Babbel
Subscription language app with lessons, AI conversation practice and podcasts
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Pricing
Freemium
What is Babbel?
Babbel is a language-learning subscription app that teaches 14 languages through short lessons, interactive dialogues, AI conversation practice and podcasts. Courses run from Beginner to Advanced, and a placement test helps learners start at the right level.
Lessons use speech recognition for pronunciation practice and include grammar tips that cover reading, writing, listening and culture. Progress trackers and real-time feedback show how a learner is doing. Babbel also publishes Babbel Videos, Babbel Magazine and a Spanish Learning Hub.
Signing up is free, and the first lesson of every course is free. Depending on the language, up to 80 lessons are free. Full access requires a paid subscription, and a Lifetime plan is offered. Babbel lists discounts for students, military members, healthcare workers and educators, and subscriptions can be bought as gifts. Languages include Spanish (Mexico and Spain), French, German, Italian, Portuguese and more.
Key features
- Courses in 14 languages
- Speech recognition for pronunciation practice
- AI conversation practice
- Interactive dialogues and real-life scenarios
- Beginner to Advanced levels with placement test
- Progress tracking and real-time feedback
- Language podcasts and videos
Use cases
Who it's for
Preparing for travel
Learners can practice real-life dialogues and pronunciation before a trip abroad.
Finding the right starting level
The placement test places people with some prior knowledge in Intermediate or Advanced courses.
Practicing speaking
AI conversation practice and speech recognition give feedback on spoken answers.
Trying a language for free
The first lesson of each course is free, and up to 80 lessons are free depending on the language, so people can test a language before paying.
Babbel pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Free
Free
- Free sign-up
- First lesson of every course free
- Up to 80 free lessons depending on language
Lifetime
one-time
Not shown in page text
- Lifetime access
- Promo code BOO20 advertised for 20% off
How Babbel compares
- Babbel has a free plan, like 2 of the 4 alternatives below.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBabbel | — | — | — | — | ||
| M | — | — | — | — | Babbel vs Memrise | |
P Praktika | $8/mo | — | — | — | — | Babbel vs Praktika |
S Speak | — | — | — | — | Babbel vs Speak | |
| B | — | — | — | — | Babbel vs Busuu |
Compare 6 capabilities
| Capability | Babbel | Memrise | Praktika | Speak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI conversation | — | |||
| Pronunciation feedback | — | |||
| Native-language tutor | — | — | — | |
| Placement test | — | — | — | |
| Mistake-based review | — | — | — | |
| Native speaker video | — | — | — |
Capabilities as stated on each vendor's own site; — means the site doesn't say. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Babbel data and privacy
Trains AI on your content
Yes
“Training of our AI and quality assurance of the results (no use of voice recordings for this purpose)”
Data retention
Voice recordings deleted after transcription; research data deleted or anonymized within one year
“Voice recordings will only be shared with AI providers for transcribing purposes and will be deleted after transcription.”
Where data is stored
Not stated
Security and compliance
None stated
From Babbel's own privacy and security pages , checked Oct 28, 2026. We only show what the vendor states in writing; “not stated” means the pages don't say.
Who's behind Babbel
- Company
- Babbel GmbH
- Based in
- Berlin, Germany
- Founded
- 2007
- Founders
- Thomas Holl, Markus Witte, Lorenz Heine, Toine Diepstraten
“In 2007, co-founders Thomas Holl, Markus Witte, Lorenz Heine, and Toine Diepstraten were developing an online music platform”
“In 2007, co-founders Thomas Holl, Markus Witte, Lorenz Heine, and Toine Diepstraten were developing an online music platform”
From Babbel's own about, terms and privacy pages, checked Oct 28, 2026.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Up to 80 free lessons, depending on the language
- 14 languages, with Beginner to Advanced levels
- Discounts for students, military members, healthcare workers and educators
- Lifetime plan available
Limitations
- Prices are not shown in the text of the pricing page
- Only 14 languages are offered
Babbel FAQ
Is Babbel free?
Signing up is free, and the first lesson of every course is free. Depending on the language, up to 80 lessons are free. Full access requires a paid subscription.
Which languages does Babbel teach?
Spanish (Mexico and Spain), French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Danish, Dutch, Indonesian, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish and Turkish.
Is there a lifetime plan?
Yes. Babbel offers a Lifetime plan and was promoting a 20% discount code for it.
Are discounts available?
Babbel lists discounts for students, military members, healthcare workers and educators.
User reviews
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Babbel
Freemium