kitio.aiDuolingo vs Chiaro
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Duolingo starts at $12.99/mo and Chiaro starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Bite-sized lessons
- Streaks and leagues
- AI Video Call
- Explain My Answer
- Maths and music courses
- Photo-to-audio stories
- Voice and text questions
- 18 languages
- Day planner with weather
- Trip recaps
- Free web guides for 80 sites
| Feature | Duolingo | Chiaro |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Gamified language app with AI conversation practice on its Max plan | iPhone app that turns a photo of art or a landmark into an audio story |
| Category | Education | Education |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $12.99/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Duolingo | Chiaro |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Duolingo starts at $12.99/mo and Chiaro starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- All language courses
- Ads and limited hearts
Super
$12.99/mo
- No ads
- Unlimited hearts
- Personalized practice
Max
$29.99/mo
- Everything in Super
- AI-powered explanations
- Video Call and roleplay practice
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Duolingo
- Free plan covers full courses
- Motivating game mechanics
- Huge choice of languages
- Limited speaking practice without Max
- Hard to reach advanced fluency alone
Chiaro
- Works on almost any artwork or building
- No city packs to download
- Choice of voices and accents
- iPhone only, no Android app
- Paid plan details not shown on the site
- Needs a data connection while travelling
Which one should you choose?
Choose Duolingo if you want:
- Free plan covers full courses
- Motivating game mechanics
- Huge choice of languages
Watch out: limited speaking practice without max.
Choose Chiaro if you want:
- Works on almost any artwork or building
- No city packs to download
- Choice of voices and accents
Watch out: iphone only, no android app.
Duolingo vs Chiaro FAQ
What is the difference between Duolingo and Chiaro?
Duolingo: Gamified language app with AI conversation practice on its Max plan. Chiaro: iPhone app that turns a photo of art or a landmark into an audio story. Both are education tools.
Is Duolingo or Chiaro cheaper?
Duolingo starts at $12.99/mo and Chiaro starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Duolingo and Chiaro have free plans?
Duolingo: Yes. Chiaro: Yes.
Who makes Duolingo?
Duolingo is made by Duolingo, based in United States.
Who makes Chiaro?
Chiaro is made by Chiaro.
Which should I choose, Duolingo or Chiaro?
Choose Duolingo if you value free plan covers full courses and motivating game mechanics. Choose Chiaro if you value works on almost any artwork or building and no city packs to download.