Is Babbel really the best language app? An honest review

Technology has made everyone’s life easier, so it’s not that shocking that we also use it to do our daily chores.

Learning a language is no exception. 

Language learning apps have made the learning process much easier and more entertaining.

But how do you choose the perfect app that you can use without anybody’s help?

That’s why we have tested the most popular language apps so that you don’t have to.

Here’s our honest review of Babbel and whether it is really the best language app.

Babbel review

Babbel is one of the most popular language-learning apps with a unique method.

100+ linguistics and language experts worked hard on creating this app.

Their strategy is based on learning the conversational language as quickly as possible and being able to remember it.

It allows you to learn 14 languages (German, Spanish, Italian, English, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Dutch,  Indonesian, Norwegian, Danish).

When you download the app, you get to choose your native language and the language you want to learn; at that moment, you get your first free lesson with conversational words and phrases.

It doesn’t overwhelm you, because there are up to four words or phrases in one lesson.

Very soon after that lesson, you can hear a conversation where the speakers use those exact words or phrases, and your brain starts to detect them.

Upon this lesson completion, you are to choose one of four paid subscription options to continue the course.

However, you cannot know if this is the best option for you until you compare it with other language apps, as Babbel’s method and user interface are similar to other popular language apps like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, which are also quiz-like.

We have compared them for you outlining both advantages and disadvantages so that you can decide whether to purchase the course or not.

Babbel vs Rosetta Stone

What are Babbel’s advantages compared to Duolingo and Rosetta Stone?

• PRICE. Prices range from $12.95 per month (for one month) down to $6.95 per month for 12 months. There is also a 3-month option for $8.95 per month and a 6-month option for $7.45 per month.​ Generally, the 1-month plan costs $12.95, a 3-month plan costs $26.85, 6 months costs $44.70, and a yearly subscription is available for $83.40. A subscription to Rosetta Stone costs $35.97 for 3 months, $65.94 for 6 months, $107.88 for a year.
• TIME MANAGEMENT. You can finalize each Babbel lesson in 10-15 minutes and learn something new from it. Considering your busy schedule, you have the ‘On the go’ option to save time.
• OFFLINE. Babbel works offline, while Duolingo does not. Rosetta Stone’s lessons have to be downloaded in order to work offline.
• CONVERSATIONAL. It’s perfect if you want to enhance your conversational vocabulary. You immediately learn phrases that can be used in colloquial speech.
• INTERACTIVE. Babbel is Medium interactive, while Duolingo and Rosetta Stone are Low-medium.

What are Babbel’s shortcomings compared to Duolingo and Rosetta Stone?

• PRICE. Duolingo is totally free.
• LANGUAGE LIST. Useful and modern languages like Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic or Korean aren’t included in Babbel’s learning list. On another hand, Duolingo offers this option. By the way, the latter offers you a wide choice of languages even including Hawaiian, Latin, and High Valyrian. Duolingo offers 34 language courses to English speaking learners, and Rosetta Stone offers 28.
• NOT DEMANDING. Not enough pressure as in Rosetta Stone. Rosetta Stone is designed to show you the material again and again for an efficient result, while Babbel doesn’t force you to review things.
• DOESN’T TEACH SENTENCE STRUCTURE. Duolingo and Rosetta Stone are focused on grammar and sentence structure, while Babbel is not.
• NO ALTERNATIVE WAYS. Rosetta Stone has alternative ways of learning, such as fun games that can improve both written and verbal skills, thus introducing a way children can also practice with ease: the other two apps don’t. Additionally, Rosetta Stone has advanced speech recognition technology.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, Babbel can come in handy, but it doesn`t prepare you for real-life situations.

It is more interactive than Duolingo and Rosetta Stone. It’s very convenient for beginners, but if you prefer more simple methods, you can try Duolingo, and for a more professional approach, you can go with Rosetta Stone.

Nevertheless, it’s no harm to give it a chance, and if you like the experience – just stick with it!