The app assesses the user's language skills through a test and provides a personalized training program with grammar exercises and lessons to expand the vocabulary and improve understanding of written texts and spoken language.[7][8] The app library includes over 200,000 real-world materials to study: media articles, news,
TED Talks,[9] songs, videos, stories, and jokes.[7][10] To motivate the users, LinguaLeo adds
gamification mechanics through interaction with the app's mascot Leo the Lion.[10]
LinguaLeo is available as an
Android,
iOS,
Windows Phone, and
web applications,[7] and a
browser extension. The data is synchronized across all devices.[11] A paid subscription provides access to extra courses, tutorials, and interactive training and allows one to add an unlimited number of words to the personal dictionary.[11]
History
LinguaLeo was launched as a
web application in March 2010 by
Russian entrepreneur Aynur Abdulnasurov and his four-person development team. The initial investments totaled $120,000.[12][5][13] In November 2010, the
startup raised $200,000 in
seed money from private investors.[13] From May to November 2021, LinguaLeo's user base grew from 90,000 to 500,000 users. It was considered one of the most prominent Russian startups[14] and won a
Russian Venture Company competition in 2011.[15] By late 201, LinguaLeo reached the breakeven point.[16]
In 2012, LinguaLeo released its
iOS,
Android, and
Windows Phone apps reaching 1,5 mil users.[7] It also received a $3 million investment from
Runa Capital.[6][17] In December 2012, the company was rated first in the Russian Startup Rating.[18] In 2013, the company expanded to the
Brazilian market. In Q4 2013, it reported 7 million users worldwide.[19]The Next Web named LinguaLeo the best Russian startup of 2013, and
Microsoft named it the best Windows Phone app of 2014.[20][21]