As an experienced language learner, I tried both Babbel and Duolingo to find out which app was better.\u00a0I used both to study German, and each app had its own strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, Babbel is a good fit for those who are a bit more serious, as it has more instruction, while Duolingo is a better fit for those dabbling in a new language and would like a bit of a foundation.<\/p>\n
[fluentu-toc skip=5]<\/p>\n
While I did study German back in school, I decided to claim that I was a complete newcomer to the language to see how both of these apps would handle absolute beginners and learners of other levels. This is what I found:<\/p>\n
Here’s a quick breakdown of their differences:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
| Feature<\/th> | Babbel<\/th> | Duolingo<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|
| Price<\/td> | Subscription-based<\/td> | Mostly free<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Languages<\/td> | 14<\/td> | 40+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Levels<\/td> | Usually up to B1 or B2<\/td> | Usually up to A2 or B1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Focus<\/td> | Practical conversation<\/td> | Vocabulary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Style<\/td> | Structured, with more grammar explanations<\/td> | Fun and gamified<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Lesson Path<\/td> | Linear<\/td> | Flexible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Lesson Length<\/td> | 10-15 mins<\/td> | 5-10 mins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n For a closer look at both apps’ learning processes, keep reading!<\/p>\n What are Babbel and Duolingo?<\/h2>\n |