On October 16, 2026 more than a third of the US Education top 20 grossing teach languages, led by Duolingo and Learna. All 20 leaders sell a subscription, with a median month at $17.99 and a year at $74.99. By our estimate ranks 1–10 make $1.1–4.3M a month and ranks 51–100 $90–360K, not Apple data.
Languages lead
Seven apps of the top 20 teach languages. These are Duolingo, Learna, Pimsleur, LangLearn, Speak, Babbel and Lingvano for sign language. Duolingo has 5,508,161 ratings, and we show no range for it and other old large apps, our method runs low for them. Learna came out in 2024 and already sits at rank 2 with a range of $4.1–16M.
Next to them are school and homework. ClassDojo sells parents a subscription on top of the school app, Gauth solves problems from a photo and makes $4.4–17M. Plant identifiers have their own shelf, PictureThis at rank 3 and PlantIn at 14.
| Rank | App | How it charges | US ratings | Released | Our monthly estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duolingo: Learn Languages | subscription | 5,508,161 | 2012 | long-running, method runs low |
| 2 | Learna: Speak & Learn English | subscription | 435,046 | 2024 | $4.1–16M |
| 3 | PictureThis - Plant Identifier | subscription | 1,119,547 | 2017 | $994K–4.0M |
| 4 | ClassDojo | subscription | 4,108,965 | 2012 | long-running, method runs low |
| 5 | Quizlet: More than Flashcards | subscription | 1,131,517 | 2012 | long-running, method runs low |
| 6 | Pimsleur | Language Learning | subscription | 30,324 | 2018 | major brand, method runs low |
| 7 | Lingokids: Games & Shows | subscription | 668,114 | 2015 | long-running, method runs low |
| 8 | Simply Piano: Learn Piano Fast | subscription | 857,045 | 2015 | long-running, method runs low |
| 9 | LangLearn: AI English Tutor | subscription with a weekly plan | 21,473 | 2025 | $193–774K |
| 10 | Speak: Language Learning | subscription | 63,948 | 2017 | $1.1–4.6M |
Apple, US top grossing chart, Oct 16, 2026. Ratings and release years from iTunes Lookup. Monthly range by our estimate for Sep 16, 2026–Oct 16, 2026, not Apple data.
How these apps charge
20 of the 20 top grossing apps sell a subscription, and 4 have a weekly price. The free chart shows the other side of learning. 8 of its top 20 sell nothing on the App Store, the school systems Google Classroom, Canvas, PowerSchool, ParentSquare and Remind. Schools and districts pay for them, and students and parents get the app.
The median month is $17.99 and the median year $74.99, so a year equals about 4.2 months. 4 apps of the top 20 also sell lifetime access, $59.99 at the median. The paid chart has high prices here, reaching $124.99 in the top 20. AnkiMobile leads it at $24.99, and it is the only paid app in the top 100 grossing, at rank 49. Exam guides for the military and pilots sit next to it.
| What is sold | Median | Range | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly subscription | $6.99 | $6.99–$7.99 | 4 |
| Monthly subscription | $17.99 | $11.99–$74.99 | 10 |
| Yearly subscription | $74.99 | $29.99–$131.99 | 11 |
| Lifetime, one-time | $59.99 | $19.99–$149.99 | 4 |
| Paid upfront, top 20 | $6.49 | $1.99–$124.99 | 20 |
In-app purchase lists on the app pages, US App Store, Oct 16, 2026.
What a chart rank is worth
We estimated 74 apps of the top 100. For 49 the whole range sits above $100K a month. The top 10 median is $1.1–4.3M, ranks 11–25 $493K–2.0M, ranks 26–50 $266K–1.1M, ranks 51–100 $90–360K. The top and bottom of the chart differ by about 12 times.
We show no range for Duolingo, ClassDojo, Quizlet, Babbel and other old large services, or for Pimsleur, whose subscription is usually bought on the web. The biggest earner by our estimate is Gauth at rank 11, $4.4–17M, with Learna next at $4.1–16M.
How newcomers get in
9 apps of the top 100 came out in 2025–2026. One broke into the top 20, LangLearn, spoken English with an AI partner. It came out April 22, 2025, sits at rank 9 and has 21,473 ratings. YayTalk and BetterSpeak follow with the same idea, and HeyRua, released August 16, 2026, sits at rank 96.
The way in runs through speaking practice. 19 of today's top 20 were there on September 24, 2026, and 9 apps entered the top 100 since then.
Niches inside the category
The richest topics are languages, homework, plants and reading for young kids. A small team is closer to narrow jobs. Spaced repetition flashcards, prep for a single exam, sign language, games for kids aged two to four.
Related articles and breakdowns
Niches of this category in the book
- Spaced repetition flashcards, leader Quizlet
- Sight-reading sheet music, leader not tracked yet
- Games for toddlers ages 2–4, Kiddopia, $1–3M
Niche leader and its monthly range by our estimate. Book 50 iPhone app niches, Oct 16, 2026.
If your idea is in Education, Appto first checks the niche on fresh App Store data and shows who makes money in it. Then Appto draws the screens, writes the code, prepares the page in every language and sends it to Apple from your account or shows what to press in App Store Connect.
Where the numbers come from
The US App Store snapshot was taken on October 16, 2026. Appto estimates revenue from 30 days of rating growth in six countries. In half of the cases the estimate is within 2x of the real figure, in four out of five within 3x, and for large apps it tends to run low. Ads, web sales and Google Play are not included. More on the method and on niches by category.
Questions
How much do education apps make?
By our estimate on October 16, 2026, the US top 10 grossing have a median of $1.1–4.3M a month and ranks 51–100 $90–360K. Learna makes $4.1–16M. It is our estimate, not Apple data.
What should a language learning app charge?
The category leaders charge a median $17.99 a month and $74.99 a year, and 4 of the top 20 offer a week (US App Store, October 16, 2026). 4 apps of the top 20 sell lifetime access.
Can a new app enter the Education top grossing chart?
LangLearn came out April 22, 2025 and on October 16, 2026 sits at rank 9. The top 100 holds 9 apps from 2025–2026.
Can an education app sell for a one-time price?
It can. AnkiMobile at $24.99 leads the paid chart and sits at rank 49 in top grossing (October 16, 2026). It is the only paid app of the category in the top 100 grossing.
Why do school apps sell nothing?
Schools pay for Google Classroom, Canvas and PowerSchool, so they are free on the App Store. On October 16, 2026 8 of them are in the top 20 free.
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