Sketchlingo: a Duolingo alternative you play with other people
Duolingo is something you do on your own. Sketchlingo is a room with other people in it: one player draws a word, everyone else races to type it. They are not the same thing, so here is what each one is for.
What Duolingo is
Duolingo is a language-learning app. You work through short exercise lessons on your own, in a set order, on your phone or in a browser. It covers a long list of languages and uses daily streaks and reminders to keep you coming back. It is a course you do by yourself.
We describe Duolingo plainly and do not claim to speak for it. Check their site for current features and prices. Sketchlingo is not affiliated with Duolingo.
How Sketchlingo is different
- Sketchlingo is multiplayer. Other people in the room are the game, not a feature.
- There is no lesson path. You join a room and play — nothing to finish first, nothing to unlock.
- It covers 7 languages, not dozens: Dutch, Spanish, French, German, Italian, English, Georgian.
- It teaches vocabulary and nothing else. No grammar, no sentence building, no speaking exercises.
- A default game is 3 rounds, 80 seconds per turn. You can close the tab after one.
- It is free and needs no account. Nothing to install.
Who each one suits
Duolingo suits you if you want a daily solo habit and a set path through a language, on your own schedule.
Sketchlingo suits you if you learn better with other people and want vocabulary practice that feels like game night. Plenty of people do both — lessons on the train, a room with friends in the evening.
What you get in Sketchlingo
- You play with other people in a live room. One player draws, everyone else types.
- 7 languages: Dutch, Spanish, French, German, Italian, English, Georgian.
- 124 words in every language. One word list, translated seven ways.
- Free with no account. Open the link, pick a name, play.
- Guesses are typed against a timer. A turn is 80 seconds by default. Fast guesses score up to 500 points.
- Every round ends with the word and its English meaning.
- Words nobody guessed come back in later rounds until everyone gets them.
- Georgian rooms accept typed romanizations, so you do not need a Georgian keyboard.
- Quick games hold 4 players. Your own room holds 2 to 24, over 1 to 10 rounds.
- Pro is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. It adds your own room and up to 200 of your own words. Everyone you invite plays free.
Questions
Is Sketchlingo free?
Yes. Quick games are free and need no account. Pro is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year and adds your own room plus up to 200 of your own words. Everyone you invite plays free.
Does Sketchlingo teach grammar?
No. It is vocabulary only — 124 words per language, with the English meaning shown at the end of every round. If you want grammar and sentence practice, keep using a course app for that.
Can I play on my own?
The game needs at least 2 people — someone draws, the rest guess. There is a solo practice deck at /practice, but it only reviews words you have already seen in a game.
Which languages can I play?
Dutch, Spanish, French, German, Italian, English, and Georgian. Every language has the same 124 words.
Try a round
Pick a language, press play, and you are in a game. No account, no install. Bring a friend or get matched into an open game.