Duolingo Tops TIME's List of World's Top EdTech Companies for 2026

Duolingo has been recognized as the top education technology company globally for 2026, according to a new ranking by TIME and Statista. The list, which evaluates 500 companies based on financial performance and industry impact, places the language learning app at the forefront of the rapidly evolving EdTech sector.

Originally launched as a language learning app, Duolingo has expanded its offerings to include subjects such as math, chess, and music. The company reports over 60 million daily active users and generated more than $1 billion in bookings last year. Duolingo's chief product officer, Cem Kansu, noted that the app has significant room for growth, especially with UNESCO's advocacy for multilingualism. While approximately 20% of Duolingo's user base is in the United States, its global reach is substantial, with Asia identified as a particularly fast-growing region for English language learners.

Roughly half of Duolingo's users are under the age of 21, utilizing the app as a supplementary educational tool. The company also offers a product called Duolingo For Classrooms, designed for educators to integrate into their teaching as homework assignments. Duolingo differentiates itself through engaging design, a focus on micro-lessons employing implicit learning, and a robust free tier intended to maximize accessibility. "It is extremely important that we provide a very extensive free user experience because Duolingo was built around the idea of providing access to education," Kansu stated.

Duolingo has also leveraged cultural moments for marketing, contributing to its widespread adoption. For instance, engagement with Norwegian increased globally by nearly 19% and 24% in the U.S. during the World Cup. The show "Squid Game" led to a 40% increase in new U.S. Korean learners immediately after its premiere, and Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance correlated with a 35% jump in Spanish engagement the following week.

The Rise of AI in Education

As educational technology advances, artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, is playing an increasingly prominent role. This technological integration comes at a time when global literacy rates have seen a steady rise over the past decade, a development emphasized in a 2025 UNESCO report as crucial for critical thinking and navigating an information-rich society. Digital learning platforms are frequently associated with improved student test scores worldwide.

However, the integration of technology in U.S. classrooms faces scrutiny amid concerns about a potential "learning recession," marked by declining standardized scores in math and reading. Researchers like Emily Weinstein from Harvard's Center for Digital Thriving observe that students can feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of notifications from multiple educational apps, adding to existing academic pressures. Educators also report challenges with inadequate onboarding for new EdTech tools.

Stephen Aguilar, an associate professor at the USC Rossier School of Education, likens the effective use of educational technology to a "three-legged stool," requiring the technology itself, the user, and the environment in which it is used to be aligned. He suggests that much of the backlash against EdTech stems from a "poor fit," where technology is introduced into educational settings without a deep understanding of the specific needs of those environments.

Underfunding in U.S. educational institutions is identified as a systemic issue that can drive administrators to seek cost-cutting measures and efficiency improvements, sometimes leading to a misapplication of business principles to education. Aguilar emphasizes that education is not a process of simply imparting knowledge but a more complex endeavor that requires thoughtful support for educators.

Addressing Cheating and Academic Integrity

With AI tools potentially facilitating digital cheating, educators are re-evaluating assessment methods. Leading EdTech platforms such as Instructure (Canvas's owner) and Inspera are introducing tools designed to deter AI-generated cheating and provide resources for instructors to foster academic integrity. Weinstein points out that a lack of trust and integrity in academic work can undermine efforts to implement EdTech solutions, suggesting that the current AI moment presents an opportunity for communities to discuss the fundamental purpose of learning.

Weinstein's research indicates that incorporating student perspectives can offer valuable insights into how technology shapes learning trajectories. She notes that while students may have good intentions, market forces and design features of EdTech tools can influence their usage, sometimes leading them to use tools for grades rather than for genuine learning. Duolingo's Kansu acknowledges the complexities of developing products for educational institutions but believes that a strong educational foundation will naturally make Duolingo a valuable classroom complement, aiming for its use to be considered "good screen time" with high learning value.