Babbel vs Duolingo
November 02, 2025
Babbel and Duolingo are both online language learning platforms. They offer mobile apps with short, interactive lessons that can be completed independently at a comfortable pace. Both support multiple languages and are aimed at a global audience.
But Babbel (founded in 2007) is a German service that offers courses developed by expert linguists, focusing on a "traditional" approach: learning grammar and language structure, vocabulary for real-world situations. Babbel is aimed at adults and has fewer distracting game elements. Access to the courses is paid only.
Duolingo (2011) is an American service that uses a freemium model: basic functionality (with ads) is free and additional features and levels are available by subscription. The service places a strong emphasis on gamification: points, levels, badges and other competitive elements. This makes it suitable for children as well. Duolingo has much more users worldwide and many more languages to learn.
But Babbel (founded in 2007) is a German service that offers courses developed by expert linguists, focusing on a "traditional" approach: learning grammar and language structure, vocabulary for real-world situations. Babbel is aimed at adults and has fewer distracting game elements. Access to the courses is paid only.
Duolingo (2011) is an American service that uses a freemium model: basic functionality (with ads) is free and additional features and levels are available by subscription. The service places a strong emphasis on gamification: points, levels, badges and other competitive elements. This makes it suitable for children as well. Duolingo has much more users worldwide and many more languages to learn.
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