Used to be a fantastic and engaging app for learning languages which I loved using every day and would have recommended to anyone. Since the recent UI update the progression system has been over-simplified to the point that users can no longer choose what topics to practice, or which direction/pace their learning takes. This completely killed one of the main plus points of using Duolingo. On top of that, a lot of other tips and useful learning features have been removed in favour of an over-the-top gamification which is entirely focussed on addiction tactics and pushing in-app purchases, completely forgetting why people liked the app in the first place.The backlash to the update has been very clear and vocal from all users on social media. Several polls have placed dislike of the update at around 90% of the user base. Yet Duolingo has refused to engage with or listen to the feedback. Their tone has in fact been somewhat mocking at times.As if all that wasn't enough, Duolingo has also recently pushed a misleading (if not outright scamming) deal - they recently advertised a limited time 60% off offer, which in reality was only around 3% off.Since the update I have cut down on my Duolingo usage and started exploring alternative apps. If the awful changes are not reversed I will cease using Duolingo altogether in the near future. I hope that Duolingo will come to their senses and reverse the changes - if they do I will happily change/remove this review.
