Duolingo is replacing hearts with energy
theverge.comPublished: 5/12/2025
Summary
Duolingo is transitioning from its heart-based scoring system to an energy mechanic, aiming to reduce penalties for mistakes while increasing motivation. The new system uses 25 energy units per bar, with rewards for consecutive lessons. Users can purchase extra energy with Gems, especially benefiting those subscribed to premium tiers. This change will rollout first on iOS and later on Android this year, with the platforms not syncing across devices. The shift reflects Duolingo's AI-focused strategy, which has led to a doubling of language courses, highlighting their commitment to enhancing user experience through innovative tools and data-driven improvements.