Babbel Review 2024: Worth It For Language Learning?

Babbel app is a very popular online learning platform that focuses on other language learning programs. It offers a variety of learning languages for users to study and features a variety of different tools and activities to help people learn their target language.

Other Language learning apps are a crowded marketplace, however, so you may be wondering if Babbel is the best choice for you. 

In this Babbel language review, we will take a closer look at Babbel and its effectiveness.

What Is Babbel?

Babbel is an online learning platform that was founded in Berlin, Germany, in 2007. It focuses on language learning and the platform is available through both browser and mobile, giving advanced learners a choice of how they learn.

The service has sold over 10 million subscriptions and is one of the largest and most successful online language-learning platforms on the market today. It was the first service to offer a language-learning app and kick-started this popular genre of mobile apps.

What Languages Can You Learn On Babbel?

The number of languages available on Babbel is low compared to many of its competitors such as Duolingo. At the time of writing, it only offers 14 popular languages. These are:

Emoji	Language	Link
🇪🇸	Spanish (European)	Learn Spanish
🇫🇷	French	Learn French
🇩🇪	German	Learn German
🇮🇹	Italian	Learn Italian
🇧🇷	Portuguese (Brazilian)	Learn Portuguese
🇵🇱	Polish	Learn Polish
🇷🇺	Russian	Learn Russian
🇳🇱	Dutch	Learn Dutch
🇹🇷	Turkish	Learn Turkish
🇩🇰	Danish	Learn Danish
🇳🇴	Norwegian	Learn Norwegian
🇸🇪	Swedish	Learn Swedish
🇮🇩	Indonesian	Learn Indonesian
🇬🇧	English	–

If you are looking to learn any language other than the ones listed above then Babbel is not the service for you.

How Does Babbel Work?

The Babbel method is based on language-learning science and thousands of hours of academic research. There are six proficiency levels for each language so whether you’re a complete beginner or already have a foundation in the language, you can find the right grammar lessons for you.

Babbel Features Explained

Structure

Each of these proficiency levels has a number of language courses, usually in the range of one to five courses. The courses are then further divided into a varying number of Babbel lessons.

The lessons usually number around seven to 12. The lessons and courses are grouped together through themes, so you may have lessons about family and childhood together, for example.

Lessons

Each of the lessons has both an interactive audio lesson and a review section that is optional. The lessons begin with the new target language being introduced and this new vocabulary is then repeated in natural sentences or dialog. You can repeat the sentences out loud if you wish. You are then quizzed on the new language.

Reviews

Once you’ve completed each lesson, you can then review what you have learned. There are several methods for reviewing the vocabulary, such as flashcards, multiple-choice listening quizzes, writing exercises, and speaking tests. 

Reviewing information after you have learned it is important for retention so make sure that you complete the reviews as much as you can.

Babbel Podcasts Overview:

Babbel offers specialized podcasts designed to hone listening skills for language learners at various levels – from beginners to advanced. While these podcasts are available for some of the more popular languages like Spanish, German, and Italian, they aren’t accessible for less common languages such as Swedish, Turkish, and Dutch. Babbel’s podcasts are a blend of language insights from Babbel experts and a dive into local cultures.

Pros Of Babbel

Now that we know a little more about Babbel, let’s look at its strengths.

Placement Tests

Babbel has six proficiency levels for each language learners. If you’re an absolute beginner that has never studied the language before then choosing the right level for you is easy.

However, if you’ve had some education in a foreign language before, you may not know which level is best for you.

Thankfully, Babbel can help with your placement. Each language has a placement test that you can complete before you start the native language course.

This is a short three-minute test that assesses your current level and suggests which Babbel proficiency level you should begin your studies from.

Good Course Structure

The division of Babbel courses into different proficiency levels, courses, and lessons, makes progressing through the language course easy to understand. All of the information is well-organized and flows in a manner that makes sense and is easy to follow. 

Later lessons build on information learned in earlier courses and the language is organized by theme. You will find navigating through your chosen course to be intuitive.

Additional Courses

As well as working through the course in order, Babbel also allows you to learn through some additional courses. These are extra courses that are available outside of the main language course content and they will help to reinforce your learning.

There is a Refresher course available and this is a great place to start if you have some experience in learning your chosen language already.

You can also choose to work on your Grammar or Listening and Speaking so if you find you are struggling in either of these specific categories, you can dedicate some time to improving your skills.

You can also focus on repeating words and phrases, Countries and Traditions, or so-called Special aspects of the language, such as idioms. 

Native Speakers

There is a lot of audio to listen to in Babbel. The platform regularly asks you to listen to vocabulary and dialog in your target language.

The vast majority of the audio you will listen to is recorded by native speakers. This is very important for language learning as you need to hear the language spoken naturally in order to be able to speak it and understand it yourself

Cons Of Babbel

Let’s now look at the weaknesses of Babbel

Number Of Languages

As we stated earlier, Babble only offers 14 languages and it is a very Euro-centric list. There are many popular languages such as Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Arabic, missing from Babbel’s services and if you are interested in other languages, then Babbel is not the service for you.

See also: How to learn multiple languages on Babbel

Exercises Are Dull

There are many exercises to complete throughout a Babbel course. Many of them are multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank exercises and there is little variation.

This can soon get boring and unfortunately, they are unavoidable. You will need to plow through hundreds of these exercises as you work through any course.

You Won’t Become Fluent

One of the core disadvantages of Babbel is one that is common with all online learning platforms. If you are looking to become fluent in your target language, you won’t be able to do this through Babbel alone. 

Babbel is great for learning basic vocabulary and sentences. If all you want is a basic understanding of the language or enough to get you through a vacation and easy conversations, then if you put the time and effort into Babbel, you will be able to achieve this.

To become as fluent as a native, however, you will need to support your Babbel learning with other methods. We highly recommend that you find a native speaker to be a conversation partner that you can have long conversations with.

• How Long Does Babbel Take To Learn A Language
• Does Babbel work

Babbel Pricing

To study a language with Babbel, you will need a subscription. We often get asked If Babbel costs money, the answer being yes. There are several options available and you can choose from subscriptions lasting one, three, six, or twelve months as well as a lifetime subscription. The basic subscriptions only allow you to study one language at a time.

Pricing Table
Montly	Save 30%	Save 40%	Save 50%	Lifetime	Best Value
1 month	3 months	6 months	12 months	Lifetime	Lifetime
$13.95 /mo	$9.95 /mo	$8.45 /mo	$6.95 /mo	$599.99	$299.99

A monthly subscription costs $13.95 a month and this becomes cheaper as you sign up for longer subscriptions. A 12-month subscription works out to $7.45 per month.

How Much Does Babbel Cost?

Babbel requires a monthly subscription to access its platform, it has four different subscription options that are available at different costs: 

• 1 month of access to Babbel costs $13.95 
• A 3-month subscription to Babbel costs $9.95 per month
• A 6-month subscription to Babbel costs $8.45 per month
• A 12-month subscription to Babbel costs $6.95 per month
• Lifetime Access to ALL Languages ONLY $299 Total

So, If You Purchase A 12-month Babbel Subscription, Do You Get 6 Months Free?

Yes, sort of. A 12-month subscription to Babbel will cost you $6.95 a month, and if you were to purchase 1 month of access to Babbel for 6 months, rather than purchasing a subscription, the cost would be $13.95 a month.

So essentially with a 12-month subscription, you’d be saving 50% of the normal cost. 

Babbel does unfortunately charge by language (see also our article on Memrise), once you purchase a subscription in your chosen language, you’ll get a full catalog of courses and learning levels in that specific language.

If you want to learn another language, you’ll need to purchase another subscription. 

Related: How do I buy Babbel as a gift?

Pros And Cons Of Babbel

Here’s a summary of some of the most common advantages and disadvantages that users have to say about using Babbel.

Advantages

• The lessons are intuitive. 
• You learn realistic words and phrases
• The platform is easy to understand 
• Babbel shows you the mistakes you’ve made, and how to fix them
• It helps review a language that you’ve learned in the past

Disadvantages

• The lessons can feel simple and boring after a while
• Technical issues can make the website or app unavailable 
• Some users are surprised that Babbel’s subscription auto-renews
• Unsubscribing from Babbel can be confusing

Babbel Live Overview:

Babbel Live offers immersive online tutoring classes, creating an avenue for learners to practice speaking confidently with certified language teachers in real-time. These classes are designed to provide learners with a deeper understanding of language nuances, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Key Features of Babbel Live:

• Languages Offered: Spanish, German, French, Italian, with plans to expand the range.
• Levels of Instruction: From Newcomer (A1) to Advanced (C1), Babbel Live provides over 40 hours of live classes at each level to cater to various learning needs.
• Class Experience: The classes emphasize real-world scenarios, such as “Ordering at a café” or discussing “Work-life balance.” Each class has a limited size of six students to ensure personalized attention.
• Teachers: All instructors are rigorously selected, holding a teaching qualification in a language-related field and a certification of CEFR C2 in the language they instruct. Teachers like Esteban, Sophie, Melina, and Antonella, bring their unique styles and experiences to make classes engaging and culturally enriching.
• Subscription Plans: Learners can choose from Light (1 class/week for 12 months), Focused (2 classes/week for 6 months), and Intensive (4 classes/week for 3 months) plans. Each subscription offers unlimited access to Babbel’s award-winning app.
• Booking System: Booking a class is simple. Users log into their account, choose their language, browse available classes, and reserve their seat.
• Reputation: Babbel Live boasts a 4.8-star rating from its users, indicating a high level of satisfaction.

Getting Started with Babbel Live:

• Sign up: Choose a plan that aligns with your learning goals and motivation.
• Find Your Slot: With hundreds of classes offered weekly, you can select the best times based on your level and interests.
• Log into Your Class: Engage in practice sessions with fellow students and expert teachers.

What is Babbel Live?

An online platform offering live tutoring classes in small groups with certified language teachers.

Babbel Live Class Frequency:

You can take as many classes as your subscription allows, with hundreds of classes available each week.

Booking a Class in Babbel Live:

Use your Babbel login credentials to book a class, after which you’ll receive a confirmation email.

Babbel Live Languages Offered:

Presently, classes are available in German, Spanish, French, and Italian

Babbel Live Class Levels:

Classes cater to all learning levels, from Newcomer to Advanced.

Babbel Live Class Size:

Each class is limited to six participants to ensure a personalized learning experience.

Can Babbel Make You Fluent?

 It all depends on how much effort you put into learning a language. If you’re being proactive and putting quite a lot of time and effort into learning the language outside of the app, it can be rewarding and go a long way in making you fluent. 

But it’s likely to not allow the average person to become fluent in a new language, but it does allow you to learn the basics, master some skills, and get ready for upcoming trips where you’ll need to speak your new language. 

Is Babbel Worth It?

If you’re determined to learn a new language and want to do it online, then Babbel is definitely worth getting. 

Since Babbel is completely online, you’ll have to be able to hold yourself accountable and stay consistent in your learning. You can set learning reminders that will remind you to learn at a time of the day that’s optimal for you. 

Babbel is one of the more affordable online language learning platforms out there, so it’s a good option if you want to learn a new language but also don’t want to spend too much money on it. 

Babbel Alternatives To Consider

Language learning has never been more accessible, with numerous platforms vying for the attention of eager learners. Among the most popular is Babbel, but how does it measure up against its competitors? Here’s a quick comparison of Babbel with four other top language learning platforms: Pimsleur, Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and Rocket Languages.

Pimsleur vs. Babbel:

Pimsleur primarily focuses on oral comprehension and speaking through its call-and-response method, whereas Babbel provides a comprehensive mix of reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises. Both have modern interfaces, but while Pimsleur emphasizes auditory learning, Babbel balances all linguistic skills.
Pimsleur vs Babbel

Babbel vs. Duolingo:

Babbel offers structured lessons aimed at real-life conversations, while Duolingo uses a gamified approach to make learning engaging. Both platforms are user-friendly, but Duolingo covers a wider range of languages and offers a free version, whereas Babbel requires a subscription.
Babbel vs Duolingo

Babbel vs. Rosetta Stone:

Rosetta Stone adopts an immersive learning approach, presenting all content in the target language, contrasting Babbel’s combination of target language content and native language explanations. Both have sleek interfaces, but Rosetta Stone can be more visually immersive, and its pricing has become more competitive with Babbel’s subscription model.
Babbel vs Rosetta Stone

Babbel vs. Rocket Languages:

Rocket Languages blends listening exercises, pronunciation, and cultural insights, offering a somewhat more traditional learning interface compared to Babbel’s modern, structured lessons. While Babbel covers more languages, Rocket Languages provides in-depth content for its offerings and has historically offered lifetime access for a one-time fee.
Babbel Vs Rocket Languages

Final Thoughts

Babbel is definitely worth it as it’s different from a lot of other online language learning platforms in that it allows you to learn directly from real-life conversations and dialogue, which is useful for those wanting to put their language skills into practice. 

Final Thoughts

In this Babbel review, we introduced Babbel and explained its main features and pricing. Babbel is one of the best language-learning apps available and should be considered by everyone.