In short: there isn't one best app for every family. Dinolingo, Little Pim, Gus on the Go and Studycat are built to teach a child a new language. Duolingo ABC teaches English reading. EveryLingo is built for something different: first-word vocabulary in one, two or more languages at once, including languages most apps don't cover. We make EveryLingo, so we've tried to be fair. Details were checked in September 2026.
If you're raising a child with more than one language, you've probably noticed that most children's language apps are designed for a different situation: a child who speaks one language and is learning a second. That is a good match for many families. It is a less natural match if your child hears two languages from birth, or if your family's language is one that apps rarely cover.
What to look for in an app
These are the questions we used to compare the apps below:
- Does it support your languages? Language lists range from 5 languages to 142 language options, so check for yours.
- Is it built for your child's age? Some apps start at 0, others at 5 or later.
- How does it teach? Videos, lessons and games are very different experiences for a toddler.
- Are both of your languages treated as equal, or does one act as the base for learning the other?
- How does it charge? Subscription, a one-time payment, or free.
How the apps compare
| App | Ages | Languages | How it teaches | Cost model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinolingo | 2 to 14 | 50 | Videos, games, songs and stories, taught fully in the new language | Subscription |
| Little Pim | 0 to 6 | 12 | Short animated and live-action video episodes | Subscription, with a free trial |
| Gus on the Go | Young children | About 30, each a separate app | Ten lessons per language, with games | One-time purchase per language |
| Studycat | 2 to 8 | 5 (English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese) | Games and activities in the new language | Subscription, with a free trial |
| Duolingo ABC | Preschool to early primary | English only | Letters, phonics and reading stories (a literacy app) | Free |
| EveryLingo | 0 to 6 | 142 language options (75 languages plus regional variants), plus any language you add | Picture and sound vocabulary games in two languages at once, with your own photos and voice | Free to try, then $29.99 one-time |
Prices change and vary by country, so we haven't listed them. Check each app before you buy.
Dinolingo
Best for: families who want a large library of videos, games, songs and stories, for children from toddlers to teens. Dinolingo offers 50 languages, including some smaller ones such as Welsh, Irish and Hawaiian, and one subscription covers several children.
Keep in mind: it teaches through total immersion, with content in the new language rather than a language the child already knows. That suits a child learning one new language, and it is designed around one language at a time.
Little Pim
Best for: babies and toddlers who enjoy short videos. Little Pim uses five-minute episodes in 12 languages and aims to teach a first set of about 360 words and phrases.
Keep in mind: it is a video series, not an interactive game, and it covers 12 languages. It is also built to introduce one new language at a time.
Gus on the Go
Best for: a simple, low-cost introduction to a language for a young child. It covers about 30 languages, including Croatian, Hebrew and Hungarian, and its App Store listing says it has no ads or in-app purchases.
Keep in mind: each language is a separate app with about ten lessons, so it works as an introduction, not a full programme.
Studycat
Best for: children aged 2 to 8 learning English, Spanish, French, German or Chinese through games, in an ad-free app.
Keep in mind: it covers five languages, and it uses a subscription.
Duolingo ABC
Best for: young children learning to read English. It teaches letters, phonics and sight words, and it is free.
Keep in mind: it is a literacy app, not a way to learn a second language, and it is English only. It is a good app for what it does, but it isn't a fit for bilingual vocabulary.
EveryLingo
Best for: families with a child aged 0 to 6 who is building first words in one, two or more languages. You choose two languages and every game plays both, so neither is the "base." EveryLingo has 720+ ready-made words in 142 language options (75 languages and their regional variants), including minority languages such as Irish, Welsh, Maltese, Catalan, Galician and Inuktitut, and you can add any other language or dialect with your own photos and voice recordings. It is free to try with no sign-up, and the full version is a one-time payment of $29.99 USD, with no subscription.
Keep in mind: EveryLingo is a vocabulary tool. It is not a video course or a full curriculum, it doesn't teach grammar, phonics or reading, and it is designed for ages 0 to 6. It is not speech therapy and does not replace professional support.
So which app should you choose?
- Your child is learning a widely spoken language from scratch and you want structured lessons: Dinolingo or Studycat, or Little Pim if your child loves short videos.
- You want an inexpensive way to introduce one language: Gus on the Go.
- Your child is learning to read English: Duolingo ABC.
- Your child hears two languages at home, your language isn't covered by other apps, or you want your own photos and voices in the cards: EveryLingo.
Many families use more than one. If you'd like to see how EveryLingo compares with Duolingo's kids app in more detail, read EveryLingo vs Duolingo ABC.
If you spot something in this comparison that is out of date, email us at everylingo@everylingo.app and we'll fix it.
Try EveryLingo free
Choose your languages and start playing. No sign-up needed.
Play freeFrequently asked questions
What is the best vocabulary app for a bilingual toddler?
It depends on your family. EveryLingo is designed for children aged 0 to 6 who are building vocabulary in two languages at once, with both languages equal in every game.
Is there an app for minority or heritage languages?
Some apps cover smaller languages. Dinolingo lists languages such as Welsh, Irish and Hawaiian. EveryLingo includes Irish, Welsh, Maltese, Catalan, Galician and Inuktitut, and lets you add any other language or dialect.
Do I need a subscription?
Dinolingo, Little Pim and Studycat use subscriptions. Gus on the Go is a one-time purchase per language, and EveryLingo is a one-time payment of $29.99 USD for all languages.
Which apps can I try for free?
EveryLingo can be played free with no sign-up. Little Pim and Studycat offer free trials, and Duolingo ABC is free.
