Duolingo Max vs Heights AI
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Duolingo Max and Heights AI.
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Verdict: Heights AI wins
Heights AI scores 4.0/5, edging out Duolingo Max at 3.6/5. Online course creators and coaches who want courses, community and checkout in one platform and will use the AI Coach as a weekly forcing function.
Duolingo Max AI-powered language learning with GPT-4 | Heights AI AI coach for online course creators | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.6 (1 review) | 4.0 (1 review) |
| Pricing Model | paid | paid |
| Starting Price | From $14/mo | From $99/mo |
| Best For | Daily Duolingo users in one of the seven supported languages who want low-pressure AI speaking practice wired into the lessons they already do. | Online course creators and coaches who want courses, community and checkout in one platform and will use the AI Coach as a weekly forcing function. |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
| Visit Duolingo Max → | Visit Heights AI → |
Duolingo Max
Pros
- + Video Call conversations track your actual lesson vocabulary — in my Spanish sessions Lily stayed inside topics the lesson path had drilled instead of talking over my level
- + Per-session cost is low: at $168/year (duolingo.com/max, at time of writing), three short Video Calls a week work out to about a dollar per conversation
- + Roleplay scenarios are structured with goals and vocabulary targets, producing more focused practice than open-ended voice chat
- + Max Family at roughly $240/year for up to six users makes the AI features affordable for households already on Duolingo
- + Session design is genuinely short (five to eight minutes in my tests), which fits around commutes better than hour-long tutoring
Cons
- - Roleplay feedback scores accuracy and complexity but never says which sentence was wrong or why — no real corrective depth
- - AI conversation is limited to 7 languages from English (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean) while the free app covers 40+
- - Explain My Answer moved to the free tier in January 2026, so Max now charges $84/year over Super for two conversation features alone
- - No human tutors, no writing correction, and nothing for the intermediate plateau — it supplements Duolingo, it does not replace instruction
- - Value is exposed to Duolingo's tier changes: one marquee Max feature has already been moved down to free mid-subscription
Heights AI
Pros
- + The AI Coach is the most distinctive feature in its category: after an intake conversation it sent me weekly tasks tied to my stated goals, not generic advice
- + Course Generator produced a structurally sound draft (modules, lesson titles, description) in minutes — real time saved at the blank-page stage
- + Zero transaction fees on payments you collect, across every plan
- + All-in-one coverage — courses, community, digital products, coaching, website, email — under one login, with unlimited video hosting
- + Capterra 4.9/5 from 77 reviews and an AI roadmap (Heights AI 3) that is shipping, not vaporware
Cons
- - The $29 entry plan is deliberately narrow (1 challenge course, 100 active students, no AI website builder); the features a real business needs sit at $119/month
- - AI writes structure, not substance — course drafts and lesson reviews need your own material before anything is sellable
- - Active-student and contact caps create upgrade pressure; only the $499/month Academy tier is truly unlimited
- - Pricing is inconsistent across the vendor's own pages — legacy ladders ($19/$99) still appear in comparison articles alongside the current $29/$49/$119/$499
- - Built for the course-business model only — poor fit for internal LMS use, marketplaces, or membership without courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Duolingo Max or Heights AI?▼
Heights AI scores higher at 4.0/5 vs 3.6/5 for Duolingo Max, making it the better-rated option in our comparison.
What is the difference between Duolingo Max and Heights AI?▼
Duolingo Max: Duolingo Max is Duolingo's highest subscription tier, adding AI features such as answer explanations and conversational roleplay practice. Heights AI: Heights Platform is course and community software for creators, covering course building, memberships, coaching and sales in one place.
Is Duolingo Max or Heights AI more affordable?▼
Duolingo Max starts at €14/mo, Heights AI starts at €99/mo. Check the comparison table above for current pricing.
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