Babbel

Structured dialogue-based courses in 13 languages, built by actual linguists.

AppsCoursesPaidBeginnerIntermediateA1–B1Any language

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What it actually is

Subscription-only after a handful of free intro lessons, with the monthly price falling steeply on longer plans. Lessons are short, dialogue-first and explain grammar properly, which makes it a much more serious beginner course than Duolingo. It covers only 14 languages and effectively stops around B1, so it is a stepping stone rather than a destination.

Who it suits

An adult beginner in one of Babbel's 14 languages who wants a guided course that explains why sentences work, in lessons short enough for a lunch break. It suits people who like a clear path and will actually pay for, and finish, a structured course over several months.

Who should skip it

Skip it if your language is not in its catalogue, or if you are already past lower-intermediate, where the lessons stop adding much. It also gives little listening volume and no real conversation partner, so on its own it leaves you able to read and build sentences but slow to follow native speech.

What it costs

Prices depend on region and are shown after choosing a language. From Portugal the gift shop showed all 14 languages at EUR 46.95 for 6 months, EUR 62.95 for 12 months and EUR 252.95 lifetime, one-off. The US App Store lists a 1-month single language at $17.99 and 12 months of all languages at $107.99 (USD).

Checked 29 Sept 2026 on the official pricing page. Prices change and can differ by country.

How it compares

  • Busuu

    Pick Busuu instead if you want native speakers to correct your written and spoken exercises.

  • Duolingo

    Pick Duolingo instead if you are not ready to pay yet and mostly need a daily habit to get started.

  • Pimsleur

    Pick Pimsleur instead if you learn better by ear and want speaking drilled before reading.

  • italki

    Pick italki instead once you can form basic sentences and need a real person to talk to.

What it covers

  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar
  • Speaking
  • Listening

Learners who used it

From field notes — real posts we read and linked. What they say is their account, not our finding.

Official links

Similar tools

  • Anki

    The gold-standard spaced-repetition flashcard app with community decks for every language.

  • Duolingo

    Gamified daily lessons in 40+ languages; great for habit-building, weak beyond A2.

  • Busuu

    Structured CEFR courses with written corrections from native speakers.

  • HelloTalk

    Text, call and correct with native speakers in a language-exchange feed.

  • Memrise

    Vocabulary drills backed by clips of native speakers saying the phrase.

  • Pimsleur

    Audio-only spaced-recall courses that drill speaking from lesson one.

Sources

Prices and features above come from these pages, read on 29 Sept 2026. The judgements are ours.