Babbel
An app that teaches you the phrases you need for real conversations.
What Babbel does
Babbel is a paid language course in an app. It teaches 14 languages, including Spanish, French, Italian and German, with short lessons built around situations you'd actually face, like ordering food or meeting someone new. Your first lesson is free, then you need a subscription.
Lessons are short and mix listening, speaking and writing. Grammar is explained inside the lesson, so you learn the rule right when you need it instead of memorizing tables. A review tool brings back words before you forget them, and you can download lessons to learn offline.
Courses are built for your native language, so an English speaker learning Spanish gets a course made for English speakers. Newer features include guided conversations and an AI speaking partner that was still in beta when we checked.
The catch is choice and price. Babbel covers 14 languages, not dozens, and there's no real free plan. If you learn best with structure and want to get to useful conversations quickly, it's a solid pick. If you only want a free daily habit, start elsewhere.
Alternatives to Babbel
Who it's for
Skip it if: Anyone who wants a free app. Learners of Japanese, Korean, Chinese or less common languages.
Pricing
Your first lesson is free. On the US App Store a single language costs $17.99 a month or $45.99 for 3 months, and an all-languages plan is $107.99 a year. Offers change, so check in the app.
Prices can vary by country. Checked 17 Oct 2026.
What people like
- Practical, conversation-first lessons
- Clear grammar in context
- Courses made for your native language
- Works offline
Watch out for
- Only 14 languages
- No free plan beyond the first lesson
- The lesson path can feel rigid
Want lessons built around your own trips and plans? Build your own.
Describe your app idea and Bilt builds it. Free to start, on your phone in minutes.
Try this idea: “an app that teaches me 10 useful phrases for a real situation, like ordering coffee in Spanish, and quizzes me on them the next day”
Questions people ask
Is Babbel free?
Only your first lesson. To keep going you need a subscription.
What languages does Babbel teach?
Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, English, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Dutch and Indonesian.
Is Babbel better than Duolingo?
They suit different people. Babbel is a paid, structured course focused on conversation. Duolingo is free and game-like. Many people start free and switch when they want more structure.
Can I use Babbel offline?
Yes. You can download lessons and study without a connection.