🗣️ Language learning · 🎓 Courses and learning platforms
Mango Languages
By Creative Empire, LLC (d/b/a Mango Languages). Visit Mango Languages
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A language-learning app and website with courses in more than 70 languages, including English for speakers of other languages and endangered and Indigenous languages. Each lesson is a short real conversation: the learner hears a native speaker, sees how the phrase is built, says it aloud, and compares their voice with the speaker's. Many US public libraries and schools give free access with a library card. Families can buy a plan with up to five profiles and parental controls; schools get class tools and curricula.
Our take: Worth checking your library card first: a solid, conversation-first language course for older kids and teens, less suited to young children who need games to stay engaged.
| Ages it suits | about 8 and up (K-12 school plans; family profiles for kids) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Mango does not sell to anyone under 18; under-18s may use it only with a parent's or guardian's involvement and consent, or through their school. In the US, verifiable parental consent is needed before collecting data from under-13s, who can join a parent's family plan as a profile. (terms) |
| Price | Paid. Individual $13.99 a month or $10 a month billed yearly; Family (up to 5 profiles) $19.99 a month or $12.50 a month billed yearly (Oct 2026). Free through many public libraries; school pricing not public. |
| Works on | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | A parent's account |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | The core lessons are written and recorded by people; the maker says AI helps make some extra content and the privacy policy mentions conversations with AI features. |
What's good
- Free with a library card in many US towns
- Over 70 languages, including Indigenous and endangered ones
- Speaking practice with voice comparison
- Family plan has parental content settings
Watch for
- The efficacy study was on adults, not kids
- Privacy policy allows behavioral advertising tracking
- Paid plans renew automatically after the free trial
- Little game-style motivation for young children
Data and privacy
The privacy policy (Sept 2026) says Mango may collect usage and assessment data, voice recordings and conversations with AI features, and that it may take part in behavioral advertising on its site and app. Schools must get parental consent for students under 13; a child and parent can see, change or delete the child's data. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
A 2019 study by researchers at Queens College (CUNY) and the University of South Carolina found 95 adult Spanish beginners covered a first college semester in about 15 hours on average; the maker notes it did not test children.
In the Big Index
- On the list 13 AI language-learning apps for kids and teens
Alternatives to Mango Languages
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Babbel
Babbel · ages about 13+ (built for adults)
A solid choice for a motivated older teen; younger kids are not allowed and are better served by kids' apps.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Buddy.ai
Buddy.ai · ages about 3-8
Engaging speaking practice for preschoolers learning English; privacy-minded parents should skip the recording consent or delete data regularly.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Busuu
Busuu Limited (owned by Chegg, Inc.) · ages 13+
A fair choice for a teen studying a language who wants speaking practice; younger kids need a different app.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Cambly Kids
Cambly Inc. · ages about 4-15
Helpful for children learning English as a new language who need speaking practice; parents should sit in on early calls and read the recording terms.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Duolingo
Duolingo, Inc. · ages about 10+ (children under 13 get a restricted mode)
A fine free habit-builder for tweens and teens learning a language; younger kids are better served by Duolingo ABC or a kids' app.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Google Translate Practice
Google · ages teens and adults; younger kids with a parent
Worth a try for teens learning Spanish or French who want speaking practice; younger kids and families wanting a full course should pick a dedicated app.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/pricing
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/homeschool
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/k12
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/research
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/legal/terms-and-conditions
- https://www.mangolanguages.com/legal/privacy-policy
- Reviews on G2: https://www.g2.com/products/mango-languages/reviews
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.