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Education & E-Learning · head to head

Babbel vs Duolingo

Babbel logo

Babbel

Education & E-Learning

Language learning that works

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Duolingo logo

Duolingo

Education & E-Learning

Learn a language for free, forever

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Duolingo has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Babbel the App Store listing for Babbel (seller of record: Babbel GmbH) states that subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, with payment charged to the buyer's Apple account; plans are sold in 1, 3, 6 and 12 month terms, and the listing itself discloses no price figure, so the actual monthly-equivalent cost is not visible without proceeding into a purchase flow.; Duolingo free tier includes ads and energy-based hearts system limiting daily practice without paying
  • They diverge on capability: Babbel covers Bite-sized lessons, Duolingo covers 40+ languages.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Babbel and Duolingo actually diverge.

Attributes where Babbel and Duolingo differ
AttributeBabbelDuolingo
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web
Founded20072011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education & E-Learning).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Babbel

  • Bite-sized lessons
  • Speech recognition
  • Review sessions
  • Games
  • Live classes
  • Progress tracking
  • Offline mode
  • Mobile apps

Only in Duolingo

  • 40+ languages
  • Gamification
  • Streaks
  • Leaderboards
  • Stories
  • Speaking exercises
  • AI tutor
  • Google Classroom

Both cover

  • Podcasts
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Babbel

  • Language learning
  • Travel preparation
  • Career development
  • Hobbynot Duolingo

Duolingo

  • Language learning
  • Travel preparation
  • Career development
  • Cultural explorationnot Babbel

Both are used for language learning, travel preparation, career development, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Babbel

  • The App Store listing for Babbel (seller of record: Babbel GmbH) states that subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, with payment charged to the buyer's Apple account; plans are sold in 1, 3, 6 and 12 month terms, and the listing itself discloses no price figure, so the actual monthly-equivalent cost is not visible without proceeding into a purchase flow.

Duolingo

  • Free tier includes ads and energy-based hearts system limiting daily practice without paying
  • Gamification focus may appeal to casual learners but lacks depth for serious language study beyond conversational basics
  • Limited to short, bite-sized lessons without extensive grammar explanations or cultural context

Pricing, plan by plan

Babbel

On request
  • 3 Months$8.95/month
    • 1 language
    • All lessons
    • Speech recognition
  • 6 Months$7.45/month
    • 1 language
    • Review sessions
    • Podcasts
  • 12 Months$6.95/month
    • 1 language
    • Games
    • All features
  • Lifetime$249/month
    • All 14 languages
    • Lifetime access

Duolingo

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All language courses
    • Ad-supported
    • Limited hearts (5-heart system)
  • Super$12.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Unlimited hearts
    • Extra practice tools
  • Super Family$119.99/year
    • Up to 6 users
    • All Super features
    • Family group
  • Max$null/mo
    • All Super features
    • Video Call with Lily
    • Roleplay scenarios

Which should you pick?

Choose Babbel if

  • You need bite-sized lessons.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want speech recognition.
Babbel review

Choose Duolingo if

  • You need 40+ languages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want gamification.
Duolingo review

Questions people ask

Is Babbel or Duolingo better?
Neither clearly leads. Babbel starts at On request and Duolingo at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Babbel or Duolingo?
Duolingo has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Babbel and Free for Duolingo.
Does Babbel or Duolingo run on more platforms?
Babbel runs on Web, IOS, Android. Duolingo runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Duolingo for free?
Yes. Duolingo has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Babbel starts at On request.
What is Babbel best used for?
Babbel is most often used for language learning, travel preparation, career development, hobby. Of those, hobby is not what Duolingo is typically brought in for.
What can Babbel do that Duolingo cannot?
Babbel covers Bite-sized lessons, Speech recognition, Review sessions, Games. Duolingo covers 40+ languages, Gamification, Streaks, Leaderboards. Both handle Podcasts, Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Duolingo: What is Duolingo's pricing model?

Duolingo offers free tier with ads and limited features, Super Duolingo at $12.99/month (ad-free, unlimited hearts, extra practice), Super Family at ~$119.99/year for up to 6 users, and Duolingo Max with AI features like Video Call and Roleplay.

Source
Duolingo: Is Duolingo effective for language learning?

Duolingo has 135+ million monthly active users as of Q3 2025, making it the world's most widely used language-learning app. Its gamified approach and free tier have driven massive adoption.

Source
Duolingo: What AI features does Duolingo Max include?

Duolingo Max includes Video Call for conversation practice with AI character Lily and Roleplay for scenario-based speaking practice. As of January 2026, Explain My Answer became free for all users.

Source
Duolingo: Does Duolingo work offline?

Duolingo is primarily online, though it may offer limited offline lesson downloads on some platforms. Full features require internet connection.

Source
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