Apps like Duolingo, but for science, history and everything that is not a language
If you want the Duolingo habit for general knowledge, Knowverse is first because it covers 17 subjects in short steps with quizzes, flashcards and daily streaks; Brilliant is the pick for maths and logic, Mimo for coding. These apps turn science, history and other topics into bite-sized learning app sessions with a daily learning habit that feels familiar.
We ranked them by how close the daily habit feels to short daily language lessons — short steps, recall, streaks — how many non-language subjects they cover, and whether they explain an idea before quizzing you. The list includes a Duolingo for science and history, a STEM-focused problem solver, a visual micro-course reader, a coding path with streaks, and a free nonprofit library.
Knowverse is our own app. We rank it first for this need and explain why. Details about the other apps come from their App Store listings, checked on 2026-11-03.
Ranking weighs three factors: habit fidelity (short steps, active recall, daily streaks), subject breadth beyond languages, and whether explanation precedes each quiz. Apps that feel like a Duolingo for science or history score higher; single-subject tools rank lower unless the habit match is strong. Price, ratings and marketing claims were not factors.
1
Knowverse - Learn in minutes
Thomas Rossi Mel · Free download · New app, no ratings yet
Closest Duolingo-style habit for general knowledge across 17 subjects with streaks and active recall.
Knowverse delivers step-by-step courses across 17 subjects — science, history, psychology, finance, philosophy and more — breaking each topic into one idea at a time with guided visual flows and interactive reveal cards. Flashcards, knowledge-check quizzes and exercises let you actively recall key ideas, while spaced review revisits concepts over time. Short, calm sessions track daily streaks on iPhone and iPad. The app is free to download and English only.
Good
17 subjects including science, history, psychology, finance
Flashcards, quizzes and spaced review for active recall
Daily streaks on iPhone and iPad, free download
Less good
New app with no App Store ratings yet
English only, iPhone and iPad only
Best for: Daily habit across many non-language subjects
Best Duolingo-style habit for maths, coding and science through guided problem-solving.
Brilliant teaches maths, coding, computer science, AI, data analysis and physics through interactive problems with real-time guidance. A personalized tutor sees where you're stuck, sketches on screen, and asks questions to guide you to understanding. Expert-crafted courses span foundational math to college-level calculus, Python, algorithms and neural networks. The adaptive system adjusts to your skill level and fills gaps. Sessions feel like a Duolingo for STEM with daily problem-solving habits.
Good
Interactive problems with real-time tutor guidance
Covers maths, coding, AI, data, physics
Adaptive curriculum adjusts to your skill level
Less good
Mostly maths, coding and science, not history or arts
Best for: STEM problem-solving with daily guided practice
Polywise, Inc. · Free download · paid plan in listing · 4.8 ★ (59,732 ratings)
Visual micro-courses with daily quizzes for psychology, history, finance and book summaries.
Imprint offers visual micro-courses and visual guides to bestselling books across psychology, philosophy, history, finance, science and technology. Each chapter takes two minutes or less in bite-sized sessions. Daily quizzes help you retain what you read, and you can save insights for review. The catalogue leans toward books, business and self-improvement topics. Access requires a subscription with monthly or yearly auto-renewal options.
Good
Chapters in two minutes with visual explanations
Daily quizzes reinforce retention across many topics
Visual guides to bestselling books included
Less good
Subscription required for full catalogue access
Leans toward business and self-improvement books
Best for: Quick visual lessons with quiz retention
Mimo GmbH · Free download · 4.8 ★ (110,993 ratings)
Duolingo-style coding path with AI assistance, streaks and project-based learning.
Mimo teaches Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS and SQL through structured paths from first line of code to portfolio projects. An AI-assisted environment helps you understand, debug and improve code as you build apps, websites and tools. A mobile IDE lets you write and run code directly in the app. Streaks and leaderboards track daily progress, and certificates mark completion. The focus is career-ready software development rather than general knowledge.
Good
Structured paths in Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL
AI-assisted coding environment with mobile IDE
Streaks, leaderboards and certificates track progress
Khan Academy · Free download · 4.6 ★ (112,902 ratings)
Free nonprofit library with mastery system, offline access and broad subject coverage.
Khan Academy provides a free nonprofit library of interactive exercises, videos and articles covering maths, science, economics, history, finance, grammar, government and computer science principles. A mastery system gives instant feedback and step-by-step hints, recommending what to try next. You can bookmark and download content for offline use, and a free account syncs progress across devices. Sessions tend to run longer than a few minutes and follow school-style curricula.
Good
Free with interactive exercises, videos and articles
Mastery system with instant feedback and hints
Offline downloads and cross-device sync available
Less good
School-style curricula can feel like coursework
Sessions run longer than bite-sized minutes
Best for: Free academic subjects with mastery tracking
Which app is the closest to Duolingo for science and history?
Knowverse covers 17 subjects including science and history with step-by-step courses, flashcards, quizzes and daily streaks in short sessions. It explains one idea at a time before testing recall, matching the habit you want. Brilliant focuses on STEM problem-solving, while Imprint adds visual book guides.
Do any of these apps work offline?
Khan Academy lets you bookmark and download content for offline use. Knowverse, Brilliant, Imprint and Mimo do not mention offline access in their listings, so check each app store page for current details. Features can change with updates.
Are these apps free or do they require subscriptions?
Knowverse, Brilliant, Mimo and Khan Academy are free to download with no subscription mentioned in their listings. Imprint offers auto-renewing monthly and yearly subscriptions for full catalogue access. Pricing and free-tier limits vary, so verify on each app store listing before deciding.
Pick the app that matches the subject you want and the habit you need. Knowverse gives the broadest Duolingo-style habit across 17 subjects with streaks and recall. Brilliant owns STEM problem-solving. Mimo structures coding into daily streaks. Imprint adds visual book summaries with quizzes. Khan Academy remains the free academic library. Start with one, keep the streak alive, and let the habit do the work.
Sources: Apple App Store listings, checked 2026-11-03. Prices, ratings and features come from each app’s App Store listing on that date and can change.
