Babbel vs Duolingo: Which is better for you?

Are you looking for the best platform to learn a new language?

Then you have two popular options: Babbel and Duolingo.

Both Babbel and Duolingo are popular language-learning apps with many features and affordable prices.

But are you confused between Babbel and Duolingo and can’t decide which one is better for you?

Then this blog post is for you. In this post, I’ve compared Babbel and Duolingo step by step.

So let’s get started.

Babbel vs. Duolingo: A Quick Overview

FeaturesBabbelDuolingo
Pricing$6.95/month for Babbel Plus$12.99/month for Duolingo Plus
Free Version
Languages Offered1343
Offers Math & Music Courses
Offline Access
Family Plan✅ $130 Per Year (Up to 6 People)
Live Classes✅ (Babbel Live: $99/month)
Available OnAndroid, iOS, WebAndroid, iOS, Web
Learning StyleStructured, focused on grammar and conversationsGamified, fun exercises with streaks and rewards

Babbel:

Babbel Interface

Babbel is a popular language-learning platform that started in Berlin, Germany in 2008.

Babbel uses a structured lesson-based approach, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and real-world conversations.

Currently, Babbel offers courses in 14 languages. It’s available on Android, iOS, and the web.

Duolingo:

duolingo Interface

When people think of language learning apps, Duolingo is usually the first name that comes to mind.

Duolingo is a well-known language-learning platform. It was started in 2011 in Pennsylvania, USA.

Duolingo uses a game-like approach to learning, and it’s completely free to use.

Duolingo offers over 40 languages. It’s also available on Android, iOS, and the web.

Also Read: Rosetta Stone Vs Duolingo

Learning Approach

Babbel:

Babbel’s approach structured lessons focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and real-life conversation.

Babbel’s lessons are created by language experts, which is why Babbel claims that 92% of its users learn a new language in just two months.

Babbel also offers live classes (called Babbel Live), where you can talk to native tutors.

Duolingo:

Duolingo uses a gamified learning approach, which makes it engaging.

Duolingo also offers short lessons, fun quizzes, daily streaks, weekly tournaments, a leaderboard, and exciting rewards like XP boosts, diamonds, and more.

Features

Let’s talk about the features of Babbel and Duolingo and compare them:

Babbel:

  • Speech Recognition: This feature tells you how well you pronounce words and phrases, helping you improve your speaking skills.
  • Grammar explanation: Babbel covers basic grammar rules and explains them with examples.
  • Review Section: Babbel lets you go back and review lessons you’ve already learned.
  • Live Classes (Babbel Live): This amazing feature lets you talk to native tutors.
  • Progress Tracking: This feature helps you see how well you’re learning. It’s a great way to keep track of your progress.
  • Podcasts and Babbel Magazine: Babbel also provides additional learning materials, such as podcasts and magazines, which are very useful.

Duolingo:

  • Stories: Duolingo offers short, interactive stories in some languages to help improve your reading and listening skills.
  • Leaderboards: This feature lets you compete with friends and other learners, making learning more social and fun.
  • Tournament: Each week, Duolingo holds a Diamond Tournament, where top Diamond League players compete against each other and win exciting prizes.
  • Progress Tracking: Like Babbel, Duolingo lets you track your learning progress.
  • Practice reminders: Duolingo sends you daily push notifications and emails to remind you to complete your lessons.
  • Audio Lesson: Duelingo also offers audio lessons called Duoradio which helps you to practice listening.

Languages Offered

Babbel:

Currently, Babbel offers only the 13 most popular languages, which are:

Babbel Languages
SpanishRussianNorwegian
FrenchIndonesianDanish
PortugueseTurkishSwedish
GermanPolish
ItalianDutch

Duolingo:

While Babbel offers only 13 languages, Duolingo offers over 40—three times more than Babbel!

Babbel Languages
SpanishKoreanNavajo
PortugueseArabicKlingon
FrenchDutchHigh Valyrian
JapaneseSwedishHawaiian
GermanNorwegianIrish
Chinese (Mandarin)TurkishWelsh
ItalianGreekEsperanto
RussianHebrewFinnish
HindiDanishHaitian Creole
VietnamesePolishYiddish
BengaliCzechZulu
Cantonese (for Mandarin)UkrainianCatalan (for Spanish)
SwahiliRomanianScottish Gaelic
IndonesianHungarianBengali (for Bengali speakers)

Pricing

Let’s compare the cost of Babbel and Duolingo to see which is more affordable.

Babbel:

PlanCost
Free
Half- Yearly$8.45 Per Month ( Total $50.70)
Annual$6.95 Per Month (Total $83.40)
Babbel Live$99 Per Month
Lifetime$299.5 ( Only One-Time Payment)

Duolingo:

PlanCost
Free
Super Duolingo$12.99 Per Month (Total $59.99 Yearly)
Super Duolingo Family$130 Per Year (Up to 6 People)
Duolingo Max$30 Per Month (Total $168 Yearly)
Duolingo Max Family$130 Per Year (Up to 6 People)

Here, you can easily see that Babbel is much cheaper than Duolingo. It costs just $6.95 per month, while Duolingo costs $12.99 per month—almost half the price!

Also Read: Top Duolingo Alternatives

Pros & Cons

Babbel:

Pros

  • Offers Live Online Classes
  • Provide speech recognition tool
  • Audio Recaps
  • Easy-to-use user interface

Cons

  • Limited language offering
  • Not ideal for beginners

Duolingo:

Pros

  • Uses a Gamified Learning Approach
  • Offers a Variety of Languages
  • Sends Daily Practice Reminders
  • Has a beginner-friendly UI

Cons

  • Limited Depth of Learning
  • Not focusing on grammar
  • Repetitive Exercises

Which App is Right for You?

  • Babbel is a great option if you’re looking for a structured, in-depth learning experience that’s also affordable.
  • Duolingo is perfect for casual learners who want a gamified learning approach. It’s also great for people who just want to start learning a language.

Wrapping Up

This is a detailed comparison between Babbel and Duolingo. So, choose the one that’s perfect for you and fits your budget!

Now it’s time to wrap up this blog post. If you have any doubts, let me know in the comment section, and I will try to reply to you.

Lastly, if you like this post, share it with your friends!

Hi! I'm Dheeraj Goswami. I've been using Duolingo for three years and have learned a lot. Now, I want to share what I know and my experiences with new users through this blog!

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