Hausa isn't among Duolingo's languages. We checked the whole course list on Duolingo's own site on October 14, 2026, and Hausa isn't on it.
More than 90 million people speak Hausa, and a few apps teach it in short lessons. We've grouped them as an audio course, phrase games, and words with videos. Our guide to the best apps to learn Hausa covers tutors and exchange partners.
Custom Lessons Made for You
Bubblegum
For serious learners, Bubblegum is the best app to learn Hausa. You learn from Hausa you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
Hausa lessons in Bubblegum come from your AI tutor, Poppy. When you start work in Kano, she can write a first meeting with a new colleague, and you can listen to it before you read.
Bubblegum doesn't come with a person to talk to. For a practice partner, see the exchange apps in our full Hausa comparison.
- Poppy writes Hausa lessons to match your level and topics.
- You also get Hausa news and stories at your level.
- Ask Poppy what a line means, and she'll explain it.
- Your saved Hausa words come back in fresh lessons with Regenerative Review™.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- There's no way to add your own books or articles.
- A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn.
- Regenerative Review™
Mobile
An Audio Course
NKENNE
NKENNE suits people who learn best by ear. You hear each Hausa line while the words light up on screen, then review them with flashcards.
- Hausa lessons of 15 to 30 minutes, with captions in step with the audio.
- Save lessons to play without internet.
- Flashcards
Mobile
Phrases You Can Say Right Away
uTalk
uTalk starts with greetings and common words. Then it moves on to family, city life, and everyday phrases.
- Phrases recorded by Hausa speakers.
- Record your voice and compare it with theirs.
MobileWeb
Words With Short Videos
Memrise
Memrise teaches a set of Hausa words, then plays clips of people saying them. Once you know a few, you can try them in its AI chat.
- Hausa vocabulary lessons, with spaced review of what you learn.
- Short videos of people using the words you just learned.
MobileWeb
How Each App Lets You Start Free
All three apps can be tried without paying.
| App | How You Can Start Free |
|---|---|
| NKENNE | A free plan with about 45 minutes of Hausa lessons. |
| uTalk | Play through a free starter-word topic. |
| Memrise | Free to download, with Pro for full access. |
Bubblegum's free plan is in the last question below.
Common Questions
Which Hausa app should a beginner choose?
If you are serious about learning Hausa, start with Bubblegum. Poppy writes lessons at your level about things you like. Or start with NKENNE if you want audio lessons in order, or uTalk if you need greetings and phrases first.
How is Hausa written?
UCLA's Hausa grammar says Hausa has two writing systems. The official one uses the Latin alphabet plus a few hooked letters, and almost all Hausa books and newspapers use it. The other is written in Arabic script.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- Duolingo: course list (read October 14, 2026)
- NKENNE: Learn Hausa the NKENNE Way
- uTalk: Hausa course
- Memrise: Learn Hausa
- uTalk: Hausa plans
- Memrise: current iPhone listing
- Indiana University CeLT: Hausa language information
- UCLA African Languages: Hausa writing
- Bubblegum
Checked on October 14, 2026 against each app's own pages.
