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Head-to-head · Language Learning Apps

Duolingo vs Babbel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Duolingo #1 in Language Learning Apps 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Duolingo
Babbel #3 in Language Learning Apps 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Babbel

Duolingo leads on 1 check, Babbel on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDuolingo · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Duolingo
  • Free trialonly Duolingo

Duolingo scores higher on our rubric for language learning apps: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Duolingo offers free plan; Babbel doesn't.

Duolingo is the better fit for beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option. Babbel is the better fit for learners wanting a structured paid course.

  • Duolingo fits best

    Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option

  • Babbel fits best

    Learners wanting a structured paid course

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Side by side

Feature Duolingo 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Babbel 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.1
Ranking #1 in Language Learning Apps #3 in Language Learning Apps
Best for Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option Learners wanting a structured paid course
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Free plan · 14-day trial —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email Email, Live chat, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Duolingo 5/5 · Babbel 5/5
Offline lessons ✓ ✓
Speech practice ✓ ✓
Placement test ✓ ✓
Personalized review ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
Specs
Languages offered Not checked yet 14
Our review
Pros
  • Free access includes bite-sized lessons across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
  • Placement testing and personalized review help tailor practice to learner progress.
  • Offline mobile lessons, stories, DuoRadio, and speech exercises broaden practice.
  • Covers listening, speaking, writing, grammar, and vocabulary review
  • Speech feedback and AI conversation practice support speaking development
  • Offline lessons, podcasts, games, and placement testing broaden study options
Cons
  • The Free plan includes advertising.
  • AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan.
  • Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.
  • No free plan is available
  • The $8.95 monthly rate requires a 12-month plan billed in advance
  • Babbel Speak is available only in selected languages
Our verdict

Duolingo is a self-paced language-learning website and mobile app for learners building skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, and grammar. Its short interactive lessons combine practice with progress tracking,…

Read the review →

Babbel is a structured, self-paced language-learning app for learners who prefer guided courses over open-ended practice. Its lessons focus on practical communication and cover listening, speaking, writing, grammar, vocabulary review, and…

Read the review →
  1. DuolingoLanguage Learning Apps 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. BabbelLanguage Learning Apps 9.1Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Duolingo — where it wins

    • Free access includes bite-sized lessons across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
    • Placement testing and personalized review help tailor practice to learner progress.
    • Offline mobile lessons, stories, DuoRadio, and speech exercises broaden practice.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan includes advertising.
    • AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan.
    • Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.

  • Babbel — where it wins

    • Covers listening, speaking, writing, grammar, and vocabulary review
    • Speech feedback and AI conversation practice support speaking development
    • Offline lessons, podcasts, games, and placement testing broaden study options

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • The $8.95 monthly rate requires a 12-month plan billed in advance
    • Babbel Speak is available only in selected languages
  • Duolingo9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.

    Visit DuolingoFull verdict →
  • Babbel9.1/10 · Paid

    A guided paid course with practice across listening, speaking, writing, and grammar.

    Visit BabbelFull verdict →

More comparisons

All language learning apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update