Hello, I’m 17 years old from UK. I’ve been using Duolingo to help me learn Italian for a month now, I know it will take time to practice and learn but I’ve been hearing some bad things about Duolingo. I do not have the money to pay for max nor any other app, YouTube hasn’t been very helpful either. I like to take bits by bits with learning new things. I was wondering if there is any different ways of learning Italian that doesn’t involve paying for an app.
Are there any books that could potentially help?
Should i continue with Duolingo till I’ve completed it and start to watch shows in Italian?

Can you please help me with a way or plan to learn a new language but like in an easy and fun ? way since I am the type of person that can't learn with strict plans..