[jkestner]

Amazon is bad, but as others note, it’s insultingly transparent more than anything. But the worst in my recent history is Duolingo. Constant pestering to upgrade your subscription, fine, but once you do, it frequently “forgets” the subscription (through the App Store) and goes back to nagging you, only fixed by digging a few screens into the profile and tapping “restore purchases”. Bigger issue when your family is using it and doesn’t understand you’re already subscribed. Paid for two family subscriptions this way.

[robotnikman]

It keeps nagging me to upgrade to the family plan or plus or whatever. And if I ignore it enough it enrolls me in a free trial of the family plan without me even asking every once it a while. The amount of up-selling they try to push on you now is so annoying.

If anyone has any recommended alternatives where I can learn Japanese I'm interested. Despite all the crap Duolingo has, it has been very convenient when it comes to spending 30 minutes at the end of the day doing some Japanese lessons.

[Macha]

As for alternatives: Bunpro (grammar + vocab + kanji), Marumori (tries to do everything), Wanikani (kanji) are the ones usually recommended. Personally I used Bunpro + Wanikani. That said, you do need to spread your wings out of the apps eventually. Learning words 5000-6000 are less helpful than practicing listening in context for example.

[robotnikman]

Thanks for the alternatives, I'll check them out!

[ascagnel_]

> It keeps nagging me to upgrade to the family plan or plus or whatever. And if I ignore it enough it enrolls me in a free trial of the family plan without me even asking every once it a while. The amount of up-selling they try to push on you now is so annoying.

Is this through their own storefront, or through a mobile storefront (Apple/Google)? While it's bad either way, Apple and Google specific styling around their subscription confirmation prompts, so I hope they haven't circumvented those somehow.

[robotnikman]

It seems to be through their own storefront in the app. Thankfully it doesn't automatically subscribe you at the end of the free trial.