vs
Duolingo vs Babbel
Duolingo scores higher overall (8.6 vs 7.7), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Duolingo if…
Beginners and casual learners who want a free daily habit, with optional AI speaking practice
8.6/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Babbel if…
Learners who want a structured, grammar-aware course with some AI speaking practice
7.7/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Duolingo | Babbel | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 10 | #3 of 10 |
| Price | Freemium · from $9.99/month | Paid · from $17.99/month |
| Free version | Full courses free with ads and limits on mistakes | First lesson of each course |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Made by | Duolingo, Inc. | Babbel GmbH |
| Learning quality | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Ease of use | 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Features | 8.5 | 7 |
| Value for money | 8.5 | 7 |
| Platforms | 10 | 9.5 |
Duolingo: what the AI does
- Video Call with AI character Lily
- Roleplay conversation scenarios
- Explain My Answer (now free)
- AI-generated course content and Speaking Adventures
- Best free plan in the category
- Habit-forming streaks and game design
- Video Call remembers past conversations and leaves transcripts
- Works on web, iOS and Android
- The AI speaking features need the $29.99-a-month Max plan
- Max is limited to a subset of languages
- AI conversations can feel rigid for advanced learners
Babbel: what the AI does
- Babbel Speak guided speaking scenarios
- AI conversation partner with feedback
- Speech recognition in lessons
- Well-designed, practical curriculum
- Feedback on grammar and vocabulary in AI conversations
- Web and mobile apps sync
- AI speaking covers only the most popular language pairs
- Less speaking practice than conversation-first apps
- Almost no free content