Are you searching for the right language-learning tool?
These days, more people are using apps and software to learn a new language. Babbel and Duolingo are currently two of the most well-known platforms. Both provide accessible and affordable courses. But which platform is better?
It depends on your needs.
Like any product or service, both apps have strengths and weaknesses. We will be discussing the differences between each one in this article. We’ll provide an in-depth review of Babbel vs. Duolingo to help you decide which app is right for you and your learning style.
So, let’s dive in…
Babbel Overview
Babbel is a premium online language-learning app and e-learning platform that was launched in 2007, with headquarters in Berlin, Germany
It is a subscription-based service that is more affordable than other paid language-learning platforms. You can choose to subscribe monthly, quarterly (every three months), bi-annual (every six months), or annually.
Lessons are delivered in quiz format (fill in the blanks, multiple choice; flashcards, and oral response)
Currently, there are 14 foreign languages you can learn in Babbel.
Babbel has over 1 million paid subscribers in the United States to date
The platform is ideal for serious learners who are in the beginner to intermediate level
Babbel’s subscription rates are as follows (at time of writing):
All of that sounds pretty great, but what are the things that make Babbel stand out from the other language learning programs? Let's take a look.
Pros of Babbel App
Lessons are helpful in real-life interactions
Rather than just teaching single words to learners without putting them in context or teaching learners how to put all the words together, Babbel helps perfect your grammar skills and offers lessons that users can practice right away in real conversations.
While some learning tools overload users with vocabulary and grammar from the start, Babbel starts with practical words and phrases. You can build your language skills around real-life interactions by learning how to order food or ask for directions.
Audio tracks are clear, with accents like those used by native speakers
Babbel offers opportunities to practice pronouncing words from the very beginning. Rather than having robotic voices speak to you in the language you are learning, you can learn to truly understand a language and sound fluent and natural in it if you can learn the correct accent and pronunciation of the words right away so others can understand you.
When using Babbel, you can hear a variety of authentic native speakers using the words in their everyday language so you can pick up on the enunciations.
Lessons follow a coherent pattern, building up on what has been previously taught
You will constantly be using what you have learned in future lessons, so you won't forget any material you learn early on. Also, the app can analyze your strengths and weaknesses as you go, so it won't repeat the things you have already mastered over and over again.
This comprehensive format allows you to use the words you have learned in the proper context and practice with them in future lessons.
Explains grammar rules and cultural context of word usage, e.g., pronouns (formal and informal)
Babbel breaks down complex grammatical concepts using tips in your native language. It includes pop-ups alongside each lesson to help you understand the content and context of the words.
The tips and tricks can also be accessed separately on a different page for convenience. Because our brains are wired to analyze new languages as we learn them, Babbel’s tips help you comprehend concepts that may be difficult to grasp in immersion programs.
Cons Babbel App
A limited number of language courses are offered
Some popular foreign languages Babbel does not offer include Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic, and Korean. If these are some of the languages you may be interested in, Babbel might not be the right choice.
Before signing up, check to make sure that Babbel offers your language of choice. Additionally, less popular languages that Babbel does offer (like Swedish) have less content than more popular languages like French and Spanish. Less popular languages will have a collection of very effective beginner courses, but their range of intermediate material is almost non-existent.
You need to pay for each language course
One subscription does not give you access to all of the information Babbel offers, so if you want to learn two languages, you must pay for two subscriptions. This makes it difficult to “try out” a language to see if you like it before committing to learning at least a little bit.
It is not ideal for higher intermediate or advanced learners
Although Babbel does focus on lessons that will provide you with real-life skills, it does not dive too deep into the explanations or give many examples of sentences. This means that if you already know the basics of your language of choice, Babbel will not help you focus on everyday interactions as much as possible.
With Babbel, you aren't required to develop your own phrases or sentences in the language you're learning. There is a recall component, as it offers users quizzes, but you generally choose from a multiple-choice selection of answers or fill in the blank.
This would be equivalent to knowing most of the words in the English language but having no idea how actually to put them together,
Duolingo Overview
Duolingo is a language-learning platform that aims to serve practically everyone who needs or wants to learn a foreign language. It was publicly launched in 2012 and has headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Duolingo uses a gamified format for its language courses. As the learner completes a lesson level, he or she can earn points and “lingots” (the Duolingo currency) that can be used to purchase power-ups in the app’s online store.
It currently offers 88 language courses, with almost a dozen under development (or in the “hatching” stage); 33 of the courses are available for English speakers
As the most popular free online learning platform, Duolingo has over 100 million users. Its Spanish course (the most popular) has over 22 million learners.
Duolingo is practically for everyone who wants a basic introduction to a foreign language. To access its services, you need only a smartphone or computer and an internet connection.
All Duolingo courses are free.
Recently, a premium service called Duolingo Plus was launched. For $9.99 a month, the subscriber can have ad-free access and download the lessons for offline access.
Let's look at some specific reasons people may choose Duolingo over other options to learn a new language.
Pros of Duolingo App
All courses are free
This puts less pressure on you to learn a language in a specific amount because you aren't charged month-to-month. Also, if you start learning a language and find that you don't like it, you won't lose anything.
Over 80 language choices (and counting), including fun ones like High Valyrian and Klingon.
Duolingo uses users' opinions and contributions when adding new languages to its library. It uses crowdsourcing to keep its app up to date and consider users' opinions so it can continuously improve its lesson plans. Duolingo is constantly improving and adding languages that other apps don't offer lessons on.
Allows tracking of your study time.
When you use this app, you can see the number of points you have received so far, the streak of days you have used the app, and how much of the course you have completed by clicking the “course progress” button on your sidebar.
Whether you are using Duolingo PC or on the app, your home page will give you information regarding where you are in your learning and how many lessons you have completed. As you advance by completing the lessons, you can track your progress with shiny achievement notifications.
Gamified lesson serves as a motivation for learners who are into a gaming format.
The learning process of Duolingo is very similar to that of playing games. You are given three hearts at the beginning of each exercise, each of which stands for a mistake you can make.
The exercises consist of translations to and from the language you're learning, listening to words and then writing them down, matching exercises, and speaking exercises. If you make two or more mistakes (or lose two or more hearts), you should restart the exercise from the beginning.
Allows you to take different language lessons for free simultaneously.
Because Duolingo is free, you can study multiple languages simultaneously at no additional cost. You can even learn various languages simultaneously and save your progress as you switch between them.
So far, Duolingo probably sounds pretty ideal. However, let's look at some of the downsides that may make you reconsider.
Cons of Duolingo App
It is ideal for beginner learners who want a quick introduction to a language.
Duolingo’s lessons have a strong focus on the direct translation of words and phrases, which makes learning quick and simple but not very immersive. This means that learners are not often put into real-life scenarios and forced to start thinking using the language they're learning. If you are an intermediate speaker, you will have passed these critical cornerstones of using the language.
Tests you on words not covered/introduced in the lesson.
The progress tests quiz you on the entire Duolingo course you are taking, whether you have covered that specific material or not. The idea behind this is to help you gauge your progress, so a score of 5/5 indicates that you completely understand the course. Taking these quizzes when you have just started lets you have a benchmark on which you can base your progress.
Does not have in-depth explanations of grammar rules nor the cultural contexts of pronoun usage.
This means that learners have to fill in the gaps themselves. You can pick grammar rules up by example while using the app, but having a grammar text that helps you look up grammar rules when you are unsure may be more helpful.
This is another downside that makes this app a bit simpler than others, which can prevent learners from gaining a deep understanding of the language they are learning.
Accompanying audio for full sentences sounds robotic, unnatural, and something that you wouldn’t use in real-life conversations.
This doesn't help you with pronunciation or feeling like you can relate to the person talking. It also prevents you from having a “real-life” conversation with the app because the robotic nature of the voice may be difficult to understand. Some may find it difficult to learn another language without hearing a fluid and fluent speaker teaching it.
Which is Better: Babbel or Duolingo?
What is the verdict for Babbel vs Duolingo?
Although both learning platforms provide a basic introduction to a foreign language, Duolingo has a certain appeal because of its gamified style, which motivates learners to stick to the lessons.
Nevertheless, Babbel takes time to provide in-depth explanations of a foreign language’s different aspects, grammar rules, and cultural contexts of phrases and sentences, allowing for a better understanding of the learning material.
For that, Babbel is the winner.
Now, go ahead and try the app for yourself.
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