Drops and Duolingo make language learning feel like a game, and millions of people keep a daily streak because of it. Both choose what you review for you, and neither lets you add your own words. Braintain is a flashcard app: you rate every card yourself, the schedule follows your ratings, and you can study your own material next to ready-made decks. Here is how they compare, including where Drops and Duolingo are the better choice.
Side by side
| Feature | Braintain | Drops | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you learn from | Free BrainPods, made by the Braintain team, grouped by topic and level | Word lists by topic, chosen by Drops | A structured course, lesson by lesson |
| Pictures | An AI-generated picture on every BrainPod card; add your own from the library or camera roll | An illustration for each word | Illustrated lessons |
| Audio | Recorded audio on BrainPods where available, your device's voice for the rest, including cards you write. Free. | Audio for every word | Audio throughout |
| Spaced repetition | SM-2 spaced repetition: you rate each card Again, Hard, Good or Easy | Built in; the app picks what to review | Practice sessions review weak words; the app decides |
| Your own cards | Yes, with the same audio and scheduling as BrainPods | No | No |
| Grammar and speaking | Vocabulary and concepts only | Mostly vocabulary, with some grammar lessons | Grammar, listening, speaking and stories |
| AI features | Mira reads your review history: Learning Score, weak spots and a daily plan (Premium) | None advertised | AI features on higher paid tiers |
| Subjects | Languages, vocabulary, science, history, economics, sports and more | Languages only (55+) | 40+ languages, plus Math, Music and Chess |
| Platforms | iPhone and Android | iPhone, Android and web | iPhone, Android and web |
| Price | Free with ads. Premium removes ads and adds Mira. | Free for 5 minutes per session. Premium removes the limit. | Free with ads and limits. Super removes them. |
Drops and Duolingo details checked in October 2026, US prices. Features and plans change, so check their site for the latest.
Spaced repetition you can see
Drops and Duolingo both bring words back over time, but the app decides what and when, and you never see the schedule. In Braintain you rate every card Again, Hard, Good or Easy, and the SM-2 algorithm uses that rating to schedule it: words you find easy come back in weeks, tricky ones tomorrow. The session summary tells you when each review is due, and the home screen shows how many cards are waiting.
Beyond a language course
Both apps are built around a course: you learn the words they chose, in the order they chose. That works well when you're starting a language from zero. It works less well when you need specific vocabulary for an exam, a job or a book you're reading.
In Braintain you can:
- Write your own cards for exactly what you need, with free audio.
- Study subjects outside languages: BrainPods cover topics like economics, physics, history and sports.
- Mix ready-made BrainPods and your own decks in one daily review.
The same visual style
If you like learning words from pictures in Drops, Braintain works the same way: every BrainPod card has its own picture, plus an example sentence that shows the word in use. The difference is what happens next, with reviews scheduled by how well you actually remembered each card.
Which one is for you?
Choose Drops or Duolingo if…
- You're starting a language from zero and want a guided path.
- You want grammar, listening and speaking practice, not only vocabulary (Duolingo).
- You enjoy games, streaks and leagues.
- You want a quick 5-minute session with no decisions (Drops).
Choose Braintain if…
- You want to control what you learn, including your own words.
- You want to see and steer your spaced repetition schedule.
- You're learning something besides a language.
- You want vocabulary to stay with you for months, alongside a language course.
See a BrainPod before you install
Every BrainPod page shows all its cards and lets you play five in your browser.