If you’re interested in learning Tagalog—the national language of the Philippines—you might be wondering if Duolingo is the right place to begin. As one of the most popular free language learning platforms in the world, Duolingo seems like a natural first step for anyone picking up a new language.
But does Duolingo offer Tagalog as a course? Can you start learning Filipino today through the app? Let’s answer that clearly and explore your best options.
Does Duolingo Offer Tagalog?
As of now, Duolingo does not offer a Tagalog course.
You won’t find Tagalog listed in the app, the website, or as a beta option in Duolingo’s language selection. This may come as a surprise, especially since Tagalog (also called Filipino) is spoken by tens of millions of people worldwide and is one of the most requested languages on the platform.
Despite its popularity, Tagalog has not yet made it into Duolingo’s official course catalog.
Has Duolingo Planned to Add Tagalog?
There have been signs in the past that Duolingo was considering adding Tagalog. At one point, the language even appeared in the Duolingo Incubator—a space where upcoming courses are developed with help from native speakers and contributors.
However, that listing was later removed, and there’s been no official word on a launch date or status update. The company has acknowledged that user demand exists, especially in community forums and social media threads, but has not committed to a timeline.
So while Tagalog is on the radar, there’s no confirmed plan for its addition—at least not yet.
Why Isn’t Tagalog on Duolingo Yet?
There are a few possible reasons why Tagalog isn’t on Duolingo—even with its high demand.
First, Duolingo tends to prioritize languages based on a mix of global demand, available course contributors, and linguistic structure. While Tagalog is widely spoken, it may not rank as high as Spanish, French, or Japanese in terms of app user interest.
Second, creating a quality language course takes time and resources. Tagalog is an Austronesian language with a sentence structure and verb system very different from English and most Indo-European languages. That makes it more challenging to create exercises that feel intuitive, especially for beginners.
Lastly, Duolingo relies heavily on fluent bilingual volunteers to help build courses. There may be a shortage of approved contributors able to develop and maintain a full Tagalog course that meets Duolingo’s educational standards.
Still, many users are hoping that Tagalog will return to the development pipeline soon.
Are There Alternatives to Learn Tagalog?
The good news is that you can still start learning Tagalog today, even if Duolingo doesn’t offer it yet. Here are some apps and tools that support the Filipino language:
- Drops – Uses visual learning and fast-paced vocabulary training. Offers a Tagalog course that’s great for memorizing basic words.
- Memrise – Includes user-generated Tagalog courses, many of which teach practical phrases and listening.
- Pimsleur – Focuses on audio-based learning, which helps with pronunciation and conversational rhythm.
- Rosetta Stone – Offers a structured, immersive Tagalog course for learners who want a premium experience.
- YouTube channels & podcasts – Plenty of native Tagalog speakers now share free grammar lessons, cultural tips, and speaking practice online.
Each of these tools offers something different, so you might want to try two or three together for the best results.
Can You Request Tagalog on Duolingo?
Yes, you can.
Duolingo encourages users to suggest new languages through their forums or by submitting feedback through the app. Tagalog continues to be one of the most commonly requested additions, and the company does listen—several current courses were added after strong community support.
If you want to help push Tagalog higher on their priority list, visiting the Duolingo forum and adding your voice is a good place to start.
The more users request a course, the more likely Duolingo is to consider it.
Final Thoughts
If you were hoping to learn Tagalog through Duolingo, it’s disappointing to find it’s not there. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start learning today.
While Duolingo hasn’t confirmed a course, the demand is real—and there are excellent alternatives that offer solid beginner foundations, vocabulary builders, and pronunciation help. Apps like Drops, Memrise, and Pimsleur are already helping thousands of learners get started with Filipino.
In the meantime, keep checking back with Duolingo and don’t hesitate to submit your request. You never know—Tagalog might just be their next big course announcement.