Slova is better for learners who've outgrown the basics:
- Grammar depth. Slova doesn't just show you a word in a sentence - it shows you all 12 forms of a noun, tests each case separately, and explains why the genitive is used after numbers.
- Real production. Typing "книгу" in an accusative blank is harder than tapping a word tile. But it's what builds the neural pathways you need for speaking and writing.
- Verb system. Russian aspect pairs are the single hardest concept for English speakers. Slova links imperfective/perfective pairs and tests you on choosing the right one.
- Custom vocabulary. Encountered a word in a podcast or class? Add it to Slova and exercises are auto-generated with AI. No waiting for a course to cover it.
- No distractions. No hearts, no ads, no leagues, no social pressure. Just you and the language.
The verdict
Duolingo and Slova aren't really competitors - they're complements. Duolingo is the on-ramp: it teaches you to read Cyrillic, recognize basic patterns, and build a daily habit. Slova is the training gym: it's where you do the hard reps that turn passive recognition into active knowledge.
If you're just starting Russian, start with Duolingo. When you hit the wall - when you realize you can recognize words but can't decline them, when multiple choice feels too easy but free writing feels impossible - that's when Slova becomes essential.
Wondering how the rest of the market stacks up? Our ranking of the 8 best apps to learn Russian covers all of them side by side.