The gamification only works until you figure out the rules they used.

I have completed multiple lessons on Duolingo without ever reading the prompt. I even started a language I knew nothing about because I felt like I wasn't actually absorbing anything in the language I'd spent more than a year on, and pretty much the same results. After a few lessons it became possible to complete lessons basically blind.

+1 for language transfer.

If you have a library card, you might check with your library to see if they have free access to something like Mango Languages, as well.

Mine does, so I can use that app for free. I'm probably going to switch to it as my main app soon because this guy is an asshole.

I quite like Busuu after switching from Duo. Still hanging out for a Japanese Language Transfer course