There’s something ironic about getting locked out of a language learning app for studying too much — but that’s exactly what thousands of Duolingo users are experiencing after the company rolled out its new Energy system.The update replaces the traditional hearts mechanic with a battery-style energy bar that depletes every time you answer a question — even if you get everything right. That means three perfect lessons can still drain your energy completely, leaving learners waiting up to 18 hours or spending saved gems (or watching ads) just to keep going.
Duolingo battery update backlash
Image credit: Tech Issues Today

“So Now We’re Punished for Using the App?”

The backlash exploded on social media after a viral Reddit post summed up the frustration: “So now we’re punished for using the app?” The thread has drawn nearly 3,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments from users threatening to quit Duolingo entirely.

Under the old hearts system, progress was lost only after making too many mistakes. It was frustrating but at least logical — it encouraged accuracy. The new Energy system, however, penalizes every interaction. One Redditor studying Spanish put it bluntly:

“Now I can do three perfect lessons with zero mistakes, and I’m suddenly forced to wait 18 hours, pay with gems I’ve been grinding for years, or binge-watch Temu ads.”

Duolingo Says It’s About “Healthier Learning Habits”

According to Duolingo’s official explanation, the new system is designed to promote “healthier learning habits” and help users complete more lessons overall. The company claims that beginners were twice as likely to give up after running out of hearts mid-lesson, and Energy aims to fix that by rewarding correct answers with random energy bonuses rather than punishing mistakes.

Duolingo energy update explanation
Image credit: Tech Issues Today

But Users Aren’t Buying It

Many learners aren’t convinced — especially those studying languages with different alphabets. One user learning Japanese pointed out that even taking too long to read a question drains double energy units:

“I’m disgusted, but at the same time it forces me to look elsewhere.”

And that’s exactly what many are doing. Alternative apps like Renshuu and Deutsche Welle’s free German courses are getting new attention, while Reddit threads are full of recommendations for YouTube and library resources as better alternatives.

Some users with 750-day streaks are even considering leaving the app altogether. Another user admitted the Energy system was their “final straw.”

On X (formerly Twitter), complaints are turning humorous — and a little threatening:

  • Give us hearts back or the owl gets it.” — @ShelbMaybe
  • Each change worsens Duolingo. It’s no fun anymore. Energy instead of hearts is the final straw.” — @Maddhiazz

Critics Say It’s About Monetization, Not Motivation

In a Medium analysis, writer Sam Liberty argues that the Energy update is less about education and more about monetization. Premium Super and Max subscribers get unlimited energy, much like their previous unlimited hearts — but now even perfect play drains your bar, making free users feel punished no matter what.

The biggest issue? There’s no opt-out. Once you’re part of the test group, Energy becomes mandatory. Users can’t toggle it off or revert to hearts, making them feel like unwilling participants in a monetization experiment.

Déjà Vu for Longtime Users

This isn’t the first time Duolingo has faced user backlash. After removing the skill tree in 2022, the platform was criticized for dumbing down progress tracking and prioritizing engagement metrics over meaningful learning. Now, with Energy replacing hearts, many see this as another move away from the company’s mission of “free education for all.”

The Bottom Line

Duolingo insists that the Energy system creates a “more balanced learning experience”. But when long-time users are searching for alternatives and new learners are locked out after three perfect lessons, it’s worth asking — balanced for whom?

For many, it seems the only thing running out faster than Energy is patience.