Duolingo's terms are heavily skewed in favor of the company, particularly by forcing users into private arbitration and stripping them of class action rights. The policy is strictly non-refundable and grants the company broad, permanent rights to use any content you create on the platform. Users should be aware that their subscription management is often tied to third-party app stores, which can make cancellations and refunds more difficult to navigate.
Overall Score: 49/100 — ❌ Not Certified
49
out of 100
❌ Not Certified
Education · Reviewed May 19, 2026
Passing threshold: 75/100 for Certified, 55/100 for Approved
Criteria Breakdown
| Criterion | Score | Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Language | 6/10 | ✓ | The document is relatively readable but relies on standard corporate legal boilerplate that can be dense for average users. |
| Data Collection Transparency | 5/10 | ✗ | The terms refer to a separate Privacy Policy, making it difficult to assess the full scope of data collection within this document alone. |
| No Unauthorized Data Selling | 4/10 | ✗ | The terms explicitly state that data is shared with third-party advertising and analytics partners, and the 'Do Not Sell' link is external. |
| Clear Cancellation Policy | 6/10 | ✓ | Cancellation is possible, but the terms note that users must manage subscriptions through app stores, which complicates the process. |
| Clear Refund Policy | 2/10 | ✗ | The policy is strictly 'no refunds' for virtual items or partial periods, which is highly restrictive for consumers. |
| Auto-Renewal Disclosure | 7/10 | ✓ | Auto-renewal is disclosed, though it is buried within the 'In-App Purchases' section rather than being highlighted at the point of sale. |
| No Hidden Fees | 7/10 | ✓ | Fees are generally disclosed, but the ability for the company to change pricing at any time without notice is a concern. |
| Right to Delete Account & Data | 5/10 | ✗ | While deletion is mentioned, the terms note that subscription termination must be handled separately, which is confusing for users. |
| Fair Dispute Resolution | 1/10 | ✗ | The terms mandate binding individual arbitration and explicitly waive the right to class action lawsuits. |
| Change Notification | 6/10 | ✓ | The company provides a 7-day notice period for changes, which is better than 'no notice' but short for a legal contract. |
Red Flags
- Mandatory binding arbitration and class action waiver clause.
- Perpetual, irrevocable, and sublicensable license granted to Duolingo for all user-submitted content.
- Strict 'no refunds' policy for virtual items and partial subscription periods.
- Unilateral right for the company to change pricing and service features at any time without notice.
What Duolingo Could Improve
- Include a clear, non-legal summary table at the top of the terms highlighting key obligations and rights.
- Remove the class action waiver to allow consumers a fair path to legal recourse.
- Implement a more flexible refund policy for unused subscription time or accidental purchases.
This review was conducted by FairPrint's automated scoring system using the Gemini AI model, applying our 10 consumer-rights criteria. Scores reflect the terms as written at the time of review — May 19, 2026. Companies can apply for official certification at any time.