- Steven Cravotta
- Posts
- I stole the blueprint from a $700 Million app
I stole the blueprint from a $700 Million app
Hey there,
Duolingo made $700 Million in 2024.
Most app founders think they need a revolutionary idea to win big.
But Duolingo proves you just need to execute the fundamentals better than everyone else.
Here are 7 reasons why Duolingo is one of the most successful apps of all time and what you can steal from them:
1. Gamification
Duolingo teaches languages by playing games.
Levels. Badges. Leaderboards. They hack your brain's reward system to make learning addictive.
You keep coming back for one more level.
Gamification = retention.
2. Own Currency Model
Duolingo's gems simplify in-app purchases and create stickiness.
Gems plus subscriptions equals money.
Simple combo that prints.
3. Onboarding That Converts
The onboarding is interactive, smooth, and welcoming.
Duolingo makes language learning feel approachable from the first screen.
This reduces drop-offs and boosts retention from day one.
This is why I obsess over onboarding in every app I build. Get this right and everything else gets easier.
4. Habit Formation
Streaks + push notifications = user addiction.
Duolingo turns learning into a daily ritual.
If you break your streak, you feel like losing a game.
If your app is a user’s habit you will print.
5. Free Plus Upsell
The free tier removes barriers to entry.
But Duolingo's ads after every round are brutal.
Annoying? You bet.
Effective? Absolutely.
I swiped my card just to get peace of mind. That's the power of a well-designed upsell.
6. Clean and Simple UI
Duolingo's crisp, colorful design is frictionless.
Users focus on learning, not fumbling around.
Simplicity wins every time. Complexity kills conversions.
7. Social Motivation
Leaderboards and friendly competition tap into FOMO.
It makes you try harder to hit the next level.
Competitive people like me have no choice but to get to the top spot.
Look, Duolingo's success is no accident.
They combine gamification, clever monetization, and habit formation to make learning languages feel addictive.
You can do the same in your niche.
Here are my 3 key takeaways:
· Gamify your app to boost retention
· Build habits with streaks & notifications
· Monetize with multiple revenue streams
Peace,
Steven