Duolingo is the most popular language-learning app in the world. ECL Anglais is a specialized platform with over 4,395 targeted English exercises. Both tools are free — but which one should you choose to really make progress?
This objective comparison gives you everything you need to decide based on your goal: ECL, TOEIC, B1/B2 level, professional English or personal practice.
Quick overview
Duolingo
Launched in 2012, Duolingo is a gamified mobile app offering language courses in the form of short daily exercises. Its strength: consistency, encouraged by streaks, points and visual rewards. Its freemium model gives free access to the essentials, with a paid version (Duolingo Plus) that removes ads.
ECL Anglais
ECL Anglais is a web platform specialized in intermediate to advanced English training (B1 to C1). It offers 4,395+ questions across 6 modules: Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms and Word Forms. Access is 100% free, with no question limit or required subscription.
Detailed comparison
1. Exercise content and level
| Criterion | Duolingo | ECL Anglais |
|---|---|---|
| Target level | A1 → B1 | B1 → C1 |
| Number of exercises | Unlimited (repeated) | 4,395+ unique |
| Structured grammar | Partial, implicit | 2,669 explicit questions |
| Thematic vocabulary | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent (1,314 questions) |
| Phrasal verbs | ❌ Very limited | ✅ 100 dedicated questions |
| Idioms and expressions | ❌ Absent | ✅ 133 dedicated questions |
| Reading comprehension | ❌ Very basic | ✅ 70 complete texts |
| Suited to ECL/TOEIC | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Verdict: To reach a B2 level or prepare for an official exam, Duolingo's exercises are insufficient. ECL Anglais covers the real skills assessed in exams.
2. Teaching effectiveness
Duolingo uses a spaced repetition (SRS) and gamification approach. Its short, varied exercises keep you engaged, but their difficulty plateaus quickly. Studies on Duolingo show effective progress up to the A2-B1 level, but limited results beyond that.
ECL Anglais adopts a 4-choice multiple-choice format — the exact format of the ECL and TOEIC exams. Immediate feedback after each answer helps you understand your mistake. The random question selection mode guarantees varied exposure in every session.
Verdict: For B1+ levels, ECL Anglais is more effective because its exercises correspond directly to the real exams.
3. Gamification and engagement
| Criterion | Duolingo | ECL Anglais |
|---|---|---|
| Daily streak | ✅ Highly developed | ❌ Not yet |
| Points and badges | ✅ Complete system | ❌ Minimal |
| Leagues and rankings | ✅ (paid version) | ❌ No |
| Personal dashboard | ❌ Basic | ✅ Scores + progress |
| Session history | ❌ Limited | ✅ Complete |
Verdict: For daily engagement, Duolingo is more appealing thanks to its gamification. ECL Anglais focuses on concrete, measurable progress rather than points.
4. Accessibility and use
| Criterion | Duolingo | ECL Anglais |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile app | ✅ iOS + Android | 🔸 Responsive web |
| Use without an account | ❌ Account required | ✅ Trial without registration |
| 100% free | 🔸 Freemium (ads) | ✅ Yes, no limit |
| Available offline | ✅ (partial) | ❌ Online only |
5. For which goals?
| Goal | Duolingo | ECL Anglais |
|---|---|---|
| Starting English (A1-A2) | ✅✅ Excellent | 🔸 Too advanced |
| Reaching B1 level | ✅ Good | ✅✅ Very effective |
| Reaching B2 level | ❌ Insufficient | ✅✅ Excellent |
| Preparing for the ECL exam | ❌ Not suitable | ✅✅ Built for it |
| Preparing for the TOEIC | ❌ Not suitable | ✅✅ Very effective |
| Maintaining daily practice | ✅✅ Excellent | ✅ Possible |
| Professional English (C1) | ❌ Not suitable | ✅ Effective |
The final verdict
Choose Duolingo if:
- You are starting out in English (A1-A2 level) and want to lay the foundations
- You want to maintain a daily practice of 5-10 minutes in a game format
- You have little time and want quick, fun training
- You have no specific exam goal in the short term
Choose ECL Anglais if:
- You are aiming for a B1, B2 or C1 level
- You are preparing for the ECL exam, the TOEIC or a university certification
- You want targeted exercises on grammar, vocabulary, phrasal verbs
- You want to measure your real progress on specific skills
The best strategy: combine them!
Duolingo for 5 minutes in the morning (to keep the habit), ECL Anglais for 20-30 minutes in the evening (targeted, progressive exercises). This combination gives the best of both worlds: consistency + depth.
FAQ — Duolingo vs ECL Anglais
Can you really learn English with Duolingo?
Yes, Duolingo is effective for beginners and for maintaining regular practice. However, its progress plateaus at the B1 level, which makes it insufficient for goals like the ECL, the TOEIC 700+ or a certified B2 level.
Is ECL Anglais really free?
Yes, ECL Anglais is 100% free. You can access all the exercises with no subscription or bank card. Creating an account (free) simply lets you save your progress and history.
Can you use both at the same time?
Absolutely. Many learners use Duolingo in the morning (5-10 min) to keep the streak, and ECL Anglais in the evening (20-30 min) for more targeted training. This combination optimizes both consistency and depth of learning.
Which is better for the TOEIC?
ECL Anglais is clearly more suited for the TOEIC. Its 4,395+ exercises cover exactly the skills assessed: grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and expressions. Duolingo does not offer exercises modeled on the TOEIC format.